K-Budol: The Best Skincare Products from South Korea to Get as Pasalubong

One of the best reasons to book a trip to South Korea is to visit the world’s skincare paradise. Korea boasts of being the home for top skincare brands that’s taking the world by storm, and you simply can’t go home without a mini haul. So, if you’re looking to build a skincare shopping list (for yourself or for your loved ones), here are the best skincare products from South Korea for that #ClearSkin2024 goal:

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen

If you’ve been on the hunt for the ultimate sunscreen, you might want to give Round Lab a try, if you haven’t yet. This is the brand that’s out to get Beauty of Joseon and CosRx. The Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen protects from harmful UV rays with its SPF50+, PA++++ while the birch tree sap and amino acids replenishes and hydrates skin. It’s easy to blend and it doesn’t leave a white cast either, making it the top sunscreen choice for Koreans.

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

A quick search on social media and you’ll encounter hundreds of folks raving about this toner that’s currently one of the best in Korea. The Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is packed with heartleaf extract that works to soothe and relieve skin. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also work to keep dirt at bay and help prevent acne. So go ahead and gift your friend (or yourself) one of these precious bottles.

Torriden – DIVE-IN Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Skincare junkies will know that adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine is a must. That’s why bottles of this Torriden serum is flying off shelves in South Korea. Each bottle is packed with 5D-Complex Hyaluronic Acid that locks in moisture plus a multitude of other skintastic ingredients formulated to sooth irritation. And if you’re wondering what makes the serum blue, it’s naturally derived from malachite extract, an antioxidant mineral.

Madecassoside Mediheal Blemish Pad

Mediheal is another South Korean skincare brand that deserves a spot on your shelf. They’re known for soothing face masks but their line of toner pads is also one of the best in the market. If you’re looking for skincare to help reduce the appearance of blemishes, dark spots, and uneven skin, the Madecassoside Blemish Pads are for you. It comes in a small, blue-green tub with essence-soaked square pads. You can put one pad per cheek and forehead or — if you’re a little stingy — cut the pad in half and put it on each cheek instead. Mediheal also has a number of other toner pad variants in colorful tubs that target other skin concerns.

ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

There’s a reason ma:nyo is South Korea’s best-selling oil cleanser — it’s gentle yet powerful so it works off the dirt embedded in your skin after a long day. This cleansing oil can even melt away blackheads, whiteheads, and other impurities without clogging pores. The ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil contains rice ferment filtrate to balance the skin’s oil and water levels so it’s suitable for all skin types. Follow it up with your favorite cleanser and you’re good to go!

Abib Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask

South Korea has an abundance of sheet masks — you’d go crazy with the options. Aside from the OG holy grails like Mediheal and Dr. Jart+, Abib is also rising in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing sheet masks come in different types, all helping to restore the skin’s pH balance. These are: Heartleaf Fit (clears and brightens), Aqua Fit (hydrates and moisturizes), Honey Fit (nourishes), Yuja Fit (revitalizes), and Jericho Rose Fit (deep moisturization). You’ll probably come out of the store with a box of these but don’t feel guilty about it!

Isntree Onion Newpair Gel Cream

Got blemishes you want healed ASAP? Isntree’s Onion Newpair Gel Cream is magic in a tube. It’s a spot cream that’s enriched with 71% red onion extract. ICYDK, onions are not only great in the kitchen, but they’re also used as a skincare ingredient to help fade scars and reduce acne. This cream is also infused with heartleaf extract, Vitamin C, and three types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and brighten skin.

Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Hydrogel Eye Patch

Aside from its popular cleansing balm, Heimish is also known for their beautiful eye patches that work to help moisturize and brighten your under eyes. Each Bulgarian Rose Water tub has 60 pink patches that look good enough to eat. You can either place it on your under eyes to help improve wrinkles and brighten them or dissolve the whole patch in water and use it as an essence.

What’s your current favorite South Korea skincare? Share it with us in the comments!

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