Whether you’re tackling dryness, acne, or other skin sensitivities, we’ve curated Asian-owned beauty brands to support your skincare journey. Delve deeper into achieving glass skin with additional tips below. Explore our guides on the best Korean sunscreens and haircare to further immerse yourself in the K-Beauty world.
Best K-Beauty Brands: Top 10 Asian-Owned Beauty Products!
Belief
Belif offers a versatile Korean skincare range for all skin types, emphasizing hydration with key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides. Their products are renowned for their lightweight formulas that promote a healthy skin barrier, resulting in a plump and resilient complexion.
Users worldwide have lauded Belif for delivering hydrated and balanced skin. A tester from the GH Institute highlighted the efficacy of Belif’s Aqua Bomb collection, including their jelly cleanser, which won accolades from the GH Beauty Awards. This gentle yet effective cleanser has been praised for its ability to make cleansing a pleasant experience. Aqua Bomb, priced at $65; the Aqua Bomb Hydrating Jelly Cleanser is available for $30; and the Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner, priced at $30.
Innisfree
Innisfree offers a comprehensive range of skincare products tailored for brightening dull skin and addressing dark spots, featuring a variety of options from serums to toners and cleansers. Their formulations blend natural ingredients like green tea with potent actives such as retinol, allowing for a customizable skincare routine that adapts to individual skin needs.
Customers have enthusiastically endorsed Innisfree for its hydrating and evening properties and its ability to impart brightness to the skin. The Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum, honored with a 2023 GH Beauty Award, stood out in GH Beauty Lab tests for its efficacy on sensitive and redness-prone skin. Testers reported clearer, brighter, softer, and smoother skin without discomfort.
Among the notable Innisfree products to consider incorporating into your weekly skincare regimen are the Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36, priced at $18, the Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, available for $16, and the Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum, priced at $30.
Laneige
Laneige is synonymous with top-tier lip care, notably with its widely acclaimed Lip Sleeping Mask, a favorite among beauty experts like Danusia Wnek from the GH Beauty Lab. Praised for its unique application and non-sticky, nourishing formula, lips feel soft and hydrated, often likened to a plush cloud.
Beyond their iconic lip products, Laneige, owned by Amorepacific, excels in skin care, offering a range that includes rejuvenating face masks and moisturizers. Like many Korean beauty brands, Laneige prioritizes hydration, catering to diverse skin types and needs. GH editor Jacqueline Saguin found their Water Bank Hyaluronic Moisturizer refreshing and effective for dry, eczema-prone skin.
Highlighted Laneige favorites under $40 include the Lip Glowy Balm, priced at $19, the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Moisturizer, available for $23, and the renowned Water Sleeping Mask, priced at $32, all of which promise to enhance skin hydration and overall complexion vitality.
CosRx
CosRx is renowned for its effective and affordable skincare solutions, with snail mucin as its star ingredient. Recognized for promoting skin repair and hydration, this ingredient is particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin, addressing key concerns such as inflammation and scarring.
While CosRx gained popularity with its Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, it offers diverse products designed to calm and heal troubled skin. Their hydrocolloid pimple patches, for instance, are praised by users for their ability to accelerate the healing of blemishes and reduce their visibility.
Among CosRx’s top-selling products that support a journey to clearer skin are the Advanced Snail 92 All-In-One Cream priced at $16, the Master Patch Blemish Cover 240-Pack available for $35, and the AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner priced at $25. These products are tailored to address acne concerns effectively while promoting overall skin health.
Sulwhasoo
Sulwhasoo stands out with its luxurious skincare offerings centered around Korean ginseng, which is celebrated for its rejuvenating properties. Embracing traditional Korean herbal wisdom, the brand crafts botanical formulations that prioritize lightweight textures without compromising moisturization.
At the heart of Sulwhasoo’s lineup are ginseng-infused products that cater to various skincare needs. The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, priced at $89, is a potent essence that preps the skin for subsequent treatments while imparting hydration and vitality. For effective makeup removal without stripping the skin, the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover, available for $40, offers a gentle yet thorough cleansing experience.
Another standout is the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, priced at $145, renowned for its rich yet lightweight texture that nourishes and firms the skin. These products exemplify Sulwhasoo’s commitment to delivering luxurious skincare experiences with effective and gentle formulations on the skin.
Amore Pacific
Amore Pacific epitomizes the pinnacle of luxury in Korean skincare, offering a spa-like experience with meticulously crafted formulas enriched with botanical extracts such as green tea, bamboo, and ginseng. As the flagship brand of the Amorepacific Group, which also owns esteemed K-beauty labels like Sulwhasoo, Laneige, and Innisfree, Amore Pacific sets itself apart with its commitment to premium ingredients and innovative formulations.
The brand’s products are celebrated for their sumptuous textures and effective results, as seen with favorites like the Amore Pacific Time Response Eye Reserve Crème. This eye cream has garnered praise for its ability to firm, hydrate, and reduce puffiness, achieving top scores in GH Beauty Lab testing.
Among the standout products from Amore Pacific is the Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder, which is priced at $68 and is renowned for its gentle exfoliation and brightening effects. The Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, available for $75, combines skincare benefits with sun protection for a flawless complexion. For those seeking ultimate indulgence, the Vintage Single Extract Essence, priced at $175, offers concentrated botanical benefits to rejuvenate and enhance skin vitality. These offerings exemplify Amore Pacific’s dedication to luxury skincare that delivers visible and luxurious results.
Cocokind
Cocokind, an affordable Korean skincare brand, prioritizes nurturing a healthy and hydrated skin barrier through budget-friendly formulas that do not compromise quality. Key ingredients like anti-inflammatory turmeric, barrier-strengthening ceramides, and nourishing lipids are central to its skincare offerings, catering to those with eczema and sensitive skin concerns.
Cocokind products hold the National Eczema Association seal of approval for consumers dealing with eczema and similar skin sensitivities, ensuring that these formulations are safe and effective for such conditions. This certification underscores the brand’s commitment to providing gentle yet effective skincare solutions prioritizing skin health and comfort.
Highlighted among Cocokind’s offerings are three standout products priced under $30: the Daily SPF 32 Mineral Sunscreen at $25, noted for its protective and non-irritating properties suitable for sensitive skin; the Chlorophyll Discoloration Serum priced at $20, formulated to balance skin tone and enhance a glowing complexion; and the Ceramide Barrier Serum available for $19, aimed at reinforcing the skin’s protective barrier while delivering essential hydration. These products exemplify Cocokind’s dedication to accessible skincare solutions tailored to sensitive skin needs.
Dr. Jart+
Dr. Jart+ is a go-to brand for enthusiasts of Korean face masks, offering a diverse range catering to various skincare needs. Whether addressing dehydration, acne, redness, uneven skin tone, or signs of aging, Dr. Jart+’s collection ensures a sheet mask tailored for every concern. Notably, their Vital Hydra Solution Pro Glow Face Mask, enriched with hyaluronic acid, impressed the GH Beauty Lab’s evaluations for its exceptional hydrating and soothing effects.
Beyond face masks, Dr. Jart+ extends its expertise to a comprehensive lineup of skincare essentials, including cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, all featuring the brand’s signature ingredients. It is highlighted among Dr. Jart+’s standout products, such as the Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream, priced at $48, recognized for its intensive hydration and barrier-strengthening benefits.
For effective sun protection, the Every Sun Day Face Sunscreen SPF 50+, available for $44, combines broad-spectrum protection with skincare benefits. The Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30, priced at $54, offers corrective and protective properties, ideal for evening out skin tone while shielding from UV rays. These products exemplify Dr. Jart+’s commitment to innovative skincare solutions that address diverse skincare concerns effectively and comprehensively.
Illiyoon
Illiyoon emerges as a standout choice for those grappling with dry skin concerns, offering affordable Korean skincare solutions enriched with ceramides. These formulations are particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types, boasting formulations free from added dyes and fragrances to minimize potential irritation.
One of Illiyoon’s acclaimed products is the Ceramide Ato Lotion, celebrated by GH manager Sophie Park for its effectiveness in addressing dry patches and providing lasting hydration with a dewy finish. This lightweight lotion moisturizes deeply and offers excellent value due to its generous quantity.
Among the recommended Illiyoon products is the Ceramide Ato Concentrate Body Cream, priced at $25, designed to nourish and protect the skin barrier from head to toe. The Ceramide Ato 6.0 Top-to-Toe Wash, available for $19, offers gentle cleansing while maintaining skin hydration. The Fresh Moisture Lip and Eye Makeup Remover, priced at $26, effectively removes makeup while keeping the delicate skin around the eyes and lips moisturized and refreshed. These selections highlight Illiyoon’s commitment to providing effective, affordable skincare solutions that cater to dry skin needs.
Missha
Discover soothing skincare with Missha, a brand known for its comprehensive range of hydrating products tailored for morning and nighttime routines. Whether preparing the skin for makeup application or rejuvenating it before bedtime, Missha offers solutions designed to nourish and firm the complexion.
The Time Revolution line stands out as Missha’s flagship collection, revered for using innovative fermented ingredients to address various skincare issues. Infused with probiotics, these formulations not only soothe and calm the skin but also effectively integrate potent actives such as retinol to target specific concerns.
Among Missha’s standout products, the Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule Cream is priced at $27 and is renowned for its intensive overnight rejuvenation and hydration benefits. The First Treatment Essence Rx, available for $31, is famous for its capacity to improve skin clarity and resilience through fermented extracts. The Perfect Cover BB Cream with SPF, priced at $10, provides lightweight coverage while offering sun protection, ideal for achieving a flawless complexion with added skincare benefits. These selections exemplify Missha’s commitment to delivering soothing skincare solutions that cater to diverse skincare needs effectively and affordably.
Conclusion:
To achieve a luminous complexion without excess oil, start with dermatologist-recommended skincare for oily skin to manage sebum production and reduce shine. Incorporate effective face washes, toners, masks, and treatments designed to nourish the skin and prevent pore blockage. Additionally, exploring Asian-owned beauty brands can support your skincare journey, whether dealing with dryness, acne, or sensitivity. Brands like Belif, Innisfree, Laneige, CosRx, Sulwhasoo, Amore Pacific, Cocokind, Dr. Jart+, Illiyoon, and Missha offer tailored solutions, from hydration and brightening to acne treatment and soothing care, helping you find the best products for your specific skin needs.
