ELLE Editors Tested Korean Beauty's Most Viral Skincare Products
Whether you're a self-proclaimed 'skintellectual' or you've recently entered TikTok's skincare wild west (don't worry, according to a study by 47 Skin, that's where 64% of 18-34 year olds get their beauty advice now), you're probably pondering why Korean skincare is such a big deal. From coveted water-gel sunscreens to new-age ingredients that furrow all our brows (hello, snail mucin), it's safe to say that social media has amplified our obsession with K-beauty tenfold. As avid skincare testers, the ELLE UK Beauty Team can concur that the hype is not misplaced.
In many ways, Korean skincare has been at the forefront of beauty innovation; many glow-giving viral skin hacks can be traced back to K-beauty ideas. Glass skin? Slugging? Barrier creams? All best-loved Korean beauty trends, and the domination is only set the continue throughout 2025. According beauty retailer JustMyLook's skincare educator Hayley Walker, cloud skin, fermented ingredients, skin cycling, moisture sandwiching and plant-based mucin are all ones-to-watch for the upcoming year.
'Following the success of glass skin in 2024, this sought-after aesthetic crosses over into 2025 but with a slight revamp,' says Walker. 'While 'cloud skin' will still possess the luminous glow effect of glass skin, this Korean trend will emphasise a softer focus, leaning more towards a slightly matte finish. This trend perfects the balance of hydration with lightweight matte textures to achieve flawless skin with a soft, iridescent glow.'
Read on, for the very best Korean skincare brands and products, as tried and tested by the ELLE UK Beauty Team.
The 5 Best Korean Skincare Brands
CosRX
If your biggest skincare woes are breakouts and congestion, allow us to direct you to CosRX. Founded in 2013, the brand has garnered a huge following for its nifty Master Pimple Patches and pore-refining Blackhead Power Liquid. Not to mention, it's also where the snail mucin skincare trend began.
Dr Jart+
For redness and rosacea-prone skin types, Dr Jart+ is the ultimate one-stop K-beauty brand. Many of its famous cica and tiger grass blends have earned a spot in our editors beauty routines, from SPFs that instantly counteract acne-prone inflammation (shoutout, Camo Drops), to playful jelly sheet masks that pack a punch in hydration.
Thank You Farmer
So, you're looking for a K-beauty sunscreen? Trust us, Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ is the one to beat. While this luxurious brand boasts a hefty line of hydrating textures, this product alone is enough to earn it a spot in our top five Korean skincare brands.
Laneige
Famed for its glossy Lip Sleeping Mask (which has found its way into many a celebrity beauty bag), Laneige is the perfect entry point into Korean skincare. As the majority of the formulas opt for hyaluronic acid and peptides over potent actives, its moisturising range makes for an effortless hydrating beauty routine that also works well for teen skin.
Aestura
The new kid on the block, Aestura is our latest go-to brand for barrier care. Its nurturing range of lightweight textures is ideal for restoring a compromised complexion, particularly if you've overdone it on retinols and acids. The best part? Despite delivering an impressive level of moisture and restoring skin to a calmed state, these gentle formulas never feel heavy or excessively rich.
The Best Korean Skincare For Glass Skin
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+
This Korean SPF has long been hailed as a favourite of K-beauty fans, and for good reason. It absorbs into the skin without a sensorial trace, yet simultaneously leaves your face looking plush, dewy and hydrated. Its most impressive trait? It doubles as an incredible base for make-up.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics
If you find yourself absorbing most of your skincare information from TikTok these days, chances are this nurturing sunscreen has already piqued your interest. Perfect for quenched skin types, it soothes and protects your skin without leaving that dreaded greasy residue. Plus, it has SPF 50+ - could we ask for much more?
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Sleepair Intensive Soothing Repair Mask
'This ultra-soothing formula is a failsafe for acne-prone skin types. Take my hormonal complexion as an example,' says Beauty Writer, Katie Withington. 'Just a single layer of this rich gel relieves my blemishes of irritation and reduces visible redness overnight. Not to mention, it's thick yet weightless texture is a joy to use sensorially.'
CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
While thought of applying snail secretion does provide a certain level of apprehension, the glow-giving results of this lightweight essence are undeniable. It flushes the skin with a dose of hydration, while it's unique texture sinks in for that coveted glass skin dew.
Purito Wonder Releaf Centella Unscented Serum
'Barrier support is key for me and my sensitive skin, and this cooling, soothing serum is just the ticket,' says Beauty Assistant, Chloe Woodland. 'Centella extract and niacinamide make it ideal for breakout-prone, stressed-out skin as these ingredients work to reduce redness, while ceramides help to balance the skin's natural moisture barrier. It's a safe blind-buy.'
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Cream Moisturiser
Combining hyaluronic acid with deep sea algae, this luxurious moisturiser feels like a tall glass of water for your skin. You may already know this Korean hero brand by its viral Lip Sleeping Mask (a favourite of supermodel Kate Moss, by the way). Just know, the ELLE Beauty Team are also big fans of its long line of nourishing skincare.
Aestura Atobarrier365 Hydro Essence
'I'll always advocate a good skin essence. Next to SPF, it's my favourite skincare step,' says Beauty Editor Medina Azaldin. 'I splash it on my hands and pat it onto freshly-cleansed skin - it floods my complexion with hydration without making my combination to oily skin feel greasy or cause any breakouts. I use this creamy essence with my Ziip device every morning as it provides the slip and delivers moisture while reducing redness. It contains minerals and vitamins that make my skin feel plump and ready for the rest of my skincare routine.'
Erborian CC Red Correct
If you're prone to a noticeable flush, this blend of calming K-beauty ingredients and colour-correcting pigments is the ultimate handbag essential. A light layer envelopes the skin with a balancing green undertone, which blends without a trace (no Shrek-adjacent finishes here). Plus, it has the added benefits of Korean skincare hero tiger grass, which effortlessly relieves signs of skin stress.
Innisfree Black Tea Youth Enhancing Treatment Essence
This antioxidant-rich tonic really delivers when it comes to brightening dull skin, and it's totally effortless to use. Alcohol and fragrance-free, it combines peptides with soothing cica to refine texture and add luminosity and clarity to lacklustre bases. Simply slide it into your routine after cleansing and allow weightless yet potent ingredients to do the rest.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
We've been patiently waiting for Skin1004 to land in the UK, after tales of its weightless gel sunscreen, Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun, made the rounds. Luckily, Boots has debuted a long line of established Korean skincare brands, bringing these hydrating heroes to the forefront. Our favourite so far? This barrier strengthening blend that nourishes and soothes whether you're oily or dry.
Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
It's no surprise that this overnight peeling mask has garnered viral success; it's fuss-free, fast-drying and offers the dewiest of glows by morning. While it may seem like yet another trendy TikTok fad, Medicube's glossy, visibly firmer results are undeniable, and it comes without that dreaded tight-skin feeling and unwanted mess on your pillowcase.
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