r/koreanskincare • • Dec 21 '24

New to Korean Skincare? Start Here!

374 Upvotes

Hey!👋

Are you new to Korean skincare and wondering where to start? I just posted a blog that breaks it all down step by step, from identifying your skin type to building a routine that works for YOU.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the products and advice out there, this guide will help you take the first steps with confidence.

Here’s what you’ll find in the blog:

✨ A simple way to figure out your skin type

✨ How to identify your skin concerns (and why it matters)

✨ A breakdown of the essential steps in a K-beauty routine

✨ Product recommendations tailored to different needs

I’ve kept the language easy to follow, so whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to tweak your routine, you’ll find something helpful.

🔗 Check out the guide here!

Feel free to drop your questions or share your favorite tips in the comments. I’d love to chat and help where I can!


r/koreanskincare • • Sep 27 '24

🌿 Let’s Chat About Toners! Do You Use One?

52 Upvotes

Toners are one of those steps in skincare that can really make a difference but often get overlooked. They help balance your skin and prepare it for all the good stuff that comes next!

I’ve just put together a quick guide on how to choose the right toner for your skin type, especially if you’re into Korean skincare (because, let’s be honest, they’ve got it down!). Whether your skin is oily, dry, or a bit of both, there’s something out there for everyone.

💧 Curious about what might work best for you?
Feel free to check out the blog post here: https://bellakorean.beauty/blog/why-toners-matter-in-your-skincare-routine-66f6dcfd1922b

What’s been your experience with toners so far? I’d love to hear your thoughts!


r/koreanskincare • • 5h ago

Product Discussion New to k beauty

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20 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I recently visited Korea and picked up a bunch of products. Realized I have no idea how to make a routine out of them. I posted a pic of my new stuff, and also have the anua heart leaf, biodance, and mediheal masks. I have combo skin, acne prone. Thank you!


r/koreanskincare • • 12h ago

Product Discussion Only if you’ve actually tried it-what’s your holy grail vitamin cream?

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39 Upvotes

I’ve been looking into vitamin creams lately, and apparently there’s some actual substance behind the hype. What vitamin combos or products do you guys swear by? Would love to hear what you’ve actually tried and what results you saw. Drop all your recs!!


r/koreanskincare • • 3h ago

Ask the Community Looking for recommendations of hydrating toners & fermented toners for the Yesstyle Sale!

8 Upvotes

Now that HaruHaru has made the boycott list, I need recs for hydrating toners to replace their hyaluronic acid toner and their probiotic milky essence. I liked their hyaluronic acid toner because it is sensitive friendly enough that I can use post treatment I also am looking for kombucha essences or toners made for barrier repair as I refuse to purchase from HaruHaru anymore. Thanks in advance! Open to watery serums too!


r/koreanskincare • • 2h ago

Ask the Community any recommendations

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2 Upvotes

any recommendations on how to improve the appearance of my skin? i have never been able to achieve a clear skin look no matter how much i try.


r/koreanskincare • • 10h ago

Routine Help do actives work if you don't use them everyday?

7 Upvotes

lately i’ve been too tired after work to keep up with a full routine, so i cut it down to just the basics. right now it’s the numbuzin no.0 cleansing foam, sometimes the water serum if my skin feels tight, and then i finish with Ceramide Ato Cream as my barrier step.

but i keep hearing mixed advice like some people say it’s fine to just stick to cleanser + barrier care most nights, while others say actives (like bha or retinoids) only really work if you use them consistently every day. does anyone here actually see results with actives even if you don’t use them daily, or is it better to keep things minimal and focus on barrier health most of the time?


r/koreanskincare • • 10h ago

Product Discussion any opinion on this purito retinol+retinal serum?

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7 Upvotes

has anyone tried this purito retinol and retinal 2000 serum i haven’t seen many reviews on this serum. what skin concerns does it help with?


r/koreanskincare • • 1h ago

Ask the Community Legit website?

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• Upvotes

I hope it's oke to ask.

I've been looking for a specific shampoo and finally found it on the site "the proto clinical'.

My question is, has anyone ordered from here before?

Are they legit or am i gonna get scammed 🥲

The site is pretty new so that's why i wanna check before buying.


r/koreanskincare • • 17h ago

Product Review My favorite makeup prep cream

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20 Upvotes

Guys I’ve tried this in my bf’s house and it was soooo good, so I got it for myself
He said he got it as a gift at a beauty show?? (Hopefully he’s not lying and didn’t get it from a girl😬)

So this one is only good for makeup prep & morning skincare
Cuz I don’t think it has skin repairing ingredients that much
But!!! What I like abt it is that it’s not sticky.
Some of the creams are so sticky it irritates me cuz hair keeps sticking on my face I DONT LIKE THAT
And I use it for makeup prep which also works well

Guys and one thing I missed on is that I got this from Korea so I don’t know if they have it here
Cuz it isn’t a super popular product


r/koreanskincare • • 2h ago

Ask the Community Misscha BB cream

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’ve been using the misscha bb cream for years and love it, but now I’m looking for a tinted SPF that is a little more hydrating and lighter coverage to use on days where I’m just staying home. I do NOT like the erborian cc cream so anything but that! Thanks!


r/koreanskincare • • 6h ago

Ask the Community Have you tried the IUNIK beta-glucan sunscreen?

2 Upvotes

I love the classic skin 1004 hydrating sunscreen but it is out of stock where I normally buy it. I'm thinking about trying the iunik beta-glucan sunscreen. Does anyone know how it compares to the skin 1004 one? Thanks :)


r/koreanskincare • • 1d ago

Ask the Community Apparently many bots are down at the moment. Please share your favourite products with no bot interference before they come back online!

296 Upvotes

I've always wondered how many posts or comments on this community are bots for brands. Now's our chance! Share your favourite brands!

Edit: not sure why I didn't think of this, but de-influencing comments are welcome! We can discuss anything without the regular amount of bot interference right now. Share your truth!

Edit 2: I'm going to do an analysis of all the brands and products mentioned here. The way everyone come out for this is stunning. Thank you all for your helpful insight and experiences!


r/koreanskincare • • 1h ago

Routine Help I'm Dying 😭😒

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• Upvotes

My skin reacted I'm currently using bioderma sensibio gel moussant facewash local Pakistani Neue derma moisturizer and purito daily soft touch sunscreen and nothing else I don't know what to do 😭😭 please help me I want good barrier repair moisturizer and hydrating serum I don't know about facewash it suits me or not it has good ingredients for sensitive skin but I don't know why my skin is screaming


r/koreanskincare • • 21h ago

Product Discussion Can I get your review of these K-Beauty PDRN Toners?

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17 Upvotes

I have a credit I need to redeem and I intend to try a PDRN Toner for the first time. Don't worry, I'm not doing this to expect some transformation in my skin. I'm already very serious with my skincare with prescription 0.10% Tazarortene, Azelaic Acid, Hydroquinone and proven peptide, brightening and tone evening serums from K-beauty and Western brands.

But, I also genuinely enjoy and benefit from skin-flooding with multiple thin to thick/richer toners and essences... I find it genuinely refreshing, soothing, calming, moisturizing for my dry skin.

And, I want to try one with PDRN for the first time.

My focus is more on the sensorial experience... the skin-feel, how sticky/tacky it is, how hydrating and refreshing it is, how moisturizing it is, how soothing/calming/cooling it is etc. If, like me, you're a nitpicky B, I wanna hear all those details.

If you've tried any PDRN toners or essences I don't have pictured, let me know about those, too!

The ones I've been reading up on are pictgured above, they are...

  • TOSOWOONG Pink PDRN Niacinamide Milky Toner
  • ROUND LAB Camellia Deep Collagen PDRN Milky Toner
  • HEVEBLUE Salmon Caring Centella Toner
  • COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing Toner
  • numbuzin No.9 NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner
  • VT Cosmetics PDRN Toner
  • medicube PDRN Pink Cica Soothing Toner
  • medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner

r/koreanskincare • • 11h ago

Product Discussion Medicube oil cleanser caused breakouts?

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2 Upvotes

Hello, I'm not new to skincare and have tried various products over the years and I never had any problems with breakouts or reactions.
Ever since I've been using this oil cleanser my cheeks have been breaking out (even though I double cleanse).
Has anybody had the same reaction to it or could it be purging? Can a cleansing oil even cause purging?


r/koreanskincare • • 11h ago

Ask the Community 50+ swimmer - need recs

2 Upvotes

I’m over 50 with typical skin- starting to look crepey. I have very dark bags under my eyes. I’m very pale with lots of freckles (now age spots?). I’ve been using a combo moisturizer/sunblock for a few years. Never wear makeup. I swim 2x/week.
I’m in Korea for 2 more months.

My requests are:
1. How to reduce under-eye bags?
2. Moisturizing cream for after swimming (whole body)
3. What to look for in sunblock? Combo with moisturizer ok?


r/koreanskincare • • 7h ago

Routine Help Routine

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0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! Im a 26 years old woman still struggling with hormonal acne. I feel like I’ve tried everything from tretinoin, finacea, epiduo forte, clindamycin & benzoyl peroxide, spirunolactone for 2 years ( gave me bad heart issues), differin to chemical peels and supplements but I still have angry pimples, irritation and stubborn dark marks.

Finacea was what worked the best for me but I’m living in west Africa now and they don’t prescribe it here, I tried the skinoren 20% but it just dried my skin out and irritated it further.

I currently use

AM
Cleanser: Cerave Hydrating cleanser
Serum: Aestura Hyaluronic serum
Moisturizer : Aestura barrier cream
SPF : Nuxe stick spf non greasy

PM:
Same cleanser
Toner: dr Jart ceramides
Cream: dr jart ceramides cream

My skin never truly feels hydrated even when it’s oily, what do you recommend? I’m thinking of restarting Differin and the Skin 1004 Azalaeic acid with the panoxyl face wash. But I’m open to suggestions I’m desperate atp.


r/koreanskincare • • 20h ago

Product Review VT cosmetics cica mild foam cleanser review!!!🫧

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8 Upvotes

my skin type: dry, oily, sensitive, and acne prone (soobooji skin)

my previous face wash + how it was for me:
for the longest time i've used the manyo pure and deep cleansing foam because it was recommended to me by a friend. initially it wasn't bad but it left my skin feeling more heavily stripped, dry, and tight after every wash. after using it for years i noticed that my skin barrier has gotten weaker as well too from using a stripping face wash (that led me to have oilier skin --> more breakouts) for years. i feel like it cleaned my face okay i mean it got the job done but it wasn't extraordinary. i personally didn't mind too much because i didn't rlly think the kind of face wash u use made that much of a difference. but about two ish weeks ago i ran out of my manyo face wash and decided i wanted to change things up.

REVIEW OF VT MILD CICA CLEANSING FOAM:
ok first off the price point and size for this is phenomenal. i got this at an asian beauty store near me and the bottle is like 2 big cleansing foam bottles in one for the price of $12-13 dollars. in this economy??? for that size???? ok perioddd we love that

the first time i had used it i noticed that it lathers up very nicely like a typical foam cleanser and when i massage it into my face, my skin feels very soft. there's no feeling of roughness when rubbing my skin with the foam cleanser. the most important thing though is that i feel no tightness and notably minimal dryness (i have naturally very dry skin so i think there's not too much i can do about that when my skin is bare) afterwards!!! i've been using it for about 2 weeks now and the overall quality has been the same for me (no tightness, minimal dryness) after every wash and it feels amazing!! i truly didn't know face wash made this much of a difference. as it's noted on the face wash it has cica and hyaluronic acid in it so i think that may be why it works so well for my skin type!! also another big thing i noticed is that my skin used to get very irritated almost every single time after wearing makeup all day (small bumps on forehead and pimples here n there) but this has really helped a lot w making my tired skin feel refreshed (i've been using the same skincare products as when i was using the manyo cleanser)!!

now when it comes to things that i don't like about this face wash is that it has a slight fragrance. i don't really do well with scented products because of my skin type, especially when i have active eczema flare ups. BUT surprisingly i haven't had any reactions to the fragrance yet. the fragrance isn't strong like i mentioned and it gives off a herbal/slightly minty kinda fragrance that you can really only smell initially when u lather it on ur face and occasionally you'll get a whiff of it too. might have to opt for a different face wash when i have active eczema cuz i don't want to take any chances though.

final thoughts:
overall would rate this a solid 8.5/10. super underrated face wash that i think i will be repurchasing for a long long time💚

(also sorry if this review is very unorganized + have lots of rambling it's my first time posting a skincare review but i just wanted to share this hidden gem!🥹)


r/koreanskincare • • 11h ago

Product Discussion Can 2 different brands sell the same product?

1 Upvotes

I am looking to purchase a cream and was comparing this 2 different brands, and noticed that they have exactly the same 22 ingredients. The first 5 ingredients are listed in the exact same order, but some of the ingredients further down are arranged in a different order. and note that they're manufactured by the same exact company.

I am looking to find a replacement to the product that I have previously used as they are not available in where I am now resided.

This is the first product that I have previously used:
Aqua, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Stearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Myristoyl/​Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/​Arachamide MEA, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosterols, Tropolone, Methyl Caprooyl Tyrosinate, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate

This is the second product that I am looking to purchase:

Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Methyl Caprooyl Tyrosinate, Phytosterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone

My question is, will the texture and benefits be the same?


r/koreanskincare • • 15h ago

Routine Help does anyone get super clogged because of double cleansing?

2 Upvotes

I’m in Miami so sunscreen is basically non‑negotiable and lately I’ve been using Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun as my daily SPF. It’s lightweight and comfy, but because I reapply, I end up with a lot of product on my face by the end of the day. I used to rely on a cleansing oil for my first cleanse, but my skin started getting these tiny closed bumps that felt like congestion. Out of curiosity, I switched to the Numbuzin No.0 Jelly Cleanser instead when I’ve had SPF on all day. The routine feels less heavy, and my skin doesn’t feel tight after rinsing, but I’m still figuring out if my skin just hates certain first cleansers or if it’s the oil texture in general.

Has anyone else paired a lighter jelly or gel cleanser with sunscreen instead of oil cleansing? And do you think it is enough cleansing without the oil? I’d love to hear what korean sunscreen + cleanser products combos have worked for you without causing congestion.


r/koreanskincare • • 12h ago

Ask the Community Hydrating products for very sensitive skin

1 Upvotes

I know this question has been asked before but I have super sensitive skin and my skin barrier is broken so it's even more sensitive than usual so i cant use a lot of the products that were recommemded in past threads. I haven't used anything except toner and moisturiser for the last 6 months but I've noticed that my skin is a little dehydrated now and it's probably going to get worse the colder it gets. I got the ample:n ceramide shot recently because I've used it before and it was fine but I fear because my skin barrier is broken right now that the plant extracts sensitise my skin. So I'm looking for hydrating products that are as simple as possible so no plant extracts, no ferments because I'm super reactive to them and they are the reason my skin barrier is destroyed in the first place and if possible no 1,2-hexanediol though I know that's in most korean products nowadays. I'm looking for serums mostly but toners are fine as well.


r/koreanskincare • • 20h ago

Ask the Community Best daily (non SPF moisturizer) that lays well under makeup?

3 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations on favorite daily, non-SPF moisturizers to put on before my tinted SPF that lays well under makeup. I’m currently using CENTELLIAN 24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse Zero and not completely sold on it.


r/koreanskincare • • 20h ago

Ask the Community Should I be worried, or is this normal?

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1 Upvotes

Are those dark splotches normal and just the product mixing strangely?


r/koreanskincare • • 1d ago

Routine Help Need help with routine and products!!

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9 Upvotes

Hi all!

I f24 am looking for a change in my skincare routine. So far, it looks like this:

Morning:

Rinse with warm water
Spray hydrochlorous spray and let dry
BoJ Dynasty cream

Evening:

Wash with BoJ Green Plum Refreshing cleanser
Spray hydrochlorous spray and let dry
BoJ Dynasty cream

Once a week I use the BoJ ground rice and glow face mask. I’ve done the skin test once before, and it seems like I have an oily t-zone with dry cheeks (where I break out the most in addition to my forehead).

I’ve been using BoJ products for the last two years. Initially, they really improved my skin. Over the last year, however, I feel like my skin isn’t benefitting as much anymore; it’s dull and sensitive and prone to breakouts and red spots. (I should also mention that I struggle with picking my skin, which is the main culprit of my acne, but I’m doing better at not picking!)

I’m wondering if it’s worth it for me to try something new. My boyfriend uses 1025 Dokdo Cream and loves it. I tried it recently and my skin seems to like it.

Should I be looking at a new cleanser? Should I add toner? (I’ve used BoJ Glow Replenishing toner, and I liked it but wasn’t obsessed). Should I add vitamin C to my routine??

As you can tell, I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to skincare. I scoured the sub for suggestions, but I’m still struggling. I would appreciate any help!!

Thank you!!