The Korean Skincare Ingredients and Products I Use for Glowy, Hydrated Skin
Flick is Adore Beauty’s Creative Copywriter. She started her writing career covering women’s sports and interviewing musicians and can often be found photographing gigs on the side. She’s no stranger to a rotating skincare cabinet and is currently on the lookout for a skincare routine that caters to redness, sensitivity and texture. She also used to complain when her mum would tell her to wear sunscreen and for that, she'd like to publicly apologise
I’ve got the type of skin that’s dry but will freak out and start gifting me comedones, blackheads, pimples and more not-so-fun skin accessories if I slather on anything rich (aka targeted to dryness).
My skincare routine used to swing between treating and preventing pesky hormonal breakouts and trying to keep the rest of my complexion happily quenched. Rinse and repeat monthly. It was stressful.
I visited South Korea in 2019. While sheltering from the snowy outdoors in a beautiful balmy shopping centre (the indoor heating systems there are seriously next-level) I learnt that Korean skincare focuses on supporting your skin barrier.
Although exfoliation, vitamin A and other actives are present in Korean skincare ranges, there’s a bigger focus on ensuring your skin retains water and stays moisturised.
Also, there’s a big focus on SPF (which I assume, if you’re into skincare, and also… life, you’re already wearing and reapplying religiously).
Since then, I’ve happily added more than a few Korean products to my skincare rotation and my skin feels great.
For ultra-dewy skin, my routine goes cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturiser (followed by an SPF during the daytime), if you’d like to amp it up even more you can add a second layer of toner before you moisturise to lock in the hydration.
So, without further adieu, here are the Korean skincare products I turn to for dewiness and skin support.
Cleansers.
I will continue repeating this in every skincare article I write: double cleansing, or just cleansing more thoroughly, has been a game changer for my skin texture.
So much so that I’ve developed the (unfounded) confidence of a dermatologist and recommend double cleansing to everyone (dermatologists hate her).
But seriously (and legally) go see someone if you can’t work it out.
There are so many reasons for uneven skin texture and a skin specialist is going to be a way to narrow it down more than a stranger on the internet.
Anyway, here are two of my favourite cleansers:
1. BEAUTY OF JOSEON Ginseng Cleansing Oil.
I’ve rebought this dreamy little cleansing oil twice now.
It’s gentle, doesn’t leave a sticky residue, and doesn’t make my skin tight or dry.
The best way I’ve found to use this is to massage it straight onto dry skin for 30-60 seconds and wash it off with water. It will emulsify into a milky substance when the water is added and wash straight off.
2. COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser.
My sensitive and blemish-prone skin is a big fan of this creamy cleanser.
I’ve noticed less redness and congestion since starting to use it.
The formula is a mix of hydrating ingredients like glycerin and Asiaticoside (derived from Centella) and actives like lauric and salicylic acid.
Because of the acids, I don’t reach for it every day but I do use it pretty frequently in the week before my period to help with any congestion being spurred on by hormones.
Toners.
I always assumed that toners were all alcohol-based concoctions, but in reality, they can have lots of different benefits and can be ultra-hydrating.
I’ve yet to try the 7-layers-of-hydrating-toner Korean skincare trend, but Yads Cauchi (Dermal therapist, Nutritionist, Beauty Journalist and all-around multi-hyphenate wonder) has written about its ultra-hydrating effect here.
I will use an essence straight after cleansing, or whenever my skin feels a bit dry.
1. Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner & Moisturiser.
Speaking of multi-hyphenate wonders, Cream Skin is a toner-moisturiser and true office favourite.
It boasts a laundry list of hydrating ingredients like glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E and white tea extract. It hydrates, soothes, and layers well with makeup.
Oh, and it also comes in convenient refill pouches. I could truly bathe in this stuff.
2. SOME BY MI Beta Panthenol Repair Toner.
This is my skin barrier MVP.
It’s got 8 different kinds of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, ceramides, and barrier-supporting probiotics.
It soothes and plumps and makes my skin look incredibly juicy.
It’s lightweight, and layers like a dream, needless to say – I’ve nearly emptied my first bottle and will be purchasing another ASAP.
Serums.
1. BEAUTY OF JOSEON Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol.
What can I say, I’m in love with serums that soothe.
This panthenol-packed serum uses herbal ingredients like green tea and mugwort to cool and hydrate skin.
I find it helps reduce breakout-related redness and reach for it after in-clinic procedures like facial lasers.
2. INNISFREE Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum.
This serum is a true cult favourite and another skin barrier supporter.
It’s fragrance-free, hydrating, and contains a full bouquet of complimentary skincare ingredients such as encapsulated hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane, panthenol and green tea (of course).
Another huge benefit is the size, while most serums sit around 30mls (60 if you’re lucky) this one is 80mls!! Meaning I’ve had to repurchase it less, even though I use it twice daily.
Side note: don't be alarmed if you see different packaging when you add to cart, this one pictured was a limited edition design I was lucky enough to nab.
Moisturiser.
I’m very picky when it comes to moisturisers. There are only a handful l really like, and because of this, I rarely brand out and try new ones.
I discovered the INNISFREE Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream 50ml this year and it’s beautiful.
It’s fragrance-free and leaves my face feeling intensely hydrated and dewy.
Like the green tea serum above, it contains green tea seed oil, squalane, ceramides, and encapsulated hyaluronic acid.
Extra Treatments.
We can’t talk about K-Beauty without throwing in a sheet mask.
If you’re after really plump, hydrated skin, pop on a sheet mask after your toner and serum.
When it’s ready to take off, you can lock in all that juicy skin goodness with your moisturiser.
This one is packed with hyaluronic acid (of course) as well as meadowfoam seed oil to help protect the skin from moisture loss.
Meet my new handbag staple.
When out and about, I prefer a lip balm that I don’t have to dip my finger in to put on.
The hyaluronic acid and ceramides help hydrate while the shea and cocoa butter lock it all in and provide lots of nourishment.
Put it on before you start your makeup, and by the time you get to your lips, they’ll be primed and ready.
For more on K-Beauty, check out these Beauty IQ articles:
