The 8 Best Korean Skincare Brands That Are Worth the Hype, According to a Korean Beauty Editor Who’s Tried It All

Inspired by natural resources native to the Korean Peninsula, ROUND LAB uses local ingredients in everything. From the brand’s bestselling 1025 Dokdo line, which is formulated with mineral-rich sea water from the Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands to the moisturizing Birch Juice line that’s enriched with silver birch sap from Inje county, all of the products are rich in nutrients and natural minerals. (My personal favorite is their Birch Juice Sunscreen, which I’ve written about at length for being incredibly moisturizing.)

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: Birch Juice Mild-Up Sunscreen ($28): The mineral sunscreen has SPF 50 that promises UVA/UVB protection and all day hydration. Shoppers say it has a lightweight and gentle formula that’s great for all skin types. 
• Reviewers Also Love: Dokdo Cleanser ($15): The gentle cleanser is made to remove any impurities. Infused with panthenol, allantoin and ceramides, it works to cleanse, soothe and moisturize your skin without stripping away your natural oils. 
• Best for: sensitive skin

Sulwhasoo is a heritage brand that’s been around for over 50 years and beloved by my very discerning mom and aunts in Korea. (It should be noted that these women are all in their 60s and 70s and have impressively smooth skin that can be at least partially attributed to their skincare regimens, which include Sulwhasoo.)  The brand uses ginseng in their products because it’s a potent multi-tasker that does everything from strengthen your moisture barrier to brighten your skin.

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: First Care Activating Serum VI ($89): This serum aims to strengthen and brighten the skin. It has a combination of herbal ingredients and ginseng, which works to improve skin’s hydration, radiance and visible signs of aging. You’ll also find a vitamin C derivative that offers an instant glow. 
• Reviewers Also Love: Gentle Cleaning Oil Makeup Remover ($40): The oil cleanser works to remove any makeup and other impurities (i.e, excess oil, dirt). It’s formulated with a Korean herbal oil complex that clears pores, softens skin and adds a boost of hydration. 
• Best for: all skin types

Developed by a team of top dermatologists and aestheticians, Mediheal is South Korea’s number one sheet mask brand, a title they’ve steadfastly held onto for years now because of their efficacy, relative affordability and wide-ranging offerings for varying skin concerns. From collagen masks and vitamin C masks, I’ve tried them all, but the Tea Tree Essential Mask is my current MVP, as I find myself in a season of breakouts.

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: Tea Tree Essential Mask ($20/10-pack): The face mask is formulated with tea tree, an ingredient known for reducing acne and soothing irritated skin. Shoppers say it fits comfortably on the skin and leaves skin glowing afterwards. 
• Reviewers Also Love: Madecassoside Toner Pads ($24): MediHeal has a collection of toner pads to target every skin concern. These specifically ones focus on dark spots, uneven skin tone and acne. Its key ingredient, madecassoside, works to prevent breakout and soothe skin. 
• Best for: acne-prone, oily/combo skin

While visiting Korea, I kept hearing about this brand and how good it was for calming inflamed skin. First launched in 1982 with a mission to create effective, science-led products for sensitive skin, it has since become a top selling brand at Olive Young (aka Korean Sephora), winning numerous awards throughout its 40-plus years on the market. Thankfully for us, Aestura is now available through Amazon, where I ordered their ATOBARRIER365 Cream to help me through a rough patch of dermatitis last winter.

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: ATOBARRIER365 Cream ($32): Powered by vitamin E and squalane, this cream locks in moisture and protects skin against external aggressors (i.e, dirt, pollution). The dermatologist-tested product is great for all skin types—plus, it has a stamp of approval by the National Eczema Association. 
• Reviewers Also Love: ATOBARRIER365 Hydro Soothing Gel Cream Moisturizer ($32): Formulated with ceramides, glycerin and trehalose, this gel cream offers instant hydration and retains moisture. Shoppers say it’s lightweight, fast-absorbing and great for combo/oily skin. 
• Best for: dryness

I will always have a soft spot for Dr. Jart because it was the first Korean skincare brand I remember really falling in love with as a bright-eyed beauty assistant in my 20s. The brand is known for their innovative, science-backed ingredients and the packaging is always eye-catching, though slightly odd at times (in the case of the Cryo rubber masks). This all makes perfect sense when you find out that Dr. Jart stands for “doctor joins art.” Per the brand, they “take skincare’s best ingredients and innovations (that’s the Dr.) and join them with artful experiences to create high-performance derma skincare with a playful twist that brings a smile to your face.” Mission accomplished, team Jart.

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream ($49): The moisturizing cream has five ceramides and panthenol to improve elasticity and add moisture back to the skin. The fast-absorbing formula also has glycerin to maintain moisture and offer a soft, supple finish. 
• Reviewers Also Love: Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum ($70): Packed with bakuchiol and a collagen peptide, this serum reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while smoothing, firming and evening out skin. The gentle formula also has five percent of glycerin to hydrate all skin types.
• Best for: all skin types

Not gonna lie, I initially thought d’Alba was a European brand because of the way it was marketed, but it is, in fact, a Korean skincare brand. The main ingredient that’s touted throughout the line is white truffles extracted from Piedmont, Italy. Apparently, these truffles are very rare and loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that supercharge your skin with moisture. 

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: White Truffle Serum Spray ($24): Formulated with Italian white truffle extract and tocopherol (vitamin E), the serum spray promises instant hydration and glowing skin. The brand recommends one spritz is enough to get a radiant complexion. 
• Reviewers Also Love: White Truffle Double Serum & Cream ($36): This 2-in-1 duo claims to nourish, firm and soothe skin. The serum has ceramides, centella asiatica and panthenol to hydrate, while the cream has collagen and white flowers to improve elasticity. Use separately or together to target your skincare concerns. 
• Best for: dullness, dryness

If you’re looking for a family-friendly skincare brand that everyone from your toddler to your grandmother can use, Illiyoon is a safe bet. Dermatologist-tested to be gentle enough for even the most delicate skin, this Korean skincare brand is centered around ceramides that are derived from black beans and then encapsulated to offer a cosmetically elegant moisture boost both in and out of the shower.

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: Ceramide Ato Lotion ($30): The creamy lotion is specifically formulated for sensitive skin. The gentle formula has ceramides, which strengthens the skin barrier, soothes irritation and offers long-lasting hydration. 
• Reviewers Also Love: Ceramide Ato Soothing Gel ($25): This gel lotion aims to soothe irritated skin. It has a gentle formula that features ceramides and amino acids to nourish and calm the skin.  
• Best for: sensitive skin, dryness

If you’re on SkinTok, you’ve likely come across Anua. The viral skincare brand has become quite popular on the social platform for their cleansing oil, which has sold over 90,000 bottles on Amazon in the last month alone. Infused with heartleaf, an anti-inflammatory botanical that’s grown and harvested in Korea, their products have a well-earned reputation for soothing easily flushed or irritated skin. I’m especially a fan of their toner, which is refreshingly lightweight, yet hydrating. 

Fast Facts

• Best Product to Try: Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner ($19): With over 11,000 reviews on Amazon, this toner is praised for soothing, toning and hydrating skin. It has 77 percent heartleaf extract, which works to even skin tone and add a boost of hydration to achieve glass skin. 
• Reviewers Also Love: Heartleaf Pore Deep Cleansing Form ($13): This cleansing form provides a gentle exfoliation that clears, calms and brightens skin. It contains heartleaf and BHAs to improve texture over time. 
• Best for: dullness, irritated/combination skin