There’s a reason the buzz has yet to subside on all things K-beauty: The products continue to be both cutting edge and highly effective. And although the industry is known for incredible face masks, Korean skincare has far more to offer. From facial essences to pimple patches, seemingly half (or more, let’s be honest) of our essentials these days originated first in Korea. If you’re looking to try the best of the best when it comes to Korean skincare, these 17 products are a great place to start. Ahead, our favorite K-beauty cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and more.
The double cleanse—that is, using an oil-based formula followed by a water-based formula—is a Korean beauty mainstay. This oil cleanser gently removes makeup as it moisturizes with ingredients like jojoba leaf and willowherb.
Cleansing balms are another fantastic option for your double-cleansing needs. The butter-like formula melts into skin, gently removing makeup and other grime as it leaves skin unbelievably soft and nourished.
Everything Glow Recipe creates seems to become a viral sensation, and their new clay mask is no exception. It has BHA, PHA, and watermelon enzymes to gently exfoliate and clears pores, along with hyaluronic acid to prevent skin from drying out.
These (Anti-Aging Award-winning!) masks may have gone viral because of the way they look once they’ve dried, but they’re more than selfie-bait: Once you rinse the mixture off off, skin is noticeably brighter—just ask superfan Drew Barrymore.
Peel-off masks have earned a spot in the Oddly Satisfying Hall of Fame (not trademarked as far as we know, but should be), and this one from beloved brand Innisfree is made with volcanic lava to help absorb excess oil.
Lapcos’s crazy-popular, ingredient-focused sheet masks are targeted for various skin concerns, such as dryness, acne, and brightening. Think of them as a 15-minute facial.
These collagen-infused eye masks contain collagen, aloe, and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and plump up tired undereyes. Store them in the fridge for those mornings when coffee just isn’t cutting it.
You won’t find harsh face scrubs in K-beauty. Instead, there are gentle yet effective formulas like this one from Saturday Skin: Containing papaya and pineapple enzymes to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, it softens skin without irritation.
The opposite of the toners you grew up with, this water-based formula hydrates, plumps, and brightens as it preps skin for the rest of your routine.
Spritz this mist on when you’d apply toner in your routine for an added layer of hydration, or anytime you need an extra little pick-me-up throughout the day.
Amorepacific has roots dating back to the 1930s, and their products are still some of the most highly sought-after to this day. This lightweight serum plumps up fine lines, hydrates, and fortifies skin with continued use.
Not many products can claim to define an entire skincare movement. But this serum is synonymous with “glass skin,” the concept of super-dewy skin that got its start in K-beauty. In addition to that signature dew, the formula also contains niacinamide to brighten dark spots, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and a peptide complex to plump fine lines.
Eye creams are rich, soothing, and ultra-hydrating. So AHC designed one you can use on your whole face. According to the brand, one tube of this vitamin-infused cream is sold every three seconds(!) in Korea.
Belif’s soothing gel-cream is like a glass of ice water for dehydrated skin, but soothing and weightless enough for just about any skin type.
Waterproof, lightweight, and highly protective, this zinc-oxide sunscreen is one you’ll actually want to wear every day.
Laneige’s masks are renowned for their moisturizing power, none more so than their Lip Sleeping Mask. Its restoring, moisturizing powers go beyond what you can expect from a standard lip balm, and it comes in five craveable flavors, too.
Yet another gift bestowed upon us from the world of Korean skincare: the hydrocolloid pimple patch. Stick one of these transparent bandages on a blemish to see it shrink the size in a matter of hours.