The Best of Korean Skincare Must Haves (2024-2025)

 Hey Subbies,

I hope you all are having a very Merry Holiday and tomorrow or whenever I post this will be Christmas. This post took me a while since I had to cull my playlist, go through the videos that didn't have any of the products listed in the description box, open up my Skincare Excel sheet, and then create this post which was a struggle with the blogspot bugs with uploading/licensing images. I will work on a separate post on K-beauty based on what's popular with Cheongdam MUAs beauty salons and J-beauty posts. The Hwahae app team has been working on an English browser version rollout like the Glowpick which is nice.  In addition, I really thought I would be talking about another brand this year but it was demoted to third place in the second half of the year and Torriden took the top spot gaining its worldwide darling status as hoped which I have already featured in last year's post but funny enough Roundlab came in hot the latter half of this year gaining it this year's Darling of the year. 

Retiniods, Peptides, Liposomes, Exsomes, PDRN, and new lightweight -hydroxy acid were trending ingredients on socials this year. Most of us are familiar with some of these but I didn't expect Liposomes and Exsomes which have been in high-end skincare for decades but are very useful in repairing the skin barrier in a very targeted way. Another skincare ingredient Darling has to be PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) specifically Salmon DNA was primarily used in skin clinics as a skin booster because of its regenerative effects. Anyway, I changed it up this year by focusing on major categories inside of the sub-categories so for example "Eyes" if it's a 'Serum' or 'Cream' you can look at the SERUM category or the latter. 

Clean and pure skincare derived from a land where the sea, wind and mountains meet.

Round Lab is inspired by and encapsulates ingredients from the Korean Peninsula.

It is where clean water, mountain peaks and gusty winds meet.

A land gifted with natural resources and ingredients with powerful vitality that breathes vibrancy and purity into skin.

East Sea

The East Sea is where warm and cold currents meet just off the coast of Korea to form the most lively marine ecosystem. At approximately 13,000 ft. deep, water sourced from the East Sea is exceptionally clean, and formed by volcanic activity, deep sea water found around Ulleungdo (pronounced wool-leung-doh) and Dokdo (pronounced dok-doh) islands is rich with nutrients and natural minerals.

Taebaek Mountains

Taebaek Mountain, the 400 mile backbone of the Korean Peninsula, peaks above 5,000 ft and stretches across the coast and inland. How it was formed is still a mystery to geochnologists, but it is where the richest, life-giving, natural ingredients are found in the untainted and well-preserved pockets of the mountain.

Seabreeze

Air formed in areas where a mountain and the sea meet are known to be especially clean. With the clean but strong wind gushing at 10+mph, the nature is vitalized, refreshed and renewed all year around.

Keeping the spirit of discovery and exploration alive, ROUND LAB constantly searches for the highest quality skincare ingredients all across Korean soil and water. Let’s take a closer look at the hidden treasures uncovered so far!

Geomundo

(pronounced guh-moon-doh) Seabreeze Mugwort

Densely packed with large trees, Geomundo is a dark island even in broad daylight. In fact, “Geomun” translates to “black” or “dark” in the Korean language, rumor has it that’s how this island got her name. Cradled by three islands, the sea inside is as tranquil as a lake.

• ROUND LAB uses Madecassoside extracted from Mugwort grown in the midst of sea breeze to create a skincare collection focused on skin revitalization.
• The No. 1 ‘clean’ beauty product for 2 consecutive years at Olive Young, the largest beauty franchise in Korea

South Korea holds the lead in k-beauty innovation, with advanced technology and research. We proudly want to introduce the wonders of the Korean Peninsula and its sacred ingredients, for you to see for yourself, what it is like to maximize glowy skin.

https://roundlab.com/

BEAUTY GURU FAVES

• Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser 4.8
• Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner 4.8
• Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Sun Cream
• Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ 4.8
• Roundlab Pine Calming Cica Ampoule 4.7
• Roundlab Birch Moisturizing Cream 4.8
• Roundlab Camellia Firming Cream
• Roundlab Camellia Firming Ampoule
• Roundlab 1025 Dokdo Lotion 4.7
• Roundlab Birch Juice Moisturizing Tone Up Sunscreen 4.7

⭐ 5-STAR HALL OF FAME ⭐

⭐ iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam

⭐ heimish All Clean Balm

⭐ MAKE P:REM Safe Me. Relief Moisture Cleansing Milk

⭐ it's Skin Power 10 Formula LI Jelly Pad

⭐ ANUA Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner

⭐ SHINGMUL NARA Young Green Tea Watery Calming Toner

⭐ TONYMOLY Floria Brightening Peeling Gel
⭐ Krave Beauty Kale-Lalu-yAHA Exfoliator
⭐ Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
⭐ Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule

⭐ Wellage Real Hyaluronic Blue Ampoule 100

⭐ Axis-Y New Skin Resolution Gel Mask

⭐ too cool for school Pumpkin 24K

⭐ The Saem Pure Natural Mask Sheet

⭐ ROVECTIN Clean Lotus Water Calming Cream

⭐ Illiyoon Ceramide ATO Lotion

⭐ NOT4U Clear Body Mist

⭐ Make p:rem UV Defense ME. Daily Sun Fluid

⭐ Heimish Moringa Ceramide Watery Sunscreen

⭐ ANUA 5-Zero Mild Sunscreen

⭐ Innisfree Blueberry Rebalancing Watery Sun Cream SPF45 PA+++

Key: 5-Stars ⭐ | Director Pi 🎬 | Olive Young 🕊️ | Hwahae 😮 | GlowPick ⛏️ | Allure 🔴

Cleansers

• Skin1004 Light Cleansing Oil 4.8😮
• ma:nyo Deep Clear Cleansing Balm ⛏️
• ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil 🕊️ 🔴
• make p:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cleansing Milk ⛏️
• Suiskin Avobab Clean Soap 🕊️⛏️
• ANUA Heartleaf Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 4.8
  
• MEDI-PEEL Green Cica Collagen Clear Foam 🔴

Toners | Waters | Removers | Liqiud

• Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner 4.8 
• S.Nature Aqua Oasis Toner 4.8 🎬😮
• MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Blemish Pad 4.8🕊️
• Skinfood Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pad 4.8
• Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 4.9
• Some BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
• irecipe Aqua Phytoplex Cream Toner Mist ⛏️
• Ariul Stress Relieving Purefull Lip and Eye Remover Pad 4.8⛏️
• ANUA Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner 4.8 🔴

Serums | Essences | Ampoules | Oils

• Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Essence 4.9
• Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum 4.8 🔴🕊️
• Axis-Y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum 4.8
• Beauty of Joseon Revive Ginseng + Retininal Eye Serum
• VT COSMETICS Cica Reti-A Essence
• VT COSMETICS PDRN 100 Essence 4.8
• essenHERB Tea Tree 100 Oil 🎬

---------

• Benton Vitamin C 20% Serum
• COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 🔴
• COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum 🔴 🕊️
• Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
• I'm From Mugwort Essense
• Manyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule 4.8 ⛏️
• NUMBUZIN No. 3 Skin Softening Serum

Masks | Patches 

• Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Mask Sheet 4.8 ⛏️🕊️
• Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
• I'm from Honey Mask
• Careplus Scar Cover Spot Patch
• Centellian24 Madeca 21 Clear Spot Cure Patch 4.9
• ilso Natural Mild Clear Nose Patch
• MADECA DERMA Ready Cure Patch Original

Moisturizers | Lotions | Creams | Gels | Balms

• AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream 4.8 ⛏️🕊️🎬🔴
• Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream 4.8 😮
• Ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion ⛏️
• BY WISHTREND Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Retinal Night Cream 🎬⛏️
• Bring Green Moisture Moment Hand Cream 4.9
• Laneige Lip Glowy Balm 
• Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream 4.8 🔴
• Some By Mi RETINOL INTENSE Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream 4.8 🔴
• AHC Pro Shot Colla-Juvenation Lift 4 Capsule-Infused Eye Cream For Face ⛏️
• Haru Haru Centella & Phyto 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream 4.8 🔴
• d'Alba Double Serum All In One Multi Balm ⛏️

Mists | Sprays

• JUNGSAEMMOOL Essential Mool Micro Fitting Mist ⛏️
• Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream Mist 4.9
• Laneige Cream Skin Mist 🕊️🔴

Sunscreens / SPFs

• Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen
• Isntree Onion Fresh Fluid Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
• DEWYTREE Urban Shade Cool Calming Moist Sun 5.0 ⭐🎬
• Dewytree Urban Shade Cover And Fit Sun SPF50+ PA++++ ⛏️
• make p:rem Glow Beige Tone Up Sun Cream 🎬
• make p:rem UV Defense Me. Daily Sun Fluid ⛏️
• Scinic Enjoy All Round Airy Sun Cushion Ex SPF50+ PA++++ 🎬
• Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF 50 4.8
• Shingmulnara Oxygen Water Waterproof Sun Cream ⛏️
• SHINGMULNARA Oxygen Water Waterproof Sun Spray SPF50+ PA++++ ⛏️
• Shingmulnara Oxygen Water Light Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ 5.0⭐⛏️
• Skin1004 Airy-fit SunCream Light SPF 30 
• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu Cica Water Fit Sun Serum 4.8
• BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++ 4.8
• Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh 4.8

Haircare Products

• AYUNCHE Rebalancing Shampoo Moist 5.0 ⭐
• Labo-H Hair Loss Relief Shampoo Scalp Strengthening 5.0 ⭐🕊️
• Unove Deep Damage Treatment Ex For Damaged Hair 🕊️
• Elizavecca cer-100 collagen coating hair protein treatment
• Mise En Scene Perfect Serum 4.9

Skincare Devices 

• Medicube Age-R Booster Pro 4.8
• Medicube Age-R Booster H 4.9 / Air Shot
• Medicube Age-R Ultra Tune 40.68 4.9
• UP6 – 6 Modes in One Skincare Device for Anti-aging and Face Lifting
• Medicube Age-R Line Shot 
• Ceramic Guasha Massager

- Seeya

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The Best Demi-Matte to Matte Korean SPFs

 Hi Subbies,

So right before Amazon Prime Day, I had a discord seminar about what K-beauty items to get. Well, one of the guests asked me "Are there any Matte SPFs?"...since she is not into glowing skin. It had me stumped so I ended up doing some research because the Korean SPFs and other skincare enthusiasts don't like matte sunscreens and even though American formulations can provide that glow everyone wants, they aren't very eye-sensitive or provide a casket-ready face or the end of the day gritty greasy ball look. Usually in western SPFs, use Titamin Oxide/Mineral-based or Denatured Alcohol in the ingredients list, or a Gel-type SPF usually has a dryer/matte dry down. What I found is that Matte and Demi Matte SPFs in Korea are marketed using Keywords like "Airy", "Watery" and "Mild" so be on the lookout for those words next time you want to buy one. However here are finds so you can look no further. 

Cream/Lotion

• Thank You Farmer Sun Protect Relief Sun Cream 4.6
• Dr. Ceuracle Sun Control No Sebum Sun Lotion
• Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen 4.6
• Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen 4.7
• Scinic Super Mild Sun Essence 4.8
• Ippun Beetroot Airy Floral Sunscreen
• Jumiso Awe Sun Airyfit Sunscreen 4.4
• Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream 4.7
• Heimish Moringa Ceramide Watery Sunscreen 5.0
• Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun SPF50+/PA++++ 4.8
• D 'Alba UV Essence Waterfull+ Sunscreen 4.9
• Soon Jung X Director's Moisture Sunscreen 4.8
• Soon Jung X Director's Mineral Sunscreen 4.6
• Make:PREM UV Defense Me No Sebum Sun SPF 4.8
• BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Relief Sun Aqua-fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++

Gel

• Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel 4.6

Sun Sticks

• Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick 4.8
• Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar 4.5
• Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Sun Stick SPF50+PA++++ 4.7
• Round A'Round Green Tea Airy Sun Stick
• DewyTree Urban Shade Cool Calming Sun Stick Light Finish 

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The Best of Korean Skincare Must Haves (2023-2024)

 Hey Subbies,

Happy New Year! I've been trying to write this post for over a month but I'm kind of glad I waited because the majority of Skincare Enthusiast Vloggers posted their videos literally on the last week of December into the New Year. I had been saving the videos as they popped into my feed to watch later so I could go through them when I had access to my computer again. I don't really like working on data-driven posts on my iPad Air unless I have my files already set up. Also, I thought about using  ChatGPT to gather the data from each video but that's not a feature on free accounts. Anyways, last year Beauty of Josen was the top viral brand and it was a battle between it and Roundlab. This year's best on the Haewha app is Torriden which has been gaining more attention and is a household staple in Korea and hopefully it can become a worldwide hit.

Why has Torriden become a paradise for rare wild animals?

It is not artificial for human selfishness and needs.

This was because we have protected and cared for a harmless environment necessary for life.

To us, your skin is another important environment that we must protect.

Torriden, the highlands of Scotland, is a clean area blessed with nature, where deer with mysterious horns freely roam the meadows and rare species of birds busily come and go in and out of the lake. Torriden was inspired by the diversity of life in Torriden, a natural beauty and symbol of harmlessness that has existed for over 700 million years.

Simple 

We use rare and new ingredients to dramatically change your skin.

Although we live surrounded by exaggerated messages, what really protects and cares for us every day is not flashy newness, but simplicity that is faithful to the basics. Torriden's mission is not to inject fancy ingredients and efficacy, listening to the inner skin of your skin and creating the healthy environment that your skin wants, will allow your inner confidence to reveal itself.

Together

Just as nature naturally creates a healthy ecosystem when its own environmental needs are met, we believe that all the answers lie within you. All of Toriden's products start from your words of discomfort and satisfaction. What is important to you is not only efficacy, but also the feel on the skin, absorption, retention, and sustainable skin comfort. We

believe that healthy skin can make your daily life happier through the perfect balance between function and sensation.

Positive 

What makes healthy skin and a beautiful life shine even more is the sustainable coexistence between us and the world around us. We will contribute to creating a healthy life for everyone through sustainable packaging and cruelty-free efforts, as well as efforts to change our daily lives healthily and positively.

https://www.torriden.com/main/html.php?htmid=brand/brand-story.html

BEAUTY GURU FAVES

• Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam 4.8
• Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner 4.8
• Torriden Balanceful Cica Toner Pad 60 Pads 
• Torriden DIVE-IN Low Hyaluronic Acid Serum 4.9
• Torriden Dive-In Cream Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid with Sh-EGF
• Torriden Dive-in Soothing Cream
• Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream 4.8
• Torriden Dive-In Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Mask Sheet 4.7
• Torriden Solid In Ceramide Lip Essence 4.9

Cleanser

• ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 4.8
• Krave Beauty Makeup Re-Wined Cleanser 4.7
• Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil 4.6
• Isntree Vegan Yam Root Milk Cleanser 4.8
• Mary&May low pH Hyaluronic gel cleanser 4.7
• Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil 4.7

Toner | Water | Removers

• ANUA 77% heartleaf Soothing Toner 4.9
• I'm From Rice Toner 4.7
• Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 4.9
• it's Skin Power 10 Formula LI Jelly Pad 5.0
• S. NATURE Aqua Oasis Toner 4.9

Serum | Essence | Ampoule | Oil

• COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 4.8
• Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence 4.6
• numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum 
• SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 4.9
• SKIN1004 Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule 4.9
• Vegreen Vitamin C Ampoule
• VT Reedle Shot 
• Wellage Real Hyaluronic Blue Ampoule 100 5.0
• Jin Jung Sung Sooting Moisture Essence 

Moisturizer | Lotion | Cream | Gel

• SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream 4.6
• ROVECTIN Clean Lotus Water Calming Cream 4.8
• Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream 4.9
• Cosrx Advanced All-in-One Snail Mucin Cream 4.8
• Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream 4.8

Eye Cream | Lip 

• BEAUTY OF JOSEON Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal 
• Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream 4.8
• AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Lip Balm 5.0

Mist | Spray

• Laneige Cream Skin Mist Pump
• NOT4U Clear Body Mist 5.0
• Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Mist 4.8
• Sioris Falling Into The Rose Mist 4.5
• Aestura ATOBarrier 365 Mist 4.6

Sunscreen | SPF

• BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++ 4.8
• Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ 4.8
• numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF 50+ PA ++++ 4.8
• ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 4.8
• ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Sunscreen 4.7
• Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50 PA++++ 4.7
• P.Calm Water Barrier Sun Cream SPF 50 4.9
• KraveBeauty Beet The Sun SPF 40 4.4

Masks | Patches 

• Etude House Ginger Sugar Overnight Lip Mask 4.4
• COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch 4.7
• COSRX Lip Sleep Propolis Sleeping Mask 4.5
• Mary & May Niacinamide Vitamin C Brightening Mask 4.6
• MARY&MAY CICA Houttuynia Tea Tree Calming Mask 4.8
• MARY&MAY Daily Safe Blackhead Clear Nose Pack 4.6
• MARY&MAY Premium Idebenone Blackberry Complex Ampoule Mask 4.8

- Seeya

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My 2022 Skincare Empties

 Hey Subbies,

I know it has been a minute once again. I have been trying to recover from my online class and the stress from work but I'm currently sitting at 90%. Also, I finally sat down to look at my empties which sit on the back of my bathroom door for easy access and to keep me accountable. Anyways, I don't know why but when upload my pictures for this post since the photos were taken with Samsung it loads backward so cleansers, essences, etc basically last so I hope you don't mind. There are like 32 pictures of products here so let me know which ones you have tried. I also forgot to add the eyebrow tint that I got from Japan. It was really nice and convenient but it made me contemplate if I should get a more permanent option.

lippies 

I need to get a replacement because of this my favorite press powder from ELF. Also want to try camo press powder but after trying out the other formulas from the line since is more sensitive I might to stick to my staples.

The ELF flawless concealer applicator broke so I'm unable to use but it has a nice formula. ELF lip tints were really drying. The hotel Lotions are from recent trips but aren't my favorite formulas.

If you have anxiety or stress I recommend these two Ayurveda supplements they work great. I also finished a bottle of MSM which really helped my skin issue, especially eczema flares ups.

I have been using Native for a while. I used to use regular deodorant/antiperspirant but I would get blocked pores which really hurt especially around that time of the month. I know some Derms dislike them but I'm not suffering.

Bought these Hello Kitty Bath Salt because they were cute and smelled good.

These are probably my favorite SPFs so far. I also wanted to try a tone-up cream to see what the hype was about. I think if you don't have funds they are a great idea, especially for teens, and a great jump off into using mineral SPFs. I think they would work great after a cosmetic procedure like lasers and it smooths out skin nicely.

Miss Jessie smells amazing and it made my hair feel like it was at the SPA. The formulation is very creamy so if have dry and brittle hair or just need a refresh then I highly recommend her products. I know her sister is still the co-owner of her brand.

Eucerin lotion is a staple for me and it helped with my dry skin, especially during winters like this. Nivea wasn't as creamy as the Dove one I tried last year but it took longer to get thru the tub.

I wanted to try bakuchiol which is an antioxidant with similar Anti-aging properties as Retinol for myself so I went to Sephora last year and picked up The Inkey list's bakuchiol which is really affordable and comparable to The Ordinary. I also see why people love Tatcha, I had a sample of the face wash which I forgot it in Las Vegas but it was very Moisturizing even though it has a ginger fragrance it mostly woke me up. I really like the moisturizer as well but I don't know why I can't justify buying either one of them as full size or sample size.

ELF Cosmetics needs to bring back Electric Mood Serum, it used to be my everyday serum/base and I wish I bought a backup because I didn't expect it to be an amazing base. I even mixed it with other products. I really liked the prem & hydrate balm and it makes for a lovely base. 

Do I need to talk about this product? I hope CURE comes out with a body version because my body tends to shed after showering.

My favorite out of all of these is ELF's antioxidant serum and I keep a backup. Also, think they use pump bottles instead for thicker formulas because they get stuck in the glass of the regular applicators. I will not get the Somebymi serum until they reformulated it less irritating ingredients.

Isntree is my favorite brand, and I don't think the hyaluronic acid is for me because it tends to try me out, and mainly use them in the bath/shower. I liked green tea toner but I had to be careful so it won't stain my clothes and Missha Time Revolution which are a staple in my skincare. 

Loved these two cleansers. The sparking lemon is super foaming and creamy but I liked using it as a body wash more. Also, did PanOxyl reformulate because I noticed it has fewer suds when I try to lather than usual? Anyways PanOxyl is a staple as a body wash.

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