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If you are new to the world of Korean skin care, it can be overwhelming, to say at the least. Should I start a 10-step Korean skin care routine? What is face essence? Are all sheet masks created equally? How do I get glass skin?
The good news is Korean skin care is totally customizable, no matter what type of skin you have. Half the fun of Korean skin care (aside from the amazing results) is putting together your own ten-step routine designed for all of your skin concerns. From acne-prone to dry and flaky skin, there is a set of Korean skin care products that is made with your specific skin type in mind.
Here are the best Korean skin care products for each step of your daily routine. We’ve selected some of the highest-rated (and, admittedly, adorable) most effective products for glass skin on the market.
In a ten-step Korean skin care routine, the first step is to double wash your face. You use an oil cleanser to remove makeup and pollutants.
This might sound scary to acne-prone or oily folks, but the good news is oil is incredible at removing oil-based products and impurities from your skin.
This is an excellent oil-based cleanser to try out if you are new to the double-cleansing game. The cult-favorite removes everything from waterproof mascara to excess sebum, which can cause breakouts. There are also different variations for different types of skin.
Get it here for under $20.
This oil cleanser is full of vitamins A, B, and E, which all help your skin retain moisture and look youthful. The rice water is a nice bonus, as it can help reduce the appearance of larger pores and fine lines.
Get it here for under $17.
This oil cleanser tops a lot of “best of” lists, and for good reason. From Japan’s DHC, this oil cleanser has an olive oil base, which is chock-full of antioxidants and dissolves even the most stubborn of makeup.
Get it here for under $29.
Many self-professed skincare addicts call this the “holy grail” of cleansing oils. It easily melts away makeup, and the papaya extract acts as a chemical exfoliant. The Moringa extract helps pull out pollutants from the skin, keeping it glowy and beautiful.
Get it here for under $43.
After you remove all the makeup and excess oil from your skin, it is time to move onto step two: foam cleansing. Foam cleansers help remove any leftover debris that the oil cleanser missed. Some are even pH balanced cleansers, which helps balance nearly every skin type. Some foam cleansers even start out as oil, so you can double cleanse in one step!
Sulwhasoo is one of the top-selling skin care brands in South Korea, and it makes sense. The foamy cleanser includes Hanbang–or traditional Korean medicine–ingredients. It has a pH of 5, which means it is balanced enough for any skin type. The woodsy scent makes it feel extra luxe.
Get it here for under $30.
This gentle gel cleanser is made for all skin types, but folks with oilier skin have a particular affinity for the wash. It has BHA, which gets rid of skin impurities, and tea tree oil, which can help with breakouts and soothe aggravated skin.
Get it here for under $10.
This foaming cleanser is a top-seller on Amazon for a reason. The amino acids in the wash help clean your pores without stripping away moisture. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan, which we love to hear.
Get it here for under $16.
As the name suggests, this cleanser contains banana extract, which is super helpful for acne-prone skin. The honey soothes irritated skin. It doesn’t hurt that it smells absolutely delicious, too.
Buy it here for under $15.
This foaming cleanser is meant for acne-prone skin, but it is much gentler than your standard acne treatment. The tea tree oil and extract helps calm down flareups and prevent future breakouts. Talk about a win-win.
Get it here for less than $13.
Once your skin is nice and squeaky clean, you are going to exfoliate your face. Exfoliation gets rid of any remaining dead skin and helps promote cell turnover, AKA it keeps you glowy. This step is vital if you are going for the glass skin look. Some are physical exfoliants (as in scrubby), and others are chemical exfoliants.
If you have sensitive skin, this is something you may not want to do everyday. Even if you have tough skin, it is best to exfoliate three to five times a week.
The chemical exfoliant includes beta hydroxy acid, or BHA. BHAs are derived from sugary fruits, and they help slough away dead skin. This helps brighten your complexion and even out your skin tone. If you have acne scars, this is a great option to help fade them.
Get it here for under $14.
This physical exfoliant is ideal for people with dry or flaky skin. Black sugar and refined rice wine gently remove dead skin. It also contains evening primrose oil, which keeps skin youthful — hello glass skin!
Get it here for under $18.
If you are looking to exfoliate with a quick swipe, this is for you. This comes with 30 pads that have both a physical and chemical exfoliant. It’s got resveratrol, which is full of antioxidants, keeping your skin clear and young-looking.
Get it here for under $16.
This chemical exfoliant has alpha hydroxy acids, or AHA. This chemical helps remove dead skin without being too abrasive — so it is great for everyday use. Count us in.
Get it here for under $35.
Spray the dead skin away! This chemical exfoliant uses natural enzymes to help get rid of dead skin. It’s even gentle enough for people who have eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Get it here for under $18.
The purpose of toner is to help remove any excess cleanser or exfoliant (if there is any) and prep the skin for nutrient-rich products like essences, serums, ampoule treatments, and boosters.
Toners hydrate your skin and are full of vitamins and antioxidants, which is vital for glass skin.
People are obsessed with this toner from Son & Park, and with good reason. It contains both rose and lavender waters, which help calm irritated skin. It also has willow bark and papaya extract, which helps gently remove pesky dead skin. We’re obsessed.
Get it here for under $30.
If you have an uneven complexion, this toner is about to become your best friend. The fermented yeast extract, combined with the AHA and BHA, help brighten skin and fade pesky acne scars.
This toner is an excellent option if your skin tends to be sensitive or dry. The Centella Asiatica Extract helps soothe and heal inflammation, and it restores the pH balance of your skin. Plus, the sodium hyaluronate helps lock in moisture.
Get it here for under $16.
The key ingredient of this toner is green tea from Jeju Island. These Jeju Green Tea Leaves are incredibly hydrating to the skin, and it helps the skin form a protective barrier from things like pollution and free radicals.
Get it here for under $14.
If you are trying to get glass skin and are looking for products with anti-aging properties, you’ll want to add this to your cart, STAT. It helps with fine lines and uneven skin texture, thanks to the collagen and Baobab Tree extract. A little goes a long way with this one.
Get it here for under $17.
Essences are vital when it comes to Korean skin care routines. The often lightweight serums are packed with tons of skin-repairing and protecting ingredients meant to help with a variety of skin issues. Some people even use a variety of essences on different days to get that perfect glass skin complexion.
If you have chronically dry skin, this essence was made with you in mind. It has fermented yeast extract of Himalayan purple barley and gemmule, which helps give your skin a beautiful radiance.
Get it here for under $28.
This multitasking essence was designed to protect skin from pollution and brighten your complexion. The cactus extract and prickly pear seed oil are packed with antioxidants, while the Glutathione improves skin tone. And according to the reviews, this essence works fast.
Get it here for under $24.
Beware large pores: this essence is here to wipe you out. It’s filled with vitamin C to help even out your skin tone, and it comes with textured pads so you can really work it into your skin.
Get it here for under $23.
As the name suggests, this essence has a ton of snail mucin; it comprises roughly 96% of the entire product! Snail mucin is excellent for hyper-pigmentation and can help fade sun spots and acne scars.
Get it here for under $17.
This decadent essence contains 63% black bee propolis extract, which helps fight bacteria that causes breakouts. It also helps accelerate skin cell growth and unblocks pores.
Get it here for under $29.
Serums, ampoule treatments, and boosters, oh my! This step of Korean skin care is often a little pricier than the rest of the Korean skin care routine because they are incredibly concentrated. They are meant to address certain issues and are super-powered to help get you glass skin ASAP.
Feel like you have several skin issues you want to address at once? This ampoule is meant for you. Lactobacillus ferment helps clarify the skin, while the bifida ferment keeps skin hydrated. Put this on at night or before a flight to avoid tired-looking skin.
Get it here for under $30.
Hyaluronic Acid is kind of a miracle ingredient. It helps keep skin look soft and supple by holding in moisture, helps prevent sun spots, and help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Try out this kit for a month and be amazed with the results.
Get it here for under $27.
This serum is infused with peat, AKA a gooey substance found in bogs. This may sound gross, but peat has actually preserved dead bodies in bogs, so imagine what it can do for your living skin. There are over 80 herbs in this designed to keep you looking youthful and glowy for life.
Get it here for under $60.
Are you looking for that Instagram glow sans filter? This Day Glow Serum for Seoul Ceuticals was made for you. Chock-full of vitamin C and haluronic acid, this serum plumps the skin and evens it out all at once.
Get it here for under $17.
This booster is excellent for oily-but-sensitive skin. The booster serum contains willow bark extract, which gently reduces excess oils and lessens the appearance of large pores. It’s gentle enough for daily use, too.
Get it here for less than $44.
Who among us isn’t familiar with the Korean sheet mask? The beauty products are a staple of silly Instagram selfies, but they are far from the only type of face mask available — there are bubble masks, clay masks, and even sleeping masks. After applying a serum or booster, pop on one of these masks to really kick your Korean skin care routine into overdrive.
This face mask tops plenty of “best of” lists, and for a good reason. Tea Tree extract helps keep skin congestion at bay, and sage extract helps with redness, inflammation, and keeping your skin youthful.
Get a 10-pack here for less than $14.
This mask requires two steps, but we swear it is worth it. You start with a pre-treatment ampoule, and then once that is soaked in, you apply the sheet mask. It is packed with hydrating ingredients, so this is a lifesaver for folks with dry or flaky skin.
Get a 5-pack here for less than $19.
Snail jelly is in a ton of Korean skin care products thanks to its ability to hydrate skin and keep it looking fresh and young. These masks from Skederm are gentle enough to keep on for a good amount of time, so you can binge your favorite show while wearing it.
Get a 10-pack here for less than $25.
The packaging isn’t serious, but the mask is. This mask has sea buckthorn fruit extract, which helps fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. It also has vitamin C, which gives you that Glossier model glow.
Get it here for less than $8.
Bubbling masks are awesome because they really get deep into your pores. MeMe’s Bubble Clay Mask has tons of activated charcoal, which helps remove stubborn skin impurities. It also has aloe vera, so it is also soothing.
Get it here for less than $9.
Even if you are younger or don’t see any wrinkles or fine lines around your eyes now, you should still be applying eye cream. Prevention is key! While it might be tempting to use a plain face moisturizer under the eyes, many all-over lotions are too heavy for this delicate area. Try out one of these Korean eye cream favorites.
Admittedly, it was the adorable packaging that first caught our eyes with this luxe eye cream, but the ingredients are what actually hooked us. This eye cream has date seed extract, which has tons of anti-aging properties. It also helps lighten dark circles.
Get it here for under $46.
This Korean eye cream does it all. The lightweight formula is 80% snail mucin, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, lighten dark circles, and hydrates the delicate eye area.
Get it here for under $14.
This isn’t a typo — this eye cream from A.H.C. is so beneficial and gentle that you can use it all over your entire face. The formula’s patented Aquatide helps keep skin resilient, and clinical tests have even shown multiple anti-aging effects. Um, can we use it all over our bodies?
Get it here for less than $17.
This Korean eye cream means business. It’s packed with amino acid complex and hyaluronic acid, which combats crows feet, fine lines, undereye bags, and puffiness. The gel formula is lightweight and feels great chilled. Try popping this one in your fridge to brighten up your eyes after a particularly wild night.
Get it here for less than $17.
Do you want to try out an eye cream but feel like your skin is extra sensitive? This is the eye cream to add to your Korean skin care routine. It has Niacinamide, which gently helps brighten dark circles. Royal jelly makes this eye cream extra luxurious and moisturizes this delicate area.
Get it here for less than $41.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, the idea of a face cream or moisturizer might be scary–but don’t skip this step! Even oily skin needs hydration, and there are various formulas, like gels, creams, and sleeping masks, for each skin type. Gently pat your moisturizer of choice into your face and neck after you apply your eye cream.
Formulated for irritated, acne-prone skin, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream is incredibly soothing. It has chamomile oil extract, which fights red flareups, and Centella Asiatica, which helps hydrate and minimize redness. This one is really great after too much sun, too.
Get it here for less than $23.
Thanks to its lightweight (but powerful!) formula, Laneige’s Water Bank Moisture Cream is an excellent Korean facial moisturizer for practically all skin types. Green Mineral Water, which is extracted from brussel sprouts, artichoke, and lima beans, hydrates skin without leaving it oily or sticky.
Get it here for less than $49.
This moisturizer is almost always out of stock, and it makes sense. The bamboo sap-based mist instantly hydrates skin without leaving any greasy film or residue on the skin. You can even spritz it on over your makeup throughout the day to keep your skin looking supple and set.
Get it here for under $60.
This intense moisturizer has a gel-cream consistency that easily absorbs into the skin. The Korean moisturizer has ceramides and plant-based oils to strengthen the skin barrier and lock moisture in.
Get it here for less than $30.
While you can skip or switch out steps in your Korean skin care routine every once in a while, this is a vital morning step you should never gloss over. You need SPF to protect your skin from premature aging, sun spots, and other pollutants, no matter your skin tone.
If you really want to step up your sun protection game, look for a sunscreen (also called a “sun cream” in Korean beauty) with PA+++, which shields against UVA and UVB rays.
If redness is the bane of your existence, this is the sun cream for you. Along with full protection from UVA and UVB rays, it also has tons of aloe vera, which is incredibly soothing.
Get it here for under $15.
Missha’s Sun Milk is designed to hold up to water and sweat, which makes this perfect for those hot, summer days. It also has Antozone-Rose and Thanaka extracts, which help soothe troubled skin.
Get it here for under $14.
This mild sunscreen reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it, so it doesn’t leave your pores a mess. It is also full of skin conditioners, which makes it a great option for those colder winter months when skin tends to dry out.
Get it here for under $34.
This water-based sunscreen is an excellent option for those with oily or acne-prone skin. It has the coveted K-Beauty ingredient hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 more moisture as water without feeling heavy or sticky.
Get it here for less than $15.
Need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day over your makeup? This soft cushion sun protection has you covered. It doesn’t have a tint, so it is great on any skin tone. Instead, it just gives you a glowy, dewy finish.
Get it here for under $27.
But we promise it is worth it. Are there any K-Beauty staples we missed?
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