Korean Skincare 101: 7 Cult K-Beauty Products That You Can Get Off Amazon

via SoKoGlam

Where Korean skincare products go, Western bands follow. Skincare is extremely important in Korea, and people often have regimens involving eight to twelve products – this sounds extreme, but pays off in age-defying skin, so it’s no wonder the rest of the world wants a piece of the action.

But where to begin? Scope out your local TK Maxx beauty section – they’ve recently started stocking loads of fun and unique sheet masks and Korean skincare bits (‘egg pore cream‘, anyone?) – or try Amazon, where you can find almost every cult K-beauty product. I’ve been on this buzz for a few years, so I’ve got a bit of knowledge to share on that front.

(Amazon prices go up and down depending on demand, so it’s wise to save your desired products to a wishlist where you can keep an eye on the cost and pounce when the price is right. A little tip from me to you.)

Banila Clean It Zero

Koreans have been all about double cleansing (washing your face twice – once to get rid of makeup, and the second time to get super clean) for ages now. This ‘sherbet’ cleansing balm melts on contact with the skin, dissolving makeup and leaving your face soft and fresh. It almost makes taking off your makeup a pleasure, which is saying something.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Suffer from chapped lips? Partial to super-drying liquid lipsticks? This lip mask will be your new best friend. Slather a thick layer on at night to wake up with soft, smooth lips, or use it like a normal balm during the day for a bit of extra hydration. The pink pot is so cute, too.

And the Water Sleeping Mask

Laneige just want us all to be hydrated, and who can blame them? This unique water-gel mask can be used in place of a regular night cream when your skin needs a bit more TLC. Sleeping mask + lip mask = a face as soft as it’s been since birth, probably.

Tony Moly sheet masks

Sheet masks are becoming more and more common over here in the West, but they’re a Korean innovation. Redness, dullness, dryness, spottiness – name a skin complaint and Tony Moly probably do a mask for it. You can get bundles of various different kinds on Amazon, but just make sure to watch the prices, because they typically don’t cost more than €3 per mask in a Korean beauty store.

Dr G Brightening Peeling Gel

This is a mad product – it’s an exfoliator that doesn’t contain beads, scrubs, or anything at all that you’d normally associate with exfoliating. You simply rub it on to your face and marvel as the dead skin comes off in rolls on your fingers. And somehow, it’s still incredibly gentle on sensitive skin. Mad!

Mizon Snail Repair Ampoule

If you’re regularly haunted by the ghost of spots past (AKA acne marks), you need something with snail slime in it. The stuff is amazing for repairing skin and evening out the tone, and this ‘ampoule’ (AKA more concentrated serum) is the most highly-rated of the snail slime products.

Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask

Containing actual volcanic clay from an actual volcano (probably), this mask is ideal for giving your pores the weekly, monthly, whenever-you-get-the-time-ly clear out while getting oily patches in check.

Feeling a bit more enlightened now? STELLAR will accept no responsibility for any paycheques blown on K-beauty products. 😉

• Korean beauty