Beauty products from the East have become a global phenomenon in the last couple of years with everyone's vanities being stocked with products made from the finest Korean beauty and skincare brands. From cult status brands like Cosrx to Laniege, to even underrated ones like Pyunkang Yul, K beauty brands have not only changed the way the world consumes beauty and skincare, but is here to stay.
Here are 10 of the best Korean brands you need to have on your radar, all available on Nykaa.
With a legacy spanning more than a decade, Cosrx is a brand that can be spotted on every second person's shelf. They broke the internet with the Snail Mucin Essence and continue to do God's work with their products that are built well, thought out, and researched. All their ranges — Advances Snail to Derma Skincare are well formulated keeping varied skin types and concerns in mind.
Natural and sensitive-skin friendly, I’m From is a Korean skincare brand that specialises in botanical formulas. They bring natural ingredients to the forefront with innovative technologies like fermentation to amplify their potency. Premium, luxurious and clean, give their viral rice toner a try if you are struggling with dry and dull skin.
If you don’t know where to start your K-beauty journey, just count. Yes, that’s what Numbuzin is all about. This Korean skincare brand is known for its ‘What’s your number?’ approach. Instead of giving long complicated names to products they just number them based on what they do. Their main focus is treating skin concerns and each of their products does exactly that. From concentrated serums to refreshing toners, there’s something for everyone here and the best part is, you just have to remember the number.
Klairs, founded in 2010, is a holy grail Korean skincare brand for so many people with sensitive skin. We love that their formulations are free of artificial fragrances, dyes, alcohol, and parabens, making them a safe addition to our skincare regimen. Rooted in conscious care, Klairs believes in a balanced lifestyle and is the first vegan cosmetics brand approved by the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification. It might be on the pricier end, but its products never fail to soothe your skin and are best suited for raging, angry skin that needs the absolute best, tender, loving care. We are personal fans of their Midnight Blue Calming Cream and their Mineral Sunscreen.
The name Austera finds its roots in the Latin word aestuarium, meaning the tidal part of a shore. With a focus on science-backed skincare, Austera is a dermacosmetic brand committed to promoting healthy beauty through in-depth research as well as innovation. Something that we deeply respect about this brand is that it’s not about quick fixes but long-term skin health. Every formulation is developed with dermatological expertise and consultation, which makes it all the more trustworthy.
The Face Shop's philosophy is drawn from nature, quite literally. With over 600 natural ingredients sourced and blended with Korean technology, their products are created to be both skin-loving and Earth-conscious. From pomegranates and white daisies to mango seeds and rice, every ingredient is chosen for a reason. Plus, their wide range of skincare and makeup will keep your beauty shelf covered, end to end.
With a rich 47-year heritage of using natural products in their formulations, this Korean brand sets high standards for clean beauty, hitting it out of the skincare biome. They have a specific line of products for different skin types, from a basic line for combination skin, an acne line for acne-prone skin, and a sensitive line for sensitive skin. It is also touted for its treatment of atopic skin disorders, helping to restore an even skin tone. It is developed by the Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in Korea, so you know the brand is scientific in its approach, ditching fancy ingredients and scented formulations for everything nice and healthy. We love how their products blend the wisdom of ancient holistic health into Korean skincare, like their range of Black Tea Time Reverse Eye Patch, or their Calming Moisture Barrier Cream.
Don’t let the adorable packaging fool you, TonyMoly is a brand that delivers on its claim. Behind the cute packaging are potent Korean skincare formulas that are natural and organic and give you results in no time. Most of their products are infused with high-quality ingredients that blend with the latest technology to create products that work like magic. For instance, their I’m Red Wine Mask is everywhere as it helps purify skin, restore collagen and reduce acne and scars. We love how skincare with TonyMoly feels more fun and playful.
Nobody needs an introduction to the virality generator that Laneige is. Their formulations are cult favourites among skincare enthusiasts and focus on highlighting hydration and Korean glass skin. Also, Laneige’s lip balms and lip masks are the holy grail in the most irresistible flavours and we can’t help but collect ‘em all like pokemon. Truth be told, Laneige is one of the few skincare brands globally that makes your selfcare routine feel exciting without compromising on effectiveness.
Beauty Of Joseon gained cult-like status when they launched their coveted sunscreen stick that also paved the way for sunscreen sticks becoming a skincare essential in itself. They are known for blending traditional Hanbang (Korean herbal medicine) ingredients with modern skincare science that is inspired by beauty rituals from the Joseon Dynasty. All their products focus on using time-honoured ingredients, clean formulations, being cruelty- free, while catering to all skin types and concerns.
