The 19 Best Korean Skin-Care Products for Acne
Of the many acne treatments available in South Korea – countless lasers, in-office exfoliating peels, and Skin Botox, included – the country’s innovative beauty products are the easiest for us to access stateside. Korean skin-care routines place emphasis on treating zits incredibly gently without drying them out. (The latter approach may be what you’re used to here in America.)
In fact, when I was in Korea in 2020 (pre-pandemic, of course), I asked dermatologist Cho Yun Joo what the number one piece of advice she had for people battling breakouts, and “moisture, lots of moisture,” was her immediate answer.
Lim Ee Seok, the head dermatologist at Seoul’s Thema Dermatologic Clinic, shared similar sentiments with me. Typically in the U.S., the oil buildup on skin is usually focused on first instead of the fact that you probably just have dry or sensitive skin, and your complexion is trying to balance itself out.
Addressing inflammation is also key, according to dermatologist Shin Hae Won at Oracle, a major dermatology and skin-care clinic in Seoul. Seeking out soothing ingredients, like Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica), allantoin, and niacinamide, will help calm redness while clearing up your complexion. In fact, you can probably find all three in every product from beloved brands, such as Mediheal, Innisfree, Cosrx, and Skinfood below.
With all this in mind, we gathered up the best Korean skin-care products for acne-prone skin (or any skin type) that dermatologists and editors from Allure and Allure Korea swear by. Add to your skin-care routine asap and revel in the joy and comfort of more balanced, nourished, and clearer skin.
Best Overall Acne Treatment: Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
One of the best-selling skincare products in Korea for 2023 is Dr.G’s R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream. It stands out for its versatility. Not only does it thoroughly hydrate skin with its lightweight, gel-like texture, but it also features an impressive concentration of five different types of acne-improving cica, shares board-certified dermatologist Hee Jin Koh, MD. Niacinamide and panthenol (a.k.a. vitamin B5) also make appearances on the ingredient list, “which can help reduce inflammation and fortify the skin barrier,” she adds.
Best Gentle Cleanser: Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser
Not only are Allure editors in New York City fans of the Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser, but so are our peers in Seoul. Allure Korea beauty editor Minji Kim says the sensitive skin-friendly formula forms a rich lather to effortlessly rinse away grime and bacteria on skin while maintaining its natural balance of oil and moisture.
Most Popular Soothing Toner: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Anua’s Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is a “very popular soothing toner in South Korea,” according to Dr. Koh. Reason being: It’s chockful of Houttuynia cordata extract a.k.a. heartleaf. Studies have found this Southeast Asian medicinal plant has powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties for combating acne-related pathogens on the surface of the skin and in the sebaceous glands.
Best Gentle Exfoliant: Juice to Cleanse Vinegar Kombucha Vegan Essence
Allure Korea editors love how this 2023 Clean Award winner brings together fermented ingredients (black tea and vinegar, specifically) with raw fruit and vegetable extracts, like apple, cabbage, and pear, to gently slough away dead skin cells and excess sebum that could cause breakouts and blackheads. In the process, Juice to Cleanse’s Vinegar Kombucha Vegan Essence also illuminates and intensely moisturizes skin.
Best for Inflammation: Mediheal Tea Tree Biome Blemish Cica Ampoule
Consider the Mediheal Tea Tree Biome Blemish Cica Ampoule as a serum version of the brand’s iconic Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Mask. Both are formulated with several forms of acne-fighting tea tree. However, the gorgeous green serum has been trending on Korean social media because it brings cica and rosemary extract, which has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal benefits, into the mix for added complexion-calming and blemish-banishing benefits that feel ultra-refreshing on contact.
P.S. If you’re looking to build an entire routine, the Tea Tree Biome collection includes a gel cleanser, toner, toner pads, and cream.
Best Gentle Spot Treatment: Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
Cosrx needs no introduction if you’re even slightly familiar with the Korean beauty scene — after all, it’s one of the best non-irritating spot treatments in the game. After you’re through with your cleansing oil or balm and water-based cleanser, pop one of these nearly-transparent patches onto clean, dry skin, and let the hydrocolloid material do its thing.
The medical-grade sticker literally absorbs unwanted fluid from your pimples, effectively deflating the blemish over a period of a few hours. It also guards them against external irritants and prevents you from picking at your breakouts. This is key as “picking a pimple increases the inflammation and can slow the healing process down,” Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center, previously told us. When you pick, the chances of acne scars popping up and getting an infection rise, too.
Best Chemical Exfoliant: Some by Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
It takes guts to put “miracle” in any product name, and while we don’t think any skin-care product produces those, Some by Mi’s AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner comes pretty darn close. What you can take from the name at face value is the three types of chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs), which we all know are excellent at boosting cell turnover, smoothing skin texture, and brightening skin. If that wasn’t enough, papaya and witch hazel extract also assist in gentle exfoliation.
In case you have sensitive skin, don’t fret. This lightweight toner is formulated with a pH of 5.5, our skin’s natural pH, and shouldn’t cause irritation — especially since it contains tea tree water. (If you didn’t know, tea tree oil is often diluted by water or a carrier oil because tea tree oil by itself is strong and potentially irritating.)
Best for Stressed-Out Skin: Iope Derma Trouble Emulsion Luxe
When your skin is feeling raw and angry, reach for Iope’s Derma Trouble Emulsion. Squalane and beta-glucan help heal and strengthen the skin barrier without adding extra products and uncomfortable weight to your stressed-out skin. It has a streamlined ingredient list to keep your routine as minimalist as possible to get your complexion back on track.
Best Clarifying Serum: Isoi Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum
Since launching in 2009, Isoi’s Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum has been a best seller at Korea’s most popular beauty store, Olive Young, year after year. People repurchase it so often to keep their skin clear and glassy that Olive Young offers the serum in sets of two to three.
The pretty pink bottle is packed with Bulgarian rose in water and oil forms to heal and soothe broken-out skin. (After all, rose does contain “anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties,” as Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, previously told Allure.) Best of all, it smells like a fresh bouquet of roses without any added artificial fragrances.
Best Face Mask for Blackheads: Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask 2X
The volcanic ash from Korea’s Jeju Island in the Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask 2X helps stave off oil and absorb impurities deep in your pores. The rinse-off mask is also rich in sulfur, which is not only an anti-inflammatory but also antibacterial.
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