Kokoelma: Korean Skin

What makes Korean skincare different?

K-beauty isn't about one miracle product. It's about layering lightweight, hydrating formulas that look after your skin barrier, so your complexion looks healthy, bouncy and naturally luminous rather than stripped or overloaded.

You'll see a lot of skin-loving ingredients pop up again and again: rice, ginseng, centella (cica), snail mucin, collagen, ceramides, niacinamide and, the newest buzzword, PDRN. Curious about that last one? We've got the lowdown in PDRN: The Korean Skincare Ingredient Taking Over.

How to build a K-beauty routine (no 10 steps required)

Despite what social media might have you believe, you don't need a ten-step routine every night. Start with the basics and add in extras when your skin needs a boost.

• Cleanse: a gentle, low-foam cleanser clears away the day without leaving skin tight.
• Tone and exfoliate: a few times a week, swipe on an exfoliating toner pad to smooth texture and refine the look of pores. Browse all toners and face mists.
• Treat: a targeted serum for your main concern, whether that's brightness, bounce or calm.
• Moisturise: lock it all in with a bouncy gel or cream moisturiser.
• Protect: finish every morning with SPF, yes, even on a grey Irish day.
• Treat yourself: once or twice a week, add a face mask. Overnight collagen masks and sheet masks are made for a Sunday-night reset.

Shop Korean skincare by concern

• Dullness and uneven tone: rice, alpha-arbutin and vitamin C help skin look brighter and more even.
• Pores and texture: exfoliating pads and clay masks help keep pores looking clear.
• Dehydration: jelly creams, gel toner pads and hydrogel masks flood skin with lightweight moisture, often with hyaluronic acid. Not sure if your skin is dry or dehydrated? Here's how to tell the difference.
• Sensitive or red, stressed skin: calming cica, ceramides and PDRN are your friends. Read up on the signs your skin barrier is damaged.

Korean skincare FAQs

What is glass skin?

Glass skin is a K-beauty term for a complexion that looks so hydrated, smooth and luminous it almost reflects light, like a pane of glass. It isn't about being poreless; it's about deep hydration and a healthy glow. Our glass skin guide shows you how to get it.

Is Korean skincare good for sensitive skin?

Lots of Korean skincare is designed to be gentle, with a focus on hydration and soothing ingredients like centella, ceramides and panthenol. As with any new product, patch test first and introduce one new product at a time so you can see how your skin responds.

Do I need a 10-step routine?

Not at all. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser and SPF is a brilliant K-beauty routine. Add toners, pads, essences and masks when you want to, not because you have to.

What is PDRN in skincare?

PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a DNA-derived ingredient, often sourced from salmon, that's become one of Korean skincare's buzziest ingredients for hydrated, bouncier-looking skin. Get the full story in our PDRN explainer.

Why is Korean sunscreen so popular?

Korean SPFs are loved for their lightweight, fast-absorbing textures that sit beautifully under makeup without a heavy white cast, which makes wearing SPF every day much easier. Browse all face sunscreen or find out whether mineral or chemical SPF suits you.