Sometimes, the best place you can go to for beauty recommendations is social media. In the past few years, Instagram (and other platforms like TikTok and Reddit) have emerged as popular playgrounds for the beauty community to share reviews, seek advice and interact with fellow beauty enthusiasts. This has resulted in many products going viral in a totally unsponsored, organic manner—whether it’s due to their novel, whimsical texture (remember jelly tint blushes?); a unique, on-trend finish; or just a plain-old, hard-hitting formula that delivers visible results.
Among these, many K-beauty finds have fast gained cult status, becoming a staple on many beauty shelves across the globe. If you’re not the one to scroll through endless comments or legitimate review videos before you finalise your next beauty buy, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve rounded up every K-beauty pick that has dominated our FYPs, impressed influencers and gained a solid vote of approval from ardent beauty junkies.
Pair your toner with this soothing ampoule that is packed with one of the world’s finest centella. This moisture-locking ingredient works on sensitive or reactive skin, making for a must-have in your skincare routine if you’re facing acne. Every drop delivers a hydration boost, ensuring that your skin stays cool and calm all summer long.
This sunscreen redefines sun protection with its lightweight, non-greasy formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. Enriched with rice extract and probiotics, it hydrates, nourishes, and brightens, making it more than just a sunscreen. With no white cast, it’s ideal for all skin tones and a dream under makeup.
Pro tip: Use a two-finger length for optimal coverage and reapply every two hours for maximum protection when outdoors.
Korean sunscreens have long had the game figured out: lightweight textures, skin-loving ingredients and absolutely zero white cast. Beauty of Joseon’s cult-favourite sunscreen checks every single box—and then some. If you’ve been on Instagram anytime recently, chances are you’ve seen your favourite skinfluencer casually slathering it on mid-routine. It’s become a go-to for a reason: packed with niacinamide, it keeps sebum and moisture levels in check, so you’re never greasy, just glowy. It’s also infused with rice bran and a fermented grain complex that gives it that creamy, hydrating feel without weighing you down. Pro tip: apply at least 15 minutes before heading out the door to let it do its thing.
Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen isn’t just about protection—it hydrates, too. Packed with rice and probiotics, it helps nourish your skin while keeping it safe from the UV rays. It’s a smooth, lightweight formula that will quickly become your everyday go-to. So restock in bulk to keep your skin covered all year round.
Sun protection is recommended from the age of six months onwards—so you really have no excuse for skipping SPF in your getting-ready routine in the AM. Clinical studies have proven that consistent usage of sunscreen can slow down signs of ageing and the easiest way to hop on the train is with a lightweight, non-greasy formula like this probiotic-enhanced cream by Beauty of Joseon.
This one is Pinterest’s number one skincare obsession for a reason. The COSRX essence is packed with 96% snail mucin to repair and hydrate your skin. If your barrier is stressed or your glow is MIA, this will be your low-effort, high-reward beauty buy. Everyone who tries it ends up on the snail train.
With new sunscreen formats hitting the skincare aisle every single day, you might find your allegiance to traditional lotions slipping. This sunscreen stick by Thank You Farmer is not about to make things any easier. Beyond delivering a non-sticky formula and quick absorption, the stick makes for a compact and fuss-free option for quick touchups on blistering days.
Sun protection is a year-round essential and this sunstick makes it so easy to reapply on the go. Not only does it provide broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection, but also calms and soothes the skin with its gentle formula. It’s your best friend for sunny days and it fits easily into your bag for touchups.
Sunscreen reapplication? Not a chore anymore. This silky, portable sun stick glides on without messing up makeup and gives high SPF protection without any greasiness. Great for sensitive skin, too. Keep it in your work tote and pack it for your summer vacay.