From black snail to bubbling face masks, Korean skincare products are totally ahead of the curve.
The novelty of Korean beauty and skincare has been kicking around for years and yet they still manage to surprise us with their ingenuity or cuteness (or both). From the scientifically developed formulas to the adorable packaging, here are the latest "cool" ways to get that perfect complexion—all before you've even applied your makeup.
3CE White Milk Pack to Foam
Not your regular foam pack, this one from 3CE's White Milk collection can be used as a cleanser as well as a mask to suit all your complexion-clearing needs. The combined milk and clay ingredients refine the pores and lift impurities out of your skin, while oatmeal and honey soothe and moisturise.
Available on stylenanda.com.
NEOGEN Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling in Wine
You've heard of wine face but not like this. Red wine can actually be beneficial for the skin because of its antioxidant properties—something that Neogen has picked up on. These gauze exfoliating pads have two sides to both chemically and physically refresh your skin, leaving the complexion smoother and tighter.
Available on sokoglam.com.
Dr. Oracle The Snow Queen Enzyme Powder Wash
This Korean beauty cleanser is uniquely formulated as a powder because it requires fewer preservatives than liquids, meaning fewer harmful products for your face. Consisting of fruit enzyme power, simply add water to activate a foam that deep cleanses, leaving your face soft and PH-balanced.
Available on glowrecipe.com.
Kicho Ultra Moisturising Sun Cream
Ask any dermatologist and they'll tell you: sunscreen is all-important if you want to slow down the process of ageing. This hydrating formula from Kicho helps you out in the SPF department while acting as a makeup primer. Plus, the gentle scent means there's absolutely no 'sunscreen smell' to be found.
Available on kichocosmetics.com or on peachandlily.com.
Mizon Black Snail All-in-On Cream
Golden snail cream is so two years ago. Now it's about the black snail, reportedly the real VIP of snails. Made from snail mucin for its skin-enhancing qualities, snail cream might have raised some eyebrows when it first came out but as we've since learned—don't knock it 'til you've tried it. All hail the black snail.
Available on memebox.com.
J.ONE Hana Cream
J.One is a Korean beauty brand created by famed Korean actress Ha Ji Won and specially formulated to dramatically tighten and enhance the skin. Formulated into little supercharged pearls of skinfood, the Hana cream gives you a capsule a day to keep the wrinkles away.
Available on jonecosmetic.co.kr (Korean only) or on memebox.com.
Huxley Secret of Sahara Oil Essence
The packaging says it all: "Great things never came from comfort zones." This hybrid product combines the serum and oil steps of your face routine with Sahara Cactus Oil for an ultra-nourishing finish. If anything knows how to stay hydrated in desert-like conditions, it's probably the cactus.
Available on glowrecipe.com
Blithe Patting Splash Mask in Energy Yellow Citrus & Honey
Sheet masks, cream masks, mud masks; you name it, they've done it. Now, Blithe brings to you a patting splash mask to revitalise the skin, formulated with energising citrus and hydrating honey. Simply pour a capful into a bowl of water and splash away.
Available on myblithe.com (Korean only) or on glowrecipe.com.
Wish Formula C200 Bubble Peeling Pad
Remember the buzz when cushion applicators first came out? How about when bubbling face masks started trending? Well, this product proves you can never have too much of a good thing by combining both into one exfoliating, brightening mask treatment. The hype lives on.
Available on Memebox.
Whamisa Organic Flowers Hydrogel Sheet Mask
Think of this Korean beauty product as an upgrade from the proverbial sheet mask. Made of hydrogel, this mask is divided into two pieces for the upper and lower half of your face, designed to lift and tighten. As if that isn't enough, it also uses the fermented properties of lactobacillus to nourish and brighten the complexion.
Available on whamisa.us or glowrecipe.com.
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