If there weren’t enough skincare products to follow in the United States market, beauty buyers are all about Korea for snagging their lotions and potions.
And, rightfully so. Serious Korean skincare users (aka, me) will reason that it’s not a product class — its’ a lifestyle. That glass skin-producing, snail mucin-y formulation model seems to be working, and with 4 years of slathering everything from Anua to COSRX onto my face, I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
“Korean skincare has the latest skin care ingredient technologies, like fermented ingredients to help the skin with better absorption,” Ginger King, cosmetic chemist and beauty industry expert, told Post Wanted. “They have the exosomes, the latest trend in skin healing. In addition to hydration (the key in K-beauty), translucency of skin, bounciness of skin and healing of skin are major in the product focus.”
The best Korean skincare routine will look different for everyone, but I pulled the best Korean skincare products — divided by category — for you to quickly glimmer at the standout formulas for you to try.
Why is Korean skincare the best?
The crux of Korean skincare is culture. Namely, the Korean culture of a multi-step, self-care skincare routine. Its benefits span far and wide, too, as it’s ” a comprehensive approach,” King told us, with a focus on hydration, reducing pores and creating a virtually spotless look for a forever-young appearance.
Glass skin is also a prominent factor driving more and more beauty users to the world of Korean skincare. The look is hydrated, pore-less (though everyone’s skin has pores, in order to be living!), smooth, glowy and translucent. “Yes, Asian [skincare] goes for the translucent look, almost seeing through radiance,” King added.
Trending like tomorrow, searches for “glass skin products” increased 202% in the past five years, per research announced by Fresha, as reported by Skin Inc. The hashtag #GlassSkin has amassed more than 563K posts on TikTok as well. It’s safe to say the Korean skincare routine isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Is Korean skincare better than traditional products? It depends on the kind of look you’re looking for, yet that lit-from-within, dewy look is simple to achieve with the right products, as you’ll see below.
Ahead, you’ll find the top-button Korean skincare products worth buying after years of testing, complete with before and after products so you can see how they work in real time. Every product is like a mini-facial for your skin, each with a purpose, and especially lovely to layer and use.
Pros:
- Offers a glass skin effect instantaneously
- Impressive on dry skin types
- Excellent value for the money
Cons:
- May be too goopy and watery for some, though it’s buildable
For years, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin 96% Power Essence has been a must-have of mine for the sole reason that it’s replenishing, safe on my sensitive skin and creates that naturally dewy “glass skin” look.
Don’t only take my word for it, either. More than 80,000 shoppers purchased this product on Amazon in the past month and it holds nearly the same amount of gleaming reviews. Not many people slot in an essence into their skincare routine (after all, using a face wash, moisturizer and SPF is the most basic routine a dermatologist would recommend), though this COSRX Snail Mucin arguably doubles as your best cleanser. It’s deeply hydrating, cleanses away impurities and is ideal to use both day and night.
This product is some kind of miracle in a bottle, and I don’t say that lightly. If there’s anything you pick up from this list, let it be this product. It’s nourishing serum-like qualities make it great for dabbing on after your cleanser. It’s also the most direct-hitting glass skin product I’ve tried from the brand at large.
How I use it: Following my COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, I apply one to two pumps and blend it throughout my face, as you would a moisturizer. I focus extra on the apples of my cheeks and the tip of my nose — the areas where pores tend to be more noticeable on my skin. I use the product twice daily.
Size: 3.35 ounces | Key ingredients: Snail Mucin
Pros:
- You’ll notice instant brightening and hydration results once used
- Contains vitamin C for brightening, niacinamide for correcting redness and caffeine for de-puffing, making it a great value
- Travel-friendly packaging
Cons:
- Not as creamy of a consistency as standard eye creams in tubs, though not a dealbreaker
As I’ve been testing 50+ eye creams in the past 4 years, I’m always on the lookout for the next best product. As soon as I came across the belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel, I knew I was going to be hooked.
For a reasonable price, this small but mighty applicator stick does a whole lot for my under-eye region. I’m an early bird who wakes up at 4:30 each morning so, when it comes to eye creams, I’m assessing them in a whole new light: will this product *actually* make me look awake? Will it brighten, de-puff and balance out my skin tone?
The answers to all three of those questions is seen in real time whenever I use this belif eye cream. The brand is oftentimes overlooked but absolutely shouldn’t be. Its Aqua Bomb line is one of the best for dry skin and I love layering this lightweight product underneath my eyes with its refreshingly cooling applicator.
Beyond its formulation, its packaging is well-thought-out and inspires me to grab it for a quick boost. For only $30 or so, this product defeats most other eye creams I’ve tested that are upwards of $300. Not only does it feature one of my all-time favorite ingredients (ahem, hyaluronic acid), but it also contains niacinamide that my dermatologist recommends to help correct redness, vitamin C to help brighten, caffeine to help de-puff and collagen to plump up the skin without the need for a Hydrafacial. In essence, all good things that are each checkmarks for my skin in their own rite.
With visible results, this eye product is the real deal.
Size: 0.5 ounces | Key ingredients: Caffeine, Collagen, Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C
Pros:
- One of the most lightweight serums tested
- Leaves the skin radiant and smooth when used regularly
- Helps support the skin barrier as it’s hydrating
Cons:
- Won’t see immediate effects (must be used consistently)
Listen, we’ve all been recommended products to help support our skin barrier, and the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI is one of those products that instantly made me think, “well, this is quenching my skin with some much-needed moisture.”
As a full-time beauty product tester, I’m candidly a bit late on the bandwagon to trying this serum, though extremely glad I did. It applies on rather translucent and has a barely there finish, making it one of the best for layering.
The crux of its formulation is a vitamin C derivative that helps treat the skin with antioxidant benefits. In tandem, its signature ginseng extract, as found in the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream ($260) that I also tested and enjoy, is positioned to help strengthen the skin barrier, which I found to be true. Its smoothing effects were especially apparent when used consistently over time.
According to the brand, “one bottle is sold every 10 seconds,” and it’s a testament to how it feels virtually weightless but comes with a wealth of anti-aging, smoothing and radiance-driving benefits when used consistently. Bonus points if you also pick up the brand’s UV Daily Cream Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen ($75) for another dreamy and (lightly) creamy product to layer on top.
Size: 2.02 ounces | Key ingredients: Ginseng Extract, Vitamin C derivative
Pros:
- Deeply hydrates the lips, even more so than the popular Lip Sleeping Mask the brand offers
- Leaves a naturally glowy gloss and sheen that’s incredibly flattering
- Contoured applicator helps you fully coat your lips
Cons:
- Somewhat smaller tube compared to other lip balms I tested, which doesn’t make it a terrific value
I’m just going to come out and say it: the LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm is better than the brand’s seen-everywhere Lip Sleeping Mask.
As soon as I discovered this Lip Hydrant 2.0 that succeeded the lip mask, I knew I had to put it to the test. I enjoy the brand’s iconic tub, but the squeezy tube is so much better IMHO. It’s one of the most popular Korean skincare items and a surefire purse staple and I carry it around with me everywhere — in all of its flavors.
It has a long-lasting finish, staying power that exceeds the lip mask. It’s infused with shea butter for extra hydration (think: body butter for your lips) and it’s one of those purchases you’ll be glad you made. Trust me.
One last note: it leaves a naturally glowy gloss and sheen that’s incredibly flattering. On most occasions, I don’t feel the need to apply a lip liner, my favorite nude lipstick and definitely not a gloss. If you’re wanting to spoil your lips, this K-beauty buy is essential.
Size: 0.35 ounces | Key ingredients: Shea butter
Pros:
- Fairly priced for its ability to help reduce redness and diminish the appearance of breakouts
- Contains retinol to offer up some anti-aging benefits when used consistently
- Foams a bit when applied, making it a wonderful option for those with dry or combination skin
A recent brand I’ve been loving is TIRITR. Its suite of products is one of those where, after you use it, you’ll touch your skin and feel it bounce back. That’s how I felt once its Niacinamide 20% Serum was fully absorbed onto my skin. It’s one of the best Korean skincare items for acne that I’ve used so far.
I’ve always enjoyed using a niacinamide serum but especially as of late. I’ve never had completely acne-prone skin but I do experience larger pores. When my dermatologist advised I use niacinamide to help correct redness — especially because it’s a bit more forgiving than pure retinol on my sensitive skin — I was all about using this one from TIRTIR.
My combination skin has a handful of dry spots and this serum is what I’d suggest to anyone who has dry skin but suffers from the occasional breakouts. It almost has a foaming consistency, surprising me as I rubbed this into my face after using the brand’s Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Balm ($25).
Because it produces a subtle foam once applied, it takes a bit longer to fully absorb into the skin, compared to a water-based serum in a glass dispenser. However, given that this is a niacinamide serum that hydrates, is gentle and helps diminish the appearance of redness surrounding blemishes (and in general), it’s worth it. Plus, it’s fairly priced.
This niacinamide serum does include retinol but doesn’t have an adverse effect on my skin, largely in part for its fragrance-free formula. My skin looks a bit more balanced after each use and it certainly helps control excess oil. Consider it a redness reset.
Size: 1.01 ounces | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Retinol
Pros:
- Doesn’t deliver a white cast, making it a great facial sunscreen for darker skin tones, especially
- Broad-spectrum formulation to protect against both UVA and UVB rays
- Hydrating and especially suitable for dry, sensitive and combination skin types
Cons:
- Doesn’t leave the most dewy result, but not a dealbreaker
Facial sunscreen is a class of products you don’t have to encourage me to use. If you can see my bathroom vanity drawer, it’s like a beach bag exploded — in the best way possible.
But, you shouldn’t only use a facial sunscreen before your treks to the sand and ocean. Dermatologists recommend using a facial SPF every day (yes, really) as it has been studied to help prevent skin cancer and also slow down the speed of aging, sagging skin.
I found this Korean sunscreen to be the one I can’t stop using. There’s no greasy look, no white finish and certainly no clogged pores, the latter a tipping point for me (I’m just a girl who wants sun protection, not visible pores).
Its a hydrating formula, contains a lofty SPF 50+ which receives a stamp of approval among dermatologists who recommend slathering on at least SPF 30. Not only did it address dryness but it also went on baby-smooth and helped create a pleasing blurring effect. When I’m out in the sunshine or otherwise, I don’t find it streaking off, either. It also layers beautifully underneath makeup.
Size: 1.6 ounces | Key ingredients: Mineral water, SPF, Centella aslatica (for soothing)
Pros:
- Delivers jaw-dropping hydration, topped with a beautiful, lit-from-within finish
- Bio-cellulose sheet mask design that stays put and is comfortable to wear
- Affordable price and terrific value (15 masks for less than $20)
Cons:
- May be too hydrating on oily skin types
- Offers short-term results, though can be reversed if used at least once a week or more
TLDR: you need this mask.
The Mediheal Hyalu Moist Essence Mask is one of the best, if not the best, sheet face masks I’ve used. One of the worst traits of any sheet mask you’re using is when its too wet and unmanageable to gently untick to reveal the full-face sheet before application. It covers my entire face well, stays put and refreshes my skin to glowy goodness in only 20 minutes. It’s one of the best hyaluronic acid products I reviewed, too.
I spent my 20 minutes reading a book in bed and I felt so beyond relaxed; it was like an awakening. Once removed, my skin had the most unbelievable quenched feel with a natural glow, so much so that my fiancé said, “look at that glow!” as soon as he entered the bathroom. And, that’s saying something, as I use a whole lot of skincare and this one set out from the rest of the products in my rotating nighttime regimen.
This sheet mask is a powerhouse for dry, dehydrated or dull skin, as it replenishes moisture after one. The high concentration of essence in the mask also enhances the skin’s ability to retain moisture, improving overall skin texture and leaving it soft and supple.
One key characteristic of this mask is its use of a bio-cellulose sheet, which fits snugly against my skin to ensure that the active ingredients are absorbed deeply and evenly. I immediately spotted that the mask’s close adherence helped maximize the benefits of the hyaluronic acid.
I love how this mask mimics the viral (and best K-beauty product ever) COSRX 96% Snail Mucin Repairing Essence ($20) that, FYI, I’d cry if I ever ran out of. When used together, the essence and this mask were *chef’s kiss*.
What’s more, the thin, breathable material made it comfortable to wear and allowed for better skin penetration, allowing the hyaluronic acid and other nourishing elements to fully hydrate the skin. This optimal delivery system leads to smoother, plumper skin with reduced dryness and fine lines, giving me a beyond-compare result. For less than $20, buy the mask and don’t look back. You’ll thank me later.
Size: One size; comes in a 15-pack bundle | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin
Pros:
- Not going to lie, the best foaming cleanser I’ve used
- Rids the skin of impurities without an oily sheen
- Hydrating, so excellent for dry, oily and combination skin types especially
Cons:
- Not 100% fragrance-free, so may not be best for those with extremely sensitive skin
Pretty-in-pink packaging aside, The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser is heaven-sent for my combination skin. Specifically, conquering and remedying the oilier zones on my face.
With oily skin, it’s sometimes a mystery to rid yourself of that unwanted, greasy finish that tends to creep up on your face throughout the day. I’ve found myself to use foaming cleansers on repeat to tackle the excess oil, and this one delivered. It’s the best foaming cleanser I’ve used.
As soon as this formulation is mixed with water, you’ll be amazed at its lathering power. It not only hydrated and rinsed away impurities but it completely allowed my skin to feel matte-clean. Best of all, my complexion still looked radiant (think: glass skin, without the excess “dewy” finish), so you’re receiving the best of both worlds.
While it proves to work incredibly on my sensitive skin, it has a subtle rice and floral scent which may be undesirable for those with extremely sensitive skin. However, I’ve seen no adverse effects; it’s just food for thought.
I’m lost for words at how this cleanser is less than $20. It’s not only the price that makes more than 5,000 beauty shoppers flock to it each month on Amazon, it’s its efficacy. The formulation is 100% vegan and leaves my skin refreshingly radiant — all without the unwanted oily feel.
Size: 10.1 ounces | Key ingredients: Ceramides, Vitamins A, B + E
Pros:
- Long-lasting and leaves the skin incredibly baby-soft
- Wonderful for sensitive skin, thanks to its hypoallergenic, gentle formula
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing whipped consistency
Cons:
- While not greasy, it may be too rich for purely oily skin types (to defeat this, use a little bit at a time)
If you’re seeking a product that’s a buttery dream to apply, look no further than the TIRTIR Ceramic Cream. I seriously couldn’t stop touching my face (oops) after I applied this. Even hours later, my skin was baby-soft.
This K-beauty brand isn’t pricey, either. Everything about this product is a dream: it’s a dream to apply, a dream to watch absorb and a dream to feel your skin be at its peak. My combination skin didn’t find its formulation to be too rich or too shiny. As Goldilocks would say, it’s just right.
It’s hypoallergenic and my sensitive skin drinks it right up. Uniquely, it contains witch hazel, so I’d expect it to work well for acne-prone skin as well. In fact, when I interviewed ” Marina Peredo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in aesthetic dermatology and associate clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital — with 32 years of experience — she recommended witch hazel “as it has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes the skin,” in reference to selecting the best toners for acne-prone skin.
My skin is comfortably and jaw-droppingly smooth whenever I reach for my tub of TIRTIR. IT sits on my bathroom vanity and, quite honestly, can’t leave. Its non-greasy formula is one I adore for both morning and evening use, and its gentle hydration factor is enough to purchase it. The cream is just too good.
Size: 1.69 ounces | Key ingredients: Centella asiatica extract, Witch hazel
Pros:
- Incredibly nourishing and hydrating, thanks to collagen and peptides found in its formulation
- Pocket-sized and portable to take with you everywhere (spoiler alert: you’ll want to!)
- Provides a bouncy-looking pout for juicy-looking lips
Cons:
- While it provides a gloss, it comes on clear, which may not be desirable if you want a little “color” to your lips, though not a dealbreaker
There isn’t a lip balm I’ve been reaching for more than the Peach & Lily Collagen Cushion Peptide Lip Balm. After testing a litany of lip balms and lip masks, this product is all-deserving of praise. It’s beyond hydrating with collagen and peptides in its formulation — and my lips have never looked bouncier.
I didn’t expect it to be so nourishing. After all, I haven’t heard too much hype surrounding the peachy tube, though my full-time role as a beauty product tester allows me to put quite possibly *everything* I can to the test. This trusty balm is what’s worth raving about.
The applicator is smooth, in addition to this rockstar formulation. It’s almost like glass skin for your lips, as this lip balm provides that dreamy, bouncy pout each time. If you want a lip balm that’ll exceed your expectations, this one is it; it even contains hyaluronic acid to up the ante on the hydration, flooding my lips with that juiciness with each swipe.
Recently, this has been in one hand and my phone (or iced latte) has been in the other. It’s found on my coffee table, my nightstand and inside my jeans pocket and work bag. There’s not a place it doesn’t go, and it’s because it bathes my lips and serves as an excellent primer for lipstick, though I hardly want to wear a lip color because I’ve, quite literally, been married to this product.
Size: 0.4 ounces | Key ingredients: Ceramides, Collagen, Hyaluronic acid, Peptides
Pros:
- One of the most iconic products for hydration and leaving your skin feeling baby-smooth
- Helps reverse the look of dull skin quite immediately
- Contains hyaluronic acid for hydration
Cons:
- More dewier than most other formulations tested, so it’ll need some time to “dry” on your face — but nothing to sway you against using it
This jelly-based hydration giver is the epitome of what a night cream-face mask should be: dousing in moisture, refreshing to the touch and supremely dewy.
The belief Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask has been a mainstay in my skincare routine for quite a while now. I’ll admit, even though I swear by a list of night creams, cream face masks and moisturizers for dry skin, nothing is like the “explosive hydration” this formulation provides, as listed on its nighttime blue tub.
Surprisingly, it’s not too goopy, as I initially expected when I first touched its gelatin consistency. It’s like pudding meets velvety cake icing, but cooling. I never have to reapply the product before bed (and you don’t need a lot, either!) proving to be the ideal overnight treatment to spoil dry spots on my face and provide my face with an overall, rejuvenated glow.
It’s phenomenal for its ability to reverse the look of dull skin pretty swiftly. Its ingredient list, of course, includes hyaluronic acid for that no-salon Hydrafacial feel, and it even includes Lady’s Mantle, the moisturizing herb used since medieval times by European women to keep their complexion smooth and youthful.
It’s extremely dewy, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but my skin soaks it up. It needs a few minutes to feel less wet on the skin, so I usually fan my face for about 30 seconds to make it more comfortable to set in. Overall, it’s a product you seriously shouldn’t sleep on — instead, sleep with.
Size: 1.6 ounces | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Lady’s Mantle
Pros:
- The quickest and most effective product for shine among all I tested
- May be more effective to use, instead of a thicker hair mask, for thin and medium hair types, as it won’t weigh down your strands
- Helps moisturize and replenish the scalp simultaneously
There are no words to describe how the Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Miracle-In Shower Treatment is *actually* a miracle for anyone experiencing “blah” hair at times, especially toward the ends. I’ll admit, I can sometimes become skeptical over anything that’s a “treatment” for my hair, but this one sets itself apart from the rest of restorative and bond-building formulas I’m spewed advertisements for, but mostly weigh down my low porosity hair.
No joke, I would travel to Korea for this product. A passionate statement, I know, but it’s that good. More than 5,000 shoppers purchased it in the past month, so they’d probably hop on the plane with me.
It contains the infamous rosemary oil, which has been thought to help promote hair growth, which is only a bonus for this product. However, its hallmark is creating shine — and creating it quickly. After I use the Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Hair Thickening Shampoo ($30), I dispense the nozzle toward the base of my neck. It’s amazing how you feel the product instantly generating silky smooth hair.
Shine aside, it’s fairly moisturizing and I feel like it’s replenishing my scalp all the while. My hair is about medium thick and this is one of my favorite products to use after my shampoo. In fact, it’s more effective than most hair masks I’ve tried as it never weighs down my hair. A note of caution: it dispenses quickly, so softly squeeze the tube.
Size: 1.6 ounces | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Salicylic acid
Pros:
- Leaves the skin incredibly soft, especially by the knee caps and anywhere dead skin is present
- Helps prevent razor bumps and remove the texture caused by razor burn
- Works well on sensitive skin
Cons:
- Formula is too thick to squeeze out of its tube; you’ll have to untwist the cap off, which is somewhat inconvenient
I’ve never been a big fan of scrubs or anything that may aggravate my sensitive skin, but razor bumps and texture on my legs has been a pain point for me. Like, why does this keep happening? A girl just wanted perfectly shaved, smooth skin.
Once I came across the Peach & Lily Body KP Bump Boss Microderm Body Scrub, I decided to give it a go. From my experience consulting dermatologists, I knew AHAs, particularly glycolic acid and lactic acid, are recommended for exfoliation, helping to dissolve dead bonds between skin cells and reveal a brighter and smoother end result.
This gentle treatment did just that and is better than the rah-rah viral First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser everyone and their mother talks about. This one has a gritty consistency but quickly absorbs into a soft paste once it hits the water and onto your legs and elsewhere on the body. I couldn’t stop feeling my skin after I rinsed off.
Compared to First Aid Beauty, Peach & Lily’s KP Bump Boss is a bit gentler and a world more effective in the smooth-skin department. I wouldn’t use this treatment every time I shower — maybe once a week or so — but it’ll make you feel like a million bucks, especially if you have sensitive skin and want to combat texture, razor burn and razor bumps.
Size: 8.11 ounces | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Hyaluronic acid
How we tested
I recently retested an assortment of Korean skincare products to truthfully assess which ones worked for different purposes. With more than 4 years as a beauty product tester and commerce reporter, here’s the lowdown of what I kept in mind when testing each one:
- Formulation: How did the product feel out of its packaging, and then on the face or body? Korean skincare is known to be glass skin-producing and dewy, leaving baby-smooth results, so I took note of which products made the cut.
- Hydration: Each product on this list didn’t have to be fervently reapplied; only long-lasting products made the cut.
- Packaging and application: If the product had a learning curve to it out of its packaging, this was jotted down in the review notes. While the “good stuff” is its formula and efficacy, packaging plays a role in Korean skincare.
This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest and greatest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include reviewing the viral Korean beauty brand, Cosrx, and testing dermatologist-recommended acne cleansers. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
