Best Korean Skincare Products of 2018

Back with an end of year round up my loves! This one has been the  hardest yet to write, because I’ve tried so many incredible products in 2018. It’s been tough to narrow it down, so I’m doing things a little differently compared to previous years (2016 here & 2017 here). This year will be separated into product categories, with a winner and runner(s)-up too. If I’ve previously written a review of any product, I’ll link it on the name. I hope that covers and shares the best of the best with you! Also remember that this post only include products I’ve tried for the first time in 2018- not old favourites.

A lot of these products were PR gifted by the brands themselves or by K-beauty online stores. I’ve included the names of the stores so you know where to find the products if you’d like to purchase.

Hope you’ve all had a fabulous year, and cheers to your health and happiness for 2019. Let’s get stuck in.

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First Cleanser

Winner:

Bonair Blue Smoother Cleansing Oil (from Mask House UK)

I adore this for several reasons. The main being it’s a thick, luxurious oil and secondly, it smells divine. It’s a lavender scent and I find it super relaxing. But most importantly, it removes my base makeup and sunscreen effectively too.

Runners-Up:

IWLT Rice Rebalancing Cleansing Water

Moringa Cleansing Balm (from SkinKode UK)

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Second Cleanser

Winner: 

Hanyul Morning Gel Cleanser (from Beauty Tap)

This gel cleanser was featured on my gentle winter cleansing guide and it beats all others. Packaging, texture, gentle, ability to cleanse are all the reasons this came out on top!

Runners-Up:

Lagom Cell-Up Gel to Water Cleanser (from Skinsider UK)

Make P:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam (from Tonic15)

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Acids

Winner:

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (not Korean but…)

This was a total game-changer for me. I can use it every day and it totally smoothed out my skin texture more than anything else I’ve tried. Click on the product name to go to my full review.

Runners-Up:

Purito ABP Triple Synergy Liquid

Oxygenceuticals Double Peel

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Toner

Winner:

Dr Jart Ceramidin Liquid (from Style Korean)

This toner is just incomparable to others, IMO. It’s so deeply nourishing, absorbs quickly, and smells amazing. It really saves my skin from dry patches.

Runners-Up:

Lagom Cellus Mist Toner (from Skinsider UK)

Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner

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Essence

Winner:

Purito Fermented Complex 94 Boosting Essence

Onto my second bottle of this and I really enjoy it…it brightens and hydrates my skin, AND is so affordable. Love.

Runner-Up:

Atoclassic Real Tonic Soothing Origin Essence (from Skinsider UK)

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Serum

Winner:

Iunik Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum

This won the propolis serum battle and the full list of reasons are at the bottom of my original review, which you can check out here. Just a truly gorgeous and highly functional product.

Runners-Up:

Purito Green Level Centella Serum

D’Alba First Serum Spray (from Beauty Tap)

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Day Cream/Emulsion

Winner:

Iunik Centella Calming Gel Cream

I’ve almost finished my tube, and for this skincare addict, that’s really saying something! I use it most mornings because it absorbs insanely quickly for a moisturizer. Such an easy, effective product and that’s why it’s no.1 in this category.

Runner-Up:

Eleven Huesday Extra Clear Cream

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Cream

Winner:

Cosrx Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream

I fell in love with this when I tried a mini, and I’ve got through a full tub since then. It’s incredibly nourishing – particularly overnight- and I wake up with bouncy, plump skin.

Runners-Up:

Troiareuke Cell Energy Cream 

So Natural Water Glow Sauna Cream (from Beauty Tap)

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Sleeping Mask

Winner:

Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask

This is a very smooth, thick gel-type product. It absorbs well and seals in my overnight skincare so well. I wake up with serious glow, particularly when paired with the Cosrx Honey Ceramide Cream.

Runners-Up:

Commleaf Rose Sleeping Mask

Beauty of Joseon Revitalize Sleeping Mask

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Oil

Winner:

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

Nothing not to love about this…it’s £9, it smells lovely, and it gives me glow up like nothing else. I apply it over moisturizer or mix a couple of drops into my cream. Again it’s another product that has helped keep away dry patches and maintain a smooth skin texture.

Runners-Up:

Dewy & Bae Raw Glow (it looks like I’ve barely used this and yet I’ve used it so often…you need the tiniest amount and it lasts ages)

16 Brand Pink Collagen Oil

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Sunscreen

Winner:

Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA++++

I adore this stuff. It’s moisturizing and yet dries down to a very soft, velvet finish. It’s unlike any other sunscreen I’ve tried, and it smells SO good. There’s no white cast and it’s full spectrum protection.

Runners-Up:

Kose Suncut Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

Lagom Cellus Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA+++(from Skinsider UK)

Treatments

Winner:

A by Bom Ultra Night Leaf Mask

It’s not often a sheet mask impresses me like this did. I love that it has the essence filled flowers to give a hydration boost, and then the sleeping mask cream to apply next is so rich and luxurious. It’s a great overnight treatment!

Runners-Up:

Leegeeham Matcha Clay Pack

Wonjin Effect Withbee Honey Bomb Mask

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Oh my gosh…finished. What do you guys think of this list? Any favourites or disagreements? It was so hard to narrow the list down, but these products have hugely impressed me this year. Hope you enjoyed this round up, and let’s get into testing and trying even more new and effective products in 2019!