(Image credit: @eggcanvas)
To say I have a K-beauty obsession is putting it lightly. Lately, I've been using every Korean sheet mask, ampoule, and sunscreen I can get my hands on, and truthfully, nothing has disappointed. While this isn't necessarily great for my acne-prone skin (I have to be super careful about using too many different products at once), it has afforded me the ability to truly be able to pick out the best of the best.
This skill definitely comes in handy now that holiday season is upon us. I can now confidently buy the fellow K-beauty lovers in my life the perfect skincare gifts. If you're also looking to gift a few friends with some recs or just want to treat yourself, I've got you covered. I'm sharing the best K-beauty gifts money can buy below. As it just so happens, many of them are also on sale for Black Friday, so make haste before they sell out.
Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (SPF 50 + Pa++++)
This cult-loved sunscreen of Beauty of Joseon is truly that good and it happens to be on sale rn. I love the creamy texture of it. It never feels like a sunscreen—just a rich but lightweight moisturizer that gives you a natural glow.
Then I Met You
Living Cleansing Balm
I recently got into this brand because my aesthetician Varuni Palacios told me how great it is. First, all the products are acne safe, and much like the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen, this product in particular from the brand has a cult following. It gently removes pore-clogging oils and sunscreen with ingredients like olive fruit oil and grape-seed oil.
BIODANCE
Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask Pack of 4
This plumping sheet mask went viral on TikTok for a reason. It provides serious hydration and gives a glass skin-effect in a big way. As luck would have it, a four-pack of these masks is on sale for Black Friday, so get them while you can!
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Rice Toner
TirTir's Milk Skin Toner contains a host of my favorite skincare ingredients including niacinamide, panthenol, ceramides, and rice bran extract. It provides so much hydration and gives you a glow without clogging your pores.
MAY COOP
Raw Sauce
Something I really appreciate about Korean skincare is how hydrating it is. This essence from May Coop takes the cake in that department. The star ingredient in all of the brand's products is maple sap, which is packed with minerals and nutrients, and provides hydration to the deepest layers of the skin.
ANUA
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil is another viral TikTok product that's actually worth the hype. There's something really satisfying about using a cleansing oil and seeing the gunk of the day just rolling off your face—this product provides exactly that experience. I love using it as a first step cleanser in the evening to really get off any sunscreen or grime.
PEACH & LILY
Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask
I can't say enough good things about this resurfacing mask from Peach & Lily. All of the brand's products are amazing, but this one is one of the best IMO because it's so gentle but still provides next-level exfoliation. Any time I use it, I wake up with smoother, clearer, and brighter skin. That's impressive for just one use a week.
ROUND LAB
Round Lab Dokdo Toner
Round Lab is known for its gentle and effective Dokdo line, and this toner is a star among its offerings. While it does gently exfoliate, it also includes soothing ingredients like allantoin and panthenol to calm the redness and inflammation that often comes with breakouts.
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream
This sunscreen is featherlight and really hydrates my skin. It's one of my all-time favorite Korean sunscreens and even helps plump the skin with phyto collagen.
Pyunkang Yul
Highly Moisturizing Essence Mask Pack Set
I love this brand because it offers fast-acting clean formulas that don't ever break me out. These sheet masks are great for winter when my skin gets extra dehydrated. They contain herbal extracts, ceramides, and five types of hyaluronic acid to breathe a bit of life into dull or tired skin.
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This is another classic Korean-beauty staple that really hydrates and repairs damaged skin. It's great for acne-prone skin since it works to repair the barrier without any pore-clogging ingredients.
Numbuzin
No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum
I haven't gotten the chance to try this fan-favorite brand yet for myself, but I've added a full cart of items to take advantage of its Black Friday deals. This serum is at the top of my list because it contains glutathione to calm the skin, vitamin C, and tranexamic acid to help with dark spots.
