When your skin wanted deep hydration, this is what you went for. We saw this Round Lab ampoule make its way to the vanities of the most clued-in skincare enthusiasts we know. And ICYMI, the birch sap-infused pick sinks in fast, delivering long-lasting moisture without any heaviness. It layers easily, calms dryness and leaves skin soft, supple and balanced.

Once you’ve tried Snail Mucin, this is a great follow-up. It’s a watery serum packed with peptides (six of them), plus niacinamide and adenosine to help brighten, smooth, and support elasticity. It sinks in fast and layers easily under other products—think of it as a skin prep step that quietly makes everything else work a little better.

Not your average serum, not quite a toner—this one sits somewhere beautifully in between. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it’s designed to be the first step after cleansing, helping the rest of your skincare work harder. With six types of peptides, it’s all about boosting elasticity, smoothing texture and giving dull skin a bit more bounce. Think of it as your routine’s warm-up act, but with main-character energy.

This peptide serum works behind the scenes to smooth out little bumps, reduce the appearance of texture and make everything that goes on top blend better—but you already know that. Our favourite part is that you can think of this as a pre-game for another serum you own. Use it under anything—vitamin C, snail mucin, moisturiser. The lightweight formula sinks in instantly, delivering peptides that help boost overall radiance.

It’s that bedside staple that refused to be replaced this year, no matter how many overnight lip masks came to be. It helps you tackle the 2AM chapping in one swipe, as the buttery texture softens flaky patches by coating your lips in a glossy cushion. It’s known to restore moisture by morning, leaving your lips noticeably smoother. It earned its keep simply by always doing the job.

The skin’s natural collagen reserves decline as we age—but you knew that already. What you may not know is that there is a handy way of giving your skin’s collagen production a helpful nudge in the right direction. This Biodance formula is packed with collagen, probiotics and hyaluronic acid. The hydrogel Korean face mask is designed to gradually turn transparent to signal optimal absorption of the active ingredients. A face mask that delivers real good results? Sign us up.

This viral mask launched in India this year and quickly became the one we save for dull days, long flights or those “my skin looks tired” moments. It fits like second skin and infuses collagen deep into the layers of your skin. The serum mask hugs the face and leaves everything looking plumper and more rested after 20 minutes.

Gel moisturisers come and go, but this one stayed popular for its cool, weightless finish. The texture melts instantly, delivering all-day hydration without stickiness—which is probably why it stayed relevant through heatwaves, humidity and erratic weather. It’s the moisturiser you reach for when you need something that behaves. If your skin hates heavy creams but loves moisture, this is the sweet spot.

This sunscreen blends in so seamlessly it stops feeling like sunscreen at all. Lightweight and comfortable even in the heat, it quickly became the one SPF that you actually reapplied through the day. But if you haven’t tried it yet, its rice extract and probiotics help the skin feel calmer and more nourished—and you won’t realise before the reapplication chore becomes a habit.

Dr. Jart+ has packed SPF 30 into a sleek little stick that feels more like a primer than sun cream. It glides on in seconds, leaves no greasy film or chalky cast and gives skin that smooth, blurred look we usually only get from make-up. The best part? You can swipe it on without a mirror—in the back of a cab, at your desk, even over make-up—and it always feels fresh. It’s the kind of product you’ll want to keep reapplying.

The sensitive-skin squad, in need of a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t make the skin react, made this Dr Jart essential their go-to. It settles into a soft, velvety finish and adds a touch of evenness without feeling chalky. A year of unpredictable weather and sensitised skin made this a comforting daily layer many kept returning to.

Pores can collect more than their fair share of dirt, sweat and oil, and this clay mask clears everything out in one go. It lifts away build up without stripping the skin and leaves it feeling smoother and noticeably fresher. Used once or twice a week, it keeps congestion in check and helps maintain that clean, just washed look for longer. Easy, effective and low effort — the ideal kind of weekly reset.

This one is a long-time favourite that resurfaced on many reset routines. It’s a weekly pore-care mask that unclogs pores without the post-clay tightness. As its volcanic clusters gently exfoliate, it handles humidity, sweat and long makeup days gracefully, keeping the skin clearer and smoother.

K-beauty enthusiasts and makeup minimalists agree—this cushion is a glow-up in a compact. Lightweight yet surprisingly full coverage, it covers the skin with a dewy, skin-like finish that doesn’t budge. Plus, the packaging is so cute it might make it to your beauty mood boards.

This viral Korean pick earned its cult moment by delivering high coverage without the heaviness. It smooths, blurs and brightens—all in one step, giving your skin a hydrated finish that K-beauty bases are known for.

This moisturiser is perfect for locking in all the hydration your skin needs. The rice and ceramide formula is nourishing without feeling heavy, making it ideal for everyday use. It's the type of product you’ll find yourself restocking as it delivers great results without any fuss.

This Korean staple blends rice water—known for its brightening and softening properties—with ceramides that strengthen the skin’s barrier and lock in hydration. The texture is silky without being slippery; and layers effortlessly under SPF or makeup without pilling or causing greasiness. A go-to when you want hydration that wears weightlessly and lingers, it’s especially handy in transitional weather, when your skin wants nourishment but not the weight of a thick cream.

Think of this as comfort food for your face. With a mix of rice extracts, rice bran oil and ceramides, this cream delivers a dose of deep nourishing moisture without feeling too heavy. It sinks in quickly, plumps up tired skin and leaves it looking fresh and healthy—basically the glow you get after a good night’s sleep. Bonus: it’s gentle enough for everyday use and doesn’t come with a side of irritation.

Soft, simple and effective, this moisturiser by The Face Shop helped many of you improve your skin barrier health this year. As its rice extract brightened gently, the ceramides cushioned your skin without making it feel greasy. The formulation has a silky texture that layers well and suits minimal routines where you don’t want too many competing actives.

Rom&nd practically built its name on juicy lips and this tint explains why. It’s glossy but never sticky, hydrating but long-wearing. The crystal-clear shine gives lips a plump, glass-like finish that instantly smoothes lines. Packed with fruit oils and hyaluronic acid, it keeps lips hydrated from brunch to after-hours. Bonus: the colour payoff is high and fade-resistant for up to 12 hours. Whether you want a fresh, fruit-inspired tint or a lacquered effect, this one delivers everything you love about juicy lips—and then some.

Only a few lip products could hold their place like this one. The juicy sheen, comfortable formula and easy colour made it the everyday tint you kept in your bags, cars and jacket pockets. The pigment settles into the lips naturally, leaving behind a stain that lasts long after the gloss fades. It’s the product you just always keep on hand.

A K-beauty tint with a lightweight, watery formula, this one melts into the lips. It gives a fresh flush that brightens the face with almost no weight. The colour settles in instantly and stays put, making it a dependable no-makeup makeup pick all year. It’s the kind of product you apply on the go—and it always looks good, even without a mirror. A classic that held its own amidst newer launches.

This glow cream by Axis-Y is part brightening treatment, part moisturiser—and you got the memo this year. It’s a gentle, niacinamide-powered formula gradually evens out skin tone without irritation, while also hydrating and adding a subtle glow. It became a favourite for those who wanted steady results rather than overnight changes.

This glow-giving essence does more than just hydrate—it smooths, softens and subtly exfoliates for skin that looks instantly more radiant. The fermented formula feels cushiony on application and layers beautifully under makeup or skincare. Think of it as your skin’s reset button when dullness kicks in. The texture is somewhere between a serum and toner, which makes it ideal for layering. Use it consistently and you’ll notice your skin feels bouncier, brighter and just a little more refined.

Think of the Mixsoon Bean Essence as a powerful step to make every other product in your routine perform more effectively. The formulation stayed in the spotlight this year, for its ability to refine texture while hydrating deeply. The slightly viscous formula offers clearer, smoother skin over time.