Your 2025 Korean Skincare Starter Guide

February 24, 2025

• K-Beauty is all about hydration & barrier health – Gentle, long-term skincare with innovative ingredients like snail mucin, PLLA, and propolis.

• Korean formulations are ahead of the curve – From pH-balanced skincare to next-gen sunscreens, K-beauty prioritizes effectiveness without irritation.
• Layering is key for that "glass skin" glow – A multi-step routine ensures deep hydration, repair, and protection for healthy, radiant skin.

Korean beauty products and trends have been taking the world by storm for the past several years, and show no signs of slowing down! The cutting-edge K-beauty industry is known for creating highly effective, scientifically-advanced products. With decades of research behind it, a K-beauty routine is a luxurious form of self-care that will work double-time to hydrate, brighten, nourish, and repair your skin.

The K-Beauty Philosophy

Korean skincare products are made with preventative, gentle, long-term skincare in mind! Two related elements set K-beauty products apart: the formulations and the ingredients.

Advanced Science and Formulations 

Korean companies formulate cosmetic products with different priorities, which is why their products feel so fresh to Western audiences. They prioritize hydration and long-term skin barrier health by:

• Integrating natural ingredients: Ingredients like snail mucin and charcoal call back to ancient practices while being easy on your modern skin.
• Matching the skin's pH: K-beauty pays attention to pH; the correct level of acidity can brighten the skin by balancing inflammation while enabling the skin barrier to better combat microbes.
• Creating new sunscreens: Korean scientists use innovative ingredients compared to the old, dated ingredients that are standard in the US. Their most popular sunscreens integrate other benefits like hydration, in addition to broad-spectrum protection. 
• Moisturizing in each step: Hydration is by far the most important consideration in Korean skincare. Although moisturizing is always a step in a K-beauty routine (or many steps!), other products will also typically include moisturizers, including the toners, sunscreens, and even exfoliants.

Common Key Ingredients

Innovative ingredients are coming out of Korea every year. Here are some of my faves to keep an eye out for:

• Niacinamide: This type of vitamin B3's main function is to block the path of melanin, which produces dark spots, so it helps brighten and even out skin tone.
• Snail mucin: This unexpected anti-aging ingredient packs a punch by simultaneously hydrating and healing the skin. Its antioxidants work to repair the skin barrier while smoothing out fine lines and bumpy textures.
• Hyaluronic acid: This natural polymer isn't really acidic; it acts as a humectant, which means that it draws moisture into the skin. The more moisture your skin has, the fuller it looks, plumping out fine lines.
• Centella Asiatica (Cica). This plant extract from the parsley family has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties. It's the perfect calming agent in a cleansing or exfoliating treatment.
• PLLA. Poly-L-lactic acid is a biodegradable polymer, long used to add volume to the face as a dermal filler, but now developed for topical use to help plump the skin without invasive treatment.
• Propolis. Created by bees, this resin-like substance is packed with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidant properties that soothe and hydrate the skin.

Korean Skincare Steps

One of the most popular Korean trends is the glowy "glass skin" routine, which fosters healthy, dewy skin by focusing on rich hydration. Others include the in-depth 10-step skincare routine and the multi-layered Seven Skins technique. Get started with this basic routine that integrates essentials from each one!

Cleanse

Prepare your face with a gentle cleanser like House of PLLA's Volumizing Foaming Cleanser, a luxurious fave that integrates two of those key ingredients: niacinamide and PLLA. Want to cleanse true Korean-style? Start with a balm or oil-based formula before your foaming cleanser for a double cleanse!

Essence/Prep 

Korea's advanced essence formulas act as a bridge, starting the moisturizing process while helping to balance the pH of your skin so it can better absorb subsequent products. The House of PLLA Pilleo Skin Prep does exactly this, working as an exfoliator on the days you haven't used one — but adding moisture back in to calm the skin on days you have.

Exfoliate

Get rid of old skin cells to set the stage for your best skin once or twice a week. K-beauty exfoliants often use chemical exfoliators instead of physical, since they tend to protect the skin barrier more effectively. For example, I love The Weekly Refiner HOP+ PLLA Pro Micro Peel because it's safe, gentle, and packed with active ingredients.

Target

K-beauty routines next include ampoules or serums that target specific concerns. For instance, you can brighten skin and balance dark spots with a vitamin C product like the Dr. esthé Vita-C Radiance Solution Ampoule, or add an extra rush of hydration with the Dr. esthé Rejuvenating Ampoule.

Moisturize

Moisturizing is the most important part of any K-beauty routine! If you're layering multiple moisturizers for a "glass skin" effect, be sure to build them up from lightest to heaviest: a moisture essence, then hydration pads, followed by a hydrating serum, etc. I recommend finishing with a product that locks everything in, like the Dr. esthé Dual Barrier Cream. 

Pro Tip: Multiple moisturizers too overwhelming? Stick to a single step with the House of PLLA Repair Cell Moisturizer, since it works to moisturize, repair your skin, and build up your skin's ability to retain moisture over the long-term!

Protect

Sunscreen is an essential step in any Korean beauty routine! We're ditching the U.S.A.'s oily, heavy sunscreens. Instead, the future of sunscreen includes formulas that both protect the skin from UV radiation and nourish it, like Dr. Esthé's Sun Protection Mild SPF 50. Struggling to find a sunscreen for your ultra-sensitive skin? Try the restorative Dr. Esthé's Sun Protection Ultra Repair SPF 50.

The Future of Healthy Skincare is Korean

The world of skincare progresses so fast with new formulas, ingredients, and methods from across the globe. It can feel a bit overwhelming to dive into at first. That's where I come in! With over two decades of experience keeping track of the trends as a licensed master esthetician, I created the Christine Byer Beauty Club. Get started with a 14-Day FREE preview, with full access to everything in the Club. Get personalized support for your questions and have access to savings, along with the opportunity to win a free consultation. If you don’t find value in your membership, cancel within the 14 days at no charge.

Featured Products

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Dr esthé Rejuvenating Ampoule 30mL

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HOUSE OF PLLA® HOP+ Promoter Repair Cell Moisturizer - Dry/Normal

from $140.00

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Dr Esthé Sun Protection Ultra Repair SPF 50

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