Best Korean cosmetics brands in 2024

Almost every modern girl, among the mass of tubes and jars, has at least one product released in the country of morning freshness. Korean cosmetics are winning women's hearts more and more. What is the phenomenon of Korean beauty products, which of them to pay attention to and, most importantly, which brand to give preference to, the rating of the best brands of Korean cosmetics will help to understand.

The secret to the success of Korean cosmetics

The development of the Korean cosmetics industry began not so long ago, an important factor in this is support from the state. The sums allocated for the beauty sphere were spent on purchasing formulas, compositions, and modern equipment in the West.

The technologies and secrets of the composition, multiplied by the hard work of Korean citizens, have contributed to the fact that, in addition to the widest range of brands and products, today South Korea itself has become suppliers of developed ingredients to Western concerns.

Ingredients

What is there in the composition of cosmetics of this Asian state, which is not in the west? The fact is that the creators of the care and decorative products produce products that successfully combine traditional, experimental and national ingredients. It is the last two groups that are of interest to European manufacturers.

Traditional ingredients

This includes those ingredients that have passed serious tests of time, practical use for different types of skin and are used in the cosmetic industry in different countries.

These include, for example, adenosine, AHA acids, allantoin, amino acids and peptides, aloe extract, hyaluronic acid, various oils and many others.

Experimental Ingredients

Korean creators of cosmetics are experimenters; in the composition of the products they produce, you can find such components that are unlikely to be found anywhere else. Each of these ingredients enhances a specific effect. Among them:

• Fermented yeast - provides antioxidant effect, moisturizing, smoothing and smoothing of the skin;
• Pearl powder - has an antimicrobial effect, stimulates collagen production;
• Snake venom, or rather its synthetic form, is an excellent anti-aging ingredient that smooths out wrinkles by lightly paralyzing the facial muscles, however, it gives an instant effect, noticeable only when using the product;
• Caviar - a combination of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids gives the effect of skin regeneration, removes redness, makes the surface smoother;
• Horse oil - regeneration, hydration, nutrition;
• Starfish extract - whitening and wound healing;
• Bird's nests - a unique combination of amino acids and vitamins, providing an excellent healing effect;
• Snail extract - perhaps the most popular Asian ingredient, stimulates collagen production, smoothes the skin, fights post-acne, small scars.

This list is not exhaustive.

National components

Various powdered mixtures of herbs, shells of marine life, roots and much more in Korea are not only sold in pharmacies and consumed by mouth, they are also successfully incorporated into beauty products. Among them are the following:

• Astragalus root - it is believed that it surpasses ginseng for its powerful immunomodulatory characteristics, is an antioxidant, stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, evens tone;
• Ginseng - similar in properties to astragalus, additionally fights pigmentation, including age-related;
• Chinese cordyceps mushroom - its spectrum of action is quite wide, it is especially effective in anti-aging remedies;
• Lotus - has an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, stimulating effect;
• Celery is a powerful antibacterial ingredient.

These are just some of the ingredients that have been successfully incorporated into Korean products.

What cosmetic products to choose

Among the widest range of products from various manufacturers, you should pay attention to:

1. Various masks for single use (fabric or hydrogel - for the face, patches - for the eyes, strips to combat blackheads, sleep masks, etc.), such products contain significantly more active ingredients than similar European ones.
2. BB and CC creams. The Korean cosmetics industry has achieved unprecedented success in creating such products. Such a cream is an opportunity to moisturize, nourish and tone the skin with one product. One of the latest advances is the easy-to-use cushion.
3. Snail remedies. Almost all brands have such a line in their assortment. The only difference is the concentration of the extract, its type and, as a consequence, the effect achieved. Premium creams contain black snail mucin - more concentrated and effective.
4. Anti-aging cosmetics - Most national and experimental ingredients work in this direction.

Do not write off decorative cosmetics, the range of which is simply amazing.

Moisturizing series for young skin, which only needs to maintain water balance for beauty, is the very thing worth trying in Korean cosmetics.

Which is less suitable

In Asia, there is a cult of fair skin, so if lightening is not part of your plans, then you should carefully study the labels for ingredients. The bulk of cosmetics has a whitening effect, even if it is very light.

In addition, you should not expect miracles from an eye cream - light brightening, radiance and excellent hydration - this is the effect that such products will give. But the fight against more serious wrinkles may not be within their power. The reason for this inefficiency is quite simple - Asians have a different skin type and the problem of such "wrinkles of joy" or "crow's feet" is simply not familiar to them.

For the rest, Korean cosmetics deserves to be on the shelves of Russian women of any age. It remains only to choose your manufacturer. For convenience, all brands described in the article are divided into three segments: budget, medium price and premium.

Best Budget Korean Cosmetics Brands

It is worth noting that the difference between the budget and medium price segment in the Russian market is rather arbitrary, since each brand has different series, plus the cost in Russian stores increases significantly.

Holika holika

A very popular brand among Russian bloggers.It is one of the youngest in Korea, was created in 2010, a large-scale rebranding took place in 2013, as a result of which a floating butterfly became a symbol of cosmetics, and the slogan is "Every woman has the opportunity to transform into a graceful butterfly using these means."

The composition of the funds contains natural ingredients, mostly hypoallergenic, as well as the results of innovative developments.

The assortment includes skin care products and decorative cosmetics. The latter are distinguished by their original design.

• A wide range of cosmetics: over 60;
• The effectiveness of the moisturizing line for young skin;
• There are patented working components: PRANIEL, RetinoX8 and Retinyl Retinoate.

• It is not effective in combating age-related skin changes.

SkinFood

The name of the brand, which has been present in the South Korean cosmetic market since 1957, translates as food for the skin. And indeed, in the composition of the funds - natural, in the bulk, edible ingredients, extracts of fruits, vegetables, vitamin complexes.

The series of products are based for the most part on some kind of mono-component present in every product in the line. These are, for example, series - tomato, cucumber, black sugar, caviar and many others. It should be noted that individual series can be safely attributed to the more expensive and efficient segment. These are, for example, caviar and gold.

The design of the bottles and tubes is rather minimalistic, but at the same time it clearly indicates the main ingredient of the product.

• Natural ingredients;
• Appetizing design;
• A wide range of products for different skin types and ages;
• Brand with experience.

• There is no "snail" series.

Etude-house

The brand arose in 1985, during its existence it has repeatedly changed its slogans, but the color scheme has never been. Pale pink, white - like sweet vanilla clouds. By saying that makeup doesn't have to be boring, the company attracts its main target audience - young girls and women who want to look fresh and eager to experiment with their image.

A wide range of decorative cosmetics, face, body and hair care products, as well as various related products, made in the brand's characteristic “sweet pink style” - this is what you can find in Etude-house stores.

• Attractive design;
• A wide selection of makeup products;
• Effective for young skin.

• Will not work for mature skin.

Best Korean cosmetics in the middle price segment

The brands presented in this list, their products, can be found without much difficulty in online stores, as well as in the retail network of most Russian cities.

Tony moly

The company adheres to the principle that the product must be of high quality, and its use is designed to be enjoyable. That is why really high-quality creams, masks, foams, gels, etc. are placed in bright, attractive and really memorable jars and tubes. Those who have already heard this name probably know their famous eggs - balms for cleansing pores or a mask "packed" in a tomato.

The brand was founded not so long ago - in 2006. Initially, the company relied on care, it was believed that with healthy skin and a radiant complexion, makeup would not be so important and necessary.

However, today decorative cosmetics are also represented in the product range.

• Natural "working" composition;
• Wide range of care products;
• Bright design;
• Good value for money.

• Not identified.

The faceshop

The brand began its existence in 1962, but in the form and with the level of popularity that we see today, it appeared in 2003.

The feature that the creators of the funds are betting on is hypoallergenicity.

If the skin is prone to redness, irritation, increased susceptibility to components, then The Faceshop is the right manufacturer.

The line of care products is wide enough - from intensive moisturizing to a working anti-aging series with ginseng. It should be noted that almost all cleansing products and a number of creams have a slight whitening effect.

Other Popular Ingredients: Chia seeds, rice, volcanic lava, mango, orchid.

There is also a wide choice of decorative cosmetics, it is worth noting the good durability of mascara, lipstick and other similar products.

BB and CC creams demonstrate decent quality characteristics.

• Cosmetics suitable for allergy sufferers;
• Natural composition;
• A wide range of products for different skin types;
• High quality decorative cosmetics.

• Not identified

Missha

The company is a little less than 20 years old and was founded in 2000. Initially, the funds were sold exclusively via the Internet, but two years later it opened its first store.

The manufacturer focuses on the use of components of a natural nature, which are distinguished by safety and noticeable effectiveness.

Many women notice really noticeable results after using products from various series.

Among the products worth paying attention to are scrubs, which are distinguished by gentle abrasiveness, but effective cleansing, the Super Aqua series, a number of creams and emulsions of which contain, among other things, snail extract.

• Use of safe active ingredients;
• A wide range of products that can solve literally any skin problem;
• Excellent value for money.

• Not identified.

Mizon

The products of this brand were one of the first that Russian women learned about. Her creams with snail mucus in the composition of the customer were credited with truly miraculous properties. It is snail creams that have become the brand's trademark.

However, in addition to this ingredient, the cosmetics of this company contain a lot of useful and effective components.

A distinctive feature of the company is the presence of its own laboratory, where new combinations and effective developments are developed and introduced into production.

This brand is worth paying attention to older ladies, since the anti-age series from Mizon is distinguished by an exceptional result.

• Effectiveness of products for adult skin;
• High quality snail series;
• We use our own unique developments.

• It is almost impossible to find in a retail network, more often only an online order is available.

Innisfree

Cosmetics produced on the ecologically clean Korean island of Jeju.

Environmental friendliness is the main principle of the company, this applies not only to the composition of the funds. On each package you can find an inscription asking you to return an empty jar to any of the chain stores.

The company, which has been operating since 2000, uses components that are found in one form or another in Jeju-do. These are green tea, seaweed, tangerine oil, volcanic ash and clay, spring water.

Each series differs from the other in color, but in general the packaging is minimalistic.

In addition to skincare products, the company produces decorative cosmetics and perfumes, in which aroma-based ingredients are also exclusively island ingredients.

• Environmentally friendly cosmetics;
• Natural composition;
• A wide range of means and impact;
• Availability in the range of perfumes for women and men.

• Not detected.

Korean premium cosmetics

Sulwhasoo

The legendary cosmetic brand, popular with Korean women, began its existence in 1967.

It is based on the tradition of oriental medicine, which uses a large number of herbs and plants, their unique combinations. Popular ingredients include ginseng, pine, and Mume plum blossom.

However, the traditions in the production of Sulwhasoo cosmetics are reliably supported by scientific developments.

A feature of this cosmetics is that each line of products differs not only in the achieved result, but also in the methods of processing the main ingredients of the products. Herbs and plants used, for example, in cream or essences can be baked, steamed or by toasting, etc.

One of the most popular products in the basic series is First Care Activating Serum. Statistics claim that 1 bottle of this miracle drug is sold every quarter of a minute.

• Unique traditional developments;
• Proven effectiveness of funds;
• Lack of SLS components.

• Not detected.

The history of Whoo

The ideology of the company is the use of ancient secrets and recipes for the beauty of empresses, supported by modern scientific achievements.

We can safely say that The history of Whoo and Sulwhasoo are two direct and worthy competitors. Their views on the creation of cosmetics, production technology and pricing are generally very similar.

But the composition and main ingredients are still different. So The history of Whoo uses lotus flower, pearls, amber, gold and other valuable components in their cosmetics.

• Natural composition;
• The ingredients used are a storehouse of useful and effective active substances;
• Availability of various age lines of products.

• Not detected.

Having got acquainted with the most popular cosmetic brands in Korea, do not forget that this list is far from exhaustive. When choosing products for skin care and makeup, it is not necessary to give preference to any one brand, especially since each manufacturer offers many interesting products.

When choosing their own cosmetics, the fact that Korean cosmetic brands use the practice of selling trial samples plays into the hands of customers. Therefore, before you buy any cream, you should look for a trial version in online stores. Of course, such a test specimen will cost more than the same amount of funds from a full package, but this will protect you from unreasonable waste of funds if suddenly the selected product does not suit you.

Try and choose your product from those offered by the best brands of Korean cosmetics!