"I like to stay tuned in to the latest and greatest products that elevate my everyday routine when it comes to skincare. My regimen has genuinely turned into a ritual over the last couple of years and means more to me than just lathering various liquids and potions on my face. I may have transitioned to a more simplified routine since the start of the year, but what continues to expand is my fascination with understanding what certain ingredients are and what products work best for my face. I’d say my interest was sparked when I was introduced to Korean skincare, specifically Peach & Lily and Glow Recipe.
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For starters, I love how transparent Korean skincare brands are with what ingredients they use and how they are beneficial for the skin. Not only did this kickstart my love for developing a personalized skincare routine for myself, but I also love how accessible Korean skincare products have become and the philosophy behind K-beauty products being supplementary to your skin’s natural function. Out of all the trends in the beauty industry that come, become the latest obsession, and then get buried under all the incoming trends, K-beauty has proved to be the most sustainable, as it is more about adopting better habits, hydrating the skin, and prioritizing personalized skincare.
Are you ready to elevate your skincare routine? Have you always wanted to find a skincare routine that you can actually stick to? Are you just a product-curious individual who is always looking for new products to expand your roster? Keep scrolling for my and our editors’ tried-and-true favorite Korean skincare product recommendations that we think you’ll want to add to your cart instantly!
I struggle with really dry under-eyes that make putting concealer on a literal nightmare. The Innisfree Hydrating Eye Cream has been a lifesaver. I use it twice a day and can really feel and see the difference. My under-eyes are brighter and are now the perfect base for my concealer. If I’m feeling like giving myself a little bit more self-care, I’ll use this eye cream with my Forever Eye Mask from Dieux. Just put the patches on over a generous helping of your eye cream and it’s the perfect, ultra-hydrating eye mask.
– Garri, Managing Editor
I use a very strong prescription Retin-A to help with acne and hyperpigmentation, and because of that, the rest of my skincare routine is all about hydration. I use this toner from Belif immediately after washing my face and have noticed a major difference in the health of my skin’s moisture barrier. I follow this toner up with a hyaluronic acid serum and a vitamin C serum—the perfect cocktail for my skin.
– Garri, Managing Editor
Despite my best efforts, I can’t help but pick at my skin. I’m working on it, truly. But in the meantime, this Vitamin C Dark Spot serum has been a lifesaver. I’ve been using it consistently for a few months and really noticed a difference in the overall appearance of my skin. It’s brighter and smoother, and those pesky spots are fading away faster than they ever have before. Bonus: It smells heavenly.
– Garri, Managing Editor
I mean, obviously, if you’re not using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, you are seriously missing out. I originally got hooked on this product from a holiday set that had one large jar and two mini ones, and I took them everywhere. This product replaced Chapstick, Vaseline, and lip gloss as my go-to for moisture and shine. It is a staple in my skincare routine and no-makeup makeup look that I will repurchase forever.
– Jessica, Social Media Editor
For my ladies who want the smoothest skin they’ve ever had, this product is a must. I started with the mini size because I had never tried a powder cleanser before and was immediately sold to buy the full size. This powder-to-cleanser gently exfoliates your skin, leaving it soft, hydrated, clean, and smooth. I use it about once a week because even though it's safe to use it every day, I only like to use exfoliating products a few times a week. A little bit goes a long way, so the bottle should last you a long time.
– Keely, Senior Social Media Editor
There's nothing worse than feeling like no matter how many makeup wipes you use or how many times you wash your face, you can't get your makeup off. I'm happy to say that this cleansing balm has allowed me to stop purchasing makeup wipes completely! It sounds dramatic, but this product works like magic, immediately melting makeup, dirt, and excess oil off my face and leaving my skin feeling so moisturized and smooth after. It may feel like you're rubbing grease on your face at first, but I promise, it washes off so easily and leaves your skin so hydrated and ready for the next step in your skincare routine.
– Andi, Social Media Coordinator
As someone who has dry skin year-round, finding products that keep my skin looking and feeling fresh and glowing is super important to me. With that being said, I simply cannot live without this mist. I use it for both my face and my body, and it is one product that I feel like I don't need to consistently reapply. It also works as an amazing setting spray and locks in moisture on my face so well!
– Andi, Social Media Coordinator
This oil has become a staple component of my nighttime routine. Having dry skin can leave my face feeling dull, especially in the mornings, and this product helps keep my skin hydrated overnight and glowing the next day!
– Andi, Social Media Coordinator
I got this stuff as a sample from Sephora earlier this year, and honestly, I didn’t really think too much about using it until travel picked back up and I couldn’t bring my typical, 6-ounce toner in my carry-on. I didn’t expect to be wowed by it by no means, but, once again, I’ve eaten my words. This is truly the most hydrating toner I’ve ever used. My skin is super dry, but after using this stuff, my skin is super supple, glowy, and hydrated. It’s the one skincare essential I didn’t even know I was missing and I’m definitely going to buy the full size once my three samples run out!
– Ashley, Branded Content Editor
There’s nothing worse than thinking you got all of your makeup off at the end of the day, only to wake up with an outline of your face on your pillow and residual mascara under your eyes. Thanks to this cleansing balm, my pillowcase has remained unstained, and I’m confident my skin is actually getting cleansed—unless too many espresso martinis are consumed at dinner and then all bets are off. Short of holding my hand and forcing me to wash my face, this cleansing balm is absolute magic. Use this before your face wash at the end of the day, and even if you have Euphoria-level eye makeup applied, it will easily wash away without leaving your skin stripped and agitated.
– Allyson, Editor-in-Chief
As an early 2000s preteen, I grew up believing the gold standard of skincare was the Clinique trio my mom would purchase for me at Christmastime. Much like low-rise jeans, I retired my pink set as I got older, but the notion that I needed an astringent applied twice a day with a cotton ball stayed with me—that is, until I began to worship at the Korean-10-step-skincare altar and learned about the importance of essence. Applying essence before your skincare routine helps hydrate your skin and allows for better absorption of your serums and moisturizers. Yes, you can still use a toner prior to essence, but I love that the Pyunkang Yul is a combination of the two products, saving me time and eliminating the need for a cotton ball. The application is easy: I place a quarter-sized amount in my hands and rub it all over my face and neck, repeating if my skin is dry. The texture is watery and soaks in fairly quickly, leaving your skin hydrated and immediately calming any redness. When I started incorporating it into my routine, I noticed a drastic improvement in my skin—specifically that it stayed hydrated longer and I felt I could see my products working faster.
– Allyson, Editor-in-Chief
I picked these up on a whim once, and I am so happy I found them. They’re one of the more affordable pimple patch options out there at under $5 for 30 of them. They are hydrocolloid patches, so they help reduce inflammation and flatten the appearance of blemishes, but they also act as a protective barrier so that you’re not touching or picking at your skin (we’ve all done it). I’ll put these on breakouts before bed, and by the time I wake up in the morning, any blemish is visibly reduced.
– Jess, Associate Editor