I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Korean beauty products are a game-changer. Over the last year or so, I've incorporated more K-beauty brands into my skincare routine, and my skin has transformed for the better. I'm talking about the kind of glass-like skin you only see in ads and commercials. If you've been considering testing out the K-beauty waters, consider this list of my favorite Korean beauty products at Ulta your sign to dive in headfirst.
Ulta has always been my one-stop shop for all of my skincare, makeup, and haircare needs. But more recently, I've been heading to the retailer solely to restock my K-beauty favorites. From Medicube and Anua to Peach & Lily and Belif, the top brands any budding K-beauty lover should know can all be found in Ulta's aisles.
To help you achieve the best glow ever, I'm sharing my holy grail Korean beauty products at Ulta, below. Step by step, I've broken down the best products to add to your skincare routine, including the best Korean oil cleansers and balms for double cleansing and Korean sunscreens to use year-round.
Cleansers
As someone with huge pores and oily skin, double cleansing with this Korean cleansing oil has changed the game for me. Its lightweight formula emulsifies quickly into a silky lather that not only feels great on my skin but also easily removes every drop of makeup.
It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Banila Co put cleansing balms on the map. This cleanser has been around a long time, yet it still holds up to new and pricier formulas. A tiny scoop is all you need to melt away makeup and leave skin feeling refreshed.
Toners
I may not have dry skin, but adding this toner to my skincare routine has increased my glow tenfold. It deeply hydrates and instantly gives a glassy sheen, while brightening uneven skin tone and smoothing texture over time.
After seeing non-stop hype about these exfoliating toner pads on social media, I caved and finally bought them myself to test out. I've been using them two to three times a week and can confirm that they are worth the hype. After using a pad at night, I wake up to noticeably smoother skin and smaller-looking pores.
Serums
Peach & Lily is high on my list of all-time favorite skincare brands thanks to its innovative formulas. This do-it-all serum is a particular standout—it comes with plenty of benefits from plumping and hydrating skin to fading dark spots and brightening overall skin tone.
I can't talk about K-beauty without mentioning this viral serum, aka the product that launched the snail mucin craze. Thousands of reviews rave about its moisturizing and brightening abilities. A little goes a long way, too, so one bottle will last you a while.
Moisturizers
My oily skin is obsessed with this lightweight moisturizer. Its gel-like texture cools and sinks into the skin quickly, delivering a substantial boost of hydration without going overboard. My skin never feels greasy after application, which is a huge win in my book.
Dr. Althea is one of those IYKYK brands that deserve far more hype. Its hero product, the Relief Cream, is the ideal moisturizer for acne-prone skin. It's a gentle, non-comedogenic formula that uses calming and hydrating ingredients to restore a healthy skin barrier and clear skin tone.
Eye Creams
Eye creams for sensitive skin can be difficult to find, but this one checks out. Powered by rice ferment filtrate and soybean ferment extract, it boosts collagen production and hydration, so over time, wrinkles and fine lines begin to disappear.
Sunscreens
Once you try this Korean sunscreen, you'll realize, too, that U.S. formulas are lightyears behind. This pick feels more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen with a hydrating feel and an invisible, dewy finish.
This sunscreen lives up to its name, "Zero-Cast." No matter how much you apply (you can and should use the cap to measure the correct amount for your face), this silky formula leaves an invisible finish.
Masks
You've likely seen influencers go to bed with a sheet mask on and wake up to shining, glassy skin—I'm willing to bet they had this mask on. It's packed with salmon PDRN, niacinamide, and hydrolyzed collagen to reveal brighter, smoother, and plumper skin after a couple of hours.
Whenever I need a moment of self-care, I throw on this sheet mask. It's ultra-hydrating, so when I've gone overboard on retinol and exfoliating, it's a lifesaver. All you need is 10 minutes for this mask to work its magic.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
