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The 4 Products to Buy During Soko Glam’s Annual ‘Best of K-Beauty’ Sale

Three of the products in Rio's hand.
The products, in Rio’s hand. Photo: Rio Viera-Newton

If you’ve never browsed Soko Glam before, you’re missing out on an extremely well-curated selection of K-beauty products. There are so many gems on the site that I’ve often fantasized about somehow getting inside the bathroom cabinets of Soko’s employees, just to get the inside scoop on the products they actually use the most.

Instead, once a year, we all get the next best thing: the Best of K-Beauty Awards, for which Soko puts together a list of top-selling and best-reviewed products from the last year. That list comes out today, and from now until October 16, every single product on the list is marked down 15 percent. I’ve tried and tested every single one, and I’m here to tell you about my four absolute favorites.

I get big hormonal lumps on my face once a month around my period no matter what. It’s just a sad fact of my life. As such, I’m always in the market for products that will help reduce the size, redness, and general angriness of my zits without drying them out or burning my skin. A few friends of mine recommended this product to me and told me it was totally life-changing. So last month, when my chin began to break out, I decided to try these out. And I’m so glad I did. This product, which looks like a giant Q-tip, is soaked in acne-fighting alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids that are meant to help clear out your pores, plus tea tree, lemon extract, and bamboo that are also meant to naturally exfoliate without irritating your skin. I applied this as soon as the zits popped up, and found that it reduces the size and makes them a lot less angry in just a few days.”

This ampoule (which is basically highly concentrated serum), pumps collagen into your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (it also hydrates, and will make your skin look ultra plump). It also has soothing centella and aloe, which is perfect if you happen to be dealing with some classic summer-to-fall transitional dryness and irritation.

I love my Cosrx Snail Mucin, I really do. But sometimes I like subbing in an essence that’s more watery, and less sticky-goopy, because watery products tend to do a better job penetrating deep and kicking my hydration up a notch. After using this product for three or four days in a row, I really started to notice a lit-from-within glow to my skin. It’s brightening and soothing without being harsh, so basically, it’s the perfect essence for those with sensitive skin trying to get some extra moisture in.

I don’t know how else to explain this powder glue other than calling it an essence for your hair. And guess what? It contains snail mucin. That’s right, people: We’re taking snail mucin to your hair. Though it may seem strange, this product has been a game changer for me. I use it kind of like a leave-in conditioner and apply it right after I get out of the shower. When my hair dries, it feels fluffy, soft, and bouncy. A lot of leave-in products leave my hair feeling nice right after it dries, but the positive effects start to fade a few days in. That was not the case with this: It left my hair feeling happy and healthy all the way up until its next wash, four days later. I now use it every other time I wash my hair.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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My Favorite Products From Soko Glam’s Best of K-Beauty Sale