Korean cosmetics

Our Korean cosmetics range brings together the South Korean skincare brands Medicube, Biodance, Laneige and Beauty of Joseon. You will find a serum, face creams, sheet and hydrogel masks, toner pads, an overnight lip mask and a sunscreen. Korean skincare puts hydration and radiant, healthy-looking skin first, not heavy foundation.

What are Korean cosmetics?

Korean cosmetics, often called K-beauty, follow a skincare style that comes from South Korea. The goal is hydrated, healthy, luminous skin, known in Korea as “glass skin”. Instead of layering foundation, Koreans favour a longer skincare routine. Every product in it has its own job.

The range of ingredients is wide, from plant extracts such as green tea to collagen and fermented ingredients. In the products we carry you will find PDRN, peptides, collagen, niacinamide, ceramides and rice, among others.

The steps of a Korean skincare routine

The classic Korean routine has around ten steps, but a shorter version works perfectly well for everyday care. The basic order is:

1. Double cleansing: an oil-based cleanser first, then a water-based facial cleanser.
2. Toner or toner pads: place the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Toner Pad pads on the areas you want to treat for about five minutes, then sweep them over the face.
3. Serum: a concentrated face serum for targeted care.
4. Mask: a sheet or hydrogel face mask once or twice a week.
5. Cream: a face cream morning and night.
6. Sun protection: the last step of the morning routine. At night a night cream or sleeping mask takes its place.

Which Korean cosmetics brands do we carry?

Medicube

Medicube is a brand of APR, a South Korean beauty-tech company. Its PDRN Pink line is built on PDRN derived from salmon DNA, and the capsule cream and toner pads also contain collagen. The line includes a serum, a capsule cream, a gel mask, a sheet mask and jelly toner pads. We also stock the Collagen Jelly Cream gel cream, the vitamin C Deep Vita C Capsule Cream and the exfoliating Zero Pore Pad 2.0.

Biodance

Biodance is a Seoul brand whose range includes hydrogel masks. The Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask stays on overnight, or for 3–4 hours until it turns transparent. The Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask is a hydrogel mask with ceramides and glacier water that Biodance describes as safe for sensitive skin.

Laneige

Laneige is a South Korean brand launched by Amorepacific in 1994. Its name comes from the French “la neige”, meaning snow. The Lip Sleeping Mask is an overnight lip treatment: apply it as the last step of your evening routine and wipe it off in the morning.

Beauty of Joseon

Beauty of Joseon is a Seoul brand whose products are built around rice. Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ is a sunscreen made with rice and probiotics, the natural last step of a morning routine.

How to choose by skin type

Korean cosmetics are easy to match to your skin. Here is where to start:

• Oily and combination skin: Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 contains AHAs and white willow bark extract (BHA). Medicube says they exfoliate, clear sebum and minimise the look of pores.
• Skin that needs moisture: the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask with oligo-hyaluronic acid and low-molecular collagen, and the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream.
• Sensitive skin: the Biodance Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask with ceramides, panthenol and glacier water.
• Skin that wants more glow: the Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream and the Kojic Acid Turmeric gel mask. In the cream you choose the ratio of capsules to gel to suit your skin type.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Korean routine have to have ten steps?

No. Ten steps is the classic full routine. For daily care, cleansing, a serum, a cream and morning sun protection are enough. Add masks whenever you want to give your skin extra moisture.

How do you use a hydrogel mask?

Apply the mask to cleansed, toned skin and leave it on overnight, or for 3–4 hours until it turns transparent. A good one to start with is the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask.

What is PDRN?

PDRN is an ingredient Medicube derives from salmon DNA and uses in its PDRN Pink line. For a light serum, try the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, applied morning and night to clean skin.

Is there Korean lip care too?

Yes. The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is an overnight lip mask: apply it before bed and wipe it off in the morning.