These are the brands and products you absolutely have to try.
The popularity of Korean Beauty products in the Western market is not new - beauty babes all over the world have been enjoying the innovation and quirkiness that comes with Korean Beauty brands for years. You know those cool cushion foundations? They're originally a Korean design. What about those amazingly hydrating sheet masks? Yep, they're Korean too.
But there are still some who have yet to jump on the K-Beauty bandwagon. For anyone who's not sure where to start and what to buy, we've got you covered.
Here's a list of K-Beauty brands every beauty junkie should know and the must-have products that prove Korean Beauty is worth its weight in gold.
Laneige
Laneige was created off the back of 20 years of research focusing on the relationship between water and skin. The brand now has its own technology coined "water science". The brand's skincare products focus on achieving plump, supple and wrinkle-free skin. Laneige also has a range of colour cosmetics designed to enhance the natural radiance of beautiful skin.
Where to buy:
Moonshot
This beauty brand celebrates individuality and playfulness. Basically, Moonshot wants to make those bold, eye-catching Instagram looks accessible to everyone, not just talented makeup artists. The easy-to-use colour cosmetic products are colourful, striking and multipurpose - the lip tints can be used on your cheeks and eyes and the eyeshadows can be used on your lips and cheeks. In addition, Moonshot has a range of skincare products that help you achieve the perfect makeup base: flawless and youthful skin.
Where to buy:
IOPE
Pioneers of the cushion foundation compact, IOPE is a cosmetics and skincare brand utilising bio-technology and plants science to create skincare solutions. IOPE is led by an extensive research team that isolates plant compounds and plant stem cells, believing the secret to beauty is in nature. In 2008, IOPE created the Air Cushion foundation which drew global attention and made the brand a household name.
Where to buy:
Amore Pacific
This premium skincare brand is unlike anything you've ever seen before. Amore Pacific's skincare uses compounds derived from the Asian botanicals found in the Jeju gardens on the "Island of the Gods". This volcanic island has some of the most nutrient-rich soil in the world and the green tea, bamboo and ginseng that grow there are the secrets to the efficacy of Amore Pacific. The brand was the first in the world to stabilise the potent anti-oxidant in green tea and utilise its power in skincare.
Where to buy:
Sulwhasoo
Sulwhasoo is a skincare system that adopts the holistic philosophies of Korean Herbal Medicine. According to these philosophies, skin goes through an energetic change at the age of 35 and becomes prone to dryness and ageing. Drawing on ancient wisdom, Sulwhasoo skincare balances the energetic changes in the skin through the blends of indigenous herbs and medicinal botanicals. In case you think this all sounds a little far-fetched, it's worth noting that this skincare brand is stocked by Bergdorf Goodman, the most luxurious department store in New York.
Where to buy:
3CE
Korean blogger StyleNada is the brains behind this conceptual colour cosmetics brand. 3CE or 3 Concept Eyes is about expressing personality and individuality through makeup. With a base of three colours, pink, orange and beige, 3CE believes you can customise and create the natural but striking look of your choice.
Where to buy:
Caolion
Caolion was created by founder Jinyoung Joo as a solution to her very sensitive skin. These skincare products are not about defying age with harsh chemicals as Caolion believes ageing is a natural part of life and is not something we should be ashamed of. Instead, Caolion focuses on a "back to basics" strategy and creates natural, hypoallergenic skincare - without alcohol, fragrances or colouring - that can be used by anyone with any skin type.
Where to buy:
Dr Jart+
Dr Jart+ was created when a young entrepreneur met a young dermatologist and pledged to bring his innovative and super-effective skin formulas into the mainstream. After three years the pair finally launched Dr Jart+, a skincare and cosmetic brand committed to constant and consistent research into skin science and beauty innovation. In it's short years, this brand has already delivered several innovations that changed the beauty world entirely. You know BB creams and CC creams? Those were created by Dr Jart+. So were the very popular sheet masks that we can't live without.
Where to buy:
Skinfood
Drawing on the old philosophy "you are what you eat", Skinfood believes that healthy, bright skin starts with healthy food. Skinfood understands that nutrients, anti-oxidants and goodness from wholesome food are the secret to a beautiful complexion. The brand sources its specialist ingredients from sustainable farmers all over the world, using only the best, freshest and most ethical plants and foods to create its skincare products.
Where to buy:
Innisfree
Sourcing rare ingredients from the Korean volcanic island of Jeju, Innisfree believes beauty comes from nature. The island of Jeju is said to have "the four energies of pure nature", that is clean air, warm sunlight, fertile soul and pollution free water - thus making it the ultimate source for beauty enhancing and age defying botanicals. And it is naturally grown plants that are the secret to the success of Innisfree. Committed to sustainability and eco-consciousness, Innisfree pushes for a natural and recyclable approach to life.
Where to buy:
Signature K-Beauty products
Directory of Korean Beauty Brands
Want more from Korean Beauty? Check out our directory of Korean Beauty brands.
| # | C | Escada | J | Mamonde | Re:NK | Ten Seconds |
| 3CE | Caolion | Esmedic | Ja Seng Su | Manefit | RE:P | The Face Shop |
| A | Carezone | Espoir | Jadilla J | May Coop | Rita Rove W | The History of Whoo |
| A.C. Care | Cathy Cat | Essential Extra | Jaminkyung | Mediheal | Rose by Dr. Dream | The Lotus |
| A:TURE | Charm Zone | Esthaar | Jayeonmaeul | Memebox | Rosee | The Saem |
| A3F | Chosungah22 | Etude House | K | Midaskin | Ryeo | Tony Moly |
| Aery Jo | CJ Lion | F | Kameria | Miracosmetic | S | Too Cool for School |
| AHC | Clamue | Foodaholic | Kelly Water | Mise En Scene | Sally's Box | Tosowoong |
| Amore Pacific | Clio | G | Kemuel | Missha | Sanshim | Touch In Sol |
| Ameli | CNP | Gaeam | KeraSys | Mizon | Scandal | U |
| Ani Place | Colourplay | Gatsby | Kicho | MJ Care | SCINIC | UKA |
| A'pieu | Coogi | Goeunsenag | Klairs | Moonshot | Secret Key | V |
| April Skin | Coreana | Goodal | Kocostar | Mora Savina | Senite | VDL |
| Aritaum | Cosam | Green Wonil | Koh Gen Do | Morihata | Serazena | Verite |
| Ariul | Cosline Prielry | H | Kwailnara | MULE | Shangpree | VOV |
| Aromatica | Cosrx | Han Kyeong Hee | L | N | Skin Inc | W,X,Y |
| Assoter | Cremorlab | Hannule | Lacvert | Nature Republic | Skin79 | Y.E.T. |
| Atopalm | D | Hanskin | Lady&Skin | Neogen | Skincure | Yadah |
| B | Danahan | Happy Bath | Lagom | Niveola | Skinfood | Yeondukong |
| Banila Co | Dantrol | Hera | Lalavesi | Nokdu | Skinmiso | Yuhwayeon |
| Bare Blanc | Dermal | Herbolle | Laneige | Noni Sangji | Skylake | Z |
| BBIA | Dengimori | Holika Holika | Lavida | O | SipJangSaeng | Zain |
| Be The Skin | Donginbi | Hope Girl | Leaders Clinic | O Hui | So Natural | Zamian |
| Beauty Credit | Dr. Jart+ | Hyosiah | L'Egere | Odyssey | Son&Park | Zeniswell |
| Beauty People | Dr. MJ | I | LG Care | Organic | Somang | |
| Belif | Dr. Pharm | IASO | Lioele | OOTD | Songak | |
| Benton | E | Illi | Lirikos | Organia | Songwol | |
| Beyond | Edgefit | Imselene | Lisange | P | Sooryehan | |
| Bi Hui Gai | Elicina | Innisfree | Llang | Peripera | Sua Young | |
| Bichigain | Elisha Coy | IOPE | Locomotion | Point | Sulwhasoo | |
| Biodefense | Enature | IPKN | Lolita Lempicka | Primera | SU:M37 | |
| Born Skin | Enprani | Isa Knox | Lotree | Puretem | T | |
| BRTC | Entia Global | Isoi | M | Q-R | Tears | |
| Bycream | Erborian | It's Skin | M Line From Mizon | Re-en | TeenClear |
Have we missed a Korean Beauty brand? Let us know in the comments.
