15 New Korean Beauty Buys
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, £30
Dr.Jart+’s new Ceramidin range is all about gentle products that protect the skin’s natural barrier. Formulated with ceramides that help bind skin cells together, this cream restores balance when you need a big hit of moisture. Containing five ceramides, as well as hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts, it’s gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive of skin and sinks in quickly so you can layer it with your other products. Ideal if you have combination skin or suffer with dry patches, use just a small amount after any serums.
Available at Boots.com
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, £11.29 (was £13.09)
If you’re after a gentle toner that won’t strip or dry out your skin, this new launch from Pyunkang Yul is worth a try. Designed to hydrate skin after cleansing, Korean botanical extracts promise to reduce redness and heal any damage. Don’t swipe it across your face with a cotton pad – simply dab it into your hands and use your fingers to sweep it across the skin for a more cooling sensation. It doesn’t contain any fragrance, so it’s gentle enough to use daily. You only need a couple of drops to see results.
Available at KosameBeauty.com
Cosrx Salicylic Daily Gentle Cleanser, £14
If you suffer with oily or spot-prone skin, you’ll know how beneficial salicylic acid can be. Cue this new cleanser by K-Beauty giant Cosrx, designed to gently exfoliate and unclog pores without stripping your skin. The cleanser foams up nicely into a rich lather, getting rid of dirt, make-up and excess oil in one go. Meanwhile, the salicylic acid breaks down bacteria to target potential breakouts, while willow bark water and tea tree oil help prevent future blemishes. If you have sensitive skin, start by using it a few times a week, before building up to daily use.
Available at Boots.com
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C + Ferulic Dark Spot Serum, £41
Regular SL readers will know how much we rate Glow Recipe’s skincare, which is packed with fruit extracts. The latest product is this ultra-silky vitamin C serum, created to target dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Ideal if you suffer from acne scarring or want to improve texture and even out skin tone, its hero ingredient is guava extract, which, alongside vitamin C and E, helps brighten skin for a natural looking glow. The lightweight consistency means it sits well under make-up, too, so you needn’t worry about what you put on top.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Huxley Essence Grab Water, £30.40
Loved by beauty insiders, Huxley uses prickly pear seed oil from Morocco, which is known for its hydrating properties, in almost every product. The brand’s new hydrating serum is no exception, while added acai berry, quinoa and Vitamin E keep skin feeling plump throughout the day. A great alternative to hyaluronic acid, you’ll find it sinks in quickly and leaves a slight glow to your skin, ready for moisturiser or SPF.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Saturday Skin Spotlight Brightening Mask, £4.60
With hundreds of K-Beauty sheet masks on the market, there are a few that really stand out. If you’re after a brighter, more hydrated complexion, Saturday Skin’s mask is a great shortcut. It contains bilberry, liquorice and lotus extracts, plus lemon and grapefruit oil to help target dark spots. The mask is packed full of serum, so keep what’s left over to use another time.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Belif Aqua Bomb Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, $34
If you have sensitive skin, this cleansing balm doesn’t contain any fragrance and is even gentle enough to use around the eyes. One of South Korea’s most successful skincare brands, Belif uses natural ingredients and cuts out any nasties, including parabens, sulphates and synthetic dyes. This clever balm has a three-step texture – apply the balm to your skin and watch it turn into a cream. From there it’ll dissolve into an oil once it’s massaged in for a minute or so. Extra points go to the little spoon which scoops out just the right amount of product.
Available at BelifUSA.com
Peripera Lip Tints, £10.80
Korean make-up can be hard to get hold of in the UK, so we were excited to try this affordable lip tint, which comes in 17 colours. Infused with jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and marine collagen to keep lips hydrated, it glides on for a natural looking finish. You can use a little bit for a subtle look or build it up for a more vibrant colour. The bottle might look small, but don’t let that deceive you – the formula is super concentrated, and the little brush makes application a doddle.
Available at PureSeoul.co.uk
Advanced Multi-Perfecting Red Oil Serum, £95
Those in the know will already be familiar with Venn’s bestselling oil serum, which has just been updated with a new formula. Using traditional Korean herbal remedies, the serum is a form of ‘Jaungo’ – an ancient 400-year-old prescriptive remedy known for its skin-repairing effects. Made using impressive technology (including a 150-hour fermentation process), it contains no less than 34 root extracts, botanicals and vitamins. The result? An ultra-concentrated oil that absorbs quickly, without feeling heavy or sticky. Trust us when we say it’s a saviour for dry, flaky skin.
Available at SpaceNK.com
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream, £16.80
Missha has an extensive range of skincare and hair products, but it’s the new BB cream which has caught our eye. Ideal for creating that ‘no make-up make-up’ look, the cream offers medium coverage, helping to even out skin tone and smooth out imperfections, such as blemishes and redness. It’s also packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, so skin never feels dry or tight. Available in 11 shades, mix it in with your face cream or serum for even lighter coverage.
Available at PureSeoul.co.uk
Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick, £6.80
Fans of Laura Mercier’s cream eyeshadows will love this eye stick from Etude House, one of South Korea’s most affordable beauty brands. Available in eight shades, including five suits-all gold tones, they’re easy to blend to create an instant smoky eye. Malleable and smooth in texture, they’re easy to build up and mix, with pigment that's seriously long-lasting. We love the pink shade ‘Rose Star’ for a subtle pop of colour – use your finger to blend out the edges for a seamless look. The best part? You don’t need to use any eyeshadow primer beforehand, simply twist and go.
Available at PureSeoul.co.uk
Femmue Brilliant Cleansing Oil, £73
Suitable for all skin types, even those with oily skin, this cleansing oil turns into a milky lotion when mixed with water. Made with a blend of natural oils, including camellia seed oil, olive oil, rosehip oil, and botanical seed oils, it feels indulgent on the skin without weighing it down or feeling too heavy. Gentle enough to use around the eye area, use it to remove make-up, using circular motions so the oil breaks down dirt and impurities – a little goes a long way.
Available at FeelUnique.com
Laneige Vitamin Brightening Micellar Cleansing Water, £19.50
Laneige is one of our favourite K-Beauty brands and this popular micellar water goes the extra mile to get rid of dirt, grime and impurities. Made with a mixture of antioxidants, including vitamin C and acacia extract, it can help reduce hyperpigmentation over time, plus it’s gentle enough to use around your eye area. Skin feels instantly hydrated, ready for the rest of your routine to follow.
Available at Selfridges.com
Dr Althea Rapid Firm Sculpting Cream, £36
If you’re after an anti-ageing moisturiser to use at night, Dr Althea’s new sculpting cream should be the last step in your skincare routine. Containing edelweiss extract, the cream has an almost stretchy consistency, so takes a little getting used to, but it adds a concentrated hit of moisture without feeling sticky or greasy. It also contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, and silk extract to help boost elasticity. You don’t need to use much – simply pat it into your skin, focusing on areas that feel particularly dull or dry.
Available at KosameBeauty.com
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