These 10 K-Beauty Heroes Are The Key To Glass Skin
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21 hours ago
We take a deep dive into the Korean skincare space, with the help of industry leaders and derms
Find yourself swept up in the Korean wave? You’re not the only one. Whether it’s K-pop, K-beauty or K-dramas, we’ve developed a real hunger for Korean pop culture – as well as all the trends that come with it. And when it comes to skincare, Korean beauty products offer some of the best results around, thanks to a precise combination of powerful ingredients and technical innovation.
But the sudden K-beauty boom means that there are suddenly a lot of voices telling us to shop this brand, that cream or even that skincare line – so who should we listen to? We’ve enlisted the help of Korean skincare experts and dermatologists, who give us the lowdown on the labels and products worth investing in.
K-Beauty Is (Still) Having A Moment – Here’s Why
You’ve no doubt seen it while scrolling: a ‘get ready with me’ (GRWM) video which sees someone ploughing through a 12-step skincare routine, which on paper seems mildly ridiculous, but culminates in some of the glowiest, dewiest skin you’ve ever seen. And the products? Well, they’re Korean of course. Where else would they be from?
Where just a few years ago you’d be hard-pressed to name a Korean skincare brand, today you’ll fund a huge number of them taking the global beauty market by storm – and for all the right reasons. ‘Korean skincare, or K-beauty, is a philosophy and approach to skincare rooted in Korea’s centuries-old focus on healthy, glowing skin,’ explains Melody Yuan, founder of UK-based K-beauty retailer Skin Cupid. ‘It’s not just about the products but also the methodical, layered routines that emphasise hydration, protection and prevention rather than quick fixes.’
@songofskin If I was new to skincare this is exactly what I would use 🫧✨ Korean beauty is my absolute favorite and this is the best routine for beginners #skincare #glassskin #glowyskin #koreanbeauty #essence #texturedskin #acne #skincareroutine #skincareforbeginners ♬ original sound – Song Of Skin
The recent boom comes courtesy of a string of viral skincare trends. ‘Trends like glass skin, which aims for clear, luminous skin, and skin flooding (layering hydration) have gone viral, thanks to TikTok and Instagram,’ confirms Melody. ‘The skincare principles behind these trends – gentle products, layering products – are very different to the principles of Western skincare, which tends to prioritise active ingredients which promise to work quickly.’
It’s this noticeable difference from traditional Western skincare, Melody adds, that makes K-beauty such a standout in the market. ‘I think that difference – and of course the results people have achieved following these trends – has really caught people’s attention,’ she suggests. ‘Korean skincare focuses on enhancing your natural skin barrier rather than covering up imperfections. The playful, aesthetic packaging and emphasis on unique ingredients, like snail mucin and fermented extracts, also stands out compared to traditional Western products.’
Is Korean Skincare Better Than Western Skincare?
A question a lot of people tend to ask when it comes to K-beauty, says cosmetic doctor and dermatologist Dr Nora Jaafar, is whether it’s better than other forms of skincare. ‘It’s not necessarily “better,” but different,’ she highlights. ‘Korean skincare focuses more on prevention and hydration over harsh actives. Western skincare often leans into aggressive resurfacing (think high-strength retinoids or acids), while K-beauty tends to use skin-calming, brightening ingredients like centella asiatica, fermented extracts, and snail mucin that are ideal for sensitive skin types without skin issues that necessarily need treating.’
But that’s not to say that K-beauty doesn’t come with a huge list of merits. ‘Korean skincare stands out for its innovation, affordability, and use of natural yet effective ingredients,’ emphasises Melody. ‘Korea is known for pushing the boundaries of formulation, often being five to 10 years ahead in technology compared to Western markets. This is because the skincare market has greater innovation and affordability – so brands are constantly innovating to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Multi-step routines like double cleansing and layering essences have changed how people worldwide view skincare.’
Do Certain Ingredients Give Korean Skincare An Edge?
One of the biggest trends to come from K-beauty is its emphasis on certain buzzword ingredients. ‘Korea has popularised lightweight hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides in multi-layer routines, as well as natural ingredients like snail mucin, ginseng, centella asiatica (cica), fermented extracts, collagen and rice water,’ Melody tells us. ‘These ingredients are all about repairing, soothing, and deeply hydrating the skin, giving it the nutrients it needs to be in the best condition possible.’
Dr Nora also goes into detail on some of the standout ingredients in K-beauty, below:
- Snail mucin – known for its regenerative, hydrating and barrier-repairing properties.
- Centella asiatica (cica) – a soothing botanical that’s fantastic for calming inflammation and strengthening the skin.
- Fermented ingredients – like galactomyces or bifida ferment, which help with radiance and skin resilience.
- Ginseng and rice extract – time-tested brighteners that are rich in antioxidants, used for centuries in Korean beauty rituals.
10 Korean Skincare Brands To Have On Your Radar
1. Anua
‘Using mostly pure, organic ingredients, ANUA has emerged as one of the top Korean skincare brands in recent years,’ notes Melody. ‘Their products offer targeted and concentrated treatments for a variety of skin concerns, all the while minimising irritation. All their products are cruelty-free and vegan.’
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2. ETUDE
Melody also recommends one of South Korea’s best-known beauty brands, ETUDE. ‘One of Korea’s most well-established cosmetic brands, ETUDE was founded in 1985 and covers the whole beauty spectrum with its extensive range of cosmetics, haircare, bodycare, and skincare. With an emphasis on colour and playfulness, the brand encourages users to have fun with beauty.’
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3. HARUHARU WONDER
‘HARUHARU WONDER is a clean, vegan skincare brand that prides itself on offering the very best products for daily skincare needs,’ highlights Melody. ‘Their wide range of cruelty-free products with 95 percent naturally-derived ingredients delivers gentle care to support your skin. They are most famous for the products infused with their signature ingredient, fermented black rice extract.’
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4. MEDICUBE
Regular scrollers will no doubt have heard of this buzzy brand. ‘MEDICUBE is an innovative Korean skincare label dedicated to real results with thoroughly researched products,’ Melody tells us. ‘The brand is best known for its high-tech skincare devices that boost the efficiency of its skincare and improve a variety of skin concerns. If you’re wondering where you’ve seen them before, their Collagen Night Wrapping Mask went viral on TikTok for giving a “glass skin” glow, and more recently, the Deep Vita C Capsule Cream, nicknamed “Boba Cream” has been many people’s go-to for brightening the skin.’
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5. Purito
Channelling some of K-beauty’s most efficient ingredients is Purito. ‘The brand is inspired by the natural wonders of the Korean peninsula,’ adds Melody. ‘Combining local, natural ingredients like bamboo extract and centella with actives, they produce skincare that’s safe and effective for all skin types, with an emphasis on sustained, long-term care as the route to your most beautiful skin. Their line of products is cruelty-free, eco-friendly and vegan.’
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6. SKIN1004
Those really deep in the skincare sphere will have already heard about (and raved about) SKIN1004. ‘A clean, cruelty-free, and vegan Korean skincare brand, SKIN1004’s products all feature their star ingredient, centella asiatica, sourced in Madagascar,’ says Melody. ‘With an emphasis on lightweight hydration, their products are mild, soothing, and non-comedogenic to moisturise your skin without leaving it sticky or greasy.’
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7. Beauty of Joseon
One of the first skincare brands to make a splash overseas, Beauty of Joseon’s products are inspired by a traditional Korean approaches to medicine (otherwise known as hanbang). Using natural, herbal ingredients – think ginseng root extract, snail mucin and fermented rice water – the brand is renowned for promoting the glass skin look. ‘This brand fuses traditional Korean herbal medicine (hanbang) with modern formulations,’ adds Dr Nora. ‘It’s loved for gentle, minimalist routines that brighten and hydrate without irritation.’
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8. LANEIGE
One of the most popular K-beauty brands, LANEIGE is a firm favourite of the TikTok generation. And it’s easy to see why. Its products are praised for delivering deep hydration, with a viral overnight line designed to help you achieve your best skin while you sleep.
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9. Biodance
The home of the viral collagen sleep mask, Biodance is a master in skin barrier repair thanks to its unique blend of natural ingredients.
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10. Dr. Jart+
A pioneer of the ‘no makeup’ makeup look, Dr Jart+ is perhaps best known for its BB creams – but the brand takes on an entirely holistic approach when it comes to beauty. ‘Known for its derm-backed science, Dr. Jart+ bridges clinical and cosmetic,’ highlights Dr Nora. ‘Their Cicapair and Ceramidin lines are cult favourites among dermatologists and beauty editors alike.’
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11. COSRX
‘COSRX is a no-frills, ingredient-led brand celebrated for effective formulations, particularly for sensitive skin,’ Dr Nora tells us. ‘It’s also affordable, functional and always on trend with actives like snail mucin and propolis.’
Where To Buy K-Beauty Products In The UK
- Skin Cupid: One of the leading destinations for authentic Korean skincare in the UK, Skin Cupid specialises in curating a handpicked collection of the best Korean skincare products. skincupid.co.uk
- PURESEOUL: An online boutique with a London-based team who bring together sleek edits of Korean skincare, beauty and makeup products. pureseoul.co.uk
- Beauty & Seoul: Dubbed the UK’s largest (and longest-serving) K-beauty store, Beauty & Seoul offers a huge diversity of skincare, haircare and makeup finds. beautyandseoul.co.uk
- Boots: This trusted high street retailer has steadily been introducing K-beauty ranges into its usual line-up of cult brands and beauty favourites. boots.com
- LOOKFANTASTIC: Another huge name in the beauty realm, LOOKFANTASTIC has also started diversifying its K-beauty offering – and has even curated an edit of products to get newbies started. lookfantastic.com
The Best Korean Skincare Products To Try Now
How we pick our products: At C&TH, we take skincare seriously. We curate our product roundups to include a combination of tried-and-tested favourites – trialled by the C&TH beauty team – and industry expert recommendations. We make sure each product lives up to the hype, and put to the test whether it really delivers what it says on the label. And below, we bring you our pick of the very best Korean skincare products.
S.NATURE
Aqua Squalane Moisturising Cream, ÂŁ20.90
Melody’s Pick: ‘One of the best-selling moisturisers in Korea, this cream contains Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, and patented hydrating agent Aquaxyl to plump up your skin and leave it soft and supple.’
Beauty of Joseon
Glow Serum (Propolis + Niacinamide), ÂŁ14
Dr Nora Jaafar’s Pick: ‘This glow-giving serum is packed with 60 percent propolis and two percent niacinamide – a powerful combo for calming redness, brightening dullness, and improving texture, especially in post-inflammatory pigmentation.’
Anua
Azelaic Hyaluron Soothing Serum, ÂŁ22.50
Melody’s Pick: ‘An ultra-soothing serum that’s ideal for people with reactive skin.’
Genabelle
PDRN Vita Toning Ampoule, ÂŁ26
Melody’s Pick: ‘Made with one of the trendiest ingredients in Korean skincare, PDRN, this ampoule helps to regenerate and nourish skin.’
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, ÂŁ24.99
Dr Nora Jaafar’s Pick: ‘A cult classic. Lightweight, hydrating, and healing – think bridges the gap between toner & serum, perfect for compromised skin barriers, hyperpigmentation, or dull, dehydrated complexions. It’s especially useful after aesthetic treatments like peels or microneedling.’
MOLVANY
Artichoke Soothing Acne Pore Toner Pad, ÂŁ22
Melody’s Pick: ‘These thin toner pads are super hydrating and help to calm acne and irritation instantly.’
Nacific
Rice Pepta Collagen Gel Mask, ÂŁ15
Melody’s Pick: ‘This gel mask is infused with Rice and Collagen and helps to improve skin elasticity, add hydration, and brighten skin tone.’
TOCOBO
Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50 PA++++ 50ml, ÂŁ14.40
C&TH Online Style Editor Charlie Colville’s Pick: This lightweight sun cream truly offers the best of both worlds – high broad spectrum UV protection and a dewy, glass skin finish (without any lingering greasiness). The addition of hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate skin throughout the day, while vigna radiata (aka mung bean) seed extract protect against environmental stressors and supports skin regeneration.
ZEROID
Soothing Lotion, ÂŁ19
Melody’s Pick: ‘This is one of derma-brand ZEROID’s star products – it uses MLE technology to repair and strengthen your skin barrier, as well as soothing itchiness and redness and infusing skin with essential moisture.’
Dr. Jart+
Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment, ÂŁ32
Dr Nora Jaafar’s Pick: ‘A unique green-to-beige cream that instantly neutralises redness while delivering cica, niacinamide, and SPF protection. It’s a great hybrid between skincare and light coverage – ideal for rosacea or sensitive skin.’
