Korean beauty products are renowned for their effective formulations and effects on the skin. They're often hyper-focused on increasing hydration and reducing inflammation, while utilizing powerful but gentle ingredients.
This cult cleanser is beloved by vlogger Michelle Choi, The Cut's Kathleen Hou, and Viera-Newton for its gentle yet effective cleansing abilities. The lightweight balm is infused with East Asian mountain yam, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to visibly brighten dull complexions.
1. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is one of the most famous Korean Beauty products in the world. It is a sleeping mask that packs tons of hydration into your skin while you sleep so that you wake up with plump, glowing and bouncy () skin. Sleeping masks are usually lighter in texture than your usual night cream, and they seal in the moisture so that it can help your skin look well rested.
This cult favourite by Laneige is a must-have for those who want to fight the signs of aging, as it contains antioxidants, shea butter, murumuru seed oil and other ingredients that promote restful sleep and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It also contains centella asiatica to calm the skin and reduce redness, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
It also has a high concentration of hydro ionized mineral water and a mixture of apricot and evening primrose root extracts to wrap your skin in a breathable layer of moisture. The calming Sleepscent containing orange flower, ylang-ylang and sandalwood oil helps relax your senses, so you can get a good night’s sleep.
It is gentle enough to use on acne-prone skin but tough enough to get rid of blackheads and oil build up. However, it may irritate your sensitive skin, so be careful when using it. https://www.thegrapebeauty.com/
2. Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Essence
Snail slime has become a big thing in K-Beauty – you’ve probably seen it in products like the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Essence and COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream. It’s claimed to repair skin damage, reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity while whitening the skin tone. I was able to purchase the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream and Snail Skin Treatment on Missha’s US website for $34 each or $70 for a set that includes travel size versions of both products.
The star ingredient in this cream is 70% snail mucin extract that repairs blemishes, dark skin tone and signs of aging while improving skin elasticity. Other ingredients like bobab seed extract and deep sea water activate the skin’s moisture storage level, help improve skin tone and relieve dryness. The light gel texture feels cooling and absorbs easily while the fresh cucumber scent is very pleasant.
The Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Essential Moisturizer is free of parabens, talc and alcohol making it suitable for most skin types. It also contains xanthan gum – a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetics products that gives them a sticky consistency without being too runny. It’s also said to improve the skin’s moisture retaining abilities and protect against environmental stressors such as UV rays. Lastly, the ingredient list also mentions Dimethicone which is a silicone that helps smooth the appearance of the skin and boost the absorption of other ingredients. Dimethicone is considered safe for use in cosmetics and does not clog pores.
3. KAHI Collagen Serum
The most famous product from the Kahi line, this multi-tasking balm stick is designed to moisturize skin as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It also boasts skin barrier care by using patented Filmexel technology to produce a thin, seaweed biofilm on the skin to protect it from harmful external factors. It also contains the Salmon Triple Complex to stimulate collagen production and provide anti-aging skin care.
It has been praised for its anti-aging benefits by many beauty bloggers. Its anti-aging ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump the skin and increase its elasticity while increasing its moisture retention capacity. It also has retinol to brighten and reduce dark spots as well as niacinamide to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is combined with red algae to reduce UV ray damage and prebiotics to nourish the skin microbiome and boost the efficacy of the other ingredients.
Lastly, it has been formulated with natural fermented oils that have been extracted from green tea and turmeric in Jeju to boost the absorbency of the skincare, leaving the skin refreshed without any stickiness. 86.5% salmon collagen extract, hydrolyzed collagen, and 9 types of hyaluronic acid promote anti-aging care while improving the skin barrier for long-lasting hydration.
This is the best K-beauty serum for reviving the youthful glow of your skin. It’s also suitable for dry, mature, sensitive and acne-prone skin types.
4. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is one of the most beloved skincare products in the K-Beauty sphere and for good reason. It’s a gel-type overnight mask that helps to hydrate and revitalize the skin while you rest. It is formulated with a mix of hydrating and revitalizing ingredients, including patented pro-biotics-derived complex (powered by lactobacillus ferment lysate) and plant squalane from sugar cane that deeply hydrate the skin.
The non-greasy texture of the mask allows for quick absorption into the skin without clogging pores or leaving any residue. The formula also contains what Laneige calls “Sleepscent,” which is a mixture of soothing essential oils such as orange flower, rose, and ylang ylang that help to promote a peaceful night of sleep.
It is recommended to apply this product before bedtime and rinse off in the morning. It can be used in conjunction with other skincare products such as serums and moisturizers, and it is gentle enough to use for all skin types.
Another of our favourite Laneige products is the brand’s Cream Skin Mist, a super-hydrating product that can be used to spritz your face after cleansing and before applying serums and moisturizers. Adore Beauty Senior Editor Amy Clark says it leaves her skin feeling “hydrated, plump and super bouncy,” which is exactly what she wants from her skincare routine!
5. Etude House Dear Darling Lip Tint
This lip tint from Etude House comes in a variety of shades and is incredibly cheap. It also comes in a cute little ice pop container with a simple sponge tip applicator. It is a super watery tint and not as pigmented as a regular lip color but it still feels lightweight and moisturizing on the lips.
It is formulated with pomegranate and grapefruit extracts for moisture. It is said to last up to six hours and leave the lips with a vivid, juicy coloring. I haven't noticed much difference in how long it lasts compared to other lip tints but I do love that it doesn't feel sticky and dry.
The tints are pretty sheer but can be built up to an opaque finish if needed. The lightest shade, pk003, is more neutral and pinky with no red tones at all. It makes a good everyday natural look shade. The most vibrant shade is pk204, which is a very dark orange that has both red and yellow tones so it can brighten up the skin without looking too stark.
The applicator is fairly thin so I'm able to use it to create a gradient lip effect with the lighter colors and the darker shades work well on their own. I haven't tried it doubled as a cheek tint but I'm sure that would be fun too. The only drawbacks I have with this product is that it does feather a bit and doesn't leave an even stain.
6. Tony Moly Water Gel Lip Tint
A lipstick is a staple in every girl’s makeup collection. It’s a great way to add color to your lips and can last the whole day without bleeding.
This lip tint from Tony Moly has a gel-like texture and is formulated with Rosehip Oil, Argan Oil, and Jojoba Oil to moisturize your lips. It’s also long-wearing and dries to a matte finish that won’t move or budge all day. The tint is perfect for a bold gradient lip look or any time you want a vivid pop of color on your lips.
It has a beautiful fruity scent and feels very light on your lips. It’s also non-sticky, so you don’t have to worry about your hair sticking to your lips during a windy day. It comes in three different shades: Sweet Guava, Reddish Carrot, and Bad Cranberry.
The packaging is really cute and the applicator is nice too. You can use it for both the lips and cheeks but I would recommend only using it on your cheeks if you’re going to blend it with your base makeup.
The Tony Moly Water Gel Lip Tint is part of their #ROTD collection which also includes a lip stick, eye glitter and a mono chrome matte lipstick. They all have a similar color and texture. The shade I’m wearing is 01 One Pick Red but there are other shades available like 02 Crazy Red, 03 Suddenly Red.