The K-Beauty Products That Are Actually Trending in Korea RN

Exclusive abelskin information!

At a K-beauty brand event last week, someone said they couldn’t go on TikTok without hearing “K-beauty, K-beauty, K-beauty.” Seeing K-beauty have this huge resurgence has been fascinating to watch because it’s such a microcosm of a microcosm of the beauty industry. TikTok only represents a sliver of the K-beauty world, as a handful of brand marketing teams have been focusing more on Western audiences and getting on TikTok than ever before. In the process, the same selection of products keeps getting mentioned over and over again: Mediheal’s toner pads, Biodance’s overnight sheet masks, Arencia’s mochi-like cleanser—just to name a few. (If you ask me, all of the TikTok-viral K-beauty products are pretty overrated.)

But what skincare products are the people in Korea actually using and getting excited about? Well, all of those products had a time and place in the Korean beauty zeitgeist. However, they are basically old news to Koreans. They are onto the next! Here’s what they’re really using and what they are saying about each formula. (All based on my secret abelskin™ research methods that only my warped brain can comprehend.) Some of these are so new or just starting to get trendy that I haven’t even tried them!!!

This is only PART ONE of THREE!!! So get ready for this exclusive KEAUTY SERIES!!!

**If there isn’t a link next to the product name, that means it isn’t readily available in America yet, so consider it an extra-special sneak peek at what’s to come stateside. **

TOP CLEANSERS

• BePlain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam (Amazon)

  • Gentle enough for sensitive skin

  • Helps clear pores of blackheads and excess oil

• Skin1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil (Amazon, Skin1004)

  • Doesn’t leave your skin feeling super greasy after rinsing

  • Removes even the most waterproof of mascaras

  • Has a watery consistency

• Make Prem Safe Me. Relief Moisture Cleansing Milk (Soko Glam, Amazon)

  • Cleansing oil alternative for those with oily skin/weary of oils

  • Won’t fuck up your skin barrier

  • Great option for those who don’t wear waterproof makeup