Best of Targeted treatments
Best Korean retinol and retinal for beginners
Three Korean retinoids to start on — a gentle retinal, a 0.1% retinol cream for reactive skin, and a stronger retinal for once your skin has settled.
Mature skin
Replenishing, comforting picks for skin that wants bounce and resilience back.
Best of Best of Toners
Three Korean toners for three jobs: an everyday hydrator, a calming pick for sensitive skin, and a gentle exfoliating one. Which to reach for, and who each suits.
Best of Moisturizers
Three Korean moisturizers for three needs — a light all-rounder, a rich cream for dry skin, and a gentle ceramide gel for sensitive skin.
Best of Essences & Serums
Three Korean serums that punch above their price — for glow, dark spots and value.
Banila Co
Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
4.3
A solid sherbet balm that melts on skin contact, lifts off sunscreen and makeup, then rinses clean with no drip.
Torriden
4.5
Five forms of hyaluronic acid in a watery, fragrance-free layer — the hydration step a dry or sensitive routine can lean on.
Round Lab
4.4
A fragrance-free, alcohol-free toner that does one thing — rehydrate and steady the skin barrier after cleansing — and is very hard to get wrong.
COSRX
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
4.2
A low-pH gel that cleans without the tight, squeaky finish — an easy morning wash, and the water step after an oil cleanse.
Beauty of Joseon
Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
4.6
Retinaldehyde — the most effective over-the-counter retinoid — in a gentle, fragrance-free serum at a remarkable price. About as good as a first retinoid gets.
COSRX
Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
4.3
A rich, fragrance-free rice overnight mask with a touch of niacinamide — a cheap, gentle overnight hydration boost for dry skin.
Anua
4.3
A fragrance-free heartleaf toner that calms redness and adds light hydration — a gentle daily step for sensitive skin.
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
4.3
Melts off sunscreen and makeup, then rinses clean — a gentle, good-value first cleanse for the double-cleanse step.
Beauty of Joseon
Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin
4.5
Rice and gentle alpha-arbutin for a brighter, more even tone — the Korean serum most routines can start with.
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence
4.4
Plump, dewy skin without the tight feeling — a sensible first K-beauty active.