26 Korean Skincare Products For Anyone Who Wants Glowy Skin Without Breaking The Bank

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

26 Korean Skincare Products For Anyone Who Wants Glowy Skin Without Breaking The Bank”This was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my face.” —a reviewer (and also what you could be saying) about this Cosrx gel cleanser

1. A SeoulCeuticals toner mist made with 98% naturally derived ingredients like refreshing cucumber, antioxidant-rich green tea, tamarind,  soothing aloe, and rejuvenating marine minerals for a perfect dose of dewy radiance. This powerhouse mist not only hydrates and plumps your skin but also works its magic on blemishes, helping keep those pesky breakouts at bay.

SeoulCeuticals is a small skincare business that was founded in 2017 by a husband and wife team. Though it’s a US-based company and the products are made in a state-of-the-art US facility, their main ingredients are sourced directly from South Korea, and they work closely with Korean partners and their consultant Ella Cho to ensure quality and authenticity. You can read more about the brand here!

Promising review: “This is by far my favorite essence. I started using it a year ago and I still order it to this day. The texture of my skin has improved significantly. It helped a lot with my acne scars from all the pimple popping. The spray can be a little weird as it sprays a lot in one area. Just two sprays are enough for my face (and I have a big one) and I just massage it around with clean hands. It doesn’t really have a scent and it hasn’t caused any irritation, thankfully.” —Jacqueline Orantes

Get it from Amazon for $17.98. 

2. The Face Shops’s facial foaming cleanser for people with skin that’s more sensitive than a toddler during nap time. You only need a tiny bit to create a rich lather that’ll cleanse your face like a dream without irritating or drying it out. Plus, it’s packed with rice water, which is amazing for brightening up your complexion.

Promising review: “Not any of the many I’ve tried throughout my life have worked as incredibly as this one has. I’ve had top recommended brand cleansers that required two washes to thoroughly cleanse it all off. Not with this one. And the scent is wonderful!! I love it even more for that! The size of the bottle is much bigger than I expected and for such a great price!! Highly recommended!” —Carlos

Get it from Amazon for $13.99. 

3. A Nooni tinted appleberry lip oil if you ever wanted a lip product that’s not too sticky or thick but still gives a subtle pop of color. Not only does this oil give you a beautiful tint, but it’s also nourishing for dry, flaky lips.

This lip oil is vegan, cruelty-free, and has no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

Promising review: “This is the first lip oil I’ve ever used. Usually I avoid anything with oil because I have very sensitive and generally oilier skin, but I wanted to give this a try because I wanted something sheer and pretty for a natural makeup look. Probably the best purchase I’ve ever made!!! It’s super sheer and looks fine on its own without any other makeup. The smell is delicious, and while the gloss dries and fades after about an hour or two without eating, the color stays all day! I did have to reapply after eating, but not after drinking water! I just wish it was bigger, it’s a teeny bottle. Would definitely buy again!!” —Debby Gold

Get it from Amazon for $12 (available in 14 shades, a jumbo size, and multipacks).

4. The Laneige glowy lip balm to instantly elevate your makeup look, whether you’re going for a cute daytime vibe or a sultry evening allure — or just rock it solo with its amazing high-shine finish. The texture is smooth as silk, lightweight, and *not* sticky, so you’ll feel like you’re in lip balm heaven. 

Promising review: “Everyone needs this lip gloss in their lives. It honestly makes your lips feel so good. I have one with my makeup and one in my purse to take everywhere with me. It’s glossy but not sticky. It feels light on, but makes your lips instantly feel more nourished. Worth every penny.” —Britney Badger

Get it from Amazon for $19 (available in nine shades and as a cute gift set).

5. A lightweight Cosrx mild gel cleanser — it’s gentle enough for you to lather up and get that ‘fresh face’ feeling every day. This pH-balanced face wash won’t disrupt your skin, which can lead to all sorts of problems like dryness, oiliness, and breakouts. It also contains BHA (a type of exfoliant that unclogs pores) and tea tree oil (which has antibacterial properties that zip zits).

All Cosrx products are dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and have no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

Promising review: “After hours of exhaustive research on Korean gentle cleansers, I finally decided upon a cleanser. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my face! I have sensitive, combination, and very volatile skin, so if I ever make it unhappy, it definitely lets me know. This cleanser is light enough that it doesn’t feel thick or cloying, it has a very subtle smell (which I love), and the ph of the cleanser is so low that the only thing I am worried about for my face anymore is the ph of the water I am splashing on my face. It hasn’t caused any bad breakouts or negative reactions like drying or tightness of skin but it can certainly handle itself in the department of a full face cleanser. This has caused me to look forward to trying more Cosrx products!” —Haley Hart

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

6. The cult-favorite Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence formulated with 96.3% snail secretion that’s perfectly lightweight and hydrating for all skin types. This essence leaves a nice glow and keeps skin visibly smooth after a few uses. No wonder it has over 53,000 5-star ratings!

The snail mucin is obtained in a safe way, so no snails are harmed!

Promising review: “I’ve been using this morning and night for about two weeks and I can say I understand the hype! My skin looks better than it has in so long. Firstly, the texture surprised me. When you think snail mucin, you think slimy and gross. This wasn’t sticky or slimy whatsoever. I was afraid it was gonna leave my skin feeling gross and slippery. Surprisingly, my skin drank it right up! No residue whatsoever and it’s a nice primer before makeup. I have oily skin and it’s helped with that as well. My skin is so soft, with a nice healthy glow. I’ve noticed my red spots from past acne is fading and my skin just overall looks great. Highly recommend!” —Sarah Downs

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

7. A pore-clearing cleansing oil that visibly sucks out sebum from your pores and removes makeup residue and blackheads, leaving your skin looking clearer and feeling smoother. Reviewers of all skin types swear by it, including those with acne-prone skin (who say it doesn’t cause breakouts)!

BTW, a lot of reviewers say they use this as part of their double cleansing routine. As the name implies, double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice: first with an oil-based cleanser, and again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the yucky stuff out of your pores.

Promising review: “This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser and I’m so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for 2–3 minutes, I could visibly see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin. However, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby’s bottom, and my scarring doesn’t look as deep! The cleanser has a light, clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera” —Myshel Cagle

Get it from Amazon for $17.69.

8. The Saem hydrating eye stick, a perfect remedy for dehydrated skin. This eye treatment is made with Icelandic glacier water, giving your skin the fresh hydration boost it needs on days when you’ve hit the snooze button one too many times.

It also can help tighten the appearance of eye wrinkles if you’d prefer for them not to be as noticeable. And here’s a tip! It reduces puffiness faster if used after refrigeration.

Promising review: “This is definitely a miracle product. I was impressed that it worked so well, so fast, and so instantly. The packaging is silly but whimsical; I enjoy it. This is the last thing I apply before walking out the door. First day I used it, I put it on and got in my car — I looked in the rear view mirror and my heart jumped. My eyes had de-puffed on my walk down the front path!!! So impressive. It’s not hydrating, it’s more tightening/brightening. If you have dry under eyes, use a creamy hydrating eye cream first, and apply this over it — problem solved. You don’t get much product, but you don’t need to use much either, and it’s not like it’s expensive. Definitely worth it if a product actually DOES what it claims it’ll do!!! Buy it!” —Joseph S.

Get it from Amazon for $9.47.

9. An Elizavecca carbonated clay mask here to remove all the icky sebum from your face without stripping away your skin’s natural oils. Reviewers say after using this their skin feels super clean and irresistibly soft — you won’t be able to resist touching it! 

P.S. This reviewer recommends putting the lid back on when not using because the air activates it.

Promising reviews: “I loved this! The fizzing effect exfoliated and deep cleaned my face….beyond facial smooth and bright! It felt nice during the treatment. I really sensed DEEP cleaning! I think it will be a nice weekly treat! I highly recommend it for the fun experience and the amazing results.” —Amy Lynn Volansky

“I love love love this carbonated bubble clay mask! Ok so the packaging was very cute and simple, when opening up the jar, they give you this little spatula to help spread the mask. A little bit goes a long way! The texture is jelly-like and smells decent. Once on your face, you can feel it tingling and cracking cause it’s creating bubbles on your face. When done your face itself looks like a huge bubble, it’s quite fascinating. I kept the mask on for 10 minutes. Afterward, I used wet hands to rub the product in, then I washed with warm water. After using this my face felt amazing! Super soft and shiny, not oily of grimy at all. Will definitely buy again, 10/10 :)” —Erica

Get it from Amazon for $8.90.

10. A dark spot correcting serum that treats dark spots and hyperpigmentation with 5% niacinamide and papaya extract. Reviewers say it works quickly on sun spots, acne scars, and other skin issues.

Promising review: “I swear by this serum, it made my dark spots disappear. and I’ve been using this on and off for about 4 months…because I’m not consistent with my skincare lol. These photos are only about a month apart..as you can see the dark spot on my cheek completely disappeared. i don’t have photos from when I first began using it but there’s a huge improvement!” —Minah

Get it from Amazon for $16.47.

11. Mixsoon Bean Essence with the power to hydrate and exfoliate your skin at the same dang time. 🤯 This thick (but not sticky) essence contains natural ingredients like fermented bean, barley, and pomegranate to remove dead skin cells and revitalize skin tone.
Promising reviews: “I saw this all over TikTok/Instagram and decided to buy it because I have a lot of sebaceous filaments on my chin and nose. It’s a little expensive but I took a gamble: it works! You can physically see the sebaceous filaments come out of your pores, it is not the product bunching up. My problem areas were so much smoother after using and are left with a moisturized glow. I then proceeded to have my boyfriend use this product to see of it worked this good on everyone on the first try, and it worked on his nose as well. Amazing stuff ” —Losa Safriwe

“I have hyperpigmentation and oily skin. I feel this product regulates my oil production and it helps my makeup look so flawless. 10/10.” —MissKayMae

Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in two sizes).

12. A jar of Anua Heartleaf daily toner pads made with PHA to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells while also helping to reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts. The heartleaf extract helps to soothe and hydrate your skin, leaving you with a glowy complexion.
Promising reviews: “This has been THEEE best product for my dry sensitive skin. These pads are brightening and helped my uneven skin texture. I didn’t know these pads would change my skin completely!! I’ll be repurchasing forever, best skincare product I’ve used in a long time , you NEED THIS! You’ll immediately notice a difference.” —Kenny Vasquez

“When I tell you my skin hasn’t been this clear in forever. I have PCOS and hirsutism, which causes me to grow hair on my neck and chin. I’m also a skin picker so clearing my skin has been really difficult for me. But this product has saved my skin. I’m still working on my skin picking but when I don’t, these pads help to exfoliate and help with the dark marks. Thank Anua!” —Jessyca Renee

Get it from Amazon for $22.47.

13. A 24-pack of Dermal daily collagen sheet masks in case you don’t have the time or $$ to curate an extensive skincare lineup. Each mask caters to different skin needs, such as brightening, moisturizing, or clarifying. It’s also super convenient — just pop one on and let it work its magic while you do something else, like painting your nails or catching up on Single’s Inferno.

Promising reviews: “I love this mask! I use them one or two times a week and they make my skin very soft and moisturized. It has enough liquid in every bag to use the remaining as you please. I put them in the refrigerator and it helps with puffiness and freshness!” —Ady21

“I’ve been using these sheet masks for 4+ years. I must say, these Korean masks worked wonders on my skin. I had a lot of acne scars, mild pigmentation around my lips and dark eye lids but ever since I included these masks to my skin care regimen (alongside Glow Recipe skincare products) I have seen visible improvement in my skin. Now, I’ve zero breakouts and almost fully evened out skin tone. It always feels refreshing and rejuvenating after using these masks. Highly recommend.” —Siva

Get it from Amazon for $16.99.

14. Heimish cleansing balm because we can all agree with how much of a struggle it is to remove makeup. This balm is the real MVP when it comes to melting away the day and leaving your skin fresh and clean. No more battling with your waterproof mascara and budge-proof lip stain.

Promising review: “I LOVE this cleansing balm. I’ve been trying all sorts of different cleansers to try and help my acne to no avail. It wasn’t until I started watching vids on Korean beauty that this oil cleanser kept being recommended and I decided to give it a try. Worth. Every. Penny. You don’t need a lot to wash your whole face, and it gets the job done well, leaving my face super refreshed afterward. Of course, I’ve been using other Korean beauty products so I won’t give it full credit, but I do think it’s helped out my acne a lot.” —A Flying Potato

Get it from Amazon for $19.04.

15. A Beauty of Joseon serum, aka the secret ingredient to more glass-like skin. This honey-like serum uses propolis and niacinamide to help control sebum production, minimize the appearance of pores, and even out any skin discoloration.

Promising review: “From the moment I started using this serum I saw results! The combination of propolis and niacinamide in this serum is a winning formula. My complexion has never looked this radiant and healthy. It effectively addresses dark spots and hyperpigmentation, visibly reducing their appearance. What makes this serum even more remarkable is its lightweight and fast-absorbing texture. It feels like silk on my skin and leaves no greasy residue. I can apply it seamlessly without worrying about it disrupting my makeup or other skincare products. The hydrating properties of this serum are a game-changer. My skin feels intensely nourished and plump, minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The only downside is the price. I think it’s a bit expensive for the amount of product you get. However, it’s so good that I’ll still leave it at 8/5 stars!” —Yuna Lee

Get it from Amazon for $16.43.

16. A TikTok-viral all-in-one beauty balm for those dry areas on your face and body that could use a little extra love. Packed with collagen and a natural fermented oil straight from Jeju Island, this balm is like a loving hug for your skin, giving it a 48-hour moisture boost and lifting effect.

Check out the balm on TikTok!

Promising review: “I recommend this for dry skin rather than oily skin. When I applied it, it felt similar to applying Vaseline. However, it’s not greasy or sticky. I have dry skin and my skin absorbs the multi balm quickly. It spreads well and the area where it was applied became soft. I recommend applying it to the U-zone rather than the T-zone of the face. I mainly apply around the eyes, mouth (nasolabial folds), and neck wrinkles! In particular, immediately upon application, it had the effect of slightly tightening the skin, adding radiance, and reducing wrinkles (especially around the mouth). I think it definitely helps moisturize when I apply it after skincare, before makeup, and before going to bed.” —Ah Kim

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in seven sizes).

17. A Mizon snail repair cream made to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots. It contains raspberry extract, AHA, and mugwort extract to help your skin feel smoother and more rejuvenated than ever. 

Promising review: “I am obsessed with this stuff I would bathe in it if I could!! I have really sensitive skin to weather changes and tend to get flaky skin on my face, but I’ve used this for two years now and I have had the most moisturized baby smooth face since. Seriously buy it, put it on before bed, and the next morning you can absolutely tell the difference. I’m like a freaking walking ad for it. My face is brighter and more moisturized.” —Leah

Get it from Amazon for $10.89+ (also available in four sizes and as a two-pack).

18. A bottle of I’m From goami rice toner if you need a little extra help with hydration, especially as the weather gets colder and drier. This toner gives the skin a lovely illuminating effect while also improving its protective moisture barrier.

This toner is vegan and cruelty-free.

Promising review: “I love this toner! I’ve finished the whole bottle. It’s light and moisturizing. I can definitely tell the difference, my skin is smoother and plump. I love it cause I have both oily and dry skin and it makes my skin normal again! Best of all it doesn’t burn or irritate my skin, if anything it calms it down. Will definitely be buying again.” —Rachael

Get it from Amazon for $24.90.

19. A popular pack of Skin1004 8-in-1 treatment masks ready to give you similar (if not better) results as the v expensive Hanacure, if you don’t mind looking like a zombie for 15 minutes in exchange for (*takes a deep breath*): reduced fine lines, lifted skin, cleared acne, tightened pores, deeply hydrated skin, improved skin texture, balanced pH level, and a brightened complexion.Just wait 15 minutes and rinse to reveal your glowiest glow yet, thanks to the albumin (aka egg white) and aloe formula.

Promising review: “I purchased the three-pack. I have only tried the zombie so far, but wow! First time, immediate results. My skin was brighter, the tone was more even, my pores looked smaller. There was no shine to my skin. I was amazed! I have bad skin. Not terrible skin but bad. Nothing helps, but this mask floored me. I can not wait to try the others. I will say the zombie mask does get quite restricting as it dries. I would do it at a time when you’re not trying to talk to anyone or do much of anything. Lol It didn’t smell bad. I don’t really recall the smell much at all. The mask came off super easily. It took about five minutes to completely remove. I love it. I rinsed the brush that was included with hot water and it’s good as new, ready for next time. Very happy. Totally worth it.” —Andrea Russell

Get them from Amazon for $24.62 (also available in a pack of two and three).

20. A Krave Beauty matcha hemp cleanser that’s like a big sip of green tea for your skin. This hydrating gel formula gives that fresh and clean feel without making your skin feel tight.Amazon

Krave Beauty is a Korean woman-owned small biz that aims to make skincare easy and stress-free.

Promising review: “I have been loyal to KRAVE Beauty for years now. This is the ONLY Face cleanser that I use. I love how clean the ingredients are and they ACTUALLY WORK. I am in my late 30’s and skin care is so important at this stage. And the Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is both gentle and effective on my combination skin.” —The_phatvegetarian

Get it from Amazon for $16.

21. A fast-working calming cream by Dear, Klairs with a natural extract from chamomile oil that hydrates the skin and helps relieve redness. It can be good to use after laser treatment, long-term sun exposure, or post-shaving.

The picture on the left (shown above) is of a reviewer with severe rosacea and the picture on the right is of the results after only four times of applying less than a dime-sized amount of the cream to their face!

Promising review: “Absolutely worth every single cent! I have severe rosacea that leaves my nose and cheeks dry, flaky, and breaking out. I’ve had little success with anything topical that will provide any relief to my irritated skin…I received my order Wednesday and applied it that night after washing my face. By Saturday afternoon, my face is almost completely healed, preventing pealing and helping clear up my rosacea skin irritation!” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in three sizes).

22. A cute little Tonymoly octopus-shaped blackhead remover that rids your nose and chin of all the gunk that’s built up through out the day and exfoliates pores, making your skin look smoother and cleaner. 

See it in action on TikTok!

Promising review: “After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me, smells great too. Here’s how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like myself.” —LuckLocust

Get it from Amazon for $12.50. 

23. Or a Cosrx blackhead remover liquid with 4% BHA so you can kiss those old-fashioned pore strips goodbye and say hello to a smoother complexion. This magical potion turns into a bubbly foam that penetrates deep into your pores, removing dirt and impurities.After cleansing your skin, apply the essence using your hands (or a cotton pad) and wipe gently over your face. And don’t forget to apply SPF afterwards when using it in the morning!

Promising review: “I struggle so bad with my pores cause they’ve always looked so huge but after just a week using this i can already see them shrinking down and becoming smaller. I was a little nervous about using an oil like serum like this on my t-zone because i have combo skin and always get oily around my nose and chin, but it honestly hasn’t affected my skin whatsoever. There also isn’t really a scent to it which is awesome. It leaves my skin feeling really moisturized. It’s a good buy & I definitely recommend this and rave about this.” —Berika Jones

Get it from Amazon for $12.80.

24. A Some by Mi Miracle toner reviewers say really helped with their acne-prone skin. This toner contains tea tree and AHA/BHA to exfoliate the skin and improve skin texture.

After cleansing, soak your cotton pad with the toner, gently wipe your face, and lightly tap for absorption. Follow with moisturizer!

Promising review: “This stuff works! First off all there was no purging period, which my acne prone skin is grateful for. It also doesn’t sting or smell harsh. Within a week of using this toner I stopped having breakouts. My dark spots are slowly getting lighter and my skin is starting to glow. I’m on my second bottle now and I have nothing but good things to say. I really hope they never stop making this.” —kem

Get it from Amazon for $13.90.

25. A pack of popular Cosrx pimple patches to shrink your problems overnight. Ok, I’m not talking student loans or awkward first date type of problems, but they do help with pimples! These patches not only cover up your zits, but they also suck out all the gross gunk, leaving your skin looking fresh and clear.

BTW, these work best on open, draining pustules (rather than blackheads or pimples that haven’t come to a head yet). You can read more at Cleveland Clinic!

For persistent or bigger pimples, leave a pimple patch on overnight for two to three days to allow the pimple to diminish completely.

Promising review: “This product works! It stays on until you remove it and honestly, you can wash your face and forget it’s there and still it holds up to a lather without falling off. I had a few hormonal acne areas on my chin that were painful to the touch. This patch seemed to alleviate the discomfort and I forgot about it and wore them overnight. It took a few days for the spot to go down in size but it works. As for blemishes after threading, single treatment and by morning… the blemish is gone.” —LaTisha Taylor

Get a three-pack (with 24 patches each) from Amazon for $9.99.

26. A translucent sunscreen stick with SPF 50 that’s perfectly sized and (most importantly) not a liquid so you can bring it through TSA without the risk of it getting tossed. It’s formulated with peptides, refreshing cucumber, and soothing Centella extract to strengthen and hydrate your skin barrier, without leaving any white cast or stickiness. Reviewers say that it reapplies over makeup beautifully!

Promising reviews: “I used this on my Disney trip recently where it was 100 degrees and super humid. It’s super easy to use, fits in my purse, and works well. I reapplied a couple of times a day and never got burnt. Even through sweating and being in direct sunlight all day. Definitely will repurchase.” —Arden

“If making a habit of wearing sunscreen feels like a chore or you dread slathering on creams that feel heavy or sticky then you need to buy this stick. Besides being kind of fun to apply, it has a lovely texture, it isn’t oily or thick. It goes on clear and has a unique shape that helps the stick to glide along the various contours of your face. If you apply cosmetics after, you won’t have to wait super long like you do with other sunscreens to avoid pilling. Just a couple minutes will do and then cosmetics application shouldn’t be problematic. I wish there were more sticks like this, clear and especially with no fragrance. This is just a really great staple to have. Additionally, it is travel-friendly since it is a solid. One less thing for TSA to snatch and more room in your liquids bag.” —K M Dello

Get it from Amazon for $15.25.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.