DEAL OF THE DAY: Get up to 70% off at Walmart's luggage clearance sale!
Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Korean Cosmetics

Last updated on November 10, 2021

We looked at the top 6 Korean Cosmetics and dug through the reviews from 20 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Korean Cosmetics.

Best Korean Cosmetics

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Korean beauty product manufacturers ship their cosmetics all over the world for a reason. Although some of the ingredients can be found in the products you buy close to home, there are some you simply won’t find anywhere else. Known as K-beauty, these products are often proactive in preventing wrinkles and blemishes to keep the skin healthy and nourished throughout your life.

But if you’re looking for Korean cosmetics, it’s important to note the very things that make them unique. After all, if it’s the same product you could buy in your grocery store, you could save money on shipping and simply pick it up on your next shopping trip.

One of the most interesting ingredients found in K-beauty products is snail mucin. Yes, snail slime is a large part of some of the most popular Korean moisturizing creams. You may see the product listed on labels as snail secretion filtrate or even abbreviated as SSF. Although snail mucin hasn’t undergone as many tests as other products, it is believed to repair the skin’s natural barrier, which locks in moisture while keeping environmental irritants away.

Another reason U.S. consumers flock to K-beauty products is that because Korean skin tends to be on the sensitive side, their products are designed with that in mind. If you have sensitive skin, this could be a huge benefit. The Korean cosmetics market is also highly competitive, with brands always operating at peak performance to win customer dollars.

In other countries, consumers blot any hint of oil away, always going for that well-powdered appearance. In Korea, though, dewy skin is prized, and Korean beauty products are designed to lock in moisture without leaving an oily, greasy residue on the skin. Many K-beauty customers like the way Korean creams leave their skin looking and feeling, which is why you may be hearing so much about it.

Our Picks For The Top Korean Cosmetics

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

MIZON Skin Repairing & Firming Cream Korean Cosmetic

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

MIZON

Skin Repairing & Firming Cream Korean Cosmetic

Made with a combination of black snail mucus filtrate and 27 different black plant extracts, this cream is formulated for correcting skin tone issues, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines. The formula absorbs quickly without leaving greasy residue behind on the skin. In addition to moisturizing, this cream also can help keep sebum and o...

Overall Take

Healing FormulaThe ingredients in this snail cream are designed to help with issues like scarring, hyperpigmentation and loosened pores.

Pros
" Deeply moisturizing. Super affordable. Very high percentage of snail mucin. Tackles many tough skin issues."
Cons
"Not ideal for those with very dry skin as the formula can dry skin out even more."
 Runner Up

Danahan Skin Toner & Hydrating Lotion Korean Cosmetics Set

Danahan

Skin Toner & Hydrating Lotion Korean Cosmetics Set

This 5-bottle set will last a while, with toner, emulsifier and moisturizers all in one. The smaller bottles in the set can easily be packed up to take along with you on your next trip, and the convenient box makes it perfect for keeping everything stored between uses. The light scent and non-sticky formula make it a great addition to any skincare ...

Overall Take

Great GiftYou’ll get a 5-bottle set, conveniently boxed up, making it ideal for gift-giving.

Pros
" Suitable for sensitive skin. Travel-friendly. Pleasant fragrance."
 We Also Like

Nature Republic Organic Aloe Vera Moisturizer Korean Cosmetic

Nature Republic

Organic Aloe Vera Moisturizer Korean Cosmetic

The time-tested benefits of aloe vera makes this a great option for moisturizing and soothing. This formula contains 92% aloe vera and no animal ingredients for a soothing addition to your skincare routine. It absorbs rapidly and leaves no sticky or oily residue behind.

Overall Take

Refreshes Tired SkinAloe vera is known for soothing sunburns, but it’s also great for everyday moisturizing.

Pros
" Contains organic aloe vera extracts. Hydrating. Mildly scented."
Cons
"Not totally organic. Tightness may be felt after gel application."
 Strong Contender

Seoul Ceuticals Non-Comedogenic Snail Face Cream Korean Cosmetic

Seoul Ceuticals

Non-Comedogenic Snail Face Cream Korean Cosmetic

This 2-ounce bottle contains one of the highest concentrations of snail mucin, at 97.5%. The snail cream is ethically harvested for those who are concerned about animal cruelty. In addition to snail mucin, you’ll get vitamin E, aloe vera, shea butter and jojoba oil to help boost your skin elasticity and make it silky smooth.

Overall Take

Ideal for BedtimeIf using beauty products tends to cause breakouts for you, this noncomedogenic moisturizer could be the one for you.

Pros
" Highest percentage of snail mucin of those reviewed. Cruelty-free. Skin moisturizing formula. Naturally anti-microbial."
Cons
"May feel a bit greasy."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
13

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the korean cosmetics available to purchase.
6

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

20

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Style Craze, Those Graces, Heavy, Four Best, Kryz Uy.

53,880

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 6 Korean Cosmetics and also dug through the reviews from 20 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Korean Cosmetics.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Nature Republic Organic Aloe Vera Moisturizer Korean Cosmetic

Our Expert Score

0.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.2
7,459 user reviews

Our Take

The time-tested benefits of aloe vera makes this a great option for moisturizing and soothing. This formula contains 92% aloe vera and no animal ingredients for a soothing addition to your skincare routine. It absorbs rapidly and leaves no sticky or oily residue behind.

What other experts liked

Contains organic aloe vera extracts. Hydrating. Mildly scented.
- Style Craze
CCOF certified. Great for sensitive skin. Smells nice. Refreshing. Quickly absorbed by the skin.
- Boat Safe
Overall, I am really impressed at how it makes my skin soft, smooth, plump and younger looking. It is gentle enough to use it as an eye mask too. If you are looking for a natural light weight moisturizer for summer time, it is fabulous. If you have oily skin...
- Glossn Glitters
Reducing the redness and also blemishes of the skin. Anti-aging. Gently hydrates the skin. Rapidly absorbed by the skin for moisturizing effects. Provides a refreshing sensation. Helps effectively soothe skin.
- Bebeautifulgirls

What other experts didn't like

The jar packaging can be a bit messy.
- Style Craze
Not totally organic. Tightness may be felt after gel application.
- Boat Safe
Jar Packaging.
- Bebeautifulgirls

What to Look For

  • One downside to Korean cosmetics is that the ingredients list and directions are often written in Korean. If you don’t speak the language, you can sometimes look up the product online and find this information in English. You may also be able to use an online translation service to at least get a rough idea of what the label reads.
  • If you’re vegan or simply animal-conscious, keep in mind that some Korean beauty products contain snail mucin. Some companies have found a way to source the snail product responsibly and promise that snails are treated well while in their care, but it’s something to consider while you’re shopping.
  • If you have discoloration issues, snail mucin is promoted to help correct those issues, as well as reducing the appearance of scars.
  • Look closely at how the product boosts your skin’s natural oil production properties. Some products keep sebum and oil production at a minimum to help boost your skin health.
  • As with any new product, test all creams, serums and lotions on a small patch of skin to check for sensitivities before using them on a larger area.
  • If you’re buying K-beauty products as a gift, you can find some that come packaged in attractive gift boxes. You can add a bow for gifting or gift wrap it.
  • Some Korean cosmetics are sold in small containers, and these can come in handy for packing up to take with you while traveling.
  • Cosmetics can have an overpowering scent. Look for products with a low number of artificial ingredients to reduce the risk that you’ll be inhaling heavy perfumes throughout the day.
  • Aloe vera is popular for soothing skin after overexposure to the sun. But it has also become popular in recent years for daily moisturizing. You can find aloe vera moisturizers in skincare products in the U.S., so unless it’s included as part of a set, look at any Korean aloe vera products closely to ensure you’re getting something you couldn’t find here.

Korean Cosmetic Rankings

More to Explore

For many, the thought of spreading snail secretions on the skin can seem unappealing. The ick factor is definitely an issue. But before you leave the product on the shelf, consider the fact that snail mucin has been used medicinally for centuries. In fact, in ancient Greece, physicians prescribed the gooey substance for skin inflammation, among other issues.

In more recent times, though, the first studies into the benefits of snail mucin were conducted by a Spanish oncologist in the 1960s. When Dr. Rafael Abad Iglesias zapped snails with radiation, they released mucin, which promptly went to work healing the areas the radiation had damaged. He tried the mucin on patients and discovered that it had similar recovery and regenerating effects.

More to explore