Korean skincare is taking over the world. You can’t enter a shop these days that doesn’t have its own SoKo beauty counter. Or open a magazine without reading about the latest beauty trends from the East.
Everyone’s talking about it. Have the Koreans discovered the fountain of youth, or is it all marketing hype? That’s what we all want to know. Being the sceptical, non-trusting sort that I am, I initially wrote K-beauty off as the latest eccentricity in the beauty world.
In 2015, that all change. I took on a job that requires me to test A LOT of Korean skincare products. And I discovered two things:
- A lot of it is just hype. Korean brands use the same ingredients as everyone else (plus a few weird ones thrown in for shock effect), and a lot of their products aren’t that special.
- Some Korean products, techniques, and principles are truly amazing. Us Western should adopt them pronto.
But what are they? Here are the 4 things I learned from Korean skincare that make my skin really happy:
1. Hydration Is The Foundation Of A Good Skincare Routine
Most skincare products contain a huge dollop of water. It’s the base. But, the Koreans are OBSESSED with water. Pretty much every brand touts the “magic” of its thermal-rich water.
But the winner is Laneige. Its entire story revolves around water. Legend has it that, after researching the science of water for 20 years, its laboratories have “unleashed scientifically-engineered, skin-perfecting mineral water clinically proven to hydrate, protect, and revitalise individual skin types.”
That’s the hype. The truth is that water is essential to skin health. When skin is hydrated, it’s soft to the touch and plumps up, making fine lines and wrinkles look much smaller. But here’s the thing: hydrated skin doesn’t just look better. It actually functions better. It holds onto actives more efficiently, becomes less prone to irritation, and recovers faster from things like acne, sun exposure, and over-exfoliation. It’s the foundation everything else builds on.
That’s something I always took for granted. My skin has always been naturally well-hydrated, so I always looked for that something extra, like antioxidants, in my skincare products. But now, for the first time in my life, my skin is as dry as the desert. It flakes. It stings. It annoys the hell out of me. It’s now begging me to use a super hydrating cream that delivers a potent burst of moisture. Not necessarily from thermal water. Again, that’s hype. But, Korean moisturizers do the hydrating job oh-so-well.
Korean creams, lotions, and toners are packed with hydrator-boosters, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can attract and bind water to the skin. And it’s not just about slapping on a moisturiser. Korean skincare is big on layering hydration: using toners, essences, serums, and creams all in one routine. The idea is that each layer helps lock in the previous one, creating a juicy, bouncy skin texture that doesn’t just feel good but looks healthier, too.
The downside? Most of these products are fairly basic: hydrating your skin is ALL they can do.
Best Picks:
- Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Ampoule ($26.00): It has 7 forms of hyaluronic acid to hydrate every layer of skin! Available at Sokoglam
- Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence 5X ($49.00): A moisturising essence with probiotics and niacinamide to soothe and hydrate skin. Available at Soko Glam, Stylevana, and Yes Style
- Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence ($38.00): A hydrating essence with previous to soothe skin and make it plumper. Available at Soko Glam and Yes Style
Related: If Your Skin Is Perfectly Hydrated, Do You Need To Worry About Anti-Aging, Too?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
2. Snail Slime Is An Awesome Multitasker
Remember when we talked about how gross snail slime is? There are so many moisturizing ingredients out there, I didn’t get why people went with this one. But then, I got to try a few products with snail slime for a freelancing writing assignment I was working on. The first time, it didn’t go so well. The mask was way too rich for my combo skin.
But, when my skin is on the drier side, it laps it up like nobody’s business. After I treat it to a snail sheet mask, it’s much softer, plumper, and brighter. For me, snail slime is now up there with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and mineral oil. The four musketeers of hydration and moisturization.
What we do know is that snail mucin is mostly water mixed with humectants and some proteins. It’s hydrating, sure, but the bold claims about it healing scars, smoothing out wrinkles, or treating breakouts? There’s no strong evidence for any of that. It’s just an amazing moisturiser with some antioxidant activity.
And FYI: depending on the brand, collection methods vary. Some claim ethical harvesting, others don’t disclose anything. So if that matters to you, read the fine print – or email them and ask directly.
Best Picks:
- Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion ($20.00): A moisturising lotion with natural oils and snail mucin. Suitable only for dry skin. Available at Look Fantastic, Soko Glam, and Yes Style
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($19.00): available at Look Fantastic, Soko Glam, Ulta and Yes Style
- MIZON Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule (£15.12): A hydrating concoction of snail mucin and peptides. Available at Stylevana and Yes Style
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Snail Slime In Skincare
3. Sheet Masks Boost Your Skincare Routine
Sheet masks put K-beauty on the map. Korean women credit them as the secret to their flawless skin. They use one every night (that’s dedication!). I always thought that sheet masks weren’t a necessary part of your skincare routine. I stand by that. But, they help. A LOT.
Last year, I was handed a big bunch of sheet masks to review – within a month. That meant I had to try a new one every night for 30 days. Well, my skin has never looked as good as it did last September. It was soft as a baby’s, looked smoother, and pimples were nowhere in sight. Mask sheets were the only change in my routine (diet and lifestyle habits included).
Don’t get me wrong. Mask sheets are not miracle workers. They’re simply hydrating bombs. When skin has all the moisture it needs, it looks and feels its best. You don’t have to do a sheet mask treatment every night. But if your skin could use an extra dose of moisture, this’ll do the trick. There’s also the convenience factor. Sheet masks are like a mini facial in a packet-no mess, no rinsing, no guesswork. Just unfold, slap it on, chill for 15-20 minutes, and boom-instant glow.
Pro tip: Don’t waste the leftover serum in the packet. Use it on your neck, chest, elbows… anywhere that needs some TLC. And don’t leave the mask on until it’s dry, or it’ll start pulling moisture back out of your skin.
Best Picks:
- Benton Aloe Soothing Mask Pack (Pack of 10, $24.00): A hydrating mask with soothing aloe vera. Available at Soko Glam, Stylevana, Superdrug, and Yes Style
- Leaders Amino Moisture Mask ($3.00): This mask is loaded with amino acids to make skin softer and smoother. Available at Soko Glam and Stylevana
- MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Essential Mask ($8.00): A soothing mask with centella asiatica and niacinamide to hydrate skin and soothe irritations. Available at Soko Glam, Stylevana, and Ulta
Related: How To Choose The Right Type Of Mask For Your Skin Type
4. Korean Skincare Is Fun
When you think about skincare fun, you think of a day at a spa or having a facial done at a fancy salon. The rest of the time, skincare is “serious business”. You want products that work. No gimmicks. Well, Korean skincare is full of gimmicks that work. Here are a few examples:
- Elizavecca Carbonated Clay Mask: When it comes in contact with air, this clay mask forms lots of tiny bubbles on your skin, turning your face into a cloud! Available at Stylevana and Yes Style
- Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream (£25.50): This cream literally contains pink collagen capsules. Such a cool texture! Don’t expect more than hydration, though! Available at Yes Style
- DR ORACLE A-Thera Tea Tree Peeling Sticks ($22.61): This Glycolic acid exfoliant looks like a giant q-tip! Available at Soko Glam
All unnecessary gimmicks. But they bring that extra fun to the game. Why not? And let’s be real: when something’s fun, you’re more likely to use it consistently. That’s the real win here. K-beauty taps into sensory delight-fun textures, cute packaging, surprising effects-so your routine doesn’t feel like a chore. It feels like play.
Even products like jelly cleansers, popsicle lip tints, or “egg” creams have a kind of joy baked into the experience. And sometimes, joy is just as important as results.
Related: Are Bubbling Masks Just A Skincare Gimmick?
What Makes Korean Skincare Different From Western Skincare?
Aside from the fun textures and cute packaging, Korean skincare tends to focus on prevention rather than correction. Western products often wait until there’s a visible problem (wrinkles, acne, pigmentation) before acting on it. Korean routines are about maintaining balance and keeping skin happy before it spirals into drama.
And there’s a clear emphasis on skin health over aggressive treatments. You’ll see more barrier-supporting ingredients (like centella asiatica and ceramides), fewer harsh actives in high percentages, and a whole lot more layering.
The Bottom Line
Korean skincare isn’t the miracle worker it’s touted to be. But, it’s very creative. It sticks to the basics (like hydration) and constantly innovates on them, coming up with new textures, ingredients, and technologies that benefit skin and are fun to use. The pace of innovation is so fast, most of them can’t be groundbreaking. But if you love to try something new all the time, you’ll fall in love with Korean skincare.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
