Best Korean Skincare Brands To Elevate Your Beauty Routine

PUBLISHED November 20th, 2023 12:06 am | UPDATED November 29th, 2023 03:54 pm

We know that Koreans are serious about their skincare. From sheet masks to glass skin and the 10-step beauty routine that took the world by storm, K-beauty has undoubtedly cemented its place as the beauty mecca. Whether you want to hydrate and brighten your skin or strengthen and protect, here are some of the best Korean skincare brands to elevate your beauty routine. 

Beauty of Joseon

If you have ever wondered how women in the past maintained their elegance and beauty, Beauty of Joseon will show you how. Infused with elements of “hanbang” – traditional Korean medicine, this skincare brand draws inspiration from the Joseon Dynasty, using ingredients like rice and ginseng to craft gentle skincare that balances and nourishes the skin. Highly-raved items include the Relief Sun: Rice + Prebiotics (S$14.80) providing SPF 50 protection alongside strengthening and brightening effects. Or glow up with their Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide (S$13.98) to control sebum while maintaining a healthy glow.

Shop Beauty of Joseon from Hush.sg.

I Woke Up Like This

Making it easier for everyone to wake up with dewy skin, I Woke Up Like This (IWLT) offers a streamlined beauty routine using a mild botanical formula made with natural ingredients. Suitable for all skin types, this brand is gentle yet effective for people with sensitive skin and is also safe for use by pregnant women. The IWLT Rice Oil Foam Cleanser (from S$30) is a pH-balanced cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight and dry. Use the hydrating IWLT Purifying Skin Balance Cream (from S$20) to moisturise your skin daily and at night. It even has anti-ageing, sebum control, and calming effects – one cream for all.

Shop I Woke Up Like This from Ksisters.

Make P:rem

This Korean skincare brand derives its name from its ethos of ‘Making a Pragmatic Remedy’; Make P:rem is all about solutions using vegan and natural ingredients. This clean beauty brand carries a range of products, all of which come in eco-friendly packaging, printed with green soy oil ink. Cleanse with the Safe Me. Relief Moisture Cleansing Milk (S$28.74), which effortlessly cleanses residual makeup with a soybean protein. Or protect with the Defense Me. Daily Sun Fluid SPF50+ PA++++  (S$29.52), which also soothes and purifies skin bamboo water and Moringa seeds.

Shop Make P:rem from Shopee. 

Numbuzin 

What’s your number? With bespoke solutions for every skin type, Numbuzin simplifies things with numbered products. Instead of hard-to-remember serum names, remember Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum (S$28) for their best-selling item infused with bifida ferment lysate and 21% pitera. Wake up to a glow with the Numbuzin No.6 Deep Sleep Mask Serum (S$28), which is touted to moisturise just as well as a sheet mask with its blend of 63% Iceland glacier water and hyaluronic acid. The Numbuzin No. 3 Super Glowing Essence Toner (S$23.20) consists of 50 types of fermented ingredients to deliver that healthy glow.

Shop Numbuzin from Cocomo.

I’m From

Combining natural ingredients with traditional remedies, I’m From builds its skincare line with quality ingredients sourced from farms across Korea. You’ll even be able to find the main ingredients’ origins, cultivation, and harvest details on the products’ packaging – a nod to the company’s commitment to transparency. Tap on the benefits of Yeoju rice with I’m From Rice Toner (S$29.40), packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for softer and brighter skin. Soothe your skin with antibacterial mugwort from Ganghwa county (harvested specifically in May) with I’m From Mugwort Mask (S$37.75)

Shop I’m From from Guardian.

SKIN 1004

Inspired by the untouched beauty of nature, SKIN 1004 prides itself on using premium herbal ingredients enriched with Madagascar Centella Asiatica. This extraordinary herb has calming and hydrating properties, serving all skin types well, including those with sensitive skin. Highly acclaimed items from its flagship Centella line include the revitalising SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule (from S$18.90), which promotes skin repair and strengthens the skin barrier while it moisturises. Combining hydration and sun protection, SKIN 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++ (S$15.01) is a light and fresh sunscreen that is good for your skin and good for the ocean (reef safe).

Shop Skin 1004 from Shopee.

Lavien 

Instead of heading to clinics for expensive treatments, Lavien offers a home-based approach to reduce fine lines and boost elasticity. It was established through the passion of its founder, who was determined to create gentle and effective skincare solutions. And through her determination, she developed their best-seller, the Lavien Collagen Professional Program (S$195), which brightens, lifts, erases fine lines, and moisturises. Or amplify your skincare routine with the Lavien Volumizing Lite Essence (S$111), a foaming essence which includes power-packed ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides and glutathione components.

Shop Lavien from Ksisters.

Top Image Courtesy of Deposit Photos