Korean skin care brands have seen a remarkable surge in popularity in recent years. The emphasis on quality, effectiveness, and innovation has captured the attention of beauty enthusiasts around the world. This article aims to provide an overview of the top Korean skin care brands in 2024, highlighting their key products, brand philosophies, and impact on the industry.
Korean skin care has a rich history that traces back centuries. The Korean beauty industry has been heavily influenced by the country's cultural practices and traditions, resulting in a unique approach to skin care. This approach focuses on hydration, gentle ingredients, and prevention rather than just quick-fix solutions. Korean skin care brands have successfully translated these practices into products that deliver exceptional results.
The success of Korean skin care can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the emphasis on efficacy and quality sets these brands apart. Korean skin care products are formulated with cutting-edge technology and natural ingredients that have been carefully selected for their beneficial properties. This meticulous approach ensures that users receive the maximum benefits from their skincare routines.
Another key factor in the success of Korean skin care brands is the importance placed on brand reputation and customer reviews. These brands have built a strong reputation for delivering on their promises and consistently producing high-quality products. Positive customer reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations have played a crucial role in their widespread adoption.
In addition to efficacy and reputation, Korean skin care brands are known for their innovative and unique product offerings. They constantly strive to develop new formulations and incorporate the latest trends in the beauty industry. This commitment to innovation ensures that customers are always provided with exciting and effective products that address their specific skin care concerns.
Top 10 Korean Skin Care Brands of 2024
BEST INVESTMENT
1: Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI
BEST BEGINNER
2: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
BEST MOISTURIZING
3: Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
FAN FAVORITE
4: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
BEST FOR SUPPORTING THE SKIN BARRIER
5: Dr.Jart+Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Mask
BEST CALMING
6: Hanyul Pure Artemisia Calming Water Cream
BEST FOR GLOWY SKIN
7: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Discovery Kit
BEST INNOVATIVE
8: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm Duo Set
BEST WITH GENTLE FORMULAS
9: Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
BEST NEWCOMER
10: OHUI Miracle Moisture 777 Ampoules | Daily Serum | Ceramides
Criteria for Selecting the Top 10 Korean Skin Care Brands
When selecting the top 10 Korean skin care brands of 2024, several criteria have been considered. The primary focus has been on product efficacy and quality. The brands chosen have a proven track record of producing effective and reliable skincare products that deliver visible results. Extensive research and development processes ensure that every product meets the highest standards of quality.
Brand reputation and customer reviews have also been crucial factors in the selection process. The brands featured have consistently received positive feedback from customers, demonstrating their ability to meet and exceed expectations. These reviews serve as a testament to the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the brands.
Furthermore, the top 10 Korean skin care brands of 2024 have been chosen for their innovative and unique product offerings. These brands constantly push the boundaries of skincare, introducing groundbreaking formulations and approaches. By staying ahead of industry trends and addressing emerging customer needs, these brands have established themselves as leaders in the global beauty market.
1
BEST INVESTMENT
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI
Sulwhasoo is one of those brands that feels like it’s been around forever, and it’s only grown in popularity. It’s a favorite of my grandma’s, and she’s virtually wrinkle-free. “The brand is a classic that I love because of their potent use of ginseng, which is a powerful adaptogen that multi-tasks hard for skin, delivering benefits ranging from energizing to increasing glow to brightening to visibly firming. The First Care Activating Serum is timeless and brings instant vitality and glow to the skin.
Best for: All skin types
Sulwhasoo rating: 4.8/5 stars
2
BEST BEGINNER
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Founded in 2013, right before the K-beauty boom, this brand has since garnered internet and TikTok fame for its simple and affordable skin care solutions. While you may balk at first at applying snail mucin on your face, you’ll be a believer as soon as you try this essence.
Best for: All skin types
Soko Glam rating: 4.7/5 stars
3
BEST MOISTURIZING
Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
Belif’s lineup consists of products designed to hydrate all types of skin. Even oily skin can benefit from extra moisture, as excess sebum production can indicate dehydration. The Aqua Bomb Hydrating Sleeping Mask ensures that skin stays plump and free from dry spots while you get your beauty sleep.
Best for: Dehydrated skin
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
4
FAN FAVORITE
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Laneige is another brand whose main focus is moisturizing all of the skin on your face. But perhaps no product has helped put the brand on the map quite like the lip sleeping mask, which bursts with nourishing shea butter, murumuru butter, and coconut oil to keep your pout looking its best.
Best for: All skin types
Laneige rating: 4.7/5 stars
5
BEST FOR SUPPORTING THE SKIN BARRIER
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Mask
Dr. Jart+ concentrates on gentle formulas that support the skin barrier and reduce irritation with science-backed ingredients like ceramides and cica. There are too many excellent products to choose from, but this sensitive skin-friendly sheet mask is an ELLE favorite due to its soothing superpowers.
Best for: All skin types
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
6
BEST CALMING
Hanyul Pure Artemisia Calming Water Cream
Pure artemisia calming cream that keeps the skin strong from within. Provides relief to temporarily reddened skin from temperature changes through daily stimulation, chemically stimulated skin, and physically stimulated skin. Undergone the non-comedogenic test, sensitivity panel test, allergen test, and dermatology test to ensure comfortable usage on sensitive and acne-prone skin. A gel cream-type formula that provides refreshing and moisture without stickiness, quickly absorbing upon application to the skin. This product is vegan-certified and cruelty-free. 8-Free and contains only the beneficial ingredients. Featured ingredients A product that allows deep calming of pores by adding panthenol to mug wort. May soothe and moisturize the stimulated skin with Pure artemisia water by hydrating skin. Contains panthenol that helps strengthen the weakened skin barriers due to stimuli.
Best for: All skin types
Olive Young rating: 4.8/5 stars
7
BEST FOR GLOWY SKIN
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Discovery Kit
Yoon took Korean skin care knowledge synthesized after curating and learning about the best products on the market to develop formulas that make achieving the smooth, dewy skin of your dreams easier than ever. “If you're looking for an easy foundational routine to achieve glass skin goals, start with the popular Glass Skin Discovery Kit,” Yoon says.
Best for: All skin types
Peach & Lily rating: 4.7/5 stars
8
BEST INNOVATIVE
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm Duo Set
Then I Met You is the culmination of years of trying thousands of Korean skin care products—Cho took that experience and created a line that took inspiration from the innovation she saw. “The Living Cleansing Balm has won 15 industry and people’s choice awards in a matter of a few years and is our bestselling product because of its luxurious, sorbet-soft texture,” Cho says.
Best for: All skin types
Soko Glam rating: 4.7/5 stars
9
BEST WITH GENTLE FORMULAS
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
“This brand has been around for decades, gaining popularity in the U.S. over the last decade for its clean, gentle formulas that always keep the skin barrier in mind. The Essence Toner helps revive and reset skin when it's irritated or tired,” Yoon adds. If you’re unfamiliar with the category, a toner should be applied right after cleansing and before the rest of your skin care products.
Best for: Sensitive skin
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
10
BEST NEWCOMER
OHUI Miracle Moisture 777 Ampoules
Luxury skin care brand OHUI has been around for decades, but it is finally making its foray into the U.S. market. Its products are hailed for their brightening and anti-aging properties, and many of them are geared toward addressing melasma and dark spots. The Miracle Moisture line features ceramides and peptides to plump skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
Best for: All skin types, especially mature skin
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I can honestly say that, more than any other skincare product I have tried, this has made a huge difference in the texture and hydration of my skin.”