K-Beauty 101: The Brands, Ingredients & Products To Know
THE HYPE
K-beauty isn’t just about superior packaging and ten-step routines. It’s a skincare philosophy rooted in centuries of tradition, where natural ingredients and layered routines have long been used to promote healthy, radiant skin. What makes it stand out today is how those time-honoured practices have evolved into some of the most innovative, results-driven formulas on the market. From snail mucin and rice water to probiotic-packed gels and featherlight SPFs, Korean skincare focuses on nourishing the skin rather than stripping it.
THE KEY INGREDIENTS
Centella Asiatica
This skin-soothing plant extract helps to calm inflammation, strengthen the skin barrier and speed up healing. A must-have if your skin is sensitive, reactive or in need of TLC.
Snail Mucin
A K-beauty hero that hydrates, repairs and smooths. It might sound a bit ‘out there’, but it delivers results – think plump, dewy skin with fewer fine lines and dark spots.
Rice Water
Full of vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants, rice water brightens, softens and evens out skin tone. A great one to try if you want that lit-from-within glow.
Propolis
A soothing bee by-product that helps calm redness, boost hydration and support skin regeneration. Ideal for skin that’s prone to breakouts or irritation.
Beta Glucan & Panthenol
Two ultra-gentle ingredients that hydrate deeply and support your barrier. Great for layering under actives or using as part of a simplified, skin-first routine.
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THE BRANDS WE LOVE
Laneige
Hydration is the name of the game here. Laneige is the brand behind cult classics like the Lip Sleeping Mask and Water Sleeping Mask – two overnight wonders that help lock in moisture and restore glow while you sleep. If you’re new to K-beauty, start here.
Beauty Of Joseon
Inspired by traditional Korean medicine, Beauty of Joseon combines time-honoured ingredients with modern formulas. The Glow Serum is a favourite for pepping up dull, unbalanced skin, while the Relief Sun SPF50 has gone viral thanks to its invisible finish and nourishing feel.
SKIN1004
If you’re all about barrier support, this is the brand for you. SKIN1004's formulas are built around one central ingredient, Madagascan Centella Asiatica, meaning they're ultra-soothing and suited to sensitive skin types. Powered by PHAs, our standout pick is the Toning Toner w hich gently resurfaces, leaving your complexion smoother and brighter.
Dr. Jart+
Backed by science and known for targeting specific concerns, Dr. Jart+ offers clinical formulas with a playful edge. The Cicapair Colour Correcting Treatment tones down redness in seconds, the Ceramidin Cream locks in moisture without heaviness and the brand’s rubber sheet masks deliver quick, visible results when your skin needs a boost.
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Erborian
Blending French skincare sensibilities with Korean tech, Erborian is all about easy, effective skin-perfecting formulas. The CC Crème adapts to your skin tone to give you a radiant, even finish, while Skin Hero is ideal for no-make-up days.
COSRX
Straight-talking and science-led, COSRX makes hardworking formulas that tackle everything from breakouts to dehydration. The Snail 96 Mucin Essence is a lightweight gel serum that does it all, while the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a gentler alternative to harsher acids.
Anua
New to LOOKFANTASTIC and already a hit with skincare insiders, ANUA is known for its calming, minimal-ingredient formulas. The Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is a standout – it feels like water but works like a treatment, instantly cooling and calming stressed-out skin. The brand’s latest launches are just as impressive: the Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum tackles redness without drying; the PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum delivers deep hydration in a silky, easy-to-layer texture; and the Rice 70 Glow Collagen Mask is perfect for a glow-boosting moment.
Medicube
Dermatologist-backed and TikTok viral hit Medicube is known for its at-home devices and clinical skincare, if you’re into gadgets that deliver instant results, Medicube’s Age-R Booster Pro is a serious game changer.
Innisfree
One of K-beauty’s most recognisable names, Innisfree offers natural, ingredient-led skincare at accessible prices. The Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream is a hydration hero, while the Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask tackles congestion without drying the skin out.
Biodance
Known for its focus on skin barrier repair, Biodance is all about gentle yet effective products that are ideal for reactive skin. Its Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask is full of nourishing ingredients and really hugs the face– perfect for instant soothing and plumping.
Haruharu Wonder
With smart packaging and a plant-powered approach, Haruharu Wonder puts fermented ingredients at the centre of its formulas. The Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner is the product to know – it’s antioxidant-rich, deeply hydrating and loved for its milky, fast-absorbing texture.
Mixsoon
This minimalist brand champions single-ingredient products that let actives shine. The Bean Essence is a standout – a jelly-like hydrator that exfoliates gently while boosting glow, all without irritation. Great for those who love simple, effective skincare with visible payoff.
Tocobo
Colourful and conscious, TOCOBO will inject some fun into your routine with its skin-first formulas and vegan credentials. The Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50 is a cult favourite – easy to reapply, non-greasy and ideal for on-the-go protection.
Round Lab
Inspired by Korea’s natural landscapes, Round Lab uses clean, locally sourced ingredients in all its formulas. The 1025 Dokdo Toner is a bestseller – full of mineral-rich deep-sea water to soothe, hydrate and refresh tired skin.
TEAM PICKS
SAPNA
Fashion & Beauty Editor
"I love skincare that delivers visible results – fast. The Medicube Zero Pore Pads are satisfying to use and leave my skin feeling fresh, smooth and perfectly prepped. The Skin1004 Centella Toning Toner has become a recent staple – lightweight, calming and just the thing for resetting my skin when it’s feeling a bit out of sorts. Finally, the Erborian CC Crème is my secret weapon for good-skin days that require minimal effort."
JENN
Beauty Director
"I’m all about formulas that work hard without overwhelming the skin. The Purito Centella Unscented Serum calms everything down when my barrier’s acting up and the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is the only SPF I actually enjoy wearing. Lately I’ve also been using the Round Lab Dokdo Toner, which feels like a refreshing splash of mineral water first thing in the morning – so simple but so good. And when I want to take my routine up a notch, the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro is brilliant for lifting and sculpting – it gives me that just-had-a-facial feeling in minutes."
ORIN
Junior Beauty Writer
"I love products that feel a bit different – whether that’s texture, application or just that immediate glow factor. The Mixsoon Bean Essence is jelly-like and oddly satisfying to pat in and the Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick is perfect for reapplying SPF without any mess. And the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Toner is a new favourite – milky, nourishing and surprisingly chic for something so simple."
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