The Viral Korean Skincare Everyone Is Buying Right Now
Korean skincare took over TikTok, and a handful of products went fully viral. These are the K-beauty names you keep seeing, explained simply.
We're not dermatologists. This is a guide to what each product is and how people use it, not medical advice.
- Top pick
medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0
Pre-soaked toner pads with willow bark (a gentle BHA) and citric acid (an AHA). Swipe one over your face after cleansing. Exfoliating pads can be strong, so many people start with a few times a week.
Check price on Amazon BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
The viral overnight sheet mask. It's a hydrogel you leave on while you sleep, and it turns clear as it soaks in. The 'peel it off in the morning' videos are why it blew up.
Check price on AmazonANUA PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Cream
A light gel-cream with PDRN (a trendy ingredient from salmon DNA) and hyaluronic acid. It sinks in fast and doesn't pill under makeup.
Check price on Amazonmedicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
The pink serum from the same PDRN trend. Absorbs without feeling greasy and fits AM or PM routines.
Check price on AmazonAnua PDRN Collagen Glow Serum Spray
A serum in a spray bottle. Mist it on in the morning, or over makeup for a dewy look.
Check price on Amazonmedicube PDRN Collagen Multi Balm Stick
A twist-up balm stick with PDRN, collagen, peptides and retinol. Easy to throw in a bag.
Check price on AmazonBIODANCE Hydrogel Eye Patches (60)
Under-eye hydrogel patches with collagen and caffeine. 60 patches, and they're shaped to fit smile lines too.
Check price on Amazoncelimax Vita A Retinal Shot Booster
A tiny booster bottle with 0.1% retinal (a stronger cousin of retinol). Retinoids can irritate at first, so start slow, use it at night, and wear sunscreen.
Check price on AmazonCOSRX Snail Mucin 96% Essence
The original viral K-beauty product. A slippery, lightweight essence made with 96% snail secretion filtrate. Sounds weird, feels great.
Check price on AmazonTONYMOLY Tako Pore Stick
An octopus-shaped balm stick with charcoal, made for oily spots like the nose. The cute packaging made it a TikTok staple.
Check price on Amazon
Before you buy
Add one new product at a time, and patch test on a small spot first. If your skin reacts, you'll know what caused it.
Don't stack strong actives (exfoliating pads + retinal) on the same night when you're starting out. And use sunscreen during the day.