Korean Skincare Explained: Everything You Need to Know About K-Beauty Trends, Products, and Routines

Korean beauty, or more commonly known by its abbreviation K-Beauty, refers to the skincare and beauty trends, products, and philosophy from South Korea. Its philosophy is proactively fighting aging with multi-layering techniques to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. The beauty trend has been in the US for over twenty years, but it’s been garnering a lot of attention lately on social media. With 8 million #kbeauty posts on Instagram, creators are crediting their flawless “glass skin” to K-Beauty and its advanced formulations. With somewhat unbelievable before and afters, we started to wonder… is Korean skincare actually living in 2050, like they all say? To get to the bottom line, we reached out to the experts. If you’ve ever wondered what makes K-Beauty so special and if it’s actually worth adding to your skincare routine, read on.

HOW IS K-BEAUTY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SKINCARE?

Unlike Western skincare, which often focuses on correcting visible concerns with more aggressive actives, board-certified dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD, FAAD, says K-Beauty takes a gentle, layered, and long-term approach to maintaining healthy skin that emphasizes consistency, self-care, and building resilience through nourishment and balance rather than harsh treatments; it’s rooted in prevention, hydration, and skin barrier health.

K-Beauty’s products also tend to be a bit more innovative and unique. Dr. Liu describes the formulations as “nature meets science” with ingredients like snail mucin, ginseng, centella asiatica, fermented extracts, and rice water. She says that these ingredients are often chosen for their ability to soothe, brighten, hydrate, and protect the skin.

Another big difference is that Korean formulations tend to avoid heavy fragrances and irritating preservatives. Dr. Liu says that this makes them ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

WHAT DOES THE K-BEAUTY REGIMEN ENTAIL?

Korean sheet masks overwhelmingly get the most attention on TikTok and Instagram. Still, they’re just one component of K-Beauty and its 10-step skincare routine, which includes an oil cleanser, water-based cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, serum/ampoule, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. The idea is to do the routine twice a day—once in the morning, and once at night (with the exception of the sunscreen)—but the experts say you can tailor it to your skin’s (and schedule’s) needs.

Dr. Liu says to think of the 10 steps as a menu and use whatever serves your skin that day. But, if you’re short on time, she says the double cleanse (oil and water-based cleanser) and hydrating toner or essence are the most essential steps, combined with a moisturizer and SPF in the morning and a nourishing cream at night.

The double cleanse is one of the more unique aspects of the routine, which includes both a water-based and oil-based cleanser. The oil cleanser draws out oil-based debris from makeup, sunscreen, and sebum while the second cleanser focuses on water-based impurities, like sweat and dirt. The double-step approach helps prevent clogged pores and breakouts, ultimately making the skin clearer and more radiant.

“The K-beauty double cleanse method is especially beneficial for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types because it thoroughly removes oil-based impurities like sebum and sunscreen without stripping the skin—though it’s also a game-changer for dry or sensitive skin when using gentle, hydrating formulas,” explains AEDIT Founder and board ceritfied facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. William Kennedy, adding that “anyone who wears makeup or daily SPF can benefit from this two-step approach.”

BOTTOM LINE: IS K-BEAUTY REALLY THAT GREAT?

K-Beauty is hyped up… and for good reason. It has a skin barrier-forward philosophy that Nadine Kaskas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, says zeroes in on hydration and focuses more on a holistic skin maintenance regimen rather than targeting particular concerns. And, better yet, Dr. Kaskas says that meticulous adherence to a K-beauty regimen really can make wrinkles less obvious since dryness can accentuate skin texture.

“K-beauty is fantastic for improving skin texture, hydration, and glow, which can help soften the appearance of fine lines and create a more youthful look—but it’s important to understand that it’s not erasing wrinkles, just masking them temporarily,” says Dr. Kennedy. “If you have deep-set wrinkles or skin laxity, even the most advanced serums can only do so much. That’s where professional treatments like Botox, lasers, or skin tightening procedures come in to address structural aging more effectively.”

WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS FAVORITE K-BEAUTY 10-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE PRODUCTS? (BY SKIN TYPE)

SENSITIVE SKIN

• Oil Cleanser (Evening Only) Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, $39 Why: Gentle, non-stripping formula that includes nourishing oils to protect and calm the skin barrier while effectively removing makeup and impurities.

• Water-Based Cleanser Etude House SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser, $18.50 Why: Low pH, free from fragrances, alcohols, and other irritants. Formulated with panthenol and madecassoside to calm and protect.

• Exfoliator (1–2x/week) Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel, $24.95 Why: Uses gentle cellulose instead of harsh physical or chemical exfoliants. Brightens and removes dead skin without irritation.

• Toner Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner, $15.99 Why:Alcohol-free, fragrance-free. Balances pH and hydrates with amino acids and hyaluronic acid.

• Essence Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $25.00 Why: Snail mucin is healing and barrier-repairing. Very well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

• Serum/Ampoule Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol, $17.00 Why: Anti-inflammatory, soothing, and strengthens the skin barrier.

• Sheet Mask (1–3x/week) Mediheal Tea Tree Care Solution Essential Mask EX, $7.99 Why: Soothes redness and calms sensitive or acne-prone skin without irritation.

• Eye Cream Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Eye Cream, $28.80 Why: Hydrating, lightweight, and packed with birch sap and panthenol. No fragrance or alcohol.

• Moisturizer Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Re-Cover Cream, $19.00 Why: Calms redness and strengthens skin barrier. Especially great for sensitive skin with redness or rosacea.

• Sunscreen (Morning Only) Etude House SoonJung Director’s Moisture Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++, $26.00 Why: Mineral sunscreen with no fragrance, alcohol, or irritating ingredients. Provides moisture and calming effect.

ACNE/OILY PRONE SKIN

• Oil Cleanser (Evening Only) Heimish All Clean Balm, $12.60 Why: Removes makeup and sunscreen effectively without clogging pores. Contains tea tree and citrus herb oils for acne-calming effects.

• Water-Based Cleanser Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam, $19.00 Why: Mild exfoliating acids + tea tree help prevent breakouts and control oil without drying.

• Exfoliator (2–3x/week) Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, $25.00 Why: Contains 4% betaine salicylate (a gentle BHA) that deeply cleans pores and reduces blackheads/acne.

• Toner Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner, $15.92 Why: Controls sebum and soothes skin with 80% green tea extract. Lightweight and ideal for oily/acne-prone skin.

• Essence Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $25.00 Why: Helps repair acne-damaged skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and moisturize without clogging pores.

• Serum/Ampoule Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum $16.10 Why: Lightweight serum with centella and acids to soothe acne and gently exfoliate. Non-greasy formula.

• Sheet Mask (1–2x/week) Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Mask EX, $19.90 Why: Instantly calms inflammation and redness. Controls oil and reduces acne breakouts.

• Eye Cream Purito Centella Green Level Eye Cream, $16.00 Why: Lightweight and calming for the delicate eye area, non-comedogenic, and great for sensitive/acne-prone skin.

• Moisturizer Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel, $19.00 Why: Hydrating gel with aloe and propolis to soothe acne, reduce inflammation, and control oil.

• Sunscreen (Morning Only) Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ , $18.00 Why: Lightweight, non-greasy, hydrating sunscreen that won’t clog pores.

DRY SKIN

• Oil Cleanser (Evening Only) Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Nourishing), $22.00 Why: Gently melts makeup and sunscreen while hydrating with royal jelly and ginseng. No tugging or dryness.

• Water-Based Cleanser Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser, $13.60 Why: Low pH, creamy foam that won’t strip dry skin. Contains deep sea water and panthenol to moisturize.

• Exfoliator (1–2x/week) Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine*, $28.00 Why: Lactic acid and antioxidants gently slough off dead skin while boosting elasticity and hydration.

• Toner Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner, $27.00 Why: Lightweight yet hydrating, free from fragrance/alcohol, ideal for sensitive dry skin.

• Essence Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X, $27.00 Why: Fermented essence with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — deeply hydrates and preps skin to absorb following layers.

• Serum/Ampoule The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100, $24.90 Why: 100% sodium hyaluronate serum that draws water into dry skin and plumps.

• Sheet Mask (2–4x/week) Abib Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask (Honey Fit or Aqua Fit), $3.47 Why: Intensely moisturizing and soothing with honey, hyaluronic acid, and centella.

• Eye Cream Innisfree Jeju Orchid Eye Cream, $22.00 Why: Rich and nourishing, targets fine lines and dryness with hyaluronic acid and peptides.

• Moisturizer Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, $9.99 Why: Packed with ceramides, fragrance-free, excellent for long-lasting hydration and barrier repair.

• Sunscreen (Morning Only) Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++, $18.00 Why: Moisturizing sunscreen that applies like a cream — no white cast, ideal for dry skin.