Love Korean beauty, but not quite sure where to start? We’ve scoured the video archives (and/or blog posts, in some cases) of top beauty gurus and K-beauty experts to find some of their must-have products.
Their favorites are legion and include everything from antioxidant-packed essences to nourishing tinted lip oils — and hey, you might even spot a popular snail…
Korean beauty products
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Blossom Jeju
2 Step Nourishing Petal Mask, $6 at Glow Recipe
Recommended by: Ingrid Nilsen
"This is a two-step sheet mask that I absolutely loved using," said Nilsen in her January Favorites video. "This was so hydrating, it made my skin feel incredible — and I need to get more of this mask." Yes, since it's packed with hydrating superstars like camellia oil and hyaluronic acid, it's no wonder Nilsen took a shine to this sheet mask. -
Neogen Dermalogy
Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon, $27 at Sephora
Recommended by: The Beauty Breakdown
"These are excellent, because not only are they a manual exfoliant, they are also a chemical exfoliant as well," said The Beauty Breakdown's Morgan Stewart of the popular Korean skin care product. She also noticed that the brightening lemon in the formula makes it ideal for pulling off the "glass skin" look. -
J.One
Jelly Pack, $42 at Sephora
Recommended by: NikkieTutorials
After explaining that she prizes sticky primers above all others, Nikkie said of this product, "It is super intensely sticky — it is like a glue for your face ... I feel like with this, my makeup stays there. Like a house." -
Nooni
Kiss-Able Appleberry Lip Oil, $12 at Ulta
Recommended by: From Head to Toe
Jen Chae of From Head to Toe expressed a fondness for nourishing lip oils, calling out Nooni's new product in particular: "It goes on really nicely, and I really enjoy the color ... I highly recommend it." -
Erborian
Pink Perfect Creme, $39 at Sephora
Recommended by: Manny Mua
Have you heard of Erborian? The brand combines both French and Korean skin care techniques and the result is fittingly effective (and luxurious). Manny MUA considers himself a particular fan of this primer: "I literally am in love with it ... it gives you the most beautifully nourishing base for your skin while also blurring your pores a little bit." -
Son & Park
Beauty Filter Cream Glow, $32 at Sephora
Recommended by: Min Min Ma
Makeup artist Min Min Ma featured the multi-purpose product in a recent tutorial created for Korean skin care website The Klog, explaining that "it has an iridescent quality and is a super subtle moisturizer that you can use all over the face under the foundation, if you prefer." -
The Saem
Eco Soul Glam Eyes, $8.46 at YesStyle
Recommended by: Tati
Tati praised the budget-friendly shadow, calling it "glittery and shimmery and beautiful," while also noting that it's the perfect accent for a basic smoky look. "Can we just have a moment for that amount of shine?" she joked, after applying a swatch to the back of her hand. -
Saturday Skin
Balancing Act Skin-Smoothing Lotion, $39 at Nordstrom
Recommended by: Zoella
British beauty blogger Zoella couldn't get enough of this lotion. "I absolutely love this," she said. "It's such a treat for your skin — it's a lovely base for your foundation and the rest of your makeup." -
Klairs
Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, $23 at Urban Outfitters
Recommended by: Rio Viera-Newton
Where were you when Strategist writer Rio Viera-Newton's skin care Google doc went viral? Her faves are now iconic and this brightening serum, which she praises as "excellent" is one of the standouts. -
Pony Effect
Favorite Fluid Lip Tint in Romantic Breath, $10.76 at YesStyle
Recommended by: Shaaanxo
New Zealand-based beauty guru Shaaanxo picked the low-key lip tint as one of her Korean beauty favorites. "It stains my lips with a really nice splash of color," she said, also noting that she finds herself reaching for them a lot. -
Cosrx
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $21 at Ulta
Recommended by: Jude Chao
Jude Chao, the K-beauty genius behind the popular Fifty Shades of Snail blog, noted this snail mucin-packed essence as a top pick. "It eases dryness, calms irritation and makes my face feel smooth and healthy, deeply nourished and fortified against external irritants," she explained. -
Thank You Farmer
Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++, $25.99 at Amazon
Recommended by: I Covet Thee
Alix of I Covet Thee praised the weightless SPF 50 protection provided by this sunscreen, as well as the feel of the cream itself. "It does add a really welcome extra layer of hydration on top of your skin care," she said in a video rounding up her favorite products of 2017. -
Dr. Jart+
Ceramidin Oil Balm, $35 at Sephora
Recommended by: HYULARI
Beauty blogger Hillary Trinh favors the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Oil Balm, a product featured in several of her makeup tutorials. She uses it to help prevent dry patches under her makeup, especially between her eyebrows, on the tip of her nose and around her mouth. -
Laneige
Lip Sleeping Mask, $20 at Sephora
Recommended by: The Wanderlust Project
Korean beauty and skin care expert Sheryll of The Wanderlust Project tapped the popular Laneige lip mask as one her top 2017 picks, explaining, "Whenever I use this at night (aka every night), I wake up with pillow-soft lips." -
AmorePacific
Vintage Single Extract Essence, $145 at Sephora
Recommended by: Gothamista
"I really felt this gave me that extra huge boost of antioxidants, particularly in the morning," said Renee of Gothamista. "It's like a real treat for my skin." The only caveat? The hefty price tag — though she notes that it makes for a nice, luxurious treat.
