All the Best Korean-Beauty Products (That We’ve Written About on the Strategist)
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In 2015,Charlotte Cho, the founder ofSoko Glam, told our colleagues at the Cut that Korea’sbeauty productswere emerging as one of the country’s top exports. Since then, K-beauty has only grown in popularity, becoming a majormovementnot only Stateside but also in the global skin-care industry. Many Korean-made products focus on treating (and preventing) concerns such as dullness, dryness, or acne, Chosays, while incorporating gentle ingredients like healingsnail mucinand moisturizing ginseng. Complexion-first practices such as double-cleansingand “glass skin” — which refers to a luminous, poreless finish, saysPeach & Lily’s founder, Alicia Yoon — also originate from Korea, as do many Strategist-favorite brands, includingCosRx,Laneige, and more.
Since the start of the K-beauty boom, we’ve written about many staples, from thebest vegan onestovlogger and blogger favoritestospa mittsfor baby-soft skin. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best Korean-beauty products that have appeared on the Strategist, as recommended bydermatologists,drag queens, andmakeup artistsplus our own writers and editors. And because K-beauty runs the gamut from serums tosheet masks, this list covers a range ofskin-care(andhair-care) categories.
Updated on July 21, 2026
We still stand by all of these K-beauty picks, which have been updated with the latest pricing and availability. Several are heavily discounted atSoko Glamright now (and Amazon is price-matching several of those sales).
Best Korean-beauty cleansing balms
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Mild-scented formula that leaves skin thoroughly cleansed but not stripped.
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Gentle yet strong enough to remove heavy-duty eye makeup.
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Deeply nourishing balm packed with fermented grains.
Best Korean-beauty cleansers
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Popular lightweight oil cleanser.
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Oil-free cleanser for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
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Oily skin–approved for a deep clean without harsh stripping.
Best Korean-beauty serums and essences
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Creates a visibly brighter appearance and targets dark spots.
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This Centella asiatica serum has all the same peptides as a $76 serum from Biologique Recherche.
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Do-it-all essence (and an excellent dupe for SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence).
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Thick and nourishing essence for mature skin.
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Toner-and-essence set described as “wedding skin in a bottle.”
Best Korean-beauty moisturizers
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The moisturizer chef Melissa King uses morning and night.
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Aesthetician-approved cream that keeps the skin barrier calm and protected.
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Fragrance-free cream for extremely sensitive skin.
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Viera-Newton-recommended CosRx cream.
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Aloe-vera gel to soothe inflamed, dry, or irritated skin.
Best Korean-beauty sunscreen
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Enriched with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
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Ego Nwodim’s favorite dewy and non-pore-clogging sunscreen.
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Lightweight formula that feels more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen.
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Nonsticky sunscreen stick for quick application on the go.
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Mineral SPF featuring cooling eucalyptus extract.
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Zinc-based formula with a color-correcting green tint.
Best Korean-beauty acne treatments
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Pure-hydrocolloid pimple patch for standard whiteheads.
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Calming and soothing spot cream to reduce redness and inflammation.
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Sheet mask for serious cystic acne or deep, under-the-surface pimples.
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Infused with centella to soothe any kind of painful blemish.
Best Korean-beauty lip products
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Our best mask for very dry lips.
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Yowie founder Shannon Maldonado’s favorite lip balm.
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Hybrid lip oil and tint with buildable coverage that lasts up to 12 hours.
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