Buzz
Photo: Mytour / Amelia ManleyEven if you're not a fan of K-beauty or J-beauty, Asian culture's influence runs far deeper than you might think. Whether you realize it or not, many aspects of Western beauty have been heavily shaped by Asian traditions. Skincare layering? Sheet masks? BB creams? Fermented beauty products? Gua sha and facial rollers? (I could go on, but I'll keep it short for now.) You can thank Asian heritage for all of that.
As a Korean-American beauty editor who discovered my passion for beauty through the lens of Asian culture, I’m deeply saddened by the rise in violence against the AAPI community. The beauty industry is also plagued with racism—and a general disregard—for Asian culture (don’t even get me started on fox eyes), despite the enormous impact it’s had. I’ve often felt invisible in a Western-dominated industry that profits from our ideas but refuses to fully embrace us. So, as someone who seeks out the best beauty products for others, I want to take this opportunity to highlight some incredible Asian-American beauty brands. These game-changing serums, scrubs, stains, and more are the result of talented Asian immigrants, entrepreneurs, and beauty experts who have overcome significant challenges. And on top of all that, the products are truly fantastic.
Tatcha
Have you ever dreamed of achieving the flawless, poreless skin of a geisha? In Japan, this perfect look is known as 'mochi hada,' referring to the soft, radiant, and smooth texture of a baby’s skin. Tatcha draws inspiration from these Japanese geishas to craft facial cleansers and moisturizers that feature traditional ingredients such as finely ground rice powder and licorice root extract. Tatcha’s products are designed to give you that dewy, luminous complexion, with items like cleansing oils to dissolve makeup, rice polishes to exfoliate, and brightening products for that sought-after glow.
Editor's Pick: New to Tatcha? Try their Silk Powder ($48; sephora.com), a skincare powder that defends against blue light and pollution. Made with silk, it absorbs excess oil and blurs imperfections while adding a subtle glow with the help of pearl powder.
Glow Recipe
Beyond its cute packaging, Glow Recipe’s formulas are among the best in the skincare world. Co-founders Sarah Lee and Christine Chang first appeared on Shark Tank in 2015 (where they secured a deal) and have since expanded their collection with incredible success. Each product highlights a powerful ingredient, such as watermelon, avocado, plum, pineapple, blueberry, banana, or papaya, targeting specific skincare concerns with remarkable results.
Editor's Pick: Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops ($24; sephora.com)—Glow Recipe’s first makeup-skincare hybrid—instantly imparts a dewy radiance to your complexion while improving your skin over time. Plus, it’s free of mica, glitter, or pearls, so it won’t clog your pores.
Good Light Beauty
Good Light Beauty, founded by former journalist and Korean-American skinfluencer David Yi, champions inclusivity and the belief that beauty products should be free of gender labels—a concept that should be obvious, but is still not universally embraced. After two years of research and formulating, the brand has unveiled a trio of products, all designed to be anti-inflammatory and pH-balanced to enhance the skin's moisture barrier.
Editor's Pick: Check out Cosmic Dew Water Cleanser ($18; goodlight.world), a gel-to-foam, prebiotic cleanser that not only removes impurities but also gives your skin an ethereal glow.
Peach & Lily
Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon's journey began with business school at Harvard and esthetician training in Korea, allowing her to master skincare ingredients, formulas, and techniques from both cultures. Peach & Lily was created in 2012 based on this unique knowledge, with all products formulated without toxins or irritants (Alicia herself has eczema), ensuring that your skincare routine is safe and effective, without the guesswork.
Editor's Pick: Achieving glass skin is simpler than you might think—it all comes down to hydration. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer ($40; ulta.com) lives up to its name; this formula acts like a refreshing glass of water for your skin, which is the secret to that highly sought-after glass skin glow.
Patrick Ta Beauty
Patrick Ta, a Vietnamese-American celebrity makeup artist, is one of the most renowned professionals in the industry. Now, you can achieve his signature goddess-like radiance with the glow-enhancing products from Patrick Ta Beauty.
Editor's Pick: Want to recreate that vacation glow? Try Major Glow Body Oil ($52; sephora.com), a pearlescent body oil that moisturizes and illuminates the skin. It gives off the perfect luminous sheen and doubles as a fragrance with a delightful jasmine scent.
Tower 28
Fun fact: Tower 28 was named after a real lifeguard tower in Santa Monica by founder Amy Liu. The name represents everything the brand stands for: community, healthy fun, and clean living. Fun fact #2: Tower 28 is the only makeup brand that fully adheres to the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines and avoids known irritants and allergens, such as essential oils and synthetic fragrances, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Editor's Pick: I can't resist a good lip gloss, and Tower 28’s ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly ($14; sephora.com) is a top pick. This moisturizing cult favorite comes in six versatile shades and features a special blend of five nourishing oils that hydrate and protect lips, unlike other glosses that leave your lips dry after the shine fades.
Cocokind
Cocokind, founded in 2015, is not only affordable and high-quality but also deeply committed to sustainability in every product it offers. The brand began its journey in a small Whole Foods store in Northern California, where CEO and founder Priscilla Tsai personally delivered samples to regional buyers. Since then, it has grown into major national retailers like Target, Whole Foods, Ulta, and more.
Editor's Pick: All Cocokind products are super clean and great for sensitive skin, but my absolute favorite is Sake Body Lotion ($16; cocokind.com), a rich, buttery formula made with sake (fermented rice wine packed with smoothing enzymes).
Then I Met You
Soko Glam co-founder Charlotte Cho designed the collection with the Korean concept of jeong in mind, which refers to the profound connection and affection one can feel for people, places, and things. The brand represents those life-changing moments when something deeply influences us or our routines. It truly lives up to its name—its powerful ingredients, from sea buckthorn to cocoa and licorice, deliver skin-transforming results.
Editor's Pick: Essence (a product with Asian roots) is one of my must-have skincare items, and The Giving Essence ($50; thenimetyou.com) is among the best I’ve used. This essence is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients like red algae, berries, and ellagic acid, which work together to soothe and brighten skin for a radiant glow.
Orcé Cosmetics
As an Asian woman with a naturally darker skin tone, founder Yu-Chen struggled with the lack of representation in Asian beauty brands, which often focused on lighter skin tones due to traditional Asian ideals of beauty. After years of using bleaching products to lighten her skin, she decided to create a brand that celebrates the rich diversity within Asian culture. Orcé's thoughtfully curated shade range is designed specifically for darker Asian skin tones and avoids the pasty or orange appearance that many other products leave behind.
Editor's Pick: Try the Skin Perfecting Serum Foundation ($89; orcecosmetics.com) from the brand, which instantly smooths skin texture with just one swipe, while also working to enhance skin's appearance over time.
SLMD Skincare
If you're not familiar with Sandra Lee, MD, board-certified dermatologist and the founder of SLMD Skincare, you may know her by her viral nickname, Dr. Pimple Popper. Yes, she's the same expert who pops massive pimples on YouTube and has even turned it into a TV show. SLMD Skincare bottles up her pimple-popping expertise into powerful formulas for fighting blemishes.
Editor's Pick: SLMD Resurfacing Acne Swipes ($35; slmdskincare.com) come pre-soaked in soft woven rounds filled with a potent blend of three key acids—salicylic, glycolic, and lactic. Despite their powerful ingredients, they are gentle enough for sensitive skin without causing any irritation.
JinSoon
I had the privilege of meeting founder JinSoon Choi, and I can vouch that she is just as brilliant and delightful as her products. This celebrated nail artist (who has been praised by New York Times Magazine) moved to New York City in 1991, earning a reputation by biking around the city and offering house calls. Today, she works on nails for top runway shows. Her formulas are 9/10-free, meaning they’re free from harsh chemicals, and are crafted with cutting-edge polymers and resins that ensure your nails last much longer than regular polish.
Editor's Pick: Nail shades are subjective, but I have to recommend the universally loved HyperGloss ($22; amazon.com), a UV-blocking top coat that dries any color in a flash and gives your nails a glossy, gel-like finish.
