5 Best Korean Skincare Products
K-Beauty has been all the rage for a while now. More specifically, Korean skincare offers some of the most advanced skincare products in the world. With seemingly endless products, where does one start? Here are the 5 best Korean skincare products.
1. PURITO Centella Green Level Unscented Sun
The most important step in any skincare routine is, of course, SPF! Wearing sunscreen every day is imperative to prevent sunburn, redness, premature aging, and skin cancer. Unfortunately, most sunscreens aren’t exactly a delight to use. This offering from the K-Beauty world is the answer. This sunscreen is a hybrid between a moisturizer and a sunscreen. The moisturizing portion of this sunscreen is powered by centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Centella asiatica is a powerhouse ingredient for calming redness and inflammation, all while hydrating the skin.
Hyaluronic acid holds on to water to hydrate the skin long-term. Finally, niacinamide regulates the oil production of the skin, reducing acne without drying out the skin. Not only is this sunscreen low-risk for sensitive skin, but it can also be considered a treatment for sensitive skin by virtue of the calming ingredients included in the formulation. This sunscreen is also fragrance-free and low risk for acne-prone skin. At SPF 50+ and a UVA protection factor of PA++++, this sunscreen is definitely one of the best sunscreens in the K-Beauty world.Â
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2. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
If you wake up every morning with a tight face, no matter how much hydration you layer on your face before you go to bed, this Korean skincare product might be your savior. The active ingredient in this product is Snail Secretion Filtrate, yes snail slime. Don’t be weirded out, snail slime is wonderful for human skin, and even thought to have regenerative properties, i.e anti-aging.
There is not a whole lot of proof to back up these claims, but there are a few small studies that show that snail secretion is not only a wonderful moisturizer for the skin, but can help improve wrinkles and burns. The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, meaning it is filled to the brim with this ingredient, so you are getting the maximum benefits. Overall, this is a great serum-like product to amp up your skin hydration in the AM or PM. At the very least, this product is an excellent moisturizer with possible healing and anti-aging benefits.Â
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3. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
This Korean skincare treatment is an excellent choice for acne-prone skin. Too often, acne treatments may be effective, but they completely dry out the skin and leave scaly patches. This product will not do that. For those familiar with salicylic acid, this product includes a similar active ingredient that is just as effective but far gentler. This ingredient is betaine salicylate. This product contains 4% of the active ingredient, which makes it just as effective as 2% salicylic acid without the side-effects. This product works great to clear up surface-level acne.
The name mentions blackheads, but this product will also work great to prevent and heal whiteheads. Besides this product’s efficacy against acne, the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a great chemical exfoliator, meaning it will work to reduce excess oil and dry skin build-up. Finally, this product includes numerous hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol. So if you are looking for a product that will reduce and prevent acne, exfoliate to reveal brighter and smoother skin, all while acting as a light moisturizing toner, this product is your all-in-one answer.
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4. Clean It Zero Original Cleansing BalmÂ
If you are looking for an effective yet gentle way to take off makeup, sunscreen, and pollution at the end of the day, this cleansing balm is for you. Formulated as a light waxy balm, this product will melt everything off of your face, then emulsify underwater to easily rinse off. This is far more environmentally friendly than using single-use makeup wipes, not to mention more effective. This product also has several herbal extracts to soothe the skin. Overall, this is an excellent Korean skincare product for cleansing at the end of the day.Â
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5. ETUDE HOUSE SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
If your skin is always red, itchy, and dry, this Korean skincare product will work a miracle. Red, itchy, dry skin indicates the moisture barrier of your skin is impaired, meaning it has trouble holding in moisture on its own. This cream features numerous healing and soothing ingredients that will work to repair a damaged moisture barrier. The notable ingredients of this product are shea butter, green tea extract, panthenol, and sunflower oil. All of these ingredients are scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
This is of course a cream, meaning it will stay on your skin all night and seal in the hydration and treatments you use under this cream. It’s also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, meaning this cream is safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Overall, if you have chronically dry skin, give this cream a shot. It has real potential to heal a severely impaired moisture barrier. For those with normal skin, this is an excellent product to use at night time to seal in hydrating layers and treatments to ensure they are absorbed into the skin overnight. Also, it’s difficult for people with acne to find a cream that is hydrating but not pore-clogging. This product is non-comedogenic, so it can be used with peace of mind. Be sure to try out this excellent Korean skincare product!
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