Desired for luminous glass-looking skin, Korean skincare has become one of the most sought-after beauty phenomena worldwide. K-beauty brands have become dominant in the global skincare industry due to their innovative formulations, natural ingredients, attractive packaging, and affordability, making them stand out from Western beauty companies. Korean skincare integrates ancient traditional remedies with modern science to produce safe and skin-friendly products that target many concerns in one formula, saving time and money. Whether you are dealing with acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, or other skin-related issues, K-beauty brands have something to offer for every skin type and concern. Below are the 10 Best Korean Skincare Brands, offering a diverse range of products from cleansers to toners to ampoules that you can add to your skincare routine.
Anua
If you use TikTok, you most likely have come across the name Anua. It became a viral skincare brand on the social platform with many beauty influencers and skincare experts reviewing and recommending its cleansing oil and toner. Anua is known for using heartleaf as the key ingredient in its products for antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its products aid in removing dirt, whiteheads, blackheads, excessive oil and sebum without stripping the skin’s natural moisture and clogging the pores.
Skin Type: All (especially acne-prone, combination and sensitive skin)
Bestsellers
- Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
- Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
- Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
- Anua Heartleaf Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner Pad
Cosrx
Over the recent years, snail mucin has become a trendy ingredient that promotes hydration, elasticity, and skin repairing. Corsx, one of the leading Korean skincare brands uses snail mucin as the main ingredient in its products. This brand backed by skincare science is known to target a wide range of skin concerns. It provides a simple, effective and affordable skincare without unnecessary ingredients which delivers noticeable results. This Korean skincare brand has managed to find a wide loyal following in the global beauty markets. Although when applying its products at first, you might balk at the slimy and sticky snail mucin on your face but once it sinks into your skin, you will become a huge fan of this brand. Its skincare range provides a calming and relaxing feeling with a wonderful glow and bounciness.
Skin Type: dry, sensitive and acne prone
Bestsellers
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All in one cream
- Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
- Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Beauty of Joseon
Nowadays, everyone wants supple, smooth glass skin. This can be achieved by using Beauty of Joseon products. This K-beauty brand is famous for incorporating Hanbang ingredients (a Korean herbal medicine) with modern skincare formulations to create natural, gentle, and cruelty-free skincare products. The brand contains natural ingredients like rice water, ginseng, red bean, and propolis, known for their healing, soothing, brightening and anti-ageing properties. It is no wonder that this Korean skincare brand has taken over the globe.
Skin Type: All
Bestsellers
- Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (SPF50 + PA++++)
- Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Round Lab
Round Lab is one of the holy grail brands in Korea. Drawing ingredients from the natural resources (water and soil) found in different islands in Korea, Round Lab incorporates mineral-rich seawater and Birch sap extract to design products that are rich in more than 90 natural minerals and nutrients. Its Birch Juice and 1025 Dokdo range are bestsellers that help to gently exfoliate the skin, increase blood circulation and skin cell immunity, improve eczema, irritation, and redness and prevent acne, blemish, dryness, and anti-ageing.
Skin Type: All (especially dry, combination and oily skin)
Bestsellers
- Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UV Lock SPF 45+ Broad Spectrum
- Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Cream
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Gel
- Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cleanser
Innisfree
Inspired by Jeju Island in South Korea, Innisfree skincare is infused with natural ingredients like Green Tea, Aloe Vera, Cherry blossom, Bija Tree, Orchid, Canola honey, and Volcanic clay to provide healthy, supple and glass-looking skin. Each ingredient is used to treat specific skin needs and concerns based on different skin types. The brand operates on the belief of blending nature and science to develop skincare formulas that effectively makes the skin look clear, clean, soft, and bright through its cleansers, toners, serums, and masks.
Skin Type: All (especially dull and uneven skin)
Bestsellers
- Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
- Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright Eye Serum
- Innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream
- Innisfree Cherry Blossom Glow Jelly Cream
Laneige
When it comes to face and lip sleeping masks, there is a good chance that Laneige is the first name that pops into your mind. Laneige, at first became popular for its iconic lip sleeping masks and then it went on to release more skincare items like face sleeping masks, moisturisers, essences, serums, toners, etc. Laniege products are all about antioxidants and hydrating properties. The main goal of this brand is to maintain optimal skin moisture even during sleep, ensuring healthy and dewy-looking skin.
Skin Type: All
Bestsellers
- Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
- Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer
- Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer
Skin1004
At the heart of Skin1004’s philosophy is the use of Centella Asiatica as the star ingredient in their skincare line. The products are formulated to calm and hydrate skin and reduce irritation, redness, blemishes and dark spots. All of Skin1004’s items from cleansers to toners to ampoules are light, vegan, soothing, non-comedogenic and mild seamlessly delivering a non-greasy, bouncy and soft touch to the skin.
Skin Type: All (especially acne prone and combination skin)
Bestsellers
- Skin1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil
- Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++
- Skin1004 Centella Ampoule
- Skin1004 Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
- Skin1004 Centella Soothing Cream
- Skin1004 Centella Ampoule Foam
I’m From
There are chances that you have probably seen the rice toner, mugwort essence and honey mask circulating on TikTok and Instagram, with many beauty influencers and skincare and makeup experts using and recommending them as a part of skincare routine. I’m From utilizes ancient Korean techniques of fermentation to extract and refine beneficial properties for skin from plants, herbs, fruits and grains. These techniques help to formulate powerful and skin repairing and renewing products that give a clean, radiant, smooth, and glassy-like complexion. This brand offers a wide skincare range such as rice, mugwort, honey, and beetroot to target skin-related issues through cleansers, toners, scrubs, masks, and serums.
Skin Type: All (especially dry, combination, and sensitive skin)
Bestsellers
- I’m From Rice Toner
- I’m From Rice Cream
- I’m From Mugwort Essence
- I’m From Beet Purifying Mask
- I’m From Honey Mask
Isntree
Isntree is characterized as an effective green beauty brand because of its safe and skin-friendly ingredients derived from nature and eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. It blends natural and active ingredients to provide soothing, hydrating, and barrier-repairing properties. Its Hyaluronic acid, Yam root, and Onion line are quite popular, earning a cult-like following in the Korean skincare community.
Skin Type: dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin
Bestsellers
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
- Isntree Ultra Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner
- Isntree Onion Newpair Clear Pad
- Isntree Onion Fresh Fluid Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
- Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser
Mediheal
Sheet Masks were popularised by the Korean skincare industry as an essential part of the 10-step skincare routine. If you want a sheet mask, then your go-to brand should be Mediheal. Mediheal provides a variety of sheet masks for every skin type out there. Their sheet masks are infused with essences that provide nourishment to the skin. Equally known are their pre-soaked toner pads which are used for a few minutes to soothe the skin, remove dead skin cells, and make the skin fresh and ready for either skincare or make-up routine.
Skin Type: All
Bestsellers
- Mediheal Sheet Mask Heroes 6 Pack
- Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
- Mediheal Collagen Ampoule Pad
- Mediheal Watermide Moisture Pad
- Mediheal Derma Modelling Pack Collagen Firming
- Mediheal Derma Modelling Pack Vitamin Brightening
Where to find the best Korean skincare brands?
If you want to buy Korean skincare products then check out Skin Store, The Skin Masquerade, and YesStyle. These three websites sell original products however, Skin Store and The Skin Masquerade are limited to Pakistan whereas YesStyle offers worldwide shipping.
My go-to place for shopping for Korean skincare products is Yesstyle. It not only offers a wide range of products but also flash deals, seasonal sales, and promo codes. Moreover, you can earn loyalty points with each purchase and redeem them for future orders. If you are confused about buying a specific product, you can check the ‘reviews’ section which will help you make the right decision.
