I Tried K-Beauty Skincare for the First Time, Here Are 3 Products I’m Obsessed With
Chloe is Adore Beauty's eCommerce Trade Coordinator. In her spare time you'll find her vintage shopping, taking her Groodle Billie to the park, and working her way through a long list of Melbourne restaurant and bar recommendations. A self-confessed beauty lover, she swears by the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty cream and the Virtue Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner.
K-Beauty has been having a moment for quite some time now, and as Adore Beauty continues to add more Korean skincare to our already cult-loved collection, I figured it was finally time to see what all the hype was about.
My skin has a few main concerns: texture, breakouts, and dryness. Just when it finally feels balanced, one wrong move can throw everything off. Luckily, K-Beauty is renowned for its gentle, calming formulas.
Instead of stripping or over-exfoliating, Korean skincare focuses on soothing, hydrating, and strengthening the skin, making it ideal for those who deal with sensitivity or reactivity like myself.
After trialling a range of products, I’ve narrowed it down to my top three favourites that target my concerns while not complicating my routine.
Because let’s be honest, the 12 step skincare routine sounds great in theory, but for me, simplicity always wins.
1. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Niacinamide 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule, $35
@kbeautymom Replying to @user846294911 A new favorite spicule ampoule is here! 😱 Available at our shop Olive Kollection #olivekollection #skin1004 #acnescartreatment #darkspots #acnescars ♬ Strawberry Toast :) - Lofi Latte
Skin1004 is all about going back to basics and letting calming ingredients do the heavy-lifting.
Best known for their use of Madagascar Centella Asiatica, the brand focuses on gentle formulas and straightforward routines that support the skin barrier rather than overwhelm it.
The Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Niacinamide 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule 30ml is a serum that has quickly earned a permanent place in my routine.
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Niacinamide 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule review:
Designed to smooth, even and restore radiance, this serum truly delivers. From the first few uses, I noticed my skin looked more refined and balanced, without any of the irritation I’ve experienced with similar products in the past.
It’s become my new secret weapon to target those frustrating under-the-surface pimples, without disrupting my skin barrier.
This deluxe formula consists of 10% Niacinamide, Madagascar Centella Asiatica Extract and Tranexamic Acid.
This combination smooths and hydrates my skin at the same time. Despite its potency, the formula feels surprisingly gentle.
A perfect option for anyone who finds niacinamide products a little too taxing on the skin. It’s one of those products that quietly does its job in the background, and before you know it, you can’t live without it.
2. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream, $43
@angelaxbeauty this is a MUST for glowy skin ✨
♬ original sound - Angela Chalet
COSRX is loved for its results driven formulas that target a range of skin concerns without filler ingredients or the costly price tag.
The COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream 100g has earned a dedicated audience in the K-Beauty world, and I’m here to confirm it’s popular for a reason.
Formulated with 92% snail secretion filtrate, this cream might sound unconventional, but the results are real.
COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream review:
If, like me, you were a little confused when you first heard about this product, here’s the basics; Snail Mucin is naturally created and used by snails as a way for them to protect themselves.
Keeping this in mind, it makes perfect sense that it works just as effectively to support and strengthen our own skin barrier.
For me, I have found it’s especially beneficial when my skin feels dry or compromised, giving it that extra boost to get back on track. If you’re chasing that viral glass-skin glow, this cream is the perfect place to get started.
3. Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum, $72
@dermdoctor The most underrated ingredient for post-acne red marks is azelaic acid and this one from @anua_global is one of the most elegant formulas #anuapartner. Azelaic acid can be really gritty because of the crystals but this one is completely solubilized. It’s also packed with other amazing ingredients and it’s fragrance free #dermatologist #PIE #darkmarks #acne #skincare #anua #azelaicacid #anuaazelaicacidserum #acnescars #acnemarks #koreanskincare #ulta #ultaskintok #sephora ♬ original sound - DermDoctor | Dr. Shah
Anua takes a skin-first, calming approach to skincare, with formulas designed to keep irritation and redness to a minimum.
The brand is known for blending gentle actives with soothing botanical ingredients, making it my go-to whenever my skin feels in need of a little extra care.
The Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum 30ml is a standout for anyone like myself, who occasionally deals with sensitivity or persistent redness.
This lightweight serum brings together three powerhouse ingredients: azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid and blue tansy oil, creating a calming yet effective formula that feels like a dream for irritated skin.
The azelaic acid works gently to refine skin texture and reduce visible redness, while hyaluronic acid aids in hydration.
Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum review:
When I first introduced this serum, I started slowly using it just once a week to let my skin adjust.
Over time, I gradually increased the frequency, and now I happily use it twice a day.
Since adding this serum to my routine, my skin feels noticeably more even, less reactive, and all round more hydrated. Making it the perfect final step for my goal of calm and glowing skin.
So if you’ve been thinking about trying K-Beauty skincare, take this as your sign.
I can confirm, it’s a win for dry, sensitive and blemish-prone skin.
Want even more of the best Korean skincare Australia? Check these out next:
