Growing up in Boston, MA, as a second-generation Korean-American, I often felt out of place in my predominantly white neighborhood. From classrooms to soccer fields, I was one of the few Asians around. It wasn’t until later that I realized how much I missed out on my own culture, living in a world that wasn’t designed for people like me to thrive.

As a teenager, my interest in skincare grew, but finding products that suited my features and skin type was a struggle. Shopping trips to Sephora and Ulta with my mom often ended in disappointment, as most products seemed tailored for someone who didn’t look like me or have my skin type.

That all changed when I traveled to Korea at 18, just before starting college. Stepping into Olive Young, often called the “Sephora of Korea,” was a revelation. Every product, from face creams to serums, was created, tested, and modeled with women like me in mind. I was overjoyed. Imagine walking into a store and feeling like it was made just for you — that’s what Olive Young felt like to me.

Since that transformative trip, I’ve fallen in love with Korean skincare. My skincare routine is now built around my favorite Korean skincare products. This shift has not only enhanced my regimen but also deepened my connection to my Korean heritage and filled me with cultural pride. So — to the point of this blog post — here are my top brands and their best products for starters!

1. Beauty of Joseon:

   This brand draws inspiration from traditional Korean beauty rituals, focusing on the use of natural, Hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) ingredients. Their products are designed to enhance the skin's natural radiance by blending ancient beauty secrets with modern skincare technology. The brand emphasizes simplicity, effectiveness, and the power of botanicals to achieve a healthy, glowing complexion. Over the past couple of years, Beauty of Joseon has skyrocketed to fame on social media and in the k-beauty world.

   Top 3 Products:

   1. Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide – This serum combines propolis extract, known for its soothing and healing properties, with niacinamide to brighten the skin and improve texture. It's ideal for those looking to calm irritation and achieve a radiant complexion.

   2. Radiance Cleansing Balm – A gentle, yet effective cleansing balm that melts away makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. Infused with rice water and fermented grains, it leaves the skin soft, nourished, and glowing.

   3. Dynasty Cream – This luxurious moisturizer blends ginseng and orchid extract to deeply hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. The cream promotes elasticity and radiance, making it a favorite for achieving a youthful, dewy look.

2. Innisfree

Innisfree is a renowned Korean skincare brand that emphasizes the use of natural ingredients sourced from the pristine island of Jeju. The brand is committed to eco-friendly practices and offers a wide range of skincare and beauty products that focus on maintaining a healthy balance between nature and beauty. Innisfree’s formulations are designed to harness the power of nature to nourish and revitalize the skin.

Top 3 Products:

1. Green Tea Seed Serum – This hydrating serum is enriched with Jeju green tea extract and green tea seed oil to deeply moisturize and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. It’s a cult favorite for its ability to leave the skin plump, refreshed, and radiant.

2. Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask – A powerful clay mask that effectively absorbs excess oil, exfoliates dead skin cells, and minimizes the appearance of pores. Made with Jeju volcanic clusters, it’s perfect for a deep cleanse and smoother, clearer skin.

3. Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream – A rich anti-aging cream formulated with Jeju orchid extract to boost skin elasticity, hydrate deeply, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s ideal for those seeking a youthful, firm complexion.

3. Laneige

Laneige is a premium Korean beauty brand celebrated for its innovative water-based formulas that focus on hydration. The brand’s name, derived from the French word for snow, reflects its commitment to delivering crystal-clear, radiant skin. Laneige products are designed to restore the skin’s moisture balance and promote a healthy, glowing complexion.

Top 3 Products:

1. Water Sleeping Mask – A lightweight, overnight mask that hydrates and revitalizes the skin while you sleep. Infused with Laneige’s signature Sleep-Tox™ and Hydro Ionized Mineral Water, it leaves the skin looking refreshed and glowing by morning.

2. Lip Sleeping Mask – A best-selling lip treatment that nourishes and smooths the lips overnight. Enriched with vitamin C, antioxidants, and a blend of berry extracts, it works to banish dryness and chapped lips, leaving them soft and supple.

3. Cream Skin Refiner – A unique toner and moisturizer hybrid that delivers deep hydration in a single step. Formulated with white tea leaf water, it strengthens the skin barrier and provides long-lasting moisture, perfect for sensitive and dry skin types.

If you’re an Asian girlie like me, or simply someone tired of Westernized, non-inclusive skincare products, I highly recommend exploring Korean skincare. These products are designed for women of color, but many of my Caucasian friends also find them superior to traditional Western brands. Korean skincare has this magical way of making everyone feel included and celebrated. And the best part is, you can find all of these products at the famous Olive Young!

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good sheet mask or a moisturizer that actually matches your skin type? I’ve shared some of my favorite products throughout this article for you to try if you’re just starting your Korean skincare journey. Trust me, once you dive in, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without these gems. Happy shopping, Beauty Beamers!