19 Best Korean Skin Care Products, Reviewed by a K-Beauty Expert & Dermatologists

I have combination skin, so I’m always careful not to apply too much moisturizer to my T-zone or it starts looking greasy by midday. This gel cream is perfect for shiny T-zones—or if you just have oily skin in general. It doesn’t leave a matte finish, but it’s definitely not dewy. I’d say it leaves a very subtle glow behind, but not that drenched-in-moisture look. I also love the soothing ingredients and gentle formula.

Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream

If CosRx popularized snail mucin skin care, then Sulwhasoo did the same for ginseng creams and serums. This popular luxury Korean skin-care brand is known for its use of ginseng extracts, which dermatologists say have powerful antioxidant benefits. The Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream pairs ginseng saponins (plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties) with its proprietary ginseng peptide™ to help rejuvenate skin.

“I’m a strong believer in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginseng root,” says Christina Chung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania. Dr. Chung often recommends Sulwhasoo’s moisturizers to sensitive skin types, as well as anyone in need of a “super moisturizing” boost. “The price point may shock you, but a little goes a long way,” she says. This is definitely one of the most expensive moisturizers—K-beauty or otherwise—in my regular rotation. But I love everything about it, from its deeply hydrating yet lightweight texture, to its subtle ginseng scent that reminds me of a spa visit, to (most importantly) the way it immediately makes my skin look slightly plumper, dewier, and healthier.

Best Eye Cream: Abib Collagen Eye Crème

Collagen is one of K-beauty’s most popular moisturizing ingredients, and the Abib Collagen Eye Crème packs on all the long-lasting hydration you could want. “Hydrolyzed collagen improves skin elasticity and hydration, Jericho rose extract helps maintain moisture and revitalizes dull skin, and panthenol soothes and strengthens the skin barrier,” explains Dr. Hwang. He likes that the formula is “rich but absorbs surprisingly well,” making it a good pick for both your morning and evening eye cream. “I appreciate that it combines barrier-repairing ingredients with botanicals, which makes it a nice option for patients who prefer a more holistic approach to skin care,” he says. “While I haven’t used this product personally, I’ve had several patients with dry skin tell me they love how it plumps and softens the under-eye area after regular use. It’s a good match for those with dry, fatigued under-eye areas or fine lines”

I’m now on my second tube of this formula and love how luxurious it feels—without the luxury price tag. As Dr. Hwang says, it’s thick without being greasy and doesn’t cause any irritation or milia around my eyes. The ingredients truly help my eye area feel smoother and firmer as soon as I apply and it layers well under makeup during the day. I’m absolutely obsessed.

Best Sunscreen: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 with Hyaluronic Acid Color

Korean sunscreens are known for being more lightweight and comfortable than most of what’s on offer Stateside. That’s due to their use of sunscreen filters that aren’t on the short list approved by the FDA. The Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen is a rare example of a Korean sunscreen that uses FDA-approved filters and still wears comfortably. “This is a popular eco-friendly brand that I saw everywhere when I was in South Korea last summer,” says Dr. Chung. “I love this product because of how it goes on and the finish it leaves on the skin. What makes this really special is there is a slightly green tint that helps to offset any redness. This is my go-to product for my patients with mild rosacea.”

This formula also won a spot on our list of best Korean sunscreens. “I have combination skin and this facial sunscreen helps avoid any shiny finish while still hydrating. It never pills under my makeup and has no white cast on my medium tan skin tone,” says Jenifer Calle, Glamour’s senior commerce editor. Calle ranks this among her favorite sunscreens because of its “glowy finish.”

Best Tinted Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen

Beauty of Joseon’s famous Relief Sun might be TikTok’s most viral Korean sunscreen. While that formula is no longer available in the US, the brand recently launched the FDA-compliant Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen, which uses zinc oxide for its SPF 40 broad-spectrum protection. It feels surprisingly lightweight and fast-absorbing for a mineral sunscreen, and comes in 12 sheer tints made to double as your daily tinted base.

Going off the texture alone, I would never guess that this is a zinc oxide formula. It feels so fluid and weightless, and I’m obsessed with the natural finish it leaves. The tinted sunscreen is sheer and forgiving—more like an IRL filter for your skin than a full-on foundation. On days when I don’t feel like wearing makeup but still want to even out my skin tone and give it a beautiful glow, I always reach for it. It makes my skin look amazing.

Best Face Mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask

If you want to know how popular Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is, the brand says it’s been counterfeited so many times that they’ve recently updated the packaging from translucent to opaque to avoid fakes. (If you have an old version, don’t panic: Just check that it matches the brand’s official product images.) It made our list of best Korean face masks thanks to its innovative peel-off format and glass-skin effect.

Dr. Chang says the formula is great for hydration with its lineup of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E and niacinamide. This overnight mask goes on as a clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes, “wrapping” your skin in moisture as you sleep. “It should be applied with a brush or spatula,” she says. “You can peel it off in the morning and rinse your face. It’s comfortable to sleep in and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother.”