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I spent last week in the skincare capital of the world,
Seoul
, where there are beauty clinics on every corner, product innovation is light years ahead of the US, and taking care of your epidermis is basically a national pastime. In other words, my checked luggage just
barely
made it under the weight limit back to New York—and honestly, that feels like I didn’t buy enough. It’s not just skincare that made it halfway around the world with me, either:
Korean cosmetics
are some of my favorites in the game. This is the culture that introduced BB and CC creams to market, remember, and now pretty much every makeup brand has some version of a glowy
skin tint
.
K-Beauty
sets the standard, and our skin, hair, and
nails
are reaping the benefits. Of course, I couldn’t bring back an entire Korean pharmacy, or clear the shelves of the Olive Young HQ (which is finally available in the States!!!), but I did do some serious damage over my week in the city.
While not every formula is available here just yet (I’m impatiently waiting for the FDA to approve a
new sunscreen filter
so we can update our SPF game in 2026), many of the brands can be found at your local beauty supply store. Plus, some of the industry’s most popular ingredients, like
azelaic acid
,
niacinamide
, and
hyaluronic acid
, remain major players in K-Beauty formulas.
PDRN injections
, on the other hand? It might be worth booking a flight for an appointment—just saying. Until then, here’s a sneak peek at some of the
Korean beauty products
that I picked up during my trip to Seoul.
Totally Toner Pads
Arguably one of the most popular categories to emerge from Korea over the last year,
toner pads
offer many more benefits than just classic exfoliation. From hydration and brightening to firming, better skin is just a swipe away.
Medicube
Toner Pads Zero Pore Pad 2.0
The toner pad that kicked off the category craze both in Seoul and here in the States, these lactic acid and
salicylic acid
pads (a powerful AHA and BHA combo) were in every single beauty supply store, and for good reason—they refine skin texture and clear your pores, fast.
Mediheal
Madecassoside Blemish Care Toner Pad
Soothing centella asiatica helps to calm irritated skin while also fighting
dark spots
and blemishes. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, I’ve been using these toner pads to minimize closed comedones around my chin and jaw.
Perfectly PDRN
Yes, this is the buzzy salmon sperm ingredient you keep hearing about, and yes, it’s just as popular as you may think in Korea. The options for topical formulas are impressive, but I’m even more relieved to see that some of the brands I bought are actually available online.
Dr.Reju-All
Pdrn Rejuvenating Cream
I spent days researching and deciding which PDRN cream would come home with me, and after chatting with a pharmacist at Ready Young pharmacy (the mecca of active skincare in Seoul), I picked this one. It helps to
repair the skin barrier
, enhance radiance, and increase fibroblast production so skin is firmer over time.
Rejuran
Turnover Ampoule
This legendary formula is finally available Stateside, but it felt so satisfying to go straight to the source and pick up a bottle for myself. With hydrating and firming benefits that have sparked hundreds of thousands of TikToks, this is a great starter
PDRN
to get to know the ingredient.
Silky Sun Care
If I could have packed an entire suitcase with Korean sunscreens, I would have, but I don’t need TSA enquiring after my mountain of SPF. Still, K-Beauty sunscreens—even the ones that are available here—are elite, without question.
Beauty of Joseon
Dayscreen 2-in-1 SPF 30 Moisturizer
While I might have bought five tubes of the OG
Beauty of Joseon
SPF, I still say that the US options are top-tier. This green tea- and ceramide-rich formula is so soothing and just melts into the skin for the prettiest glow.
Innisfree
Daily UV Invisible Korean Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ Pa++++
For a silky-soft formula that’s exceptionally weightless on the skin, you can’t go wrong with this K-Beauty icon. I keep the mini version in my bag all summer to reapply to my hands—because
sun spots
don’t just live on your face, my friends.
EGF Excellence
In addition to the ubiquitous PDRN, epidermal growth factor products lined the shelves at Korean pharmacies, and honestly, I’ll try anything th

Book Your Appointment

Ready to transform your skin? Visit Candy Beauty Skin Care at 32 Pell St, Chinatown, NYC.

Call (646) 691-8273 or book online at candybeauty.store.

Our expert estheticians are ready to create your personalized treatment plan.

Source: https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/skincare/best-k-beauty-products-from-seoul/