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Korean skincare has taken the world by storm, thanks to its effective ingredients and gentle formulations that combine nature and science. However, the K-skincare market has become dominated by big brands such as COSRX, Laneige, Innisfree, and more, leaving equally as excellent and underrated options flying under the radar—just waiting to be discovered!
These hidden gems can deliver the same (if not better) results at usually more affordable prices than their famous peers. Ahead, we round up eight more skincare brands that deserve to be on your radar (and beauty shelf):
READ MORE: 10 *Underrated* Korean Skincare And Makeup Brands You Need To Know About
8 More Underrated Korean Skincare Brands Worth Trying Out
1. Papa Recipe
Founded in 2012, Papa Recipe was started by the CEO's love for his daughter, who was suffering from a skin disease. He firmly believed that high-quality skincare products can be found in nature, which is why the brand uses natural extracts that soothe and care for the complexion. It has lines dedicated to ingredients like honey (for dull complexions), eggplant (for strengthening the skin barrier), carrot (for brightening dark spots), and more.
What product to try: Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask
Give your skin a midweek pickup by treating it to Papa Recipe's Bombee Honey Mask. It promises to bring back life to dull complexions while also preventing fine lines and wrinkles, minimizing pores, and reducing redness.
Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask (10 sheets), P800, Shopee
2. SKIN1004
This skincare brand is slowly but surely emerging into the limelight, thanks to Redditors and TikTok users singing praises for its gentle yet effective formulation that's made for sensitive skin. Though it has many lines focused on targeting different skin concerns, the brand is mostly known for its use of centella asiatica, an ingredient that is effective in soothing damaged skin due to excessive sun exposure, laser treatments, and over-exfoliation.
What product to try: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
In case you don't know it yet, cleansing oil is key for a squeaky-clean complexion! If you're looking for a gentle one that won't leave your face taut and dry, try this one from SKIN1004. It features the brand's star ingredient and promises to dissolve all the gunk and makeup from your face sans the harsh rubbing.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, P659, Shopee
READ MORE: These TikTok-Famous Skincare Finds Are Worth The Hype, According To Reddit
3. Goodal
Dealing with post-acne spots and hyperpigmentation? Underrated skincare brand Goodal has your back. Launched in 2011 by Clio Cosmetics, the brand name is a combination of the words "good" and "all." It merges natural ingredients like Vitamin C and rice extract with science to create high-quality ingredients that aim to brighten the complexion, promote collagen production, and address pigmentation.
What product to try: Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum
You can banish dark spots goodbye with this serum from Goodal. Infused with green tangerine extract, niacinamide, arbutin, and centella asiatica, it's a low-irritant, mild Vitamin C serum that you can apply day and night to gradually lighten hyperpigmentation and give you a more bouncy, luminous complexion.
Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum, P659, Shopee
READ MORE: The *Very* Best Vitamin C Serums To Use For Glowing Skin
4. Abib
Abib, which stands for "first of the month," in the Jewish calendar aims to help your skin get back to its natural state with its gentle formulations. Its core philosophy and products prioritize skin health versus superficial results using natural ingredients like heartleaf, Jericho Rose, and hyaluronic acid.
What product to try: Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar
Want something more compact and travel-friendly for your sunscreen? Try using an SPF stick—this one from Abib is well-loved by the Internet, thanks to its inclusion of acacia peptide and ceramide that aids in strengthening your skin barrier.
Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar, $18.50 (approx. P1,080.29), Olive Young Global
READ MORE: 7 Sunscreen Sticks That Will Make It *Super Easy* To Reapply Your SPF
5. Pyunkang Kul
Known in South Korea for its minimalist approach to skincare, Pyunkang Yul is backed by over 40 years of research and experience. Developed by the renowned Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in Seoul, this brand harnesses the power of traditional Korean herbal ingredients and creates no-frills products that are devoid of harsh chemicals and unnecessary scents.
What product to try: Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
This hydrating toner from Pyunkang Yul contains 90% astralagus root extract (instead of water), and its anti-inflammatory properties make it a good choice for those who are prone to redness and acne breakouts.
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, P1,103.16, YesStyle
6. Then I Met You
Unlike the other more established brands on this list, Then I Met You is a relatively new player in the K-skincare scene. It was established by Charlotte Cho, the co-founder of Soko Glam, a South Korean beauty e-commerce site. Its formulations focus on using Korean heritage ingredients like persimmon, ginseng, and fermented rice and combined with innovative science to create clinically effective products.
What product to try: Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner
You get the best of both worlds with this toner—it can hydrate and exfoliate your skin. Its formula includes 86% birch juice, squalene, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate that soothes and preps the skin, plus a 1% blend of AHAs and PHA that sloughs off dead skin cells and brightens the complexion.
Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner (100ml), P2,470, Sephora.ph
READ MORE: Why You Should Try 'Then I Met You,' The Internet's Well-Loved K-Beauty Skincare Line
7. Mediheal
To fervent Asian Beauty enthusiasts, Mediheal is a tried-and-true skincare brand known for its innovative sheet masks. It categorizes itself as a "beauty science" company that offers products with dermatologist-approved ingredients at wallet-friendly price points.
What product to try: Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
This product from Mediheal has enjoyed immense popularity on TikTok, thanks to its ability to soothe redness and reduce the appearance of dark spots. These toner-soaked pads contain madecassoside and centella asiatica, both of which are gentle enough even for the most sensitive of complexions. It contains 100 pads, but you can cut each one in half so you get more bang for your buck. Super sulit!
Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad, P790, Shopee
8. I'm From
Another brand that focuses on minimalist skincare, I'm From often spotlights a single hero ingredient in their products, which lessens the risk of irritation. It offers targeted solutions to different skin concerns based on unique Korean ingredients.
What product to try: I'm From Mugwort Essence
If you haven't tried incorporating mugwort yet into your skincare routine, this essence from I'm From is the perfect starter product. It has detoxifying properties that refines, purifies, and hydrates the skin, making it the perfect in-between step after toning and before moisturizing.
I'm From Mugwort Essence, P1,912.14, YesStyle
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