20 Cult-Favorite Korean Beauty Products Everyone Should Know About

The endless list of options makes deciding which Korean beauty products to add to your first beauty haul a little overwhelming, so here's a nifty shopping trick: Opt for products that are already tried and tested, a.k.a. those with a cult-favorite status. Since these picks have been around for a while and are already well-loved, they're your best bets for kickstarting your K-beauty journey on the right foot. Ready to add things to your cart? Keep scrolling!

SKINCARE

1. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oils have a reputation for being too rich and heavy, but this mineral oil-free formula is the exact opposite. It can remove all traces of makeup, be it waterproof mascara or longwearing foundation, without overwhelming even the oiliest skin types. The rice extract infused in the oil also helps brighten the skin with regular use!

THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil, P490, TriNoma

2. Skinfood Black Sugar Wash-Off Face Mask

The way this black sugar wash-off mask (it's not edible, unfortunately) can smooth out your skin is more than enough reason to make the purchase. Compared to other physical exfoliants, the black sugar used in this mask feels gentler on the skin, and almost dissolves once it comes into contact with water.

SKINFOOD Black Sugar Wash-Off Face Mask, P330, Althea

3. Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

When your pores are feeling congested, this clay mask is one of your best bets. It contains volcanic cluster capsules that'll lift excess sebum from your skin and clear your pores of any irritants.

INNISFREE Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, P560, SM Mall of Asia

4. CosRX One Step Original Clear Pads

These toner pads became popular in Korea for its groundbreaking formula. Not only does it help prevent and treat breakouts by exfoliating the skin with BHAs, it's gentle enough to be used every day—no stinging!

COSRX One Step Original Clear Pads, P900, Watsons

5. Son & Park Beauty Water

The Son & Park Beauty Water is neither a cleanser nor a toner—it's both and more. Don't be fooled by its minimal packaging, because it was made by two renowned Korean makeup artists to create the perfect starting point for skincare and makeup. It contains ingredients that cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate to reveal smoother, brighter skin.

SON & PARK Beauty Water, P1350, KBeauty-Cafe

6. Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist

If it's plumper and more even-toned skin that you're looking for, pat this nourishing liquid on after you cleanse and tone. It's packed with skin-repairing fermented ingredients and niacinamide, both known to be amazing for brightening and fighting signs of aging.

MISSHA Time Revolution First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist, P2700, Beautymnl 

7. Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serums are not usually skincare beginner-friendly, but this brand's version of it gained a following for being gentle enough for sensitive skin without compromising its brightening benefits.

KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum, P1200, Watsons

8. Banila Co Clean It Zero

Banila Co's Clean It Zero line come in several formulas to cater to different skin types, so it's perfect for oil cleansing newbies. There's the Purifying variant for sensitive skin, Revitalizing for oily skin, and Nourishing for dry skin. That said, the original formula is definitely worth the first try!

BANILA CO Clean It Zero, P1150, Landmark, TriNoma

9. Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel

Don't have an aloe vera plant at home? This lightweight gel can provide you with its soothing benefits, too. It can even replace your daytime moisturizer in the summer!

NATURE REPUBLIC Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel, P245, Robinson's Manila

10. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Your lips need TLC, too, and dousing them in this rich sleeping mask at night can plump them right up by morning. If you have chronically dry lips, use it before applying lipstick for a smoother application.

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask, P950, Lazada

MAKEUP

1. J. One Jelly Pack

If your sheet mask, moisturizer, and makeup primer were bundled together in one product, the J. One Jelly Pack would be it. Because aside from being hydrating, it blurs the appearance of lines and pores to prep the skin for makeup. It will feel a little tacky at first, but that's exactly how it'll help your foundation last longer!

J. ONE Jelly Pack, P1500, Beautymnl

2. Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion XP

Despite being full coverage, this cushion won't feel sticky or gooey on your skin. It sets to a natural finish that barely transfers, but setting it with some powder can prolong its wear time even more.

CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Cushion XP, P1650, SM Makati

3. Etude House Double Lasting Foundation

The impressive staying power of this foundation is a great fit for our humid weather. Those with combination to oily skin will appreciate its matte finish as well, not to mention its buildable yet non-cakey coverage.

ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Foundation, P1098, SM Mall of Asia

4. The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer

The Saem has you literally covered with their line of full coverage concealers that won't break the bank. The Cover Perfection Tip Concealer is by far our favorite for on-the-go spot concealing!

THE SAEM Cover Perfection Tip Concealer, P250, Althea

5. Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder

This powder prevents and instantly eliminates shine so quickly that it's no surprise it practically flies off the shelves. In fact, it’s so popular that a pressed version was created to make touchups more convenient.

INNISFREE No Sebum Mineral Powder, P390, SM Mall of Asia

6. The Face Shop Design My Eyebrow Brow Pencil

Draw your K-beauty-inspired straight brows in a jiffy with The Face Shop's budget-friendly angled pencils. Don't worry about finding the right shade because they have everything from the lightest browns to a flattering gray brown (perfect for those with jet black hair!).

THE FACE SHOP Design My Eyebrow Brow Pencil, P225, Beautymnl

7. Tony Moly Back Gel Eyeliner

If you want a cat eye as budgeproof as favorite K-pop star's, this is the eyeliner for you. Try the brown and burgundy shades for a softer look!

TONY MOLY Back Gel Eyeliner, P498, TriNoma

8. Too Cool for School Art Class by Rodin Shader

Korean makeup is all about a subtle, almost invisible contour, and the three shades in this compact are everything you need to sculpt and shade without looking muddy.

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Art Class by Rodin Shader, P640, Althea

9. 3CE Mood Recipe Face Blush

For a barely-there flush, sweep some of 3CE's dreamy hues on your cheeks. These are almost impossible to overapply, so brush away!

3CE Mood Recipe Face Blush, P1000, Sephora.ph

10. Peripera Ink Velvet

Peripera's lip tints are perhaps some of the most pigmented and longwearing ones out there, but what makes them worth the hype are  the range of colors and finishes. Their Ink Velvets, for one, will give you a natural-looking matte stain that won’t fade after a meal.

PERIPERA Peri's Ink Velvet, P450, TriNoma

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