Best Korean Skincare Buys From 10+ Years Of K-Beauty Use
Juna Xu is a freelance writer and journalist with over 11 years of experience covering beauty, fashion, lifestyle, interiors and health. Her work has appeared in publications including Adore Beauty, Body+Soul, Mamamia, News.com.au, Who, marie claire and ELLE Australia. Alongside running her own e-commerce interiors business, Juna has a not-so-secret obsession with skincare (especially K-beauty, which she proudly admits is her ultimate addiction).
If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of K-beauty, you’ll know it’s a slippery slope: one minute you’re casually trying a cleanser, and the next you’ve got a 10-step routine, a bathroom shelf that looks like an Adore Beauty aisle, and a TikTok feed overloaded with product recs.
For me, it began back in my early beauty-writing days, when brands sent me incredible products to test, but my bank account couldn’t keep up once it was time to repurchase. After all, I was a single girl living in Sydney on a pretty basic salary.
That’s when I turned to Korean beauty. I’m half-Korean, so I already knew K-beauty was next-level: innovative yet gentle formulas (a blessing for my hypersensitive skin), dreamy textures, effectiveness that often surpassed Western products, and prices that didn’t make me break into a cold sweat. Pretty perfect, if you ask me.
What started as a cost-saving experiment became a long-term love affair (okay, fine, an addiction), and more than a decade later, after testing more K-beauty than I can count and even dedicating an entire room to storing it all for “research”, only a handful of products have truly stood the test of time.
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal, $36.
I honestly can’t remember a day in the past 10 years when I haven’t used this serum, and I genuinely believe it’s helped keep crow’s feet and under-eye bags at bay (not that there’s anything wrong with ageing gracefully!).
It strikes the perfect balance of being gentle enough for my hypersensitive under-eyes, yet effective at smoothing fine lines and keeping my skin looking fresh and rested. I’ve recommended it to countless friends and family, and not one of us has ever experienced milia, which is a rare feat for an eye cream.
The secret is in the formula. It uses retinal, a vitamin A derivative that works faster and more effectively than retinol. To keep it kind to delicate skin, the retinal is stabilised in liposomes, which are tiny spheres that break it down into smaller, easily absorbed elements. The result is a serum that’s both potent, hydrating and soothing.
How to use Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal:
At night, dispense a pea-sized amount and gently pat under the eyes before your final moisturiser. You can also massage it on your smile lines and forehead to smooth out any fine lines.
VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot 300, $88.
ICYMI, this is the microneedling-in-a-bottle product that basically broke the internet. What you’d normally get from an in-clinic microneedling treatment (which can cost thousands), you can achieve at home with this serum for less than $100.
I remember picking this up in Seoul when it first launched and being genuinely blown away by the results. Nearly two years later, I’m still in awe.
The formula is designed to boost skin turnover, smooth texture, and improve overall clarity, giving your skin that professional “treated” glow without the downtime. It’s available in a few strengths: 50 being the gentlest, 300 mid-strength and 700 the strongest, being the most popular. If you’re new to microneedling-style products or have sensitive skin, start low and work your way up. I personally use the 300 strength every second or third day, depending on my skin’s needs, while reserving the 700 for once-a-week treatments.
How to use VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot 300:
On clean, dry skin, dispense small dots of the serum around your face, then gently press it in until fully absorbed. Follow with your regular skincare routine.
Anua Rice Ceramide Hydrating Barrier Serum, $65.
If you’re into K-beauty, there’s a very high chance you’ve tried the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence. While that product is a cult favourite for good reason, this Anua serum takes it up a notch.
Firstly, it’s less sticky and slimy, so it layers beautifully under makeup and feels lighter on the skin. Then, the rice extract and ceramides deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, leaving your complexion plump, soft and balanced. It’s also versatile enough to work all year round — I layer it with other products when my skin feels drier or stressed, or rely on it alone in hotter months or when my skin is oilier.
How to use Anua Rice Ceramide Hydrating Barrier Serum:
Apply morning and night after toning.
Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream, $60.
Vitamin C and I haven’t always been on the best of terms. For years, every serum I tried promised radiance, yet delivered nothing but angry red bumps across my face and neck. Even the so-called “gentle” formulas left me patchy and reactive, so I eventually gave up on the ingredient altogether.
That changed when I discovered this gem from Medicube (you can read my full review here). Under its luxe golden lid sits a jar filled with tiny, pearl-like capsules suspended in a clear hydrating gel. Each capsule holds a potent mix of 50% Sea Buckthorn Extract, stabilised vitamin C and 5% Niacinamide.
When you blend it into the gel, the capsule bursts, releasing a fresh dose of antioxidants and glow-boosting ingredients. Meanwhile, the gel itself is laced with Ferulic Acid and vitamins E, Q and P to enhance stability, calm skin, and lock in moisture.
The result is a formula that delivers all the brightening and skin-tone-evening benefits of vitamin C, without the irritation. Over time, my skin has looked more luminous, hydrated and balanced — and I haven’t had a single flare-up, thank goodness.
How to use Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream:
Apply as the final step in your morning or evening skincare routine.
The formula can be tailored to your skin’s needs. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, start gently by blending one capsule with two parts of the gel on the back of your hand before applying. For normal to dry skin, a balanced 1:1 ratio works beautifully, while oily or more resilient skin types can go stronger with a 2:1 ratio.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, $146.
I know I’ve been singing the praises of K-beauty affordability, but if there’s one brand I’ll happily splurge on, it’s Sulwhasoo and their First Care Activating Serum.
This bottle of liquid gold isn’t just popular — it’s iconic. To put it into perspective, more than half a million people have repurchased this serum over ten times. That’s not hype. That’s loyalty.
The recently upgraded formula absorbs faster, soothes post-cleansing tightness and boosts radiance from step one. It spreads like silk, sinks in instantly and makes everything you apply afterwards work harder. Actually, I’m 200 per cent confident this product alone is what amplifies the effectiveness of all my other moisturisers and serums, which is simply why it’s an irreplaceable product for me.
How to use Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum:
Apply directly after cleansing, morning and night. Pump a small amount into your hands, press gently over your face and neck, and follow with the rest of your routine.
Laneige Water Sleep Mask, $48.
This K-beauty classic has been around for years, yet it’s still one of my most-used products. It works while you sleep, leaving skin plump, refreshed and deeply hydrated by morning.
What makes it special is the lightweight gel texture that absorbs quickly without any stickiness (a massive plus for me), paired with Laneige’s signature hydrating complex that replenishes moisture and strengthens the skin barrier overnight. Basically, if your complexion often looks tired, dehydrated or a little dull, this mask fakes eight hours of sleep.
I especially find I give this mask a good workout after long-haul flights, during the cooler months, or anytime my skin needs a reset, because it genuinely feels like a tall glass of water for my face. And while I do love a good viral overnight sheet mask (you know the ones that turn transparent after a few hours?), this one is way comfier to sleep in. And my family will tell you good-quality rest results in a much happier me.
How to use Laneige Water Sleep Mask:
Apply a thin, even layer as the last step of your night time routine, after moisturiser or in place of it if you have oily skin. Let it absorb overnight and rinse off in the morning. I recommend using it 2–3 times a week, or whenever your skin needs an extra hydration boost.
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0, $48.
When toning pads first hit the scene, I honestly thought they were the biggest marketing scam. Pre-soaked cotton pads? Like, really? But fast forward a few years, and I’m now their number one hype gal. One of my all-time favourites is this Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 because it actually delivers visible results. I’m talking refined pores, less midday shine and a smoother base for makeup, all without the harshness you usually get from AHA and BHA-inclusive pore-minimising products.
What makes these different from a plain cotton round is the dual-sided design. One side has a gentle textured surface to buff away dead skin and impurities, while the other smooth side refines and hydrates. And FYI, it’s particularly great for acne-prone skin types since it leaves your skin refreshed but never stripped.
How to use Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0:
After cleansing, swipe the textured side of a pad gently across your face, focusing on the T-zone or areas with visible pores. Flip to the smooth side to refine and hydrate.
You can also leave a few pads around your face for a couple of minutes as a mini face mask. Follow with your serum and moisturiser. Use daily (morning or night), although start with a few times a week if you have sensitive skin.
Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Dep Cleaning Foam, $32.
Oh goodness, I’ve honestly lost count of how many chemical exfoliant cleansers - from budget to luxe - I’ve bought and ditched after just a few uses. Some felt like watery milk, others stripped my skin and left my barrier in shambles, a few had scents I couldn’t stand, and most of them I just didn’t vibe with texture-wise. Case in point: I’m super picky when it comes to cleansers.
But then I stumbled across this one from Anua, and I haven’t looked back. It creates the softest foam that cleans deeply without leaving my skin tight or dry, basically ticking all the boxes I thought no cleanser could.
The 150ml tube is generous, too, so one will last for months before you need to restock, which is a win in my books (or pockets, really).
How to use Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Dep Cleaning Foam:
Squeeze a small amount onto damp hands, lather into a soft foam, and gently massage over your face. Rinse with lukewarm water, then follow with toner and the rest of your skincare routine. It can be used both morning and evening, although I personally prefer it for evening use and opt for a more hydration-focused product, like the Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser in the mornings.
VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100, $84.
Skincare addicts will already know about the salmon sperm trend, aka PDRN (yes, the one linked to A-listers like Jennifer Aniston and the Kardashians). But the thing is, this isn’t just some fleeting buzzword. PDRN has been a mainstay in Korean skincare for years, with in-clinic treatments and now, at-home products that make it more accessible.
I’ve tried my fair share of PDRN formulas, but I keep coming back to this number from VT Cosmetics.
Powered by Polydeoxyribonucleotide (that’s PDRN, for short), an ingredient usually derived from salmon DNA and beloved in Korean dermatology clinics, however, this high-concentration firming essence is powered by ginseng-derived PDRN.
This essence is all about skin repair and renewal at a cellular level. Think of it as a recovery booster that improves elasticity, calms inflammation and strengthens your barrier, leaving skin plump, bouncy and resilient.
What makes this one stand out from the rest is its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture and the fact it delivers results that honestly mimic an in-clinic treatment. If your skin feels tired, stressed or just flat, this essence hits the reset button — and as quickly as overnight. For real! It’s also seriously soothing, which makes it perfect if you’re prone to sensitivity, redness or barrier damage from over-exfoliation (@me).
How to use VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100:
After cleansing and toning, apply a few drops directly onto your face and gently pat it in. Use morning and night, either on its own or layered under your go-to moisturiser. For an extra boost, you can even mix a drop into your cream or mask.
Torriden Solid-In Ceramide Lip Essence, $10.
If you’re after a fuss-free lip product that gives glossy shine and serious hydration without a hint of stickiness, this little tube is the one. It’s packed with nourishing ceramides, so it not only sits well on your lips but also helps repair and strengthen them while you wear it.
It delivers instant moisture with a juicy, high-shine finish that looks just as good on its own as it does layered over your favourite lippie. When reapplying, it never pills, feels heavy or has that greasy sensation that makes you want to wipe everything off. Oh, and it has absolutely zero scent, which will be a welcome relief for those sensitive to fragrances.
Where it really shines (pun intended) is at night. Swipe on a thicker layer before bed, and it’ll stick around until morning, so you wake up with lips that feel lusciously soft.
And for $10 a pop, you won’t even feel bad if it joins the graveyard of your mysteriously vanished lip balms…
How to use Torriden Solid-In Ceramide Lip Essence:
Apply a generous layer whenever your lips need a moisture boost. Wear it alone for a juicy, glossy look, or layer it over colour for extra shine. Before bed, go in with a thicker layer for an overnight lip mask moment.
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