11 New Korean Skincare Products We’re Loving Sick Right Now
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Fact: Once you start using Korean skincare, it's really hard to stop.
From silky serums and mists, to jelly creams, emulsions and essences, Korean skincare products are humble, hardworking and all about hydration.
They're also reasonably affordable, and a sensory delight to use.
So when our skincare buyer walked into the marketing room with a box of new Korean skincare launches and a glint in her eye, I knew my skin was in for a good time.
You can learn more about Korean skincare in this YouTube video below.
I've tried a lot of Korean and Japanese skincare products. I even road-tested a traditional 10-step Korean skincare routine.
But what I love most about K-Beauty products is the slow and steady, easy does it approach to actives, with a focus on respecting thy skin barrier above all else.
You'll get that glow, but not at the expense of your acid mantel, OK?
So, whether you're a Korean skincare convert or just keen to try something new, allow me to introduce you to my favourites from the latest in Korean skincare at Adore.
1. LANEIGE Radian-C Brightening Treatment Essence.
I'm obsessed with everything Laneige does, and the new LANEIGE Radian-C Brightening Treatment Essence 150ml is a no exception.
I feel like this brightening toner - with its stunning orange frosted glass bottle and botanical gin scent - is the chic grown up version of the naughties 'fresh burst' cleansers I used to smash in high school.
Watery pre-serum essences like this one are the perfect way to fit additional active skincare benefits into your AM routine, without feeling greasy or sticky.
You've got anti-inflammatory caffeine, plus 1% ethyl ascorbic acid (a stable vitamin C derivative) and an antioxidant complex for instant glow and all-day free radical protection.
Pump the fast-absorbing liquid onto a cotton pad to swipe over the face after your morning cleanse, or into your palms to press into the skin.
2. Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion.
Emulsion steps are unique to Korean and Japanese skincare routines.
They're more substantial than a toner or essence and creamier than a serum, but thinner than a moisturiser or an oil - anything to add more moisture into the skin!
Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion 125ML does exactly what it promises, balancing hydration and moisture levels for skin that feels comfy and refreshed.
Got dry skin? Massage the lightweight lotion into the skin after cleansing and follow with treatments and creams.
I reckon oily or combo skin-havers will love how this dries down with a luminous velvet-y smooth finish.
It might even replace your summer gel moisturiser...
P.S. You can read our Sulwhasoo product reviews in this Beauty IQ article here.
3. innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule.
innisfree's Green Tea Seed serum is one of our all-time best-selling skincare products, so yeah, I'm not surprised their first ever retinol serum is a winner.
INNISFREE Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 30ml would be the perfect beginner, blemish-prone or sensitive skin-friendly vitamin A treatment.
The silky, fast-absorbing texture is light enough for acne-prone skin, and contains ceramides, centella asiatica (known as cica) and Jeju hyaluronic acid to reduce potential retinol irritation and support your skin's barrier.
Already, AB customers are repurchasing, with one writing:
"I have sensitive acne-prone skin, and the mix of retinol and cica is a dream. It's not as irritating as other low-strength retinol creams, and it is so light and pleasant to put on. I feel like it helps calm my redness and gently revives my skin the next morning."
4 & 5. COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Sheet Mask & Peptide Eye Cream.
Remember the viral snail mucin essence?
You can now add snail secretion into almost every step of your routine.
The COSRX snail mucin gel moisturiser and serum-essence are good, but I think the peptide eye cream and sheet mask are better.
COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Power Sheet Mask is not like other sheet masks.
The cellulose sheet mask material is so fine, but drenched in the same snail secretion filtrate the original COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is known for.
I wouldn't use this sheet mask as skin prep before makeup.
It's gooey, but in a I-want-to-go-to-bed-looking-like-a-glazed-doughnut good way.
COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream also gets brownie points for combining the snail mucin with peptides (to firm, and promote collagen production), and niacinamide (to brighten, and restore the delicate eye area).
Yes, the texture of this eye cream is as ~unique~ as the essence, but in a less hectic way that doesn't feel too much for under the eyes.
Shop these COSRX snail mucin products here:
6. SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Body Cleanser.
SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Body Cleanser is the latest product to join the brand's beloved 30 Day 'miracle acne' range.
The exfoliating gel body wash comes in a lovely big pump bottle, doesn't strip skin and has what I'd describe as a 'classy tea tree' scent.
This formula is a treat for body pimples, bumpy skin on the backs of your thighs, and keratosis pilaris because it's a one-two punch.
BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) dissolve excess oil within clogged pores, and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) dislodge the dead skin cells keeping said oil trapped in the pores and hair follicles.
SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cleansing Bar is the same stuff, just in a soap bar option, if that's more your shower jam.
7. COSRX Low pH Good Night Soft Peeling Gel.
My partner was very upset when he ran out of his bottle of the Reddit-famous COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel cleanser.
The matching nighttime exfoliating version is as inoffensive as the AM cleanser, but with a peeling action that's incredibly satisfying.
Work a dollop of COSRX Low pH Good Night Soft Peeling Gel into damp skin (double cleanse first if you're wearing makeup or SPF).
At first, the PHA and hyaluronic acid gel texture doesn't feel all that exfoliating. You might even be tempted to try scrubbing harder.
Don't, just wait, because after around 30 seconds, the cellulose in the product starts to ball up, giving you that peeling action.
It's a fun and affordable way to add gentle exfoliation into your routine.
8. SOME BY MI 30 Days Miracle Clear Spot Patch.
I love me a good hydrocolloid pimple patch.
Can they 'get rid of' pimples? No, but they help them heal faster by keeping moisture in and bacteria out.
SOME BY MI 30 Days Miracle Clear Spot Patch packs go a step further than my other favourite COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch because these patches come in different sizes.
AND they contain salicylic acid to clear up any residual post-popping gunk.
Are your pimples shaking? They should be.
9. I'M FROM Ginseng Mask.
I'M FROM Ginseng Mask is probably the most Korean skincare-esque product on this list, texture wise.
It looks and feels like smoothing honey on your face, and the scent reminds me of a tea you'd drink when you get a sore throat.
It also contains Red Ginseng Extract, a Korean skincare staple.
The instructions say to leave the wash-off mask on cleansed skin for five to 15 minutes for boosted circulation, reduced puffiness, hydration and an improvement in the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
I'm not sure about all of that, but it did make my skin look bouncy and refreshed.
One for the Korean skincare traditionalists to add to cart!
10. KLAIRS Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask.
Again, another product name that tells you everything you need to know about it.
Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask is indeed moist and soothing.
This cheap and cheerful K-Beauty sheet mask is more drippy and 'wet' compared to the stickier snail mucin one.
This is because the tencel mask material is a cotton gauze soaked in a serum of hyaluronic acid, cica, panthenol (vitamin B5), aloe vera leaf extract and five types of ceramides.
I'd use this to prep skin before makeup, or to soothe and comfort post-treatment skin.
11. COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum.
Last but not least, I bring you an affordable-ish serum containing four of the most popular active skincare ingredients in the world.
Yes, in the one bottle.
COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum is a lightweight all-in-one serum that'd be great for normal, combo and oily skin types (dry friends like me might find it a bit much).
You've got a balanced formulation of AHAs, BHAs, niacinamide and the gentle ascorbyl glucoside vitamin C derivative.
Together, these ingredients work to brighten the appearance of skin tone, smooth texture, balance oil production and improve the appearance of fine lines.
For more Korean and Japanese skincare, check out one of these articles below:
