must have korean skincare products

10 Must Have Korean Skincare Products For Your Skincare Routine 2023

Korean culture has taken the world by storm, especially their beauty industry. These must have Korean skincare products ranging from toners, moisturizers, to anti-aging ampoules and serums give amazing results. Women around the globe also love their natural ingredients list. 

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when people say ‘Korea’? K-pop? BTS? We bet you at least the top three things include Korean skincare products.

From exotic anti-aging potions that claim to turn back the clock to interesting face masks with cutesy packaging, K-beauty has it all. 

Related: Best Korean Anti-Aging Skincare Products

Related: Must Have Korean Beauty and Makeup Products

Related: Best Korean Hair Products

And another thing that the Korean beauty industry has introduced to us regular folks is the famous 10-step skincare routine. We’re pretty sure you’ve heard of it. This routine involves the regular use of several cleansers, creams, toners, and more. 

Must Have Korean Skincare ProductsType of ProductChief Ingredients
Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing BalmMakeup RemoverHot Springs Water, Vitamin E and Vitamin C
Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel CleanserFace WashPeach Extracts, Cica Extracts, Chamomile Extrarcts
Cosrx Full-Fit Propolis Synergy TonerTonerBlack Bee Propolis Extract and Honey Extract
Primera Miracle Seed EssencePre-Serum EssenceLotus Seed Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining SerumSerumNiacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Peach Extract
Belif The True Cream Aqua BombMoisturizerComfrey Leaf, Hyaluronic Acid
Suntique I’m Pure Cica SuncreamSunscreenCica Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping MaskNight CreamHyaluronic Acid and Pumpkin Seed Extract
COSRX Acne Pimple Master PatchAcne Spot TreatmentHydrocolloid Patches
Tonymoly I’m Real Avocado Mask SheetFace MasksAvocado Extract, Macadamia Extract

But which Korean skincare products are the best? And what products will suit your skin types and needs?

To make your everyday skincare routines simpler, we’ve come up with this list of the must have Korean skincare products. 

Must Have Korean Skincare Products 2021

Check out our list of the must have Korean skincare products below:

Best Korean Makeup Remover/Cleansing Balm

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm

top selling products in korea

Everyone has heard of cleansing right? But the latest Korean trend is ‘double cleansing’ and boy do we love it! It involves using a cleansing balm like this one by Banila to remove makeup and other debris from your face before applying an actual face wash. 

And in this day and age where almost everyone wears makeup and there’s so much pollution, this Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm is nothing less than a boon.

You don’t have to worry about it being harsh on your skin. It contains botanical extracts, vitamin C, vitamin E, and hot springs water that nourish your skin. 

There’s also no sulfates, parabens, alcohol, or any other harsh chemical. So you can use this balm on your sensitive skin, worry-free. And since a tiny bit of this product goes a long way, it’s great on your budget too. 

Best Korean Cleanser/Face Wash

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

high end korean skincare brands

We’ve picked the Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser to be on this list because it suits so many skin types. It is great for oily as well as combination and sensitive skin. The gel formulation when applied turns almost into a cloud-like foam. So this product lasts you for a long time as well. 

The ingredients list includes powerful botanicals like peach, chamomile extracts, camellia extracts, and many more. They penetrate deep into the skin cleansing it and hydrating it.

What’s more, the face wash has a mild, perfectly balanced formula of 5.5. So it maintains a healthy acidic environment on your face. 

We loved how despite its deep cleansing properties, it doesn’t contain any sulfates or other harsh surfactants.

Best Korean Toner

 

Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner

korean skin care kit 1

Most toners contain astringents and leave your skin feeling tight and drawn. But not the Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner. It’s a fantastic skincare product for dry skin. We love how plump and hydrated your face feels afterward. 

The key ingredients here are black bee propolis extract (72.6 percent) and honey (10 percent). Together, they deeply nourish your skin cells, boost collagen production, and strengthen the natural moisture barrier.

We also liked how plump and dewy it leaves your skin. 

There’s however one teensy little drawback. This toner is full of emollients. And while this is amazing if you have super-dry skin, it can increase breakouts on acne-prone skin.

If you have a super-oily face prone to pimples, try the Cosrx AHA BHA toner instead. 

Best Korean Essence

Primera Miracle Seed Essence

best korean drugstore skincare 1

“Essence, what’s that?” Now this is a frequently asked question. A lot of people are of the opinion that this step is skippable. But we disagree.

An essence can help your serum or moisturizer get absorbed into the skin better. And if you have very dry, aging skin, it adds that extra boost of moisture too.

We loved the Primera Miracle Seed Essence for its hydrating ingredients including lotus seed extracts, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin.

It not only improves the skin’s texture but also protects it from damage by free radicals and environmental aggressors. 

The dermatologist-tested product is also gentle on your pores and non-comedogenic. So those with acne-prone or sensitive skin can also use this essence. And yes, the product is a tad expensive, but it’s amazing formula is more than worth it. 

Best Korean Serum

Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum

inexpensive korean skincare 1

Among the most popular Korean trends today is the ‘glass skin’. Basically, it’s skin that’s so flawless and smooth, it almost shines like glass. And this is exactly the type of skin, this serum claims to deliver. 

The product has a silky, weightless texture that gets absorbed into the skin within seconds. We loved how it helps combat several skin issues including dryness, open pores, blemishes, and more. 

As the name suggests, the key ingredient here is peach, which comes packed with tons of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Then there’s also Asian mountain yam extract, niacinamide for skin-brightening, and peptides to give you younger-looking skin. 

Best Korean Moisturizer/Face Cream

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

best selling korean skin care products in korea

We believe that moisturizers should hydrate your skin, and not make it greasy or sticky. And this is exactly what the Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb does. It intensely nourishes your face without leaving an ounce of greasiness anywhere.

In fact, the moisturizer has a consistency somewhere between a gel and a cream. And several users have described it to be similar to a serum rather than a face cream. 

The product keeps your face moisturized all day long. It owes its nourishing properties to the Comfrey herb extracts that helps strengthen the natural moisture barrier in your skin cells.

We loved how you require only a little cream. So this product is economical as well. 

Best Korean Sunscreen

Suntique I’m Pure Cica Suncream

best korean anti aging skin care products 1

All experts (including us) agree on one fact – you should never leave your home without applying sunscreen. So it’s no wonder that a high-SPF sunblock should be a part of your Korean skincare routine.  

We like this one by Suntique the most. It has a SPF 50 PA++++ formula which is super-effective at protecting your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation.

This mineral sunscreen is formulated using zinc oxide, but it never leaves a white cast on your face.

What’s more, it contains Centella Asiatica extracts that soothe sensitive, inflamed skin. A fantastic thing for the hot summers!

Best Korean Face Mask

Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask

best korean skin care set 1

Your skincare routine isn’t just for the day. The skin needs that extra TLC before going to bed. After all, that is the time when your body starts healing itself. So this Glow Recipe night mask is just what you need. 

The hyaluronic acid-based formula nourishes your skin from deep within. And what’s amazing about this face mask is that it contains AHA or glycolic acid.

This gently exfoliates your skin so that your pores are clean of the day’s impurities and pollutants. 

This vegan and the cruelty-free product does not contain any parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, sulfates, or phthalates. It’s just perfect for sensitive skin types!

Best Korean Acne Treatment

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

best korean skin care products

The Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch is a holy grail product in Korea. We love how effective it is in getting rid of acne.

Going to a party, and got a pimple the day before? These hydrocolloid patches are there for your rescue. 

They vanish acne overnight. It contains 100% A.D.F. hydrocolloid dressing that help suppress the breakouts, and it also works as a barrier between the skin and your fingers.

So if you’re tempted to pick at that pimple, these patches won’t let you do so. 

This product offers good value for money too. One pack gives you 24 patches, and in three different sizes as well. 

Best Korean Sheet Mask

Tonymoly I’m Real Avocado Mask Sheet

Korean sheet masks are the celebrities of skincare at this point. So it’s a no-brainer that a sheet mask has made this list. We love the TonyMoly masks a lot. They give you so much variety to choose from! 

We’ve picked this I’m Real Avocado mask as it comes soaked in three different types of essences. Micro-emulsion, lotion, water-based essences – it’s all in there.

And 20 minutes is all it takes for it to go from the three layer pulp mask into your skin. 

The result? Softer, plumper, and more hydrated skin in no time at all!

Best Korean Lip Balm

TonyMoly Lip Balm

When it comes to skincare, most women forget to take care of their lips! But hey your luscious lips deserve some love too.

Chapped lips, skin darkening, etc. are all common lip problems which this TonyMoly lip balm takes care of. The lip balm contains natural ingredients like shea butter and carnauba wax which are super moisturizing.

There are also peach extracts that give it that lovely fruity flavor and tea tree oil that keeps your lips plumped and soft.

We just had one issue, that’s the inclusion of alcohol in the ingredients list. It can dry lips in the long run.

Conclusion

From the first step of skincare to the very last, you’ll find all you need and want among K-beauty products.

These must have Korean skincare products have been specially curated to help you find the right pick for you. They tackle several skin issues including acne, aging, pigmentation, dullness, and more.

Try them for yourselves and let us know in the comments how amazing your skin feels!

Also Read: 

Best Korean eye cream for dark circles

Best Korean body wash

Best Korean hair growth secrets

Top Korean exfoliator

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