We’re all guilty of hoarding K-beauty products to add to our routine to help us achieve that glass skin glow. Or, we’ve learned to enjoy layering serums and creams as a form of self-care before we tuck in at night. K-beauty has forever changed how we perceive skincare.
While we’re all in the know of popular favorites that fill our carts on the regular (we see you, Beauty Of Joseon sunscreen lovers!), Korean girls have other options in their skincare rotation. These are goodies you *might* want to add to your current stash as well!
The 10-step K-beauty skincare trend vs. skip-care
The tedious 10-step skincare trend that originated in the country has taken a backseat. Korean girls now prefer a pared-down and simple regimen, aka "skip-care.". College student Chaehyeon shares that ladies often follow double cleansing with toner and wrap it up with lotion. Adding an ampoule and moisturizing cream is optional according to one’s preference!
Koreans love multi-tasking K-beauty products
Chaehyeon adds that they prioritize addressing their skin concerns more than just jumping on the bandwagon. “We don't just follow beauty trends—we use the right products instead!” It also helps that brands have stepped up their game with two-in-one offerings that do double-duty work, such as essence toners and tone-up base creams.
The best K-beauty shopping tip, according to a Korean
While they patronize Korean brands that are also popular in the Philippines, such as AHC and Tony Moly, beauty girlie Seohyeon notes that most young women in South Korea still prefer to grab their goodies in Olive Young. To know the top items to include in your shopping list, she advises shoppers to go straight to the “best” display and you’ll find the hot items of the moment!
While you can't fly to South Korea today, we made the work easier for you. We've listed down, in no particular order, the top 10 trending K-beauty skincare items that Koreans love and use!
10 Most Loved K-Beauty Skincare Products In South Korea
1. Torriden Dive In Serum
South Korea retail price: KW 36,000 (approximately P1,514.88)
This award-winning serum has been a constant in many Koreans’ beauty closets for a reason. This serum replenishes the skin’s hydration without the icky, sticky feeling. It also soothes and moisturizes, suits most skin types, and is layerable according to your preference!
2. Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum
South Korea retail price: KW 56,000 (approximately P2,356.48)
Never again should you fear vitamin C skincare—Goodal’s best-selling serum is made for sensitive skin. This serum has extracted fresh, organic green tangerines and fermented soybeans to create its powerful formula that targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation and restores your skin’s natural glow.
3. Numbuzin No. 3 Porcelain Base-Skip Tone Up Beige
South Korea retail price: KW 26,000 (approximately P1,094.08)
With Korea’s ppalli ppalli (fast-paced) culture, it only makes sense that they opt for a product that works double! This tone-up cream doesn’t just give you that perfect radiant face you see in women in K-dramas, but also acts as sun protection with its broad-spectrum SPF 50+ property. It’s also a skincare-makeup hybrid, so plus points for giving you that dewy, well-nourished complexion.
4. ISOI Moisture Dr. Cream
South Korea retail price: KW 36,000 (approximately P1,514.88)
Combination skin-type girlies need to worry no more—here is your new BFF in cream form. Promising a strong skin barrier, plenty of moisture, and an instant soothing formula, this mild cream contains a powerhouse of five types of hyaluronic acid and tea tree ceramide. Whether facing the Philippines’ all-year summer or Seoul’s extreme cold weather, this product is a sure bet to keep your complexion in tip-top shape.
5. AESTURA Ato Barrier 365 Cream
South Korea retail price: KW 59,400 (approximately P2,499.55)
For that one-step deep moisturizing care, AESTURA’s best-selling ceramide cream has been one of Koreans’ top skincare purchases for years! It’s gentle and safe for everyday use and caters even to the most-sensitive types, so it’s an easy go-to product for when you want efficiency and effectiveness in your routine.
6. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Lotion
South Korea retail price: KW 39,000 (approximately P1,641.12)
This face lotion is packed with Ulleungdo (an island on the far eastern part of the country) deep seawater minerals, giving an enhanced hydrating experience. Those who love ultra-lightweight products will definitely love this without worrying about lack of moisture throughout the day.
7. ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil
South Korea retail price: KW 25,000 (approximately P1,052)
Multi-awarded and consistent top cleansing product in South Korea, this wonder in a bottle delightfully transforms into a milk consistency once applied, making for an enjoyable experience! It not only gets rid of makeup and impurities, but also powerfully melts away blackheads and whiteheads. We say it’s a good deal!
8. make p:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam
South Korea retail price: KW 28,000 (approximately P1,178.24)
After a nice first cleanse, a gentle foaming product is a wonderful second step in one’s routine. This local crowd favorite has a creamy and non-irritating formula that removes dirt and grime without stripping your skin dry.
9. Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad Calming Touch
South Korea retail price: KW 40,000 (approximately P1,683.20)
Another clean beauty goodie that Koreans love is this calming toner pad. Get that moist, supple complexion with a swipe of this wonder that provides deep hydration and soothing care. Or if you feel like giving yourself extra pampering, you can also use these pads as a face mask!
10. BRINGGREEN Fresh Mask
South Korea retail price: KW 1,800 (approximately P75.74)
Ranking next to more popular brands like Mediheal and Skinfood, this vegan skincare brand is well-loved and often purchased in beauty stores. It carries five variants that cater to different target problems, from tired skin to clogged pores and more. It’s also safe to use daily and guarantees a refreshing effect.
