For a long time now, the American skincare and beauty industry has been influenced by Asian skincare, specifically from Japanese and Korean cultures. In the recent years, the segment made a major comeback with Korean sheet masks and super hydrating night creams. But the products from the most notable Asian skincare and beauty brands go beyond just offering fun masks. In today’s list of recommendations, we’re taking a closer look at today’s most popular Asian skincare and beauty products and why customers love them so much.
The Best of K-Beauty Brands
1. Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
This summer, revive dull, dry skin with explosive hydration from the Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask, an innovative jelly-pudding sleeping mask designed for dryness, dullness and uneven texture, and redness. With a unique “memory” formula, this sleeping mask wraps around the contours of skin with a refreshing layer of intense hydration. Harnessing the DNA of the brand’s bestselling Aqua Bomb moisturizer, this overnight mask is packed with ultra-hydrating herbs like skin-soothing Scottish heather and lady’s mantle. Its pillow-proof formula is easily absorbed by the skin so it can take effect sooner. This product does not contain mineral oils, petrolatum, synthetic preservatives, dyes, fragrances, and animal origin ingredients. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, with a 90% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “I love this sleeping mask! My skin feels so plump immediately after using it. Even more so in the morning. Definitely something I use at least 4-5 times a week.” IrisNadia
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2. Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum
Treat yourself to some Asian skincare goodness this summer with the Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief, a skin-soothing serum that’s packed with antioxidant rich avocado and ceramides that fights redness and irritation caused by dehydration. Made with avocado butter and extract to intensely soothe and nourish skin, Ceramide 5 to visibly reduce redness by supporting the skin barrier, and rice milk allantoin to calm the skin, this serum is great for daily use. It’s effective in supporting the skin barrier and keeping skin hydrated throughout the warmer months. This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars, with a recommendation rating of 96% at Sephora.
Promising review: “I have clear skin on the dry side, I get redness on my cheeks and chin that I can never get to go away. This serum made my skin feel so good, bouncy and hydrated, I noticed a LOT less redness after the first use. I used it at night, before sleep, and work up with great results. I’m so excited to have a more even skin tone. Also, it has a really really light smell and texture.” AmberRoseOrange
3. Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
Every now and then, our skin needs to peel to reveal younger looking skin. The Saturday Skin refining peel gel is effective in gently cleansing skin and improving dullness thanks to its natural enzymes. This lightweight gel formula contains papaya that helps fight free radicals and supports skin, pineapple for gentle exfoliation, nad Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysccharides that helps calm and nurtuer skin. This product is vegan and clean. It has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with a 94% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “I have dry skin and being able to exfoliate has a little more difficult as I’ve gotten older. I love some physical exfoliation once in a while and this does it so well without feeling like you’re overdoing it. It leaves your skin feeling so smooth. It also has no scent in case you’re extra sensitive!” ViajarAdrienne
4. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask
Care for your lips the way you care for your skin with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask which features a softening balm texture that closely adheres to the lips for quick absorption. This leave-on lip mask contains Berry Mix Complex™, made up of a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry. It also features a Moisture Wrap™ technology that is powered by hyaluronic acid and minerals that protects lips from dryness and locks in moisture. This Allure Best of Beauty award winner does not contain parabens and phthalates. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars, with an 83% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “I have chapped lips and I have tried various lip balms and lip masks but nothing ever worked. I have been using this lip sleeping mask for almost a month now. And I see that it has made a difference. It is hydrating and very light on the skin. The texture is smooth and non greasy. I love it!” Nosheen91
5. Glow Recipe Plum Plump™ Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This summer, make sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! the Glow Recipe Plum Plump™ Hyaluronic Acid Serum will help skin stay hydrated throughout the warmer months thanks to its lightweight serum formula that contains next generation hyaluronic acid with different weights (ultra-low, low, medium, high, and ultra-high molecular weights) to penetrate deep into skin, three antioxidant-rich plums (kakadu, illawarra, and burdekin) to hydrate, nourish, and rejuvenate skin, and vegan collagen and silk proteins, powerhouse ingredients that supports the skin’s barrier. This product is vegan and cruelty-free and has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with a 91% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “I’ve only been using this for a week, and I have to say… this works. This was the only thing I changed in my skincare routine, and my skin is noticeably more hydrated and glowy. It’s also helped reduce redness and has made my skin much softer. This is my new go-to serum and I will be purchasing again.” ThatBlondeBeech
Notable Asian Skincare Products That are Highly Recommended by Users
1. Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed
South Korean cosmetics brand Innisfree took the world by storm with its affordable and effective skincare products, just like the Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed. The Asian brand offers a lightweight hydrating serum with Jeju green tea that effectively replenishes the skin’s moisture and protects it from environmental stressors. Its lightweight formula also features panthenol to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. This product has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with a 94% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “I am absolutely obsessed with this serum. It makes my skin feel so great and hydrated. This works better than other, more expensive serums.” Lauren0322
2. Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
Shiseido is one of the world’s most recognized brands in Asian skincare. Its Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream is one of the brand’s most well-loved products, as it effectively fights fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness. Its cream formula is powered by ReNeura Technology+™ that helps improve skin receptivity to your skincare routine and KOMBU-Bounce Complex that addresses wrinkle formation and works as a natural wrinkle inner-filler. The Beneficance eye cream from Shiseido effectively works on stress lines between the brows to crow’s feet, under-eye lines, corner crinkling, lid creases, and under-puff lines to smoothen the skin and reveal a youthful-looking radiance and hydrated skin. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars, with an 88% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “Obsessed with this eye cream. Literally nothing compares and worth every penny. A little goes a long way and doesn’t really absorb all the way, so I just use at night. It has done wonders on my genetic dark circles and fine lines. If you’re debating because of the price, go for it! You’ll waste your money trying the other cheaper ones first. I won’t buy any other eye cream now.” Rose
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3. AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Exfoliating Powder Cleanser
This powder to foam exfoliating daily cleanser from Amorepacific contains powerful plant-derived enzymes that effectively lifts away dead skin cells, impurities, and makeup as it moisturizes the skin. Made for all skin types, this scrub formula fights dullness and uneven texture and pores. It contains green tea-derived probiotic enzymes that helps remove dead skin cells and papaya to suppor the healthy turnover of skin for more radiant skin. It has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars at Sephora.
Promising review: “I only use a few times a week but it takes off the rough dead skin patches and doesn’t dry out or make my skin breakout! It’s also not gritty so it doesn’t cause irritation. The bottle has lasted me two years when using a few times a week!” ShelbyJ22
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4. Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask
A deep-cleansing creamy clay mask, this Innisfree best-seller is uniquely formulated with Jeju Super Volcanic Clusters™ and AHA that not only clears pores but exfoliates. Its finely ground hardened volcanic lava material helps absorb excess sebum while its lactic acid effectively helps exfoliate dead skin cells and minimize appearance of pores. This product has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with a 97% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “This face mask is amazing for my oily, acne prone skin. It absorbs oily and leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean but not stripped! I love this mask!” Lavenderrose117
5. Tower 28 Beauty SOS Save.Our.Skin Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Did you know Tower 28 Beauty was founded by Amy Liu, an Asian American who has worked for several founder-led brands before starting her own company in 2019? The product of her hard work is Tower 28 Beauty, a 100% clean, vegan brand that delivers affordable yet effective products, just like the Save.Our.Skin Daily Rescue Facial Spray, which is perfet for use during summer. This three-ingredient daily treatment spray comes in a lightweight liquid formula that contains hypochlorous acid, water, and sodium chloride that together soothes skin. This product has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, with an 85% recommendation rating at Sephora.
Promising review: “I am so happy I have found this spray! I am struggling with hormonal acne while nursing my third child and this calms my skin right down. I have seen a significant decrease in inflammation on my face. Will continue to repurchase until my skin returns to normal.” CStrawbarry
Brand Highlight of the Week: Tatcha
1. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Nourish the skin with this rich, moisturizing cream that packs skin with plumping hydration and antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice so you can get back a dewy, healthy glow. With botanical extracts and oils from ginseng, wild thyme, and sweet marjoram, this moisturizing cream boosts skin hydration as it nourishes. It contains Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid that captures water and deposits it into the skin’s natural moisture reservoir so your skin feels soft, comforted, and deeply nourished. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. Shop at Tatcha.
Promising review: “Perfect for my 40 something skin. Leaves my face and neck feeling moisturized but not greasy like other hydrating formulas. Love the very subtle ‘glow’ it gives. Definitely staying in my skin care routine forever!” Judi E. from New Jersey
2. Tatcha The Deep Cleanse
Level up step one of your skincare routine with the Tatcha Deep Cleanse, a daily gel cleanser that’s packed with natural fruit exfoliants that effectively yet gently removes impurities from the skin and unclogs the pores. It contains Japanese luffa fruit that exfoliates skin, Japanese wild rose to balance skin and improve circulation with its antioxidants, and Japanese leopart lily, which helps minimize excess oil production, calm problem skin, and promote turnover of the skin. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. Shop at Tatcha.
Promising review: “This is a super great cleanser, smells delicious, my face feels clean and exfoliated and it does improves my overall face texture and lines. It is a good investment. I will buy it again and again.” Maria A. from Las Vegas
3. Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum
Harness the nourishing power of vitamin C with this brightening serum from Tatcha, which contains 20% vitamin C and 10% AHAs. Its gentle strength effectively softens and smooths skin for a more radiant glow. It also contains Japanese angelica root that helps reduce dark spots, discoloration, and post-acne scars. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. Shop at Tatcha.
Promising review: “I’m on my second bottle of this serum. I use it morning and night. My skin absorbs it easily, and it leaves my skin soft and hydrated, not oily. I’ve been working on some melasma patches and this is slowly helping to lighten them along with other products.” Cami T.
4. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
This summer, boost skin hydration with the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, which is packed with hydrating ingredients such as glycerine, squalane, rice ferment, panax ginseng root extract, jojoba fruit extract, royal jelly extract, and more. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. Shop at Tatcha.
Promising review: “I use this everyday day! It makes my face feel and look amazing with or without makeup. I always keep the travel size with me to maintain a glow throughout the day!” Roseleen M.
5. Tatcha The Camella Cleansing Oil
This hydrating 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser is a great first step in your skincare routine. It’s formulated with camellia oil that nourishes skin and effectively melts away oils and waterproof makeup. It also contains Hadasei-3™, a proprietary complex of rice, green tea, and algae, which antioxidants work to deliver softness to skin, and essential amino acids and lactic acids to gently resurface skin. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. Shop at Tatcha.
Promising review: “I have very dry skin and avoid cleansers that dry my skin out. This product is perfect! A good cleanser that leaves my face clean and soft. I use nightly. So glad my daughter encouraged me to use.” Peggy H.
If you loved this diverse list of Asian skincare and beauty products, make sure to check out more of our beauty-related stories you may have missed below.
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Best Spring Skincare Products 2021
The Best Longwear Liquid Eyeliners According to Those Who Use Them
The Best Anti-aging Products for Summer and Beyond
The Best Face Mists According to Those Who Use Them 2021
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