The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (2024)

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (1)

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Are you ready to dive into the magical world of Korean skincare? From "glass skin" to double cleansing to newer trends like "cream skin"—innovative Korean skincare movements have revolutionized beauty routines worldwide. For Alicia Yoon, a licensed esthetician and founder and CEO of the bestselling K-beauty brand Peach & Lily, the way she views skincare is all about long-term results and "achieving your healthiest skin." Using the analogy of food, Yoon notes that just as we strive to eat a balanced meal full of the right vitamins and nutrients, a good skincare routine involves finding the right mix of products and ingredients that work for you and your skin type.

While there's no right or wrong when it comes to finding a daily regimen, Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in NYC who frequently travels to Korea to discover the country's latest cosmetic innovations, recommends the popularized 10-step Korean skincare routine. "It outlines possible steps to consider, including: an oil cleanser, a foam/cream cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, serum or ampoule, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, thicker night cream or SPF," Chang lays out, but don't feel overwhelmed. "This 10-step routine is a guideline, not a rule."

Do take note, there are several non-negotiable steps for Yoon and Chang, who both said thoroughly cleansing is a must, as well as properly hydrating and putting on SPF. Additionally, Yoon emphasizes the importance of incorporating antioxidant-rich products to help protect your skin, while Chang notes that she "always recommends using some sort of 'active' skincare, whether it be in the form of an essence, serum, or ampoule, to protect, repair, or prevent aging in the skin."

So whether you have acne-prone skin, looking for powerful anti-aging benefits, hoping to fade dark spots, reduce pores, soothe sensitive skin, or you're just searching for the next breakthrough superstar ingredient, ahead are the best Korean skincare products that experts and dermatologists swear by.

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1

PEACH & LILY Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (2)

"In Korea, a lot of dermatologists will say half of your skin concerns will actually disappear if you just get your cleansing routine right," says Yoon. Of course, she's partial, but that's why she recommends starting any skincare routine with her own sulfate-free, low-PH hydrating cleanser that's made with deionized water as well as peach, camellia, chamomile, and centella asiatica extracts. According to Yoon, it's "powerfully calming" and "won't disrupt your skin barrier."

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2

Great for Oily Skin

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (3)

Chang recommends this oil-based balm cleanser, which she notes is "great for your double-cleansing routine, removing oils, impurities, and makeup from the surface of your skin." Containing a mixture of fatty acid-rich sea buckthorn oil, olive oil, persimmon extract, and vitamin E, Chang particularly likes that the cleanser has "anti-aging and skin-brightening antioxidants."

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3

AMOREPACIFIC AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder, 1.9 oz.

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (4)

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4

Peach Slices Acne Patches

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (5)

Acne spot dots are helpful, especially if you get hormonal acne or stress breakouts every now and then. "They're small, round, and discreet, so you can easily wear them during the day, or stick them on while you're sleeping at night," says Yoon, adding, "and they really work!"

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A facial toner pad is an easy way to start off the morning skincare routine. Chang recommends this COSRX one because it "promotes exfoliation using betaine salicylate and willow bark water," adding that "the active ingredients help dissolve dead skin cells and de-clog pores." Plus, it contains tea tree leaf oil, which Chang says will help fight inflammation and reduce those pesky breakouts.

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6

TONYMOLY TONYMOLY I'm Real Avocado Mask Sheet

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (7)

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7

Best for Acne

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (8)

If you have acne-prone skin or you're looking to stop blackheads and whiteheads from forming on your face, Chang recommends this clarifying toner with mild AHA and BHA that will "help gently exfoliate and renew the skin surface." Spray it onto a cotton ball or pad and swipe it across your skin after cleansing.

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8

Best for Combination Skin

Primera Miracle Seed Essence

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (9)

This essence, formulated with hydrating lotus seeds, is highly rated on Sephora. "A total game-changer," wrote one reviewer. If you're following the 10-step Korean skincare routine, pat this essence on after your toner, and let it sink in before moving on to serums and creams.

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9

New Trend

LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (10)

According to Chang, "cream skin" is the new emerging K-beauty trend. "Cream skin actually refers to a type of skincare product, which is a hybrid of a toner and lotion, to achieve more hydrated, luminous skin," she explains. Bonus: This two-in-one combo helps simplify your routine, without sacrificing important steps.

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Trying to achieve that perfect "glass skin" that's been trending in the Korean beauty world? This refining serum gets you one step closer with a combination of ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peach extract. "Whenever I use this serum, people always ask me what highlighter I'm wearing," says an Oprah Daily editor "They're usually shocked to learn that it's actually a skincare product that's responsible for my glow and not a shimmery cosmetic! It shines through my tinted moisturizer, making my skin look smoother and more radiant."

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11

Best for Dry Skin

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (12)

Bae loves Sulwhasoo's range of beauty options, "especially their activating serum," noting that this premium Korean skincare brand makes "great products that are also cosmetically elegant." This lightweight serum is perfect for putting on first thing post-cleanse and toner, as the JAUM Balancing Complex™ (a proprietary blend of five Korean herbs) will help prep your skin for the rest of your routine.

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12

Skin Brightening

Mediheal Vita Lightbeam Essential Mask EX

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (13)

Help your skin get its daily dose of vitamin C with this mask, recommended by Chang. "The hydrating sheet mask is loaded with antioxidants like vitamins C and E to help repair, revitalize, and brighten the skin," says Chang. "Vitamin C has been shown to fight harmful free radicals, protect the skin from sun damage and environmental pollution, lighten brown spots, and stimulate collagen."

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13

Great for Sensitive Skin

PEACH & LILY Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (14)

If you love matcha green tea, good news—Yoon says the superfood ingredient is also great for skincare. "Matcha's actually one of the world's richest sources of antioxidants," she emphasizes, explaining why it's the star ingredient in this moisturizer. "Antioxidants have to be in the picture." Lightweight enough for all skin types, Yoon says it's particularly great for sensitive skin.

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14

belif Aqua Bomb Brightening Vitamin C Cream | Vitamins C & E Enriched for Skin Vibrancy Improvement | Anti-inflammatory, Long Lasting Moisturizing | Daily Hydrating Facial Cream | 1.68 fl. Oz

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (15)

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15

LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask: Visibly Brighten, Boost Hydration, Squalane

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (16)

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16

Best Kit

Glow Recipe Fruit Babies Bestsellers Kit

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (17)

This skincare set is the perfect way to sample Glow Recipe's bestselling products all in one. Comprised of the radiance-boosting avocado retinol eye sleeping mask, pore-tight toner, plum plump hyaluronic serum, and the soothing watermelon glow pink juice oil-free moisturizer, it's a great intro to the cruelty-free, fruit-friendly K-beauty brand.

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17

Best Anti-Aging

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (18)

It's pricey, but this powerful eye cream—formulated with Korean red ginseng—might be worth the splurge. According to Chang, "Panax ginseng is an antioxidant that has been found to have skin hydrating and anti-aging properties, including increasing collagen and improving wrinkles." Plus, as Chang points out, this eye cream also contains caffeine, which helps reduce swelling.

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18

EcoYourSkin Volufiline15 Eye Essence

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (19)

Yoon highly recommends this eye essence from the Korean mega spa to the stars, Eco Your Skin. "It's a hero product," gushes Yoon. One of the key ingredients in this product—volufiline—helps plump up the skin, reduce crow's-feet and wrinkles. Plus, the silky texture makes it a great primer before putting on your makeup.

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19

Best for Redness

Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (20)

"The Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment is great for anyone dealing with red or irritated skin, including those with rosacea," explains Chang. "It contains centella asiatica complex, which helps protect the skin from stress, reduce redness, and even out skin tone." Chang recommends you use it after cleansing and moisturizing, before applying your makeup.

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20

Dr. G Brightening Up Sun Cream SPF 50

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (21)

Don't forget, sunscreen is skincare! In the K-beauty world, Chang is seeing more "combination sunscreens"—products that don't just deliver the SPF you need but also come packed with skincare benefits. For example, Chang recommends this Dr. G option because "it's loaded with active ingredients, including hydrating hyaluronic acid, calming centella asiatica, and protective green tea and witch hazel."

The Top Korean Skincare Products with Anti-Aging Benefits (2024)

FAQs

What do Koreans use for anti-ageing? ›

Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)

Recognized by the Korean FDA for its potent anti-aging properties, Panax ginseng is the pride of Koreans for good reasons. Korean ginseng is packed with a remarkable amount of saponins, which helps address numerous skin aging problems.

What is the number 1 Korean skincare brands? ›

1. Sulwhasoo. Pronounced “Suhl-ha-soo," this skincare brand was founded on the philosophy of balance. Utilising Korea's finest natural ingredients, Sulwhasoo is one of the best selling Korean brands on the market.

Which skincare brand is best for aging skin? ›

The Best Skincare For Women Over 50, According To Dermatologists
  • Vitamin C Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.
  • LED Face Mask: Therabody TheraFace Mask.
  • Hydrating Essence: Ilia The Base Face Milk.
  • Nourishing Face Oil: Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum.
  • Non-Irritating Retinol Cream: Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment.
Jun 11, 2024

Which product is best for anti-aging? ›

List of 10 best anti-ageing creams that will help you achieve flawless skin:
NameAmazon Rating
Foxtale 0.15% Retinol Night Serum4.4/5
Conscious Chemist® Peptide Retinol Night Cream4.3/5
Garnier Skin Naturals Anti-Ageing Cream4.2/5
Olay Age Protect Anti-Ageing Cream4.2/5
6 more rows
Jun 13, 2024

What do Asians use instead of retinol? ›

Bakuchiol, for instance, is regarded as one of the most effective natural retinol alternatives out in the market today. In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, this skin loving extract derived from the Babchi plant is often used to treat skin inflammation, rashes, vitiligo patches, eczema and vitiligo patches.

How do Korean people look younger? ›

Koreans prioritize regular physical activity, whether it's traditional forms of exercise like taekwondo or modern fitness trends like K-pop dance workouts, to stay fit, energized, and youthful.

Which serum is best for face anti-aging? ›

If you are experiencing stubborn signs of ageing, we recommended one that includes retinol, such as the Resist Anti-Aging Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum. This light serum promotes healthier-looking skin and combats visible wrinkles.

What is the number one face cream for aging skin? ›

Rankings: Wrinkle Creams
RankBrandSample Product
#1 Score: 100NeutrogenaBuy on CVS.com
#2 Score: 97La Roche-PosayBuy on CVS.com
#3 Score: 89RoCBuy on CVS.com
#4 Score: 63CeraVeBuy on Amazon
2 more rows

What is the most powerful anti-aging substance? ›

"Retinol is a powerhouse anti-aging ingredient that works to stimulate cell turnover and increase our skin's natural collagen production in the epidermis and dermis," says dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross.

What is the number one thing for anti-aging? ›

Sunscreen. Stein says that regular use of sunscreen is hands-down the most important product in your anti-aging routine. And not just for summer or when you're going to be outside on a sunny day. Use sunscreen every day.

What do Koreans use for collagen? ›

One of the most traditional and popular ways to enjoy the benefits of collagen in Korea is through the consumption of collagen-rich soups, such as Gomguk.

What is the secret of Korean youthful skin? ›

Deep cleansing is the key to getting Korean glass skin. Double cleanse your face with micellar cleansing water and choose a lemon-infused facewash for brighter skin. This process will prepare your face for the next steps in skin care. Boost your deep-cleansing Korean skincare routine with a unique exfoliating process.

What is the K beauty alternative to retinol? ›

Bakuchiol has been found to have unique benefits for all skin types. It is gentle and non-irritating, making it a great alternative to harsher skincare ingredients such as retinol or salicylic acid.

What is the alternative to Botox in Korea? ›

Although botox was the previously preferred treatment to improve wrinkles on the face, collagen injections are quickly replacing botox in Korea. Collagen injections are safe as they do not remain in the human body.

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