The 10 best brands of Korean cosmetics: A guide to the best K-Beauty brands

There is no doubt that Korean cosmetics have conquered the world.Here, in the centre of Europe, in Ukraine, interest in Korean cosmetics is also growing. It is not surprising, because K-Beauty brands are famous for their innovative approach, unique ingredients and affordability. Their cosmetics appeal with their unique approach to skin care, which is based on the philosophy of “skin + care” (“skin + care”) – a detailed attention to the skin’s needs and multi-stage care.By choosing the right products, you can achieve healthy and radiant skin. However, it’s easy to get lost in the variety of Korean cosmetic brands. But which brand should you choose? In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 best Korean cosmetics brands.

Missha

This is a brand known for its “quality at an affordable price” approach. They are popular for their BB creams, especially their M Perfect Cover BB Cream, which provides great coverage and skin care at the same time. Many of their products, such as Time Revolution Night Repair – New Story ampoule, are compared to more expensive brands for their high performance. In addition, Missha offers everything from skincare cosmetics to decorative cosmetics.Manufactures a variety of skincare and make-up products including:

1. BB Creams and foundations:M Perfect Cover BB Cream is one of their most popular products, which is known for its multi-functional effect and affordability.
2. Time Revolution skincare range: includes cleansing, toning, moisturising and anti-ageing products.
3. Facial masks of different types – from hydrogel to tissue masks.
4. Hair care products: shampoos, conditioners, masks and oils.
5. Sunscreens: creams, sprays and gels with different SPF levels.

Mizon

Mizon is known for their inexpensive but effective skin care products. They have popularised the use of snail mucus in beauty products, especially in their All In One Snail Repair Cream range, which has become a bestseller. This cream promises to solve many skin problems such as redness, acne, sun damage and wrinkles. The brand also offers a wide range of other products such as creams, face masks, cleansers and serums.Known for its skin care products:

1. All In One Snail Repair series: cream, eye gel, toner, emulsion and patch mask.
2. Moisturising and anti-ageing products: e.g. Collagen Power Lifting line.
3. Cleansing and exfoliating products: gels, foams and scrubs.
4. Facial masks of various types.
5. Hair care products: including shampoos, conditioners and serums.

Sulwhasoo

The Sulwhasoo brand bases its products on the principles of Oriental medicine. Ingredients such as ginseng and golden silk form the basis of many Sulwhasoo cosmetics. Each product is the result of years of research and technological advancement. The distinctive feature of this brand is that it is focused on anti-aging cosmetics, which makes it a leader in this field.Offers a luxurious line of products based on the principles of Oriental medicine:

1. Anti-Aging skincare products: including their famous Concentrated Ginseng range.
2. Moisturising creams and serums: such as Essential Balancing Emulsion.
3. Face masks: including tissue masks and night masks.
4. Eye care: including creams and serums.
5. Sunscreens: including creams with a high SPF.

Innisfree

Focused on the use of natural ingredients, Innisfree makes extensive use of Jeju Island’s resources, such as clay from its volcanic rocks and green tea. Innisfree strives to minimise its environmental impact by packaging its products in recyclable materials and minimising the use of chemical ingredients.Specialises in products with natural ingredients:

1. Green tea based product range: includes moisturisers, serums and masks.
2. Skin care products based on clay from Jeju volcanic island: includes cleansing masks and scrubs.
3. BB and CC creams: offers a wide range of shades and finishes.
4. Facial Masks: includes tissue masks and “facial juices”.
5. Hair care products: shampoos, conditioners, masks and oils.

Laneige

Actively researches skin moisturisation, offering products with innovative formulas such as the ‘Water Sleeping Mask’ which provides deep hydration to the skin throughout the night’s sleep. Laneige also offers an extensive line of decorative cosmetics.Known for their innovative skincare and make-up products:

1. Skin care products: including their popular Water Bank Moisture Cream.
2. Lip care: including their famous “Lip Sleeping Mask”.
3. Make-up: including BB creams, foundations, powders, blushes, eye shadows, mascaras and lip products.
4. Cleansing products: including gels, foams and micellar water.
5. Face masks: including night masks and hydrogel masks.

COSRX

Renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness. The brand focuses on creating products with minimal ingredients but maximum effectiveness. They specialise in products for problem skin, using active ingredients such as BHA and AHA acids.COSRX is known for their effective and affordable skincare products, especially for problem skin:

1. Acne Pimple Master Patch, Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser and AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner.
2. Moisturising and soothing products: such as “Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream” and “Centella Blemish Cream”.
3. Snail mucus-based products: such as Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream.
4. Face masks: for example, Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask.
5. Pore cleansers: including toner and bi-phase pore cleansing liquid.

Dr.Jart+.

Their cosmetics combine art and science, creating products that are not only effective but visually interesting. They offer a wide range of products including their famous face masks, BB creams and sunscreens.Dr.Jart+ offers skincare products based on research and innovation:

1. BB creams: including their famous Premium Beauty Balm range.
2. The range for problem skin: “Teatreement™ Solution”.
3. Soothing and moisturising products: such as Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Cream.
4. Facial Masks: offer a wide range of cloth masks.
5. Sunscreens: including high SPF creams.

The Face Shop

With its focus on natural ingredients and environmental responsibility, The Face Shop offers a variety of products for skincare, make-up and even perfumes.

1. The Rice Water Bright range of products: includes cleansers and moisturising creams.
2. Tea Tree skincare products: including foundations and lotions.
3. Make-up: a wide range of foundations, blushes, eyeshadows and lip products.
4. Face masks: cloth masks with a variety of active ingredients.
5. Hair care products: shampoos, conditioners, masks and oils.

Etude House

Etude House offers products with colourful, playful designs and quality formulas. They offer a wide range of products, from make-up to skincare.Etude House produces colourful and fashionable cosmetics and skincare products:

1. Foundations: including their famous Double Lasting Foundation.
2. Skincare products: such as “SoonJung pH5.5 Relief Toner”.
3. Lip products: including Dear Darling Water Tint and Better Lips-Talk.
4. Eye make-up: including shadows, eyeliners, mascaras.
5. Face masks: offer a wide range of cloth masks.

Skinfood

Creates products based on foods such as honey, peaches and black sugar. This brand aims to “feed” your skin to make it look healthy and radiant.Skinfood creates products for skincare and make-up:

1. ‘Black Sugar’ range: includes scrubs, masks and moisturisers.
2. Royal Honey range: includes skin care products such as creams and serums.
3. Make-up: offers a wide range of foundations, blushes, eyeshadows and lip products.
4. Sunscreens: including Aloe Watery Sun Water Gel.
5. Face masks: offer a wide range of masks based on food ingredients such as cucumber, strawberry and aloe.

The choice of cosmetics always depends on the individual needs of your skin. Therefore, it is important to determine your skin type and needs before choosing a product.

The brands described in this review represent the best that the Korean cosmetics industry has to offer. Each of them deserves attention, and it may be among them that you will find the product or product line that is perfect for your skin care needs.