Best Korean skincare brands are dominating the beauty industry with Innovation, effectiveness, and affordability in 2025.
The global Korean skincare market is most definitely going to be worth $21.8 billion this year. Huge leap forward, indeed, propelled by sparkling reviews, TikTok trends, and real results from actual users.
Take COSRX’s Advanced Snail 96 Essence, for example. A single bottle sells every 25 seconds globally. Or Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask, which has over 30,000 five-star reviews online.
Read this blog to know about the 17 best brands and top products in Korean skin care, each backed by consumer love and clinical results.
And for those who want to start a skincare business inspired by K-beauty, Maker’s Row helps you connect with trusted American manufacturers to build your product line—from formula to packaging.
Why Korean Skincare Is Leading in 2025
Korean Skincare Products are loved for being gentle, effective, and skin-friendly; the formulas are much more preventive, hydrating, and about achieving “glass skin” as an appearance, with glamor being another descriptor thrown in. With different types of product focus for different concern areas, the best Korean skin care has something for all.
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| Factor | Explanation |
| Innovation | Korea invests heavily in R&D for beauty and skin health. |
| Natural Ingredients | Ginseng, green tea, and rice extracts dominate formulas. |
| Affordable Luxury | High-quality products at reasonable prices. |
| Layered Routine | 10-step Korean skincare routine improves skin deeply. |
How Maker’s Row Can Help You Start a Skincare Brand
If you’re inspired by these best Korean skincare brands and want to launch your own, Maker’s Row can guide you.
Maker’s Row is a platform that connects entrepreneurs to verified American manufacturers. Create your Korean-inspired skincare product, ranging from local labs to private-label manufacturers in the USA as well as all over the world. In terms of work, from sourcing packaging to the final design of the product, Maker’s Row supports you at every step.
Also read, Top 10 Korean Skincare Wholesale Suppliers for Small Businesses in USA
Whether it be making toners, serums, or cleansers, Maker’s Row helps you build quality skincare from scratch. Perfect for those wishing to bring the ethos of the Korean skincare routine to American consumers.
Top 17 Korean Skincare Brands & Their Must-Have Products
Korean skincare has made waves globally for its innovativeness in formulations and effectiveness of results. Below is a complete list of the best Korean skincare brands in 2025—the more, the merrier, as they say—with brief introductions of their origins, signature products, and main ingredients.
1. COSRX
- Established: 2013
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, Acne Pimple Master Patch
- Key Ingredients: Snail mucin, niacinamide, salicylic acid, etc.
COSRX is renowned for its minimalist formulations that target specific skin concerns, making it a staple in many Korean skincare routines.
2. Laneige
- Established: 1994
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Water Sleeping Mask, Lip Sleeping Mask
- Key Ingredients: Hydro-ionized mineral water, beta-glucan, ceramides
Laneige focuses on hydration science, offering products that deliver deep moisture and revitalization.
Innisfree
- Established: 2000
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Green Tea Seed Serum, Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
- Key Ingredients: Jeju green tea extract, volcanic ash, orchid extract
Innisfree utilizes natural ingredients sourced from Jeju Island, promoting eco-friendly beauty solutions.
4. Sulwhasoo
- Established: 1966
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: First Care Activating Serum, Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, licorice root, peony extract
Sulwhasoo combines traditional Korean herbal medicine with modern science to create luxurious skincare products.
5. Dr. Jart+
- Established: 2004
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment, Ceramidin Cream
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Dr. Jart+ is known for its dermatologically tested products that address various skin concerns with innovative formulas.
6. Missha
- Established: 2002
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Time Revolution First Treatment Essence, M Perfect Cover BB Cream
- Key Ingredients: Fermented yeast extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
Missha offers high-quality Korean skincare products at affordable prices, making it accessible to a broad audience.
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7. Etude House
- Established: 1966
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner, Moistfull Collagen Cream
- Key Ingredients: Panthenol, madecassoside, collagen
Etude House is celebrated for its playful packaging and gentle formulations suitable for sensitive skin.
8. Banila Co.
- Established: 2005
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, Prime Primer
- Key Ingredients: Papaya extract, acerola extract, hot spring water
Banila Co. specializes in effective makeup removers and primers that prepare the skin for flawless application.
9. Klairs
- Established: 2010
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Supple Preparation Facial Toner, Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, centella asiatica, licorice root extract
Klairs focuses on simple, vegan-friendly formulations that cater to sensitive skin types.
10. Some By Mi
- Established: 2016
- Country: Seoul, Korea
- Famous Products: AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner, Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum
- Key Ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHA, snail mucin, tea tree extract
Some By Mi is known for its transformative products that deliver visible results within a short period.
11. Pyunkang Yul
- Established: 2016
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Essence Toner, Moisture Cream
- Key Ingredients: Astragalus root extract, shea butter, hyaluronic acid
Pyunkang Yul is a skincare line developed by the Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic. It focuses on minimal, fragrance-free formulations ideal for sensitive skin. This brand is highly recommended in a gentle Korean skincare routine.
12. Neogen Dermalogy
- Established: 2008
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine, Real Ferment Micro Essence
- Key Ingredients: Fermented rice extract, resveratrol, lactic acid
Neogen combines advanced biotechnology with natural ingredients, delivering targeted treatments and exfoliants for a smooth complexion. One of the best Korean skincare brands for innovative exfoliation.
13. Beauty of Joseon
- Established: 2016
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Glow Serum, Dynasty Cream
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng, niacinamide, honey extract
Inspired by historical Korean beauty secrets, this brand blends tradition with modern science. It’s ideal for building a timeless Korean skincare routine.
14. THE FACE SHOP
- Established: 2003
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam, Yehwadam Revitalizing Serum
- Key Ingredients: Rice water, herbs, natural oils
THE FACE SHOP focuses on botanical beauty using ingredients from nature. Their cleansers are staples in the best Korean skincare regimens worldwide.
15. Skinfood
- Established: 1957
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Black Sugar Mask Wash Off, Egg White Pore Foam
- Key Ingredients: Black sugar, egg whites, avocado oil
One of the oldest Korean skincare brands, Skinfood is known for using food-grade ingredients to nourish the skin. It’s perfect for DIY spa-like treatments.
16. TonyMoly
- Established: 2006
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: I’m Real Sheet Masks, Panda’s Dream Eye Stick
- Key Ingredients: Green tea, bamboo sap, hyaluronic acid
TonyMoly blends fun packaging with effective Korean skincare products that appeal to young users and skincare beginners. Great for affordable routines.
17. Round Lab
- Established: 2017
- Country: South Korea
- Famous Products: Dokdo Cleanser, 1025 Dokdo Toner
- Key Ingredients: Deep sea water, panthenol, allantoin
Round Lab gained popularity for its gentle formulas rich in minerals. It’s quickly rising among the best Korean skincare brands for hydration-focused routines.
Top Ingredients in Korean Skincare (2025)
| Ingredient | Benefits | Common Brands Using It |
| Snail Mucin | Repairs skin barrier, hydrates | COSRX, Some By Mi |
| Ginseng | Anti-aging, energizing | Sulwhasoo, Beauty of Joseon |
| Green Tea | Antioxidant, calms skin | Innisfree, TonyMoly |
| Centella Asiatica | Reduces inflammation, heals wounds | Dr. Jart+, Klairs |
| Fermented Extracts | Boosts absorption, nourishes skin | Neogen, Missha |
Final Thoughts
The best Korean skincare brands depend on what your skin needs. So if you’re looking for the hydration fix, take your pick from Laneige or Pyunkang Yul. For gentle exfoliation, you should check out Neogen and Some By Mi; they are two of the best.
In short, Korean skincare products demonstrate how even the most gentle, layered routines make a difference. Start small as a beginner, or go big as an expert, but try building that routine with these brands.
Serums and essences that real users have used for just 30 days have resulted in visible differences. Dermatologist-backed brands like COSRX and Dr. Jart+ boast a loyal following all over the globe.
