The Under-£25 Affordable Korean Beauty Finds That Editors Actually Use

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: You may know Medicube best for its Collagen Night Wrapping Mask, but the collection extends to many more glass skin-giving skincare, including the One Day Exosome Shot Pore Ampoule 2000. The K-beauty brand uses peptide-rich lacto exosomes and spicules, which are tiny particles even smaller than the pores that act as a skincare version of microneedling, working to minimise the appearance of the aforementioned pores, smooth and brighten skin. There is a combination of chemical exfoliants – AHAs, BHAs and PHAs – to gently remove dead skin cells, while niacinamide brightens and panthenol nourishes.
• Best for: reducing pores

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: This SPF recently went viral for a reason. Offering high UV protection, anyone who’s tried it will know that it feels like a lightweight moisturiser that couldn’t be more comfortable to wear. Perfect for even the most sensitive skin, it’s a great example of excellent K-beauty formulating.
• Editor’s experience: “The viral TikTok product that earned Beauty of Joseon its cult status, the Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ is a lightweight daily skin protection cream with an advanced formula that makes it one of the most easily applied SPFs I’ve ever used. It doesn’t feel sticky or heavy and can be layered under make-up with no pilling. Rice extract, vitamins B, C and E and amino acids and minerals are the main ingredients that combine to create nourishing, glow-giving (but non-greasy) sun care that is easily absorbed.” – Ellie Davis, senior beauty shopping writer

• Best hydrating serum for glass skin
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: You’ll have seen COSRX’s power essence all over your social media feeds – it’s a hit with fans for making skin plump, glassy and smooth. Formulated with Snail Secretion filtrate, it hydrates and strengthens the moisture barrier, improving suppleness and texture over time.

• Key ingredients: black rice extracts, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin
• Why we recommend it: The toner that you’ve been seeing all over your TikTok feed? Well, that’s the viral Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner in its instantly recognisable ombre black packaging. This product is not only dubbed one of the best in the Haruharu Wonder range but one of the best Korean skincare formulas to land on UK soil and that is largely due to its immensely hydrating properties. Fermented Korean-produced black rice extracts are set alongside hyaluronic acid for an effective double act of nourishment. Sensitive skin types will be pleased to hear that there are no essential oils in the ingredient line-up.
• How to use: Use after cleansing to maximise the absorption of the formulas to follow. Wet a cotton pad and coat the complexion in the fresh essence.
• Size: 150ml

• Why we love it: A formula with both mineral and chemical filters delivers a happy medium, avoiding both the white cast caused by the former, as well as the potential irritation caused by the latter. That’s indeed the case with this weightless lotion, which appears transparent on skin and lends a dewy gleam. Worth noting: It does have a light scent, but that dissipates quickly.
• SPF level: 50
• Texture: Lightweight lotion
• Chemical or physical: Chemical (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate 6.80 per cent, homosalate 6 per cent, ethylhexyl salicylate 4.50 per cent, octocrylene 2.5 per cent, titanium dioxide 1.40 per cent)

Why it is Vogue-approved: Combining a potent blend of bio collagen with three different probiotics, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid means this mask is a great solution for skin that’s lacking in vitality and hydration or feeling a little irritated or sensitised. While the skin will feel softer and firmer after use, the probiotics will ensure the health of the skin barrier is maintained.

Ingredients: bio collagen, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid

This lightweight ampoule absorbs into the skin easily and isn’t sticky, so you don’t have to wait too long before moving on to the next step. Gentle and hydrating, even those with the most sensitive skin types or eczema can use it without worry – it is soothing and calming instead.

• Why it is Vogue-approved: I will never stop talking about my love of the Erborian CC Creme, and with many of the same properties – lightweight texture, nourishing ingredients, brightening properties – it is not a surprise that the brand’s BB Concealer has become a fast favourite too. Much like the aforementioned product, it is also a hybrid, bridging the gap between skincare and make-up by including hydrating Korean white ginseng complex and skin barrier-strengthening niacinamide within the formula that supports skin health, while imparting the natural shade. It has SPF25 protection too.
• Shades: 5

• Why it is Vogue-approved: Rose-derived PDRN is both the star ingredient of the PDRN Pink Peptide Serum and gives the product its hue. But while it comes from the flower, it is light and delicate in scent. What is more noteworthy is the performance of the trio of buzzy ingredients that extend beyond the aforementioned polydeoxyribonucleotide (the restorative active ingredient in the salmon sperm injectables) to include peptides and niacinamide too. Together, the formula tackles enlarged pores, uneven texture, wrinkles and mild scarring.
• Best for: fine lines

• Best hyaluronic acid for skin bounce
• Why it’s Vogue approved: South Korean skincare brand Innisfree knows how to make skin feel fresh-out-the-spa, even if you’re at home. This serum pairs multiweight hyaluronic acid with niacinamide and camellia, a tea leaf extract known to stimulate collagen production. Expect to enjoy skin that feels and looks smooth, soothed and bouncy. It has a refreshing scent that comes courtesy of limonene essential oil, which is worth noting if you’re fragrance averse.

• Why it is Vogue-approved: While the collagen mask gets the most airtime on social media, it’s the Zero Pore Pads that are widely considered to be the best product in the Medicube collection. The exfoliating pads are gentle, easy to use and great for travel. They are soaked in a combination of AHAs and BHAs (lactic acid and willow bark, respectively) that buff the skin, refine pores and smooth out uneven texture. The fabric itself is double-sided, and on one, you’ll find it’s textured to enhance the exfoliation, while the other is smooth to impart hydration. Sweep over the skin for a glassy finish.
• Best for: gentle exfoliation

• Why we love it: This formula’s two signature ingredients are rice bran water and alpha-arbutin, in concentrations of 68 and 2 per cent, respectively. Rice bran water has long been used as a moisturising toner in Korean culture due to its high levels of amino acids and minerals; alpha-arbutin is a tyrosinase inhibitor, meaning it helps prevent the formation of dark spots and discolouration. This power couple is supported by niacinamide, jojoba and other ingredients to leave your skin with a noticeable glow.
• Key ingredients: Rice bran water, alpha-arbutin, niacinamide

• Why it is Vogue-approved: Applied like a gel mask, the magic of Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is what happens while you’re sleeping. The product transforms into a peel-off layer, giving skin a healthy sheen. A satisfying part of ‘the morning shed’ trend, it is no surprise that this innovative overnight mask went viral on social media. The formula harnesses collagen extract to boost elasticity and suppleness for that coveted glass skin.
• Best for: TikTok-approved elasticity

COSRX’s cult pimple patches draw out nasties from pesky breakouts, while keeping the surrounding skin soothed with the best Korean skincare ingredients.

Why it’s Vogue-approved: The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream found TikTok virality for its benefits for acne-prone skin. K-beauty enthusiasts raved about its ability to improve the healing process of a breakout, soothing and calming redness with its formula. This includes tea tree, an element long beloved for its antibacterial and antinflammatory properties, balancing niacinamide and hydrating glycerin. It absorbs easily and doesn’t pill under make-up.

K-Beauty label Purito earns its stellar reputation with its SPF formula that is incredibly lightweight, easily absorbed and applied and yet provides high SPF50+ protection. The formula is boosted with skin-nourishing ceramides, and it’s water-resistant, so you get long-lasting coverage.

• Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, ceramide NP, ulmus davidiana root extract
• Why we recommend it: Known best for SPF, Thank You Farmer has redefined what staple skincare can be, reformulating typically drying products to hydrating alternatives. This is certainly the case with the Rice Pure Essential Toner, an instantly moisturising formula that leaves skin touchably soft. The texture is lightweight but not too runny, unscented and barrier supporting, while leaving a healthy glow.
• How to use: Apply to palms and layer over the complexion
• Size: 200ml

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Illiyoon is the bestselling moisturising care brand in South Korea and in the small amount of time that it has been available in the UK, it has made a huge impact. Sensitivities are increasingly common and the ceramide-enriched formula was created to have skin covered, strengthening the barrier and calming irritation when it occurs, without leaving a greasy finish behind. It’s a clean label that suits those prone to allergy and irritation. Illiyoon is also vegan.
• Key ingredients: soy-derived ceramides
• Benefits: restores skin barrier
• Best for: long-lasting hydration at an affordable price point
• Size: 68ml

“I often find when I’m trying to streamline my skincare that eye cream is the first to go. However, lightweight, layerable and silky in texture, this eye serum is one I never fail to dab on my periorbital area. It harnesses the anti-ageing powers of retinal as well as Korean favourite ginseng, both buzzy ingredients renowned for their fine line fighting effect. A little goes a long way.” – Ellie Davis, senior beauty shopping writer

• Why we love it: Anua’s Heartleaf 77 Toner Pads are as easygoing as exfoliants get, thanks in part to its emphasis on heartleaf water, a calming herbal ingredient that refreshes and hydrates. But it still exfoliates with polyhydroxy acid, keeping pores clear and skin impossibly radiant. For those seeking more elbow grease, one side of the pad is embossed in order to provide mild physical exfoliation.
• Key ingredients: Heartleaf extract 77%, evening primrose extract, centella asiatica extract
• Type: Chemical and physical
• Size: 70 pads

The hero ingredient in Purito’s Wonder Releaf Centella Serum is centella asiatica, a component that those prone to sensitivities should get familiar with. It is renowned for its soothing, healing and hydrating properties and should be very well tolerated by all skin types.

This serum by the buzzy K-beauty label Purito it is set alongside ceramides to take nourishment to the next level and combat the skin-stressing impact of external aggressors. The formula is lightweight and fragrance-free. Add to your routine after cleansing and before moisturiser.

As the second step in our skincare routines, essences have become the formulas of choice for better hydration. I found that toner was far too drying for my dehydrated skin, and so followed in the footsteps of Korean skincare practices by opting for the water-based alternative.

Beauty of Joseon is a brand you’ll spot all over your TikTok feed for its viral Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ formula, but there are many more SKUs to know – the Ginseng Essence Water, for one. It is made up predominantly of ginseng water, selected for its hydration and inflammation-fighting properties. The beauty of this product is its multitasking nature; you can use it AM or PM to boost hydration as part of the skincare routine or pop it on your desk for a quick spritz throughout the day.

• Key ingredients: rice water, niacinamide, ceramides
• Why we recommend it: Enriched with ceramides, this milky toner from Anua pairs the nourishing ingredient with rice bran water to maximise hydration and glow with every application. The brightening formula supports skin barrier health and balances sebum production thanks to the inclusion of niacinamide. The hydration boost is immediate, while the complexion gets increasingly radiant and clear with use.
• How to use: Use in the morning and night in the palm of your hands or on a cotton wool pad
• Size: 250ml

• Best for: grease-free sun protection
• Size: 50ml
• Why we love it: With a texture typical of the best K beauty finds, this fast-absorbing serum is well suited to the scalp. For starters, it has advanced PA++++ filters – the kind you can only find in Korean and Japanese sunscreens – for additional sun protection, and a non-sticky formula with no white cast. Second, it helps a long list of scalp issues, thanks to a formula rich in niacinamide and anti-inflammatory ginseng.

• Why we love it: Another PHA-powered exfoliant, Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Toning Toner counters any potential for irritation or redness with the titular Centella asiatica extract, also known as cica, which has long been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. (You’ll also find niacinamide, yet another ingredient that soothes skin.) That means it actively calms skin as it brightens and smooths, making it ideal for breakout-prone and sensitive skin types alike.
• Key ingredients: Gluconolactone, Centella asiatica, niacinamide
• Type: Chemical
• Size: 210 or 400 ml

Salicylic acid is a wonder ingredient in busting blemishes, but it can cause dryness, so if you’re looking to incorporate it into your routine, the COSRX cleanser works wonders as it’s gentle and doesn’t remain too long on the skin. A

s the first step in your routine, it removes dirt and grime from the day, acting as an effective tool in your acne-fighting arsenal. A little goes a long way, so the cleanser lasts for a long time.

• Key ingredients: micronised shea butter, rice extract, ceramides and squalane
• Why we recommend it: This incredibly lightweight mist has had pride of place on my desk since I got my hands on it. The ultra-fine mist means you can reapply whenever your complexion is feeling parched without fear of ruining your make-up or needing to touch up SPF. Skin appears immediately brighter, hydrated and refreshed.
• How to use: Sprtiz onto the complexion to rehydrate skin in an instant
• Size: 100ml

“A double cleansing essential, this oil isn’t thick, gloopy or uncomfortable to apply. Just one pump is needed with a splash of water to melt off all your make-up, SPF and skincare that you’ve been wearing all day. Plus, the subtle fragrance is divine.” – Ranyechi Udemezue, associate beauty & wellness writer

• Key ingredients: azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica and cica
• Chemical/physical: physical
• Why we recommend it: At most, you’ll get a mild manual exfoliation out of these pads – but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. Finely woven in cotton, they are non-abrasive on the skin and soaked in all the best soothing ingredients, making them a great choice for when you may have overdone it with strong actives in your routine. Korean skincare is great for mending the moisture barrier, and these pads are a fine example. When used in circular motions, I’ve found they deftly lift off impurities while adding moisture that plumps and smooths the skin. Bonus points for the azelaic acid formulation – it’s antibacterial, and also helps to fade hyperpigmentation. As a blemish-prone girly, I approve.
• How to use: Sweep pads over the skin as you would a toner, or leave in place for 10 minutes to soothe and smooth irritated, dry skin.
• Size: 90 pads

• Why we love it: It’s not often that a moisturiser manages to deliver serious, long-lasting hydration to skin while also calming and fortifying a sensitive skin barrier, but this manages it. Packed full of everything that skin needs to function at its best and most healthy, including cholesterol, fatty acids, and cleverly encapsulated ceramides that stay locked into skin without overwhelming it. If your skin is feeling tight, dry, itchy or uncomfortable, this fragrance-free, allergy-tested cream is ideal.
• Key Ingredients: Squalane, ceramides, allantoin
• Size: 80ml