It’s no secret that Korean beauty (K-Beauty) and Korean skin care are all the rage – still.
Not just a passing trend, there are several brands across makeup and skincare that have become cult favourites and are very much here to stay.
Related Articles
Paving the way when it comes to including new and unusual ingredients in their beauty products, the makeup and skincare companies in South Korea are always thinking ahead.
Products like BB creams and sheet masks originated in Korea and are now skincare staples, as are ingredients such as calendula and aloe vera, but there are so many brands and products to choose from when it comes to Korean beauty that it can be tricky to navigate.
If you are new to K-Beauty and Korean skincare, we’ve rounded up our favourite products that are easy to buy in the UK, followed by the best K-beauty brands and their standout products.
FURTHER READING: Best skincare brands
Best Korean skin care
@victoria_woolly_web Korea has my heart technically Glow Recipe is Korea-inspired but it’s a staple for me. I don’t use these products all at the same time but they’re ones I return to or use when my skin is in need of something specific. I got all of these from @YesStyle and have a 10% code MAMABELLA if it’s useful #kbeauty #koreanskincare #korea #koreanbeauty #yesstyle #yesstylehaul #skincare #skinbarrier #purito #cosrx #isntree #laneigelipmask #skincarefaves ♬ A moist healing song – Nez Tunes
In no particular order:
- COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner | BUY NOW
- Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum | BUY NOW
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops | BUY NOW
- COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid | BUY NOW
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream | BUY NOW
- COSRX Oil-free Ultra Moisturising Lotion | BUY NOW
- Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream | BUY NOW
- Purito Deep Sea Water Cream | BUY NOW | Read our full Purito Deep Sea Water Cream review
- Purito Dermide Cica Barrier Sleeping Pack | BUY NOW
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask | BUY NOW
Best K-Beauty Brands
- Purito
- Erborian
- Oh-K Beauty
- Glow Recipe
- Saturday Skin
- COSRX
- Touch in Sol
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum| Best night cream
1. Erborian CC Cream
From £18 | Buy now from Lookfantastic
Why we love it: Uncover the Korean beauty secret of perfect complexion with Erborian’s CC cream. Having previously featured in our best CC cream guide, this Korean skin care wonder product is enriched with centella asiatica, tiger grass and honey extract.
Not only does it act as an ideal replacement to a foundation or tinted moisturiser, it also boosts radiance, illuminating and hydrating your skin.
Cheat your way to flawless skin with this blemish-blurring cream which enhances the texture of your skin, making it the best blend of makeup and skincare.
Where to buy Korean skincare UK: Erborian has a UK website, as well as being sold across Lookfantastic, Feelunique, Selfridges, Next and Space NK.
FURTHER READING: Best tinted moisturiser: Brighten your skin with our fave creams from NARS, NYX, Tropic and more
Buy now from Lookfantastic
2. Oh-K Beauty Turmeric Sheet Mask
£3.25 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Why we love it: Koreans really do know a thing or two when it comes to skincare; while the rest of us stick to having turmeric in our food and drinks, the guys at Oh-k Beauty have used the superfood in their sheet mask.
Rich in antioxidants, this spice has serious superpowers and brightens the skin when used in skincare, while the mask hydrates and moisturises.
It also includes lavender to soothe the skin.
Where to buy Korean skincare UK: Oh-K Beauty has a UK website, as well as being sold across Lookfantastic, Feelunique, Beauty Bay and ASOS.
FURTHER READING: Best sheet masks: The best face sheet mask for your skin from Garnier, Charlotte Tilbury and more
Buy now from Beauty Bay
3. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser
From £19.50 | Buy now from Cult Beauty
Why we love it: A total cult K-Beauty product, this Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser from Glow Recipe has sold out numerous times.
Watermelon extract soothes irritated skin and restores vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids.
A secret glow weapon, this is the moisturiser for you if you suffer from oily skin. If your skin is drier, you can still use this product as a serum and follow up with a thicker and more rich moisturiser.
You can even add a pump or two to your foundation for a natural, glowing finish to your makeup.
Where to buy Korean skincare UK: Shop Glow Recipe at Cult Beauty.
FURTHER READING: The science of moisturiser | Which Glow Recipe toner is best for your skin?
Buy now from Cult Beauty
4. Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Gel Peel
£22 | Buy now from Feelunique
Why we love it: Known for its sheet masks, the entire range of Saturday Skin’s products will leave a positive effect on your skin.
With key ingredients including natural enzymes such as papain (papaya) and pineapple, as well as aloe vera, use this peel gel to get rid of dead skin cells and leave your skin appearing brighter and more evenly toned.
Your skin is gently exfoliated while being simultaneously calmed and soothed, so it’s the perfect product for sensitive skin.
Where to buy Korean skincare UK: Shop Saturday Skin at Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay and Feelunique.
FURTHER READING: Best face exfoliator: Get smoother skin using scrubs from Upcircle, The Ordinary, Nip+Fab and more
Buy now from Feelunique
5. Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
£19.15 | Buy now from Feelunique
Why we love it: This lightweight essence is fast-absorbing and gives skin an immediate glow.
Comprising 96% of snail secretion filtrate, this ingredient repairs damaged skin, improves skin elasticity and maintains hydration levels throughout the day.
The essence nourishes, repairs and revitalises the skin.
If the embed below doesn’t work, check out the full TikTok video here.
@victoria_woolly_web The @cosrx_official Snail Mucin has been one of the most requested products for me to test in my hunt for the best skincare. It’s the first essence I’ve tested (until now it’s been foundations and moisturisers) and a rise of 4.8 percentage points, or 15%, is really strong. No other skincare product has beaten this yet, and only two foundations create better hydration – Essence’s Hydro Hero and Fenty’s Ease Drop. I can see why so many people requested it, and why it’s now going to be a staple in my routine #mamabella #hydration #hydrationtest #EndlessJourney #essence #cosrx #snail #snailmucin #snailmucinessence #advancedsnailmucin #advancedsnail96 ♬ CUFF IT – Beyoncé
Where to buy Korean skincare UK: Shop COSRX at Beauty Bay, Feelunique and Amazon.
FURTHER READING: Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference? | COSRX Snail Mucin Cream review
Buy now from Feelunique
6. Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer
From £18 | Buy now from Amazon
Why we love it: For anyone who remains skeptical about primers, this one ought to set matters straight.
The velvety product includes fine powders to blur your pores and instantly mattify any shine to your skin.
Containing green tea extract and collagen to hydrate the skin, this lightweight primer leaves your skin looking glowing and flawless – whether you’re going bare-faced or prepping your skin for your makeup routine.
Where to buy Korean skincare UK: Shop Touch in Sol at Beauty and Seoul, Boots, Selfridges, ASOS and K-Beauty.co.uk.
FURTHER READING: What does primer do? An expert explains the one rule you MUST follow if you want flawless makeup
Buy now from Amazon
Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today
MORE LIKE THIS
- Best skincare brands: We’ve picked our fave skincare essentials from the best brands in the UK
- The truth about the acids in your skincare
- Best eye cream
- Which Glow Recipe toner is best for your skin?
- How to layer your skincare
- Skin gritting: The Reddit skincare trend is on the rise again
- The science of moisturiser
- How to get rid of dark circles
- Why you’re probably applying your makeup and skincare wrong
- What does toner actually do?
- Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products
The post Korean skin care and K-beauty brands: Where to buy the best Korean makeup and skincare in the UK appeared first on mamabella.
