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Makeup 101: The only brushes you need in your routine
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Ah, ‘glass skin’. That elusive, dewy look that the female lead in your favourite K-drama seems to have in every scene. No wonder the heir to a frighteningly powerful business conglomerate falls in love with her by Episode 1. The plot might be a stretch, but a luminous, healthy-looking complexion doesn’t have to be. Factors such as skin type, genetics and environment certainly play a role in skin health, as do regular sleep, a nourishing diet and managing stress levels. The right skincare can help, too. And when it comes to achieving that coveted glass-like glow, hydration is key.
That focus on hydration is at the heart of many South Korean skincare routines. Think 10-act, or even 21-act, plays that open with double-cleansing and close with a generous layer of night cream. Somewhere in the middle, you’ll often find serums and ampoules: K-beauty staples that deliver concentrated ingredients and can help address concerns such as acne, dullness, fine lines and dark spots. Serums tend to be thicker and more viscous than essences, while ampoules offer highly concentrated treatments in smaller doses. Explore our selection of both to help you get closer to a smoother, more radiant, glass-like complexion.
Even if your FYP isn't brimming with beauty reels, chances are you’ve heard of hyaluronic acid. The hydration hero takes centre stage in this lightweight serum from Innisfree, alongside green tea, an antioxidant-rich ingredient known for its soothing properties. The result is a refreshing dose of hydration that helps leave skin looking plump, calm and healthy.
This hydrating pick is a cult-favourite serum for combination skin. It delivers intense moisture through multiple types of hyaluronic acid, while remaining weightless enough to balance oily areas. The blue tansy, ceramides, centella asiatica and panthenol work together to calm inflammation, making it an excellent antidote for combination skin that tends to be overly sensitive. Its gel-like texture absorbs quickly, leaving skin plump and balanced, not sticky or tacky.
This is the kind of serum you try when you’re curious about hydration but want to experience it on your own terms. The texture is light and fluid, sinking in quickly and letting the rest of your routine stay exactly as it is. Over time, you start noticing how your skin feels calmer, more comfortable and quietly balanced. For an explorer, it’s less about chasing results and more about understanding how a well-made, uncomplicated formula fits into daily life.
This serum focuses on low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which allows hydration to go beyond the surface layer of the skin. The result is hydration that lasts, rather than fading soon after application.
The formula is kept simple—fragrance-free, alcohol-free and non-comedogenic—making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. The texture is watery and absorbs almost immediately, making it easy to layer. It’s a reliable option for consistent, everyday hydration.
If hydration without the heaviness is what you’re after, Torriden’s Dive In Serum makes a strong case for itself. The lightweight, water-based formula features hyaluronic acid alongside allantoin, betaine and panthenol to hydrate and soothe the skin. It absorbs without leaving behind a sticky finish and helps support the skin barrier, making it an easy addition to just about any routine. The bottom line? Skin that looks fresh, hydrated and glowing.
Milky by name and texture, TIRTIR’s Ceramic Milk Ampoule combines milk protein extract with nourishing avocado and coconut extracts. Its creamy formula glides easily over the skin, helping balance oil and moisture while leaving it feeling soft and plump. Better still, it delivers all that nourishment without a sticky finish, so it sits comfortably under makeup too.
This formula keeps things minimal, with glacier water as the base and hyaluronic acid providing straightforward hydration. The texture is very light and absorbs quickly, leaving no residue.
It can be used as a hydrating toner step or as a serum, depending on your routine. The larger size also makes it easier to use generously, which is often necessary for proper hydration.
In the quest for ‘glass skin’, beauty creators have turned their attention to South Korean brand Mixsoon and its ingredient-focused formulas. This hyaluronic acid serum has a lightweight texture that absorbs easily and helps replenish and lock in moisture, leaving skin looking fresh and hydrated. After cleansing, simply apply a few drops and gently massage or pat the serum into your skin before moving on to the rest of your routine.
SKIN1004 goes beyond South Korea for one of its star ingredients, sourcing Centella Asiatica from Madagascar. Here, it’s paired with hydrating ingredients in the brand’s Hyalu-Cica formula to help soothe and replenish the skin, while ivy leaf extract helps revive the look of dullness. Apply a few drops after cleansing and gently pat them in for a lightweight layer of hydration.
Dry, dull skin could use a little extra nourishment, and Nacific’s UYU Cream Ampoule is designed to deliver just that. The creamy formula brings together niacinamide, a ceramide complex and Jeju milk extract to hydrate, support the skin barrier and boost radiance. Despite its nourishing texture, it absorbs easily without feeling overly heavy, leaving skin soft, bouncy and comfortably moisturised.
Sulwhasoo has earned a devoted following for formulas that bring traditional Korean ingredients into modern skincare, and its First Care Activating Serum is one of the brand’s best-known offerings. The formula features ginseng alongside ingredients that help support hydration and radiance, making it particularly appealing when skin is looking tired or lacklustre. Use it as the first serum step in your routine to prep skin for the products that follow.
Laneige knows its way around hydration, and the Water Bank Aqua Facial puts it front and centre. The formula combines hyaluronic acid with PGA, PDRN and hyaluronic ceramide to help replenish moisture and leave skin looking plumper and more supple. It also features the brand’s Aqua Glass Booster™, making this one to reach for when your goal is that fresh, glossy, well-hydrated finish.
You may know Biodance from the face masks that have taken over social media, but its glass-skin credentials don’t stop there. The Hydro Cera-nol Ampoule combines multiple forms of ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a formula designed to flood skin with hydration while supporting its moisture barrier. The soothing, moisture-focused formula makes it an especially appealing pick when skin feels dry, tight or in need of some extra TLC.
