K-beauty, in plain words

What each K-beauty step does, what the famous ingredients are, and how much study is behind each one.

In the quiz, pick “K-beauty” under “I lean toward”. When two products match you equally, we show the Korean brand first.

Korean-brand skincare products in our list: 2,109
Korean brands: 125

The K-beauty routine, step by step

Thin to thick, in this order. Most skin does not need every step every day.

1. Oil cleanse
Melts away sunscreen and makeup.
Cleansing oil, balm, water or milk
Night
108 Korean-brand products
2. Water cleanse
Washes off what is left, plus sweat and oil.
Foam or gel cleanser
MorningNight
130 Korean-brand products
3. Exfoliate
Lifts off old, dead skin cells.
Peeling gel or scrub
NightNot every day
26 Korean-brand products
4. Toner
A first sip of water right after washing.
Toner, toner pad or first essence
MorningNight
220 Korean-brand products
5. Essence and serum
Thin layers that carry the busiest ingredients.
Essence, serum or ampoule
MorningNight
662 Korean-brand products
6. Eye cream
Made for the thin skin around the eyes.
Eye cream or eye patch
MorningNight
109 Korean-brand products
7. Moisturizer
Holds the water in and keeps skin soft.
Emulsion or cream
MorningNight
411 Korean-brand products
8. Mask
An extra treat a few nights a week.
Sheet mask or sleeping pack
NightNot every day
312 Korean-brand products
9. Sunscreen
Helps protect skin from UV light. Always the last morning step.
Sunscreen, sun stick or sun cushion
Morning
131 Korean-brand products

Famous K-beauty ingredients, checked

The same check we give every ingredient: a safety color with its name, and how much study is behind it.

Centella Asiatica Extract
A small creeping plant, also called tiger grass or gotu kola.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 1,247 products we list
Madecassoside
One of the natural compounds taken from centella.
Low hazard📄 Literature evidence
Studied forPhotoaging and UV DamageWrinkles and Elasticity
In 578 products we list
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Filtered slime made by snails.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 63 products we list
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Heartleaf: a leafy plant that grows in damp, shady places in East Asia.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 252 products we list
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Mugwort: a leafy herb from the daisy family.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 52 products we list
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
The root of the ginseng plant.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 218 products we list
Propolis Extract
A sticky resin bees make to seal their hive.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 118 products we list
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
An extract of green tea leaves.
Moderate hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 800 products we list
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
The liquid left after a yeast-like fungus ferments.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 53 products we list
Rice Ferment Filtrate
The liquid left after rice is fermented.
Low hazard⚪ Not enough data
In 31 products we list
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3.
Low hazard🧪 Clinical evidence
Studied forWhitening and BrighteningWrinkles and Elasticity
In 2,529 products we list
Adenosine
A small molecule found in every living cell.
Low hazard🏛 Regulatory evidence
Studied forWrinkles and Elasticity
In 1,631 products we list