15 of the Best-Kept K-Beauty Secrets, According to a Korean-American Shopping Editor (2024)

Confession: I am addicted to K-Beauty. Majority of my skincare and beauty products are all made in Korea because I find that K-Beauty brands create high quality products without costing an arm or leg. From creams to heal my skin barrier to new-technology serums that boost the glow and firmness of my skin, I’ve done my fair share of testing Korean skincare and beauty products. It’s also one of the first things I buy when I land in Seoul, too, because I’m overly eager to see what’s new in the K-Beauty world.

Right now, as a 30-something-year-old, my main focus is hydration, keeping my skin barrier strong and healthy, and evening out my skin tone (including fading dark spots), so if one of those goals are to your liking, I’d recommend you take a peek at some of my favorites below.

Best K-Beauty Skincare and Makeup

• VT Cosmetics Cica Reedle Shot 100 Essence, $22 (was $31); amazon.com.
• Purito Centella Unscented Serum, $16 (was $23); amazon.com.
• Fwee Lip and Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot, $16; amazon.com.
• EasyDerm Quick Calming Microneedle Pimple Patch, $30 with coupon (was $37); amazon.com.
• Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-fit Sun Serum SPF50, $11 (was $21); stylevana.com.
• D'Alba Italian White Truffle First Spray Serum, $24 (was $35); amazon.com.
• Rovectin Aqua Cleansing Gel, $19; amazon.com.
• Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule Facial Serum, $17 (was $20); amazon.com.
• Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion, $30; amazon.com.
• Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum, $36 (was $37); amazon.com.
• Mediheal Madecassoside Cotton Facial Pads, $24; amazon.com.
• Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Mask 10-Pack, $20; amazon.com.
• Numbuzin No.4 Hydrating Glow Mineral Toner, $18; amazon.com.
• Jungsaemmool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion Foundation, $29 with coupon (was $32); amazon.com.
• Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Silky-Fit Sun Stick SPF50, $11 (was $13); stylevana.com.

VT Cosmetics Cica Reedle Shot 100 Essence

One of the latest in Korean skincare, this Reedle Shot Essence is created with tiny, tiny, tiny microneedles that penetrate your pores to help the serum itself and the rest of your skincare be better absorbed into your skin. Though the name seems a bit intimidating, it really isn’t—you’ll get a tingling sensation on your skin that feels like a gentle exfoliation. This essence has been the key to helping improve my skin texture, as I struggle with large pores around my T-zone area and dark spots. I use it at night and wake up with glowy skin that feels supple, and after months of use, my skin has definitely smoothed out, my dark spots fade faster (thanks to a faster delivery of my other products), and overall feels firmer, too. First-time users should opt for the 100-level essence, but it’s also available up to a 1000 at Amazon.

Purito Centella Unscented Serum

I love anything Centella because it’s the hero product for calming your skin. Struggle with redness? Centella. Skin irritated from testing too many products? Centella. This Purito Centella Serum is one of my newest centella-based skincare products that I added to my routine, and I am absolutely getting backups of it. The serum is thicker than what I’m used to, but give it a few seconds and it’ll leave your skin feeling hydrated. It’s great for summer, especially for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, because it’ll help calm down your skin from external factors and any redness from the sun. Plus, it’s marked down right now to just $16.

Fwee Lip and Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot

This Fwee product shot up in popularity in Korea in the past few months for its unique soft bouncy texture that has impressive color payoff. When you think about makeup in a pot, you think of a thick, creamy texture that feels a bit heavy—but not this. This Fwee Lip and Cheek feels like a light but dense mousse, and when you apply it to your cheeks or lips, it blurs out like a powder. Truthfully, it’s hard to explain, but all you need to know is that there are 30 available shades, ranging from soft nudes to light pinks and deep berries, that provide a soft, matte finish without a single ounce of feeling dry on the skin. You can apply it with your fingers or use a silicone brush for more saturation.

EasyDerm Quick Calming Microneedle Pimple Patch

After struggling with adult acne, I have mastered the art of tackling those under-the-skin, painful pimples that take ages to go away. I discovered these EasyDerm microneedle pimple patches a few years ago and have yet to find another pimple patch that targets cystic acne the way these do. Each pimple patch is designed with microneedles that fully dissolve as it delivers product to the targeted area. When you use it with the included Cica serum (just add a drop of it onto the needle-side of the patch), the combination will deeply deliver calming and healing ingredients to deeper parts of your skin. If I feel some pain (before the bump even forms) early enough, these patches almost make them go away overnight—but remember, everyone’s skin is different!

Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50

You can’t talk about K-Beauty without talking about Korean sunscreens, which, in my humble opinion, are elite in the beauty industry. This Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum shares a No. 1 spot in my personal sunscreen rankings (along with two others). This formula specifically features calming Centella Asiatica extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and zero fragrances, so those with sensitive skin can use it, too. I have oily-combination skin, and this never leaves me feeling oily. It leaves a soft, dewy finish—I’d say a sheen more than glow—making it perfect for everyday wear on its own. But on days I do wear a full face of makeup, this doesn’t budge or pill under my foundation and concealer, either. Best part? It leaves zero white cast on your skin and doesn’t sting your eyes.

I always have my nose in K-Beauty, scouting what the latest products are and testing to see what would work to calm irritated skin and help me slow down any signs of aging. If you’re looking for more K-Beauty skincare and beauty products to hydrate, calm, and boost your skin, see more of my favorites below.

D'Alba Italian White Truffle First Spray Serum

Rovectin Aqua Cleansing Gel

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule Facial Serum

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion

Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum

Mediheal Madecassoside Cotton Facial Pads

Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Mask 10-Pack

Numbuzin No.4 Hydrating Glow Mineral Toner

Jungsaemmool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Silky-Fit Sun Stick SPF50