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20 Best Korean Skincare Products for Clearer, More Hydrated Skin

From fighting acne to smoothing wrinkles, these popular K-beauty products can do it all.

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hydration is the focal point for dealing with any skin type
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Korean beauty is no longer a secret: From elaborate skincare routines that promise smooth, glass-like skin to Korean haircare products that promote thick, silky strands, more and more beauty consumers around the world are shopping cult-favorite products from South Korea to see what the hype is all about.

In fact, the K-beauty market has inspired many of the most popular skincare trends of the past decade, including BB creams, cushion-compact foundations and sheet masks. You might even already be using Korean skincare products without realizing it — Dr. Jart+ and Laniege are two popular Korean beauty brands that have seen huge success stateside. But what makes Korean skincare products different from westernized beauty? There are three core elements at the heart of Korean beauty's "skin first" philosophy:

  • Multi-step skincare routines to achieve clear, glowing skin
  • A variety of unique natural ingredients like green tea and snail mucin
  • Hydration as a focal point, for all skin types

While the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has not formally tested the below products, we've put together this list of the best Korean skincare products based on our editors' K-beauty favorites and top-rated, verified online reviews. These must-have skincare products will make your skin glow, whether you're looking to improve oily, acne-prone skin or combat fine lines and wrinkles.

1
Best K-Beauty Green Tea Serum

innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Serum

Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Serum
1
Best K-Beauty Green Tea Serum

innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Serum

$27 at Sephora
Credit: innisfree
Pros
  • Good for acne-prone skin
  • Absorbs without residue
Cons

    With ingredients sourced from Korea's famous Jeju Island, this brand boasts that its products don't use harmful chemicals or preservatives. Their green tea hydrating serum claims to combat dullness and uneven texture, and reviewers report seeing less redness and irritation with continued use. 

    2
    Best K-Beauty Acne Product

    COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

    Amazon’s Choice
    Centella Blemish Cream
    2
    Best K-Beauty Acne Product

    COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

    Now 38% Off
    Credit: cosrx
    Pros
    • Reviews say it doesn't irritate sensitive skin
    Cons
    • Can leave a white cast

    Many online reviews point to this blemish cream as a favorite gentle acne spot treatment. The star ingredient is centella, also known as cica cream, which is known to help acne and rosacea without irritating skin. Note that this isn't an all-over moisturizer: it should only be used on affected areas at night.

    3
    Best K-Beauty Toner

    Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

    Aloe BHA Skin Toner
    3
    Best K-Beauty Toner

    Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

    Credit: benton
    Pros
    • Can be used on any skin type
    Cons

      With aloe and salicylic acid — two ingredients that promise to soothe and clarify skin — this toner preps your face to absorb your face moisturizer better.

      RELATED: 11 Best Toners for All Skin Types

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      4
      Best K-Beauty Anti-Aging Product

      Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

      Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
      4
      Best K-Beauty Anti-Aging Product

      Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

      Credit: missha

      While "essence" isn't commonly used in skincare routines in the U.S., it's an essential step in any typical K-beauty routine. It's designed to target fine lines and wrinkles, and works to regenerate skin and make it look younger. This particular essence uses fermented yeast extract to plump skin and refine texture. Several online reviewers deem it a cheaper alternative to the ever-popular (but pricey) SK-II essence.

      5
      Best K-Beauty Product for Oily Skin

      PEACH & LILY Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

      Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser
      5
      Best K-Beauty Product for Oily Skin

      PEACH & LILY Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

      Credit: peach & lily
      Pros
      • Can help reduce redness and inflamed skin
      Cons

        This brand claims to avoid harsh chemicals, dyes, alcohol and parabens in its formulas. Fans of the brand love this gel cleanser, which uses powerful sulfate-free cleansing agents to draw out impurities without drying out skin. It lathers into a milky-foam texture that cleans and hydrates the skin.

        6
        Best Korean Skincare Product for Dry Skin

        LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask

        Water Sleeping Mask
        6
        Best Korean Skincare Product for Dry Skin

        LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask

        Credit: laneige
        Pros
        • Provides intense hydration
        Cons
        • Not ideal for those with oily skin

        If you suffer from dehydrated skin, this mask contains high concentrations of mineral water to help smooth out parched skin. Note that this rich, ultra-hydrating mask is only meant to be used once or twice a week. 

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        7
        Best K-Beauty Face Masks

        FACETORY Best of Seven Facial Masks

        Editor’s Choice
        Best of Seven Facial Masks
        7
        Best K-Beauty Face Masks

        FACETORY Best of Seven Facial Masks

        Now 14% Off
        Credit: facetory
        Pros
        • Great variety and price
        Cons

          Whether you're looking to soothe irritated skin or boost hydration and radiation, this set of seven masks has something to offer for everyone. And at less than $2 a mask, the set is a good value, too. "I love all of them, but especially the Sun Bae Mask," says one of our editors. "It has aloe vera and jojoba seed oil, two relaxing ingredients I love ending the day with."

          RELATED: The Best Skincare Fridges to Cool Down Your Products

          8
          Best K-Beauty Product for Eyes

          Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream

          On Sale
          Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream
          8
          Best K-Beauty Product for Eyes

          Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream

          Now 24% Off
          Credit: saturday skin
          Pros
          • Absorbs instantly
          Cons
          • Opaque packaging makes it hard to see when it's time for a refill

          Reviewers love that this lightweight eye cream absorbs quickly into the skin. It's formulated with peptides, date seed extract and almond protein extract to improve hydration and freshen up the skin. One reviewer notes that she wishes it was easier to see how much product was left in the packaging, however.

          9
          Best K-Beauty Skincare Set

          SokoGlam 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine Set

          10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine Set
          9
          Best K-Beauty Skincare Set

          SokoGlam 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine Set

          Credit: sokoglam
          Pros
          • Convenient
          • Great value
          Cons

            Soko Glam is the ultimate online destination when it comes to finding the best Korean skincare products — and this all-in-one bundle designed for oily skin types makes shopping for K-Beauty products so easy. The $260 value exclusive kit contains 10 products from popular K-beauty brands, including cleansing oil, essence and eye cream.

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            10
            Best K-Beauty Product on Amazon

            SeoulCeuticals Snail Repair Cream

            Amazon’s Choice
            Snail Repair Cream
            10
            Best K-Beauty Product on Amazon

            SeoulCeuticals Snail Repair Cream

            Now 29% Off
            Credit: seoulceuticals
            Pros
            • Anti-aging benefits
            Cons

              According to its label, this night moisturizer contains 97.5% snail mucin extract (yes, snail slime!), which is actually a super-hydrating ingredient known to help promote collagen production. Amazon reviewers concerned about signs of aging swear by this cream, saying their eye bags slowly improved with use.

              11
              Best K-Beauty Moisturizer

              Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

              Ceramidin Cream
              11
              Best K-Beauty Moisturizer

              Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

              Credit: dr jart
              Pros
              • Lightweight
              Cons

                Dr. Jart's ceramidin line focuses on hydrating and repairing the skin barrier. Online reviewers seem to especially love this cream for its lightweight feel. "It's not sticky and doesn't feel heavy, but it packs a moisture punch!" says a reviewer.

                12
                Best K-Beauty Collagen Cream

                Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream

                Moistfull Collagen Cream
                12
                Best K-Beauty Collagen Cream

                Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream

                Credit: etude house
                Pros
                • Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
                • Affordable
                Cons

                  Online reviewers call this collagen cream "the best affordable moisturizer" — after, all it costs under $20. It uses collagen water to plump up fine lines and produce bouncy, dewy skin. Reviewers like that it doesn't feel sticky, either.

                  RELATED: 11 Best Retinol Creams and Serums, Tested by Beauty Scientists

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                  13
                  Best K-Beauty Cleansing Balm

                  Banila Co Clean It Zero

                  Clean It Zero
                  13
                  Best K-Beauty Cleansing Balm

                  Banila Co Clean It Zero

                  Credit: banila co
                  Pros
                  • Cleans and moisturizes in one step
                  Cons

                    This scoop-able cleanser transforms from a solid balm to an oil as you massage it into your skin. While it dissolves makeup and dirt, it also offers glow-y results thanks to skin-brightening papaya extract and Vitamin C. With hundreds of enthusiastic online reviews, it might just be your new favorite face wash.

                    14
                    Best K-Beauty Micellar Water

                    Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water

                    Dermaclear Micro Water
                    14
                    Best K-Beauty Micellar Water

                    Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water

                    Credit: dermaclear
                    Pros
                    • Sensitive skin-friendly
                    Cons

                      Cleansing waters are becoming more popular as a way to gently remove makeup, and this pick is made with 85% active hydrogen mineral water and 90% natural ingredients, meaning it will swipe away stubborn mascara and oils while being mindful of your sensitive skin.

                      15
                      Best K-Beauty Product for Lips

                      Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack

                      Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack
                      15
                      Best K-Beauty Product for Lips

                      Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack

                      Credit: klavuu
                      Pros
                      • A little goes a long way
                      Cons

                        Avocado, sweet almond and apricot seed carry the weight of this moisturizing formula, which is meant to be used in the nighttime. You don't need much to soak in the benefits — "I lightly touch the surface with my ring finger, and that's plenty," says one online reviewer.

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                        16
                        Best K-Beauty Pimple Patches

                        COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

                        Editor’s Choice
                        Acne Pimple Master Patch
                        16
                        Best K-Beauty Pimple Patches

                        COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

                        Credit: cosrx
                        Pros
                        • Budget-friendly
                        Cons

                          Angry pimple?  Just stick one of these little pimple patches onto your blemish to deliver concentrated acne-fighting ingredients right where they need go (and help you stop touching or picking). The best part: It's just six bucks a sheet.

                          17
                          Best K-Beauty Cleansing Oil

                          AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover

                          Treatment Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
                          17
                          Best K-Beauty Cleansing Oil

                          AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover

                          Now 40% Off
                          Credit: amorepacific
                          Pros
                          • Gentle on the eye area
                          Cons
                          • Pricey

                          Cleansing oil is a gentle way to easily remove your makeup — yep, even that stubborn waterproof eyeliner. This particular pick is made by Amore Pacific, a Korean skincare line that uses green tea flowers to combat anti-aging issues. Simply massage over dry skin, then rinse.

                          18
                          Best K-Beauty Exfoliator

                          My Konjac Sponge Korean Facial Sponge

                          Korean Facial Sponge
                          18
                          Best K-Beauty Exfoliator

                          My Konjac Sponge Korean Facial Sponge

                          Credit: my konjac sponge
                          Pros
                          • Helps with acne and fine lines
                          Cons
                          • Some complain the sponge falls apart quickly

                          Rather than scrubbing your skin with harsh, environmentally unfriendly scrubs filled with microbeads, try this gentle cleansing sponge enriched with charcoal instead. Reviewers say it helped reduce acne and they have smoother skin after use.

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                          19
                          Best K-Beauty Product for Skin Repair

                          MIZON Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule for Face

                          Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule for Face
                          19
                          Best K-Beauty Product for Skin Repair

                          MIZON Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule for Face

                          Now 36% Off
                          Credit: mizon
                          Pros
                          • Versatile
                          Cons

                            This ampoule contains 80% snail filtrate extract and promises to solve various skin issues, including aging, dull skin, acne and more. Reviewers testify that while the product is ultra-hydrating, it doesn't feel oily on the skin and makes makeup application so much smoother.

                            Headshot of Shanon Maglente
                            Shanon Maglente
                            Contributing Editor

                            Shanon is a writer and editor who specializes in best-of product roundups and deals. She has over six years of experience, including almost three years as a Good Housekeeping product and reviews editor, covering the best sales and products across home, appliances, health, beauty, parenting and more.

                            Headshot of Sam Escobar

                            Sam's enthusiasm for makeup is only rivaled by their love of all things relating to cats. In their spare time, they enjoy watching scary movies, putting avocado on everything, and seeing how many shades of the rainbow they can dye their hair before 30.

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