The ultimate guide to the iconic formulas to care for your complexion and achieve “glass skin”
Ready to become a K-beauty convert? Korean skincare products are globally celebrated for innovative formulas that prioritise long-term skin health, focusing on deep hydration, improving skin barrier health, and achieving the much-coveted radiant “glass skin." Read on for how to upgrade your skincare routine.
Key ingredients in Korean skincare
Instead of active ingredients - which can be harsh on the complexion - many K-beauty products use gentle, traditional ingredients such as ginseng, rice and green tea to restore skin’s balance and natural radiance. Korean brand-to-know Beauty of Joseon blends traditional herbal wisdom with modern science, while medicube has pioneered 2026’s hero ingredient PDRN (salmon collagen) in its pink peptide serum as a powerfully regenerative alternative to retinol.
Best overall: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice SPF 50+
A nourishing and lightweight organic rice-based sunscreen that feels like water on the skin. As well as providing high protection against UVA and UVB rays, it brightens and strengthens skin thanks to nutrient-rich grain probiotics which work to balance the skin microbiome.
Best for dry skin: Anua Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Heartleaf, a plant native to Southeast Asia, has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Combined with ceramides and panthenol, this cream has a luxuriously thick texture that helps transform skin from dry and irritable to healthy and glowing.
Best for oily skin: medicube Zero Pore Pads
A fan favourite solution for clogged pores and blackheads, Zero Pore Pads are double-sided; one is embossed and contains exfoliating acids BH and AHA to remove dead skin cells, the smooth side boosts hydration and soothes inflammation.
Best for combo skin Dr.Jart+ Dermask™ Face Mask
Sheet face masks are massive in Korea, and Dr.Jart+’s is saturated with potent ingredients hyaluronic acid and pentavitin to deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it gives skin an impressively smooth, glowing base.
Best for redness: Erborian CC Red Correct
Neutralise redness with this cult colour corrector that contains green encapsulated pigments and soothing Korean centella asiatica. The result? A more even skin tone and a natural, radiant finish, with the bonus of SPF 30.
Best for brightening: Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep
Formulated with 68.8% vitamin-rich rice bran water, plus arbutin to boost radiance, fade pigmentation and suppress melanin production to prevent new dark spots from forming. This wonder-serum leaves skin hydrated and brightened.
Best for mature skin: medicube Collagen Night Mask
Leave this collagen-based mask on overnight to allow the potent formula to soak into the skin. Hyaluronic acid prevents moisture loss and reinforces the skin barrier, niacinamide brightens, and collagen extract works to reduce the appearance of sagging and fine lines.
Best for lips: LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask
Available in flavours including matcha, gummy bear and the bestselling berry, this lip mask delivers a burst of hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidant protection and shea butter to soften and condition. Best applied before bed to wake up to soft, luscious lips.
How to get “glass skin”
"Glass skin" is a Korean beauty skincare term that refers to a complexion that is so smooth, clear, and hydrated that it reflects light almost like a piece of glass. Rather than covering up flaws with heavy cosmetics, the “glass skin” philosophy focuses on nurturing and repairing skin health by cleansing, toning, and moisturising with gentle yet effective Korean products to achieve a radiant and natural-looking glow.
