The 11 Best Korean Skincare Products And Brands To Know In 2025

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.

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?

'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.'

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.

'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.'

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.