I Picked Up 20+ Cutting-Edge K-Beauty Products in Seoul—These Made the Cut
Skincare innovation is light-years ahead.
I spent last week in the skincare capital of the world, Seoul, where there are beauty clinics on every corner, product innovation is light years ahead of the US, and taking care of your epidermis is basically a national pastime. In other words, my checked luggage just barely made it under the weight limit back to New York—and honestly, that feels like I didn’t buy enough. It’s not just skincare that made it halfway around the world with me, either: Korean cosmetics are some of my favorites in the game. This is the culture that introduced BB and CC creams to market, remember, and now pretty much every makeup brand has some version of a glowy skin tint. K-Beauty sets the standard, and our skin, hair, and nails are reaping the benefits. Of course, I couldn’t bring back an entire Korean pharmacy, or clear the shelves of the Olive Young HQ (which is finally available in the States!!!), but I did do some serious damage over my week in the city.
While not every formula is available here just yet (I’m impatiently waiting for the FDA to approve a new sunscreen filter so we can update our SPF game in 2026), many of the brands can be found at your local beauty supply store. Plus, some of the industry’s most popular ingredients, like azelaic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, remain major players in K-Beauty formulas. PDRN injections, on the other hand? It might be worth booking a flight for an appointment—just saying. Until then, here’s a sneak peek at some of the Korean beauty products that I picked up during my trip to Seoul.
Totally Toner Pads
Arguably one of the most popular categories to emerge from Korea over the last year, toner pads offer many more benefits than just classic exfoliation. From hydration and brightening to firming, better skin is just a swipe away.
The toner pad that kicked off the category craze both in Seoul and here in the States, these lactic acid and salicylic acid pads (a powerful AHA and BHA combo) were in every single beauty supply store, and for good reason—they refine skin texture and clear your pores, fast.
Soothing centella asiatica helps to calm irritated skin while also fighting dark spots and blemishes. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, I’ve been using these toner pads to minimize closed comedones around my chin and jaw.
Perfectly PDRN
Yes, this is the buzzy salmon sperm ingredient you keep hearing about, and yes, it’s just as popular as you may think in Korea. The options for topical formulas are impressive, but I’m even more relieved to see that some of the brands I bought are actually available online.
I spent days researching and deciding which PDRN cream would come home with me, and after chatting with a pharmacist at Ready Young pharmacy (the mecca of active skincare in Seoul), I picked this one. It helps to repair the skin barrier, enhance radiance, and increase fibroblast production so skin is firmer over time.
This legendary formula is finally available Stateside, but it felt so satisfying to go straight to the source and pick up a bottle for myself. With hydrating and firming benefits that have sparked hundreds of thousands of TikToks, this is a great starter PDRN to get to know the ingredient.
Silky Sun Care
If I could have packed an entire suitcase with Korean sunscreens, I would have, but I don’t need TSA enquiring after my mountain of SPF. Still, K-Beauty sunscreens—even the ones that are available here—are elite, without question.
While I might have bought five tubes of the OG Beauty of Joseon SPF, I still say that the US options are top-tier. This green tea- and ceramide-rich formula is so soothing and just melts into the skin for the prettiest glow.
For a silky-soft formula that’s exceptionally weightless on the skin, you can’t go wrong with this K-Beauty icon. I keep the mini version in my bag all summer to reapply to my hands—because sun spots don’t just live on your face, my friends.
EGF Excellence
In addition to the ubiquitous PDRN, epidermal growth factor products lined the shelves at Korean pharmacies, and honestly, I’ll try anything that promises to promote more collagen and elastin production for youthful, bouncy skin. These are a bit harder to find in the States, but not impossible.
Technically this brand is from Iceland, but the principles of K-Beauty (healthy skin, effective ingredients, proven results) are all there. I’ve been using this potent EGF serum for years and my skin is endlessly grateful and glowy.
I take eye cream very seriously, because this area is the first to show signs of aging. In order to soften fine lines and dark circles, I tap in this EGF formula morning and night. Bonus? It also helps to fight puffiness and reveal firmer skin.
Boldly Barrier Repair
One of the most important principles of K-Beauty is to minimize skin barrier inflammation and keep your epidermis calm, even when you’re using active ingredients. A solid barrier repair cream is a must.
I was thrilled to see my favorite moisturizer of all time lining the shelves of every single beauty supply store I entered. It’s gentle yet effective, lightweight but will leave you with no trace of dry spots. I might have snagged another bottle straight from the source.
Everyone I met was swooning over this Aestura cream, assuring me that this is the type of Korean staple they’ve been using since they were kids. I snagged a bottle and immediately felt the difference in my skin—soft, balanced, and effortlessly radiant. Luckily, the brand came to the States last year so it’s easy to restock whenever you want.
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