Best Korean Skin Care Products [Review] in 2022

Now you’ve seen the best Korean beauty products it’s time to have a closer look at Korean skincare in general so you have a better idea of what to look for when making a purchase.

We’ll look at the famed K-beauty skincare routine and some of the products that are considered essential so you know what to prioritize.

The Korean skincare routine has taken on many forms over the years but the most famous is the 10-step regimen that has all of the vital products you’ll need to double cleanse, moisturize, and get that highly desirable ‘glass skin’ look.

If you want a more in-depth look at the 10-step guide as well as some of the other forms the Korean skincare routine has taken on then have a look at our step-by-step Korean skincare routine.

1. Oil-Based Cleanser – The first thing recommended by Koreans is cleansing the face twice daily with an oil cleanser such as a cleansing balm as this will help with oil-based impurities by lifting excess sebum, cleaning out clogged pores like blackheads, and whiteheads, as well as removing dead skin, pollutants, and makeup.
2. Water-based cleanser – This cleanser is specifically formulated to remove water-based impurities. It will help get rid of everything the oil-based cleanser didn’t, like dirt and sweat.
3. Exfoliator – This step removes dead skin cells. However, we would suggest using an exfoliator twice or perhaps three times a week as using it too often can cause skin irritation.
4. Toner – Now, Korean toners differ from American toners slightly but they create a thin layer of moisture to regulate the skin’s pH balance and soothe it in preparation for the next steps.
5. Essence – Essence helps to moisturize the skin and aids in the absorption of the following products.
6. Treatments – Treatments such as boosters and ampoules will bring moisture and nourish your skin but they are often highly concentrated so don’t use them every day.
7. Sheet masks – Sheet masks vary in what they provide but hydrating masks generally offer another layer of serum and moisturizer.
8. Eye cream – As the name suggests, eye cream moisturizes the skin around your eyes and reduces lines helping to prevent any premature aging.
9. Moisturizer – We all know what this does, try to find a natural moisturizer that has active ingredients.
10. Sunscreen – It may not seem like a traditional product for skincare routines but it offers vital sun protection for your skin that can help every skin type as well as protect skin from any future concerns caused by increased sun exposure.

You’ve probably seen dozens of products on your search and they all have natural or gentler ingredients made from the most exotic plant extracts but what actually works?

Well, below we’ve listed some of the most effective ingredients for each kind of product so you can know exactly which products are likely to work and which are more of a risk.

1) Oil-based Cleanser

Jojoba oil – Jojoba oil is known for its healing properties that make it effective at treating skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Grapeseed oil – Grapeseed oil contains high levels of vitamin E, which has high antioxidant properties and has been shown to contribute to the reduction of damaged cells.

Macadamia oil – Macadamia oil nourishes the skin and has brilliant moisturizing qualities. It contains high oleic, linoleic, and palmitoleic acid and is great for treating stretch marks and scarring.

2) Water-based Cleanser

Rice extract – Oryza sativa (rice) bran extract is a plant-based ingredient that’s used to condition and soften skin.

Pearl extract – Pearl is known for lightening your skin tone by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme that is responsible for the production of excessive melanin in the body. This makes it great for removing dark spots.

Green Tea – Green tea is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties and it can help reduce skin irritation, skin redness, and swelling. It’s recommended to combat many dermatological conditions too.

3) Exfoliator

Salicylic Acid – Salicylic acid is best known for its ability to deep clean excess oil out of pores and reduce oil production making it perfect for treating oily skin.

Lactic Acid – This increases cell turnover and helps eliminate accumulated skin cells on the epidermis.

Black Sugar – Black sugar penetrates the skin and breaks down the “glue” that bonds skin cells, which in turn, encourages cell turnover.

4) Toner

Citric Acid – Citric acid exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores, removing old skin cells from the surface.

Aloe – Another one you’ve likely heard of, Aloe Vera contains enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins A and C which can treat burns, acne, dry skin, and many other skin issues.

Licorice – The glycyrrhizin in licorice root contains anti-inflammatory properties which work to reduce itching, irritation, and redness on your skin.

5) Essence

Yeast – Yeast is rich in Vitamin B, which helps in promoting skin integrity.

Birch Juice – Birch juice has amino acids, sugars, and minerals that help your skin retain moisture. It’s also packed with vitamin B5 and vitamin B3 which even out skin tone.

Hyaluronic Acid – This is one you’ve likely seen in many products, Hyaluronic acid supplements can help increase skin moisture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

6) Treatments

Tea Tree – When diluted properly tea tree can be used as a topical treatment, and you can apply it directly to the skin on a daily basis.

Soybeans – Soybeans help promote collagen production, an important part of skin’s elasticity, so using this will make skin look younger and firmer.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C accelerates the production of both collagen and elastin, which help keep the skin plump and firm.

7) Sheet Mask

Cucumber – Cucumber is rich in vitamins and has high antioxidant levels, which calm inflammation in the body, reduce the likelihood of redness, puffiness, and blemishes.

Rose – Rose has a variety of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals and its oil are fantastic for tackling drier skin.

8) Eye Cream

Honey – Honey is arguably the best natural skin remedy thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic abilities it’s known to work wonders for oily and acne-prone skin.

Ginseng – Ginseng can boost the circulation of your skin’s smallest blood vessels and help boost collagen production.

Lily – this helps to balance cell renewal in the skin, increasing the elimination of toxins.

9) Moisturizer

Bamboo – Bamboo has highly effective healing properties as it contains methanol, a powerful healing agent that cleanses and promotes healing skin.

Centella Asiatica – Has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticellulite, and antiaging properties.

Snail Mucin –  This is a great hydrator for the skin that helps improve skin texture, tone, hyperpigmentation, and scars. It also has anti-aging properties.

10) Sunscreen

Zinc Oxide – Zinc oxide can minimize irritation, support wound healing, seal in moisture, and protect the skin against the effects of UV rays.

Titanium Dioxide – It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and is considered non-risky in terms of skin sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Korean beauty products are better?

Based on tradition, Koreans only used natural and harsh-free ingredients to create clear, glowy, and natural-looking skin. K-Beauty products have been forced to find innovative ways of using the most gentle and natural ingredients to develop products giving them an edge over most Western products.

Why do Koreans slap their face when doing skincare?

Women in Korea slap their faces after finishing their daily skincare routine to get the blood circulation going. It also firms up the face muscles.

How often do you do the Korean skincare routine?

Some steps can be done every day such as cleansing but if you have sensitive skin, you’ll only want to exfoliate once or twice a week as it can cause irritation if you do it too often.