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As a twentysomething who struggled with acne in their teens (and covered it up with a full-coverage Clinique foundation), I believe there’s no better foundation than good skin. I don’t mind admitting I’ve developed somewhat of a skincare addiction, but I love discovering new products that don’t cause breakouts, and soothe, nourish and protect my skin.
The result of focusing on my skin barrier is that I can’t remember the last time I wore foundation – my minimalist makeup routine now comprises a few dots of concealer, some clear brow gel, a lick of black mascara and a swipe of blush and bronzer. Not to boast, but I also regularly receive compliments from friends on how ‘healthy’ and ‘glowy’ my skin looks – and I credit it all to Korean beauty.
Recognised for their focus on skin health, K-beauty brands prioritise advanced ingredients like centella asiatica (calms and heals the skin), snail mucin (promotes skin regeneration), niacinamide (brightens and improves the overall texture of the skin) and rice extract (moisturises and smooths the skin).
It’s also known for its packaging, which is not just innovative (think a lid with a grinding mechanism for a cleaning balm), but aesthetically-pleasing too (lots of pastel colours). Plus, it helps that these high-quality formulations are pretty affordable (I don’t think there’s a single product in my Korean skincare routine that’s over £25).
Korean beauty boutiques are popping up everywhere (Pureseoul already has six stores across the UK and is opening three more this year), but traditional retailers have caught on too. Boots revealed that Korean skincare now accounts for more than a tenth of its total skincare sales, with one K-beauty product sold every 30 seconds.
But don’t overlook Amazon either. The e-tailer stocks quite a few of my favourite brands, including Aestura, Purito and COSRX, and is having its Big Spring Sale this week, which means several of my Korean skincare heroes have been reduced in price. Scroll down to see what ten K-beauty products I recommend snapping up.
The best Korean beauty products to buy in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Packed with ceramide capsules and niacinamide, this rich yet non-greasy barrier cream melts into the skin.
Perfect for those, like me, who use a sunscreen instead of a day cream but would like a boost of hydration.
Massage this fragrance-free cleansing balm into the skin to remove sunscreen, makeup and impurities.
This unscented cleansing oil is another gentle and effective product for removing sunscreen, makeup and impurities.
Formulated with 96.3% filtered snail mucin, this lightweight essence will leave your skin looking like a glazed doughnut.
A lightweight cream formulated with bamboo extract, panthenol and squalane to repair the skin barrier.
