20 Best Korean Skin Care Products Tested 2025, Dermatologist-Approved

As a veteran beauty editor, I’ve tested hundreds of contenders for the best Korean skin care products. I first got into K-beauty when it gained popularity Stateside in 2011, adding all the snail mucin creams, Koreans sunscreens, moisturizers, and toners I could find to my daily routine. Since then, the options have only gotten better, and more numerous. So last year, I spent three months in Seoul researching and testing my way through all the latest launches. To put together the best K-beauty routine for any skin type, I talked to local dermatologists, toured skin care labs, and met with product developers and brand founders.

While I found enough gems to fill two checked suitcases, consider this the condensed version of that list, featuring only the best of the best. The most promising K-beauty products let you do more with less. “In 2025, we’re seeing a shift toward intentional skin care—fewer steps, but more effective, multi-functional formulas,” says Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam. Below, you’ll find plenty of examples, like a hydrating sunscreen that doubles as tint, a water-activated cleanser you can also use as a face mask, and toner pads that work like brightening mini masks. And, so you can get a better idea of how they feel and who they work best for, they’re backed by real reviews from dermatologists, fellow K-beauty experts, and Glamour editors.

The best Korean skin care products, at a glance

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Best Cleanser

Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Deep Pore Cleansing Foam

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Best Cleansing Oil: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean

Ma:nyo’s Pure Cleansing Oil is a cult classic in South Korea, where it’s known as the #1 cleansing oil at Olive Young. The Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean edition, inspired by the success of the original, is arguably even better. It’s formulated with a mix of plant oils including grape seed, lavender, and sunflower seed to rinse off waterproof makeup without feeling heavy or greasy on your face. Dermatologists love the skin-friendly ingredients and comfortable texture. “It’s formulated with noncomedogenic oils to hydrate the skin without clogging the pores,” explains Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. “It feels incredibly lightweight and silky on my skin,” she says of the texture. “It spreads and rinses off easily too, breaking down my makeup and sunscreen without feeling too heavy. When rinsed off, it leaves my skin feeling more hydrated.”

Ever since I first tried it, this cleansing oil lives permanently in my shower. The texture is lightweight, watery, and easy to work with. Most importantly, it gets even my most stubborn waterproof mascaras off without stinging my eyes.

Best Cleansing Balm: Dr. Althea Pore Refreshing Grinding Cleansing Balm

Think of cleansing balms as cleansing oils in solid, travel-friendly form. I’m obsessed with Dr. Althea’s original cleansing balm, which features a smart grinding dispenser that pushes out thin, pasta-like ribbons of formula. Dr. Althea’s Pore Refreshing Grinding Cleansing Balm keeps the same easy-to-use packaging, but swaps out the classic white balm for a baby-blue edition. Its signature shade comes from guaiazulene, an ingredient with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Paired with green tea extract, it helps balance sebum levels and keep skin clear and soothed. Just like the original, it melts off every trace of waterproof makeup, heavy foundation, and sunscreen—no scrubbing needed.

While I love both versions of Dr. Althea’s cleansing balm, I’d recommend trying this one if you have combination or oily skin, since the ingredients target excess sebum. It definitely won’t leave your face feeling dry; the formula starts melting as soon as it comes in contact with my skin, transforming from a smooth sherbert texture to a lightweight oil. I then dampen my hands and wet it to create a milky cleanser that melts off my makeup and sunscreen. If you’re used to traditional cleansing balms that require a spatula or fingers to scoop out the product, you’ll love the upgrade of this grinding dispenser. The layers of cleansing balm come out thin and even, so they’re much easier to spread over my skin. Plus, this gets even the most stubborn waterproof mascara off without stinging my eyes.

Best Cleanser: Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Deep Pore Cleansing Foam

Go in with this deep-cleansing foam after your oil or balm cleanser for the ultimate double-cleanse. It’s formulated with a blend of soothing ingredients and gentle exfoliants to help refine skin texture and take down redness. “Salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), gently exfoliates your pores and regulates sebum production,” says Hwang Wonuk, MD, a cosmetic physician at Cheongdam LeBelle Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul. This formula also contains antioxidant-rich heartleaf extract. “It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory that soothes irritation,” says Dr. Hwang. Together, they target pores and balance sebum without stripping your skin barrier. “It’s excellent for oily or congested skin types that want clear skin without dryness,” he says. “It clears pores without compromising hydration or barrier integrity, which is key for achieving glass skin.”

Best Toner: CosRx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

This popular exfoliating toner is one of the best CosRx products I’ve ever have tried. Dr. Hwang loves the gentle-yet-effective formula, which combines glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA) with betaine salicylate (a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA). “Glycolic acid exfoliates and promotes skin turnover, and betaine salicylate clears sebum and prevents blackheads,” he says. The formula is also packed with willow bark water, “a natural anti-inflammatory and mild exfoliant,” Dr. Hwang says. Typically, he recommends this toner to patients dealing with “uneven texture, mild breakouts, or congestion.”

One of my favorite features of this toner is that it’s mild enough for regular use, even on my sensitive skin. The spray applicator dispenses an even coat and makes it easy to treat back acne, too. I reach for it so often, I’ve started keeping a bottle at home and another in my bag for workout classes and gym days.

Best Toner Pads: Biodance Vita Niacinamide Gel Toner Pads

K-beauty popularized the toner pad—pre-soaked cotton rounds or squares that can be swiped over your face or left on like mini sheet masks. Biodance makes one of my favorite versions, and these Biodance Vita Niacinamide Gel Toner Pads are particularly good for a subtle brightening boost. The brand swaps out the usual thin cotton fabric for hydrogel inspired by its TikTok-viral overnight face mask. While the Internet-famous face mask goes from white to clear as it dries, these gel pads start off clear and then turn white as the essence absorbs into your skin. They’re formulated with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plus popular brightening ingredients like niacinamide and glutathione.

I’ve personally tested many of the popular toner pads that line the shelves at Olive Young, and these are easily in my top five. The hydrogel material clings to my skin without slipping and gives an extra refreshing sensation. I like to apply one on each cheek while I do my makeup before lightly swiping them all over my face and neck. When I start my skin prep with these, everything—foundation, blush, highlighter—just goes on so much smoother and dewier.

Best Essence: Mixsoon Bean Essence

You’ve probably seen this smoothing essence all over KBeautyTok, where fans show how the formula makes your skin naturally slough off as you rub it in. It’s made with fermented soybean and fruit extracts that combine for gentle chemical exfoliation. “This essence is unlike anything I’ve tried before—the fermented bean extracts give it a naturally thick yet silky texture that melts into my skin,” says Cho. “I love how it delivers deep hydration while gently exfoliating at the same time. It’s one of those products that makes my skin feel smoother and more refined after just a few uses. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin.”

For those new to the formula, you’ll have to gently work it in for at least a few minutes before the exfoliation starts. My friends in Seoul told me to try applying this before makeup for an extra-smooth base. You have to be a little patient when using this; depending on how much dead skin you have to exfoliate off, it can take awhile before your dead skin cells start clumping up. I focus on my nose area where I get clogged pores, rub until I see tiny clumps of skin, then rinse it all off. If you don’t want the exfoliating effect, you can also apply this as you would a normal essence and get the same hydrating benefits.

Best Ampoule: CNP Laboratory Propolis Rescue Ampoule

A cross between a hydrating essence and skin-boosting serum, ampoules are another popular step in Korean skin-care routines. The CNP Laboratory Propolis Rescue Ampoule is a great choice for all skin types—and dermatologists love it, too. “This ampoule is formulated with propolis, a natural antioxidant and antibacterial ingredient known for soothing and healing properties, as well as skin soothing niacinamide and madecassoside,” says Dr. Chang. “It also contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol to provide deep hydration. It’s great for those with dry, sensitive, red, or acne-prone skin.”