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: 14,400
Korean brands: 431

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
1,028 Korean-brand products
2. Water cleanse
Washes off what is left, plus sweat and oil.
Foam or gel cleanser
MorningNight
1,335 Korean-brand products
3. Exfoliate
Lifts off old, dead skin cells.
Peeling gel or scrub
NightNot every day
342 Korean-brand products
4. Toner
A first sip of water right after washing.
Toner or toner pad
MorningNight
1,586 Korean-brand products
5. Essence
A light, watery layer between toner and serum.
Essence or first essence
MorningNight
2,350 Korean-brand products
6. Serum
Thin layers that carry ingredients for your concerns.
Serum or ampoule
MorningNight
372 Korean-brand products
7. Eye cream
Made for the thin skin around the eyes.
Eye cream or eye patch
MorningNight
422 Korean-brand products
8. Moisturizer
Holds the water in and keeps skin soft.
Emulsion or cream
MorningNight
3,180 Korean-brand products
9. Mask
An extra treat a few nights a week.
Sheet mask or sleeping pack
NightNot every day
2,211 Korean-brand products
10. Sunscreen
Helps protect skin from UV light. Always the last morning step.
Sunscreen, sun stick or sun cushion
Morning
1,574 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 concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 5,097 products we list
Madecassoside
One of the natural compounds taken from centella.
Low concern📄 Literature evidence
Studied forPhotoaging and UV DamageWrinkles and Elasticity
In 2,284 products we list
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Filtered slime made by snails.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 309 products we list
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Heartleaf: a leafy plant that grows in damp, shady places in East Asia.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 1,336 products we list
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Mugwort: a leafy herb from the daisy family.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 259 products we list
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
The root of the ginseng plant.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 641 products we list
Propolis Extract
A sticky resin bees make to seal their hive.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 708 products we list
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
An extract of green tea leaves.
Moderate concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 3,009 products we list
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
The liquid left after a yeast-like fungus ferments.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 262 products we list
Rice Ferment Filtrate
The liquid left after rice is fermented.
Low concern⚪ Not rated yet
In 110 products we list
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3.
Low concern🧪 Clinical evidence
Studied forWhitening and BrighteningWrinkles and Elasticity
In 8,542 products we list
Adenosine
A small molecule found in every living cell.
Low concern🏛 Regulatory evidence
Studied forWrinkles and Elasticity
In 7,436 products we list