The Cult Edit
A little breakdown of the best of the best … and put down the Glow Recipe. Yes, technically it’s Korean but no one in Korea actually uses it!
South Korean women have a reputation in the West of having excellent taste in skincare. And to be fair, it’s kind of true! The Korean skincare industry is miles ahead in terms of technology, and society in general is FAR more demanding (and conscious) about their skincare, which results in mediocre brands and products having a very short shelf life. If a product survives for years in a market so brutal it makes The Hunger Games look like a playground game of hide and go seek, you know it’s the real deal.
Western online magazines and blogs like Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Marie Claire and Bustle have all run articles with titles such as 22 Korean Skin Care Products With A Cult-Following or 20 Cult-Favorite Asian Beauty Products You Need in Your Life. However, rarely are they actually accurate. As scathing a review as that may seem, I’m afraid often it’s the truth. Rarely have I seen Western beauty editors accurately round up what products are true, authentic Korean cult favourites. This is probably not due to any lack of effort on their behalf (though maybe a little bit), but rather probably due to the fact that it's difficult to know what’s truly most popular unless you live there, or speak basic Korean. Skincare apps like Hwahae are invaluable in finding out what Koreans are actually using, and liking. Chatting to friends who live and work in Korea, is vital in finding out what the current trends are, and what ‘ugly’ skincare everyone keeps in their bathrooms but rarely post on Instagram. While large scale skincare vendors like Olive Young or Aritaum only post their quarterly overviews in Korean.
Have no fear, because below is my edit of what I think are the true holy grail products of the Korean skincare industry, that are so good, people just can’t leave them behind!
Dr G Gel Peel
This is definitely one of those ‘everybody has one but no one posts about it’ type of products. It’s not the most attractive product you’ll have in your bathroom, with it’s seafood green, rather ostentatious packaging, but it might just become one of your most used products. This gel peel from Dr G (a seriously note worthy Korean brand if you’re not already familiar with them) is a highly efficient exfoliant with some impressive moisturising and soothing benefits on top of it- which essentially makes it a superstar product for those with sensitive skin AND pigmentation problems (i.e. Me!). I use it once every 2 weeks on my face, but I also use it weekly on my feet, my arms, legs and anywhere else that might need a little extra exfoliation. It helps keep my skin super soft and never irritated. (Also, please don’t be fooled by the online click bait- that’s not dead skin peeling off your face when you use it, it’s the cellulose balling up, which is why it’s technically defined as a physical exfoliant!).
AHC Eye Cream For Face
Arguably one of the most famous K-beauty exports ever, this is a super gentle but very highly moisturising cream that keeps your skin plump and hydrated. It’s rumoured that one is sold every 3 seconds, and that’s definitely something I can believe, having known many women in my life who swear by it and keep a healthy stock of it in their vanity drawer! The reason I think so many people love it is that’s 1) it’s super gentle and 2) extremely effective; sensitive enough to be used on that extremely delicate eye area, you’re in no danger of congesting your skin, but the effects are almost immediate resulting in much more glowy and ‘awake’ skin.
Missha Time Revolution Essence
This is one of those products that’s in my routine, it always has been in my routine and it will always be in my routine. I’ve truly never even considered removing it. It was one of the very first K-beauty purchases I made on the behest of my friend who marched me into the store in Myeong-dong (jet lagged and with my eyes still adjusting to all the lights packed into those crowded little streets!). I went with the classic Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence because I was told it was the best. This turned out to be very true- it was so hydrating, and my skin tone improved so dramatically, I fell in love immediately. Due to it’s incredible popularity, there have been numerous re-imaginings of this product, and everyone has their own individual favourites, but for me and many others, the original First Treatment Essence will forever be a beloved staple on our bathroom shelves.
Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
This was actually the very first K-Beauty product I ever bought. Having suffered from acne for a long time (which is why I was so heavily invested in trying out K-Beauty- anything to help my skin recover!) I experienced some pretty serious breakouts and my skin was generally quite congested a lot of the time. This product promised to help rid my skin of impurities and keep breakouts to a minimum (whilst not stripping my skin). It delivered on it’s promises, and then some! The secret is the volcanic clay harvested from Jeju, an island located off the south coast of Korea. I recommend this to everyone I meet and it’s truly a saviour in the lead up to important events. This has been a continuous earner for Innisfree for years, and it doesn’t look like its popularity is dwindling- they even recently announced they’re adding to the line with an AHA PHA volcanic clay mask. Their Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 2X (essentially the original revamped) is also excellent!
Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel
Simple, but perfect! This isn’t really a product many are going to be posting about on Instagram because it’s not exactly ‘trendy’ but a lot of people love to keep a tub of this in their bathroom because it’s cheap, hard working and has multiple uses. Nature Republic prides itself on producing products using all natural ingredients and harnessing the power of herbal remedies, it is also a very transparent company, giving their customers clear information as to where the ingredients come from and how they’re harvested. This Aloe Vera Gel contains a very high percentage of the star ingredient, making it both soothing and cooling. I’ve known people to use it all over the body to help treat skin concerns such as eczema, sores and even sunburn. Storing in the fridge and then using on the face can help significantly with de-puffing tired skin too!
Aromatica Aloe Vera Gel
Another Aloe Vera Gel?! Yes, Koreans love a good Aloe product because they’re simple and they WORK. This is no exception. A little more hygienic than the Nature Republic Gel, which comes in a large tub, this gel is encased in a handy pump. It is equally as lightweight and effective as the Nature Republic gel, though. This is much more aesthetically ‘pretty’, and it’s also Vegan. The gel also comes in a useful travel sized tube which comes in very handy when going on long journeys, or just to pop in your bag for a day at the beach! Most people I know have either this one or the Nature Republic tub, so it’s pretty much up to you as to which you prefer!
Illiyoon Body Products
Illiyoon rule the roost when it comes to body products in South Korea. Obviously many other brands have products that focus on body care, but it always feels a little like an afterthought, secondary to the ‘stars’ of those ranges that are often designed specifically for the face. Illiyoon has made itself synonymous with providing the absolute best, most effective and well priced products, tailored for use on the body, which really closes in on the growing trend of people wanting to provide as much care and diligence to their body as they do their face. Their various body lotions and shower cleansers have been a staple in my bathroom for years now, and I don’t feel any inclination to change. Sure maybe I’ll try something else out every now and again, but I’ve always got my trusty Illiyoon pumps in the corner! Currently I’m using their Ceramide Ato 6.0 Top To Toe Wash in the shower to gentle exfoliate and nourish my skin, followed up by their Ceramide Ato Lotion, which I like because it’s super lightweight and very moisturising. Both are aimed towards sensitive skin people too, so that’s a plus! In my opinion, you really can’t beat this brand on price and efficacy when it comes to pampering your body!
Round Lab Dokdo Toner
This brand has had something of a revolution over the past few years. Suddenly you can’t scroll through Instagram, TikTok or any skincare app worth its salt without coming across one of Round Lab’s recent product launches. The product I’ve seen the most though? The one that continues to top charts and seems to always be met with the same response when I bring it up of ‘Oh that toner, I’ve been LOVING it recently!’, is their Dokdo Toner. It’s a very (very, very) mild exfoliating toner, that also protects and soothes skin with the addition of Panthenol, Allantoin and Betaine. I’ve found that it plays really nicely with other products in my routine, and layers beautifully. A great option for sensitive skinned people, and the bottle is huge so it lasts forever!
Torriden Dive In Serum
This is a relative newcomer, and there may perhaps be a few people who turn around and say ‘how can this be deemed ‘cult’ when it’s only been around a couple of years?’. Well my response is that this serum has been so popular and so lauded over in the Korean Beauty world, it has truly earned its place as a modern cult icon- everyone’s got it, everyone loves it, everyone KEEPS loving it! Since it's released in 2019, this serum has consistently topped the popularity charts both online and in store. It’s fundamentally just a really, seriously good hyaluronic acrid serum, and certainly the best serum I’ve found for effectively hydrating and plumping the skin. It’s got a really wonderful formula, fantastic for people with sensitive skin in particular, and if you’re looking for a serum that guarantees dewy, super moisturised skin, this is the one I’d recommend!
All Natural Hottuynia Cortata Sheet Mask
The star ingredient in this sheet mask is Hottuynia Cortata, which has fantastic anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. The actual mask is made from eucalyptus tree fibres which creates quite a solid mask texture, a little different from the more flimsy versions you tend to find. I find this mask the best for just chucking in your bag if you’re going on a trip, or just using as a regular skin pick me up- and I love the results- it really reduces any redness in my skin and the next day I notice a markedly brighter, clearer and even textured complexion! It’s extremely well priced and really delivers on its promises- you can’t go wrong!
Abib Gummy Sheet Masks
A little pricier that the All Natural Mask, but equally as popular and extremely forward thinking in their approach to sheet masks. This most comfortable sheet mask I’ve ever tried, the microfibre sheet is extremely thin (but doesn’t ever tear), fits perfectly on my face and genuinely feels like a second skin. Abib have a variety of masks in this range, however my favourite is probably the Heartleaf mask due to its incredible healing and soothing properties (although I do try to keep at least one of the different ‘flavours’ in my drawer because I’m perhaps a little bit obsessed!).
Sidmool Jojoba Lip Essence
The ultimate, OG Queen of Korean lip products- that for some reason never seems to be included on any Western round up of K-Beauty products! Which makes me sad, because the world is missing out on this absolute gem of a product! Relatively light, non sticky and insanely hydrating, this is a lip balm on a whole new level. Infused with Jojoba, famous for its moisturising qualities, this formula actually repairs broken skin rather than just protecting it from further damage. I can rely on this year round to ensure my lips are kept super soft and I rarely have to reapply throughout the day! The only downside is that the tube is too small- I end up repurchasing about 4 a year (but that’s probably down to the fact I use it day in day out every single day!).
Dr G R.E.D Blemish Moisturiser
Obviously I don’t talk for everyone who uses Korean skincare, but I can say that I don’t personally know anyone who doesn’t either currently use this moisturiser, or is on the way out to buy a refill! Moisturising? Check. Soothing? Check. Lightweight and doesn’t pill? Check and check. If you have any kind of skin issue, be that irritation, redness, breakouts, or sun damage, or even if you’re undergoing procedures such as laser therapy or micro needling, I would highly recommend trying this product out. It’s the best soothing moisturiser I’ve ever used, I use it day in and day out, and has helped my rosacea/ irritation more than I ever thought possible. It’s gentle, thanks to ingredients such as Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside, but also hydrating and brightening, thanks to the inclusion of superstars such as Glycerin and Niacinamide. My only issue is that there’s not more in the jar (I’d buy this by the tub full if I could!).
Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy (DMT) Cream
This is another product that probably falls into the category of products pretty much everyone has, but no one ever posts about, hence why it's somewhat ignored by a lot of western editors. This cream from Physiogel is at its core a very simple, but highly effective general use moisturiser. Created with a hypoallergenic formula, specifically engineered to be used by those with even the most sensitive or easily irritated skin, it’s a really good option for almost everyone, regardless of their skin issue. It comes in a huge squeeze tube, which tends to last me about 6 months of regular use, and I use it pretty much everywhere! I rarely actually use it on my face because I already have quite a significant roster of moisturisers I use to directly target skin issues, but when I have used it on my face, it’s always been a very pleasant experience. Instead, I use it a lot on areas of my body that require extra attention, such as the parts that struggle with eczema and psoriasis. A wonderfully fuss-free moisturiser with incredible value for money that I almost guarantee you won’t regret purchasing!
And there ends my list of what I believe to be truly, genuine cult products in South Korean beauty! Please note some of the above links are affiliate links, and if if you do choose to click on them, I may earn a small commission that goes directly back into this blog, purchasing new products and equipment to allow me to continue providing you guys with the best quality content I can!
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