8 Korean Skincare Trends Experts Predict Will Be Huge In 2025

Will 2025 be the year for a skincare evolution? If the answer is yes, then your first port of call should be South Korea, the burgeoning global beauty capital. The experts tell us a number of buzzy Korean skincare trends will make their way across the pond in 2025, spanning everything from slugging and snail mucin to moisture sandwiching and cloud canvassing.

‘The focus will be on skin hygiene, with an emphasis on sustainable ingredients and minimalist skincare routines,’ explains Hayley Walker, Justmylook’s Skincare Expert. ‘In 2025, skincare enthusiasts will prioritise caring for their skin holistically, both inside and out, while remaining environmentally conscious with their product choices. These trends underscore the innovation and sustainability that continue to define Korean skincare as a global leader in the beauty industry.’

Below, she shares some of her top Korean skincare trends for 2025.

Korean Skincare Trends Taking Over 2025

1. Cloud Skin

First up: cloud skin. ‘Following the success of glass skin in 2024, this sought-after aesthetic crosses over into 2025 – but with a slight revamp,’ notes Hayley. ‘While cloud skin will still possesses the luminous glow effect of glass skin, it also emphasises a softer focus, leaning more towards a slightly matte finish. This trend perfects the balance of hydration with lightweight matte textures to achieve flawless skin with a soft, iridescent glow.’

2. Skin Cycling With Ferments

It’s also predicted that we’ll take a more cyclical approach to our skincare routine in 2025. ‘Skin cycling has become a growing preference within skincare in 2024, and is expected to surge in popularity in 2025,’ Hayley tells us. ‘This process of alternating active ingredients and rest days within your skincare routine has been favoured for its skin repair abilities, with 2025 taking it a step further by incorporating fermented ingredients – a K-beauty staple – into routines. These ingredients improve the skin’s microbiome, reduce irritation and dryness, help even the skin tone, and reduce the signs of ageing, to name a few.’

3. Microbiome Care

As Hayley mentioned, skin hygiene will also be become a focal trend in 2025 – with the microbiome leading the new wave. ‘Microbiome care will be prevalent in 2025 as skincare enthusiasts become more hygiene-conscious,’ says the beauty expert. ‘Skincare routines will target the skin’s microbiome using products containing prebiotics and probiotics to improve the skin’s barrier. This will balance and strengthen this function to achieve healthy skin inside and out.’

4. Moisture Sandwiching

Korean skincare is known for being well ahead of the curve when it comes to hydration techniques. The latest? Moisture sandwiching. ‘This layering technique will see lighter, hydrating products applied first, followed by heavier layers for a lock-in effect. This will seal in the moisture, and ensure the skin reaps the full benefits of these hydrating products. This technique has already gained traction this winter and is expected to crossover into 2025 with an emphasis on Korean skincare products.’

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5. Daily Skin Tools

Gua shas, sculpting rollers and cryo globes – at-home beauty tools are well on the rise. ‘Skincare tools grew in popularity in 2024, with over 149,000 TikTok posts for #guasha.’ adds Hayley. ‘Gua sha and face rollers are becoming staples in skincare routines, favoured for their updated ergonomic designs tailored to different face shapes and needs. We can only expect this side of the skincare market to expand in 2025.’

6. No-Skip Skincare

Less products, more action. This is the motto many of us are taking with our skincare routines this year – and it’s proving to be pretty popular in Korea as well. ‘The back end of 2024 saw a shift in skincare routines as many opt for a less-is-more approach,’ notes Hayley. ‘Skincare enthusiasts have downsized their routines, eliminating unnecessary steps and focusing on the essentials. 2025 will see simplified skincare routines tailored to your skin’s needs.’

7. Plant-Based & Vegan Snail Alternatives

Couldn’t stomach 2024’s snail mucin trend? You weren’t the only one. This year, though, it’s getting a plant-based upgrade. ‘Snail mucin dominated Korean skincare trends last year, and while the K-beauty staple remains popular, 2025 will see plant-based and vegan alternatives implemented into skincare routines,’ explains Hayley. ‘This approach will build on the snail slime hype while providing plant-based or vegan alternatives with similar regenerative and hydrating properties.’

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8. Barrier-Repair Revolution

One beauty buzz term we don’t see going anywhere? Skin barrier health. ‘Following the success of the “slugging” trend, Korean skincare is predicted to evolve the moisture-retention technique and lean into advanced barrier-repair products to repair and protect the skin,’ says Hayley. ‘These products will feature lipids, phytoceramide and squalane in lightweight, non-greasy formulas to hydrate the skin and improve its health and appearance.’

Featured image: Polina Kovaleva, Pexels