If you're eager to dive into the world of Korean skincare but feel overwhelmed, here are 22 standout products to kickstart your journey.

1. A highly acclaimed Cosrx essence featuring 96.3% snail mucin, designed to be ultra-lightweight and deeply hydrating for every skin type. This serum delivers a radiant glow and noticeably smoother skin after just a few applications — it’s no surprise it boasts over 57,000 5-star reviews!

2. A Beauty of Joseon eye serum that banishes under-eye puffiness and fatigue. Enriched with ginseng, retinol, and niacinamide, it works to diminish wrinkles, boost skin elasticity, and brighten your complexion for a luminous, youthful look.

3. A jar of Anua Heartleaf daily toner pads infused with PHA to delicately exfoliate, eliminate dead skin cells, and combat blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Heartleaf extract soothes and hydrates, leaving your skin refreshed and glowing.

4. A bottle of The Face Shop's facial foaming cleanser perfect for skin as delicate as a toddler's during nap time. Just a small amount creates a luxurious lather that cleanses thoroughly without causing irritation or dryness. Infused with rice water, it works wonders for brightening your skin tone.

5. A pore-clearing cleansing oil that effectively draws out sebum, makeup residue, and blackheads, leaving your skin visibly clearer and smoother. Loved by reviewers of all skin types, even those with acne-prone skin, who confirm it doesn’t trigger breakouts!

6. An Elizavecca carbonated clay mask designed to deep-cleanse your skin by removing excess sebum without stripping its natural moisture. Users rave about how their skin feels impeccably clean and irresistibly smooth — you’ll want to touch it nonstop! 

7. A bottle of Missha's Soft Finish Sun Milk sunscreen offering SPF 50+ protection against UV rays while being sweat- and water-resistant, ensuring it stays put throughout your day. It also provides a silky-smooth base for flawless makeup application. (Say goodbye to cakey foundation! 🙌🏽)

8. A dark spot correcting serum enriched with 5% niacinamide, papaya extract, and plant-based squalane to visibly reduce hyperpigmentation and reveal a radiant, even-toned complexion.

9. A Beauty of Joseon glow serum, the ultimate secret for achieving glass-like skin. This honey-textured serum combines propolis and niacinamide to regulate sebum, reduce pore visibility, and even out skin tone for a flawless finish.

10. A nourishing multiceramide cream infused with three types of hyaluronic acid to strengthen and protect your skin’s barrier. This hydrating powerhouse not only moisturizes but also seals in hydration, leaving your skin irresistibly soft and smooth. Reviewers adore its luxurious, silky texture — it’s a true delight to use! 

11. A Nooni tinted appleberry lip oil perfect for those seeking a lightweight, non-sticky lip product with a hint of color. This oil not only delivers a lovely tint but also deeply hydrates and repairs dry, chapped lips.

12. Mixsoon Bean Essence that simultaneously hydrates and exfoliates your skin. 🤯 This rich (yet non-sticky) essence is packed with natural ingredients like fermented bean, barley, and pomegranate to slough off dead skin cells and rejuvenate your complexion.

13. A Sioris Time Is Running Out Mist that combines toner, mist, and serum into one powerhouse product. Infused with 78% organic fruit water, it’s rich in nutrients and minerals to leave your skin glowing without any greasy feel.

14. A Dear, Klairs freshly juiced vitamin mask you’ll absolutely adore, especially if you have dry skin. Infused with vitamins C and E, plus niacinamide, this mask deeply hydrates, brightens, and firms your skin for hours on end. 

15. Mediheal tea tree sheet masks, offering a 15-minute spa-like experience in a single pouch. Enriched with three types of tea tree extract, it works to cleanse pores, regulate oil production, soothe irritation, and prevent future breakouts. 

16. A TikTok-famous all-in-one beauty balm designed to nourish dry patches on your face and body. Infused with collagen and natural fermented oil from Jeju Island, this balm delivers a 48-hour moisture surge and a firming effect, leaving your skin feeling pampered and revitalized.

17. A SeoulCeuticals toner mist crafted with 98% natural ingredients, including cucumber, green tea, tamarind, aloe, and marine minerals. This refreshing mist hydrates, plumps, and brightens your skin while also helping to prevent and reduce blemishes for a clear, radiant complexion.

18. A mandelic acid exfoliator that blends AHA and BHA to gently remove dead skin cells, improve hyperpigmentation, and enhance skin texture. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and is non-irritating!

19. A honey mask containing 38.7% pure honey. This mask doesn’t just moisturize — it deeply hydrates, plumps, and refines your skin, minimizing the look of pores. It’s like a luxurious treat for your face, delivering a radiant glow and leaving you feeling refreshed and confident.

20. A revitalizing Bifida Biome Complex ampoule featuring five probiotic strains to fortify your skin barrier and 10 types of hyaluronic acid for intense hydration. This fast-absorbing ampoule feels like a magic potion for your skin, leaving it refreshed and radiant. One reviewer even likens it to the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, which costs over $100 for the same size.

21. A set of peptide patches — these resemble stickers but offer much more: They block 98% of UV rays with their UPF 50+ rating, protecting your under-eyes while delivering hydrating and brightening peptides. Ultra-thin and nearly invisible, they’re water- and sweat-resistant, making them perfect for all-day wear without slipping.

22. A clear sunscreen stick compact enough to fit in your palm, ideal for SPF touch-ups on the go. Enriched with peptides, cucumber, and Centella extract, it strengthens and hydrates your skin barrier without leaving a white cast or sticky residue. Reviewers love how effortlessly it reapplies over makeup!