These Viral Korean Face Masks Give Glass Skin for Less Than $20 (2024)

Are you ready to dive into the magical world of Korean skincare? From glass skin to double cleansing to newer trends like cream or dolphin skin—innovative Korean skincare movements have revolutionized beauty routines worldwide.

K-Beauty is rooted in a skin-first philosophy that prioritizes gentle, hydrating ingredients, says Charlotte Cho, esthetician, Soko Glam co-founder, and founder of Then I Met You skincare. "Many people in Korea identify with having sensitive skin, redness, and irritation (which may be attributed to high pollution levels)," she says. "As a result, Korean beauty brands often create low-pH products that maintain the skin’s natural barrier while keeping it calm and balanced."

For Alicia Yoon, a licensed esthetician and founder and CEO of the bestselling K-beauty brand Peach & Lily, the way she views skincare is all about long-term results and "achieving your healthiest skin." Using the analogy of food, Yoon notes that just as we strive to eat a balanced meal full of the right vitamins and nutrients, a good skincare routine involves finding the right mix of products and ingredients that work for you and your skin type.

What is the 10-step K-beauty skincare routine?

There's no right or wrong way to approach K-beauty, says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in NYC who frequently travels to Korea to discover the country's latest cosmetic innovations. You've likely heard of the popularized 10-step Korean skincare routine, which "outlines possible steps to consider, including: an oil cleanser, a foam/cream cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, serum or ampoule, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, thicker night cream or SPF," Chang lays out, but don't feel overwhelmed. "This 10-step routine is a guideline, not a rule."

Do take note, there are several non-negotiable steps for Yoon and Chang, who both said thoroughly cleansing is a must, as well as properly hydrating and putting on SPF. Additionally, Yoon emphasizes the importance of incorporating antioxidant-rich products to help protect your skin. Common ingredients to look out for that "work wonders without being harsh on the skin" are centella asiatica, snail mucin, and fermented extracts, says Cho. Chang notes that she "always recommends using some sort of 'active' skincare, whether it be in the form of an essence, serum, or ampoule, to protect, repair, or prevent aging in the skin."

So whether you have acne-prone skin, looking for powerful anti-aging benefits, hoping to fade dark spots, reduce pores, soothe sensitive skin, or you're just searching for the next breakthrough superstar ingredient, ahead are the best Korean skincare products that experts and dermatologists swear by.

These K-beauty masks are going viral on social media for their ability to improve hydration and offer the look of glass, smooth, hydrated, and poreless-looking skin. It's thicker than other sheet masks and you're supposed to wear it for three hours until the mask turns from white to clear or overnight for the best results. It contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and niacinamide to plump, brighten, and smooth like no other.

Korean sunscreens are a hot topic for their ability to absorb into skin without a white cast and easy-to-blend textures. This formula is no different. Its formula contains green tea to hydrate and calm, sunflower seed oil to nourish, and cica, a soothing ingredient. It's a lightweight texture that seamlessly blends into all skin types and tones. We also love it for its dewy, glowing finish, which wears beautifully under makeup.

Toner pads are a K-beauty staple that are popular for its convenience and ability to combine multiple skincare steps in one. With every swipe, you can moisturize, brighten, and gently exfoliate skin. The pads are soaked in a formula filled with beta-carotene, tranexamic acid, hyaluronic acid, and gluconolactone. Over time, you'll notice skin that's brighter, more even, and radiant. Swipe it over a clean face or leave it on as a sheet mask for a quick fix.

"In Korea, a lot of dermatologists will say half of your skin concerns will actually disappear if you just get your cleansing routine right," says Yoon. Of course, she's partial, but that's why she recommends starting any skincare routine with her own sulfate-free, low-PH hydrating cleanser that's made with deionized water as well as peach, camellia, chamomile, and centella asiatica extracts. According to Yoon, it's "powerfully calming" and "won't disrupt your skin barrier."

Chang recommends this oil-based balm cleanser from Cho's skincare brand, which she notes is "great for your double-cleansing routine, removing oils, impurities, and makeup from the surface of your skin." Containing a mixture of fatty acid-rich sea buckthorn oil, olive oil, persimmon extract, and vitamin E, Chang particularly likes that the cleanser has "anti-aging and skin-brightening antioxidants."

You've never experienced a cleanser like this. It's a powder-to-foam gentle exfoliating formula that contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin, green tea probiotic-derived enzymes to help strengthen the skin barrier, and cotton extract for its softening properties. Turn the bottle upside down to dispense a quarter-sized amount of product into your hands. Then, add water and work it into a lather before cleansing your face. It offers a soothing cooling sensation immediately after and boosts radiance and clarity.

Acne spot dots are helpful, whether you get hormonal acne or stress breakouts every now and then. Pop one sticker over your blemish and leave it on for a few hours or overnight so it can absorb a developing pimple, reduce inflammation, and protect it from external aggressors. "They're small, round, and discreet, so you can easily wear them during the day, or stick them on while you're sleeping at night," says Yoon, adding, "and they really work!"

If you don't already have a toner in your routine, facial toner pads offer a ready-to-use, mess-free alternative to other liquid formulas. Chang recommends these pads from COSRX because it "promotes exfoliation using betaine salicylate and willow bark water," adding that "the active ingredients help dissolve dead skin cells and de-clog pores." Plus, it contains tea tree leaf oil, which Chang says will help fight inflammation and reduce those pesky breakouts.

One of the most popular skincare items brought to us from Korean culture are sheet masks. These easy-to-use, ultra-hydrating, and budget-friendly masks are pre-soaked in serums that help target a variety of skincare concerns. Stock up on these TonyMoly masks, which come in a range of options, including one that reduces the look of enlarged pores, another that revitalizes dull skin, and one that purifies skin and decongests pores from potential breakouts.

According to Chang, "cream skin" is a viral K-beauty trend. "Cream skin actually refers to a type of skincare product, which is a hybrid of a toner and lotion, to achieve more hydrated, luminous skin," she explains. This two-in-one combo helps simplify your routine, without sacrificing important steps. Apply it on clean skin and immediately experience its nourishing hydration. It contains ceramides and peptides to visibly firm and repair the skin barrier.

Trying to achieve that perfect "glass skin" that's been trending in the Korean beauty world? This refining serum gets you one step closer with a combination of ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peach extract. "Whenever I use this serum, people always ask me what highlighter I'm wearing," says an Oprah Daily editor. "They're usually shocked to learn that it's actually a skincare product that's responsible for my glow and not a shimmery cosmetic! It shines through my tinted moisturizer, making my skin look smoother and more radiant."

These vegan fiber square pads can be used one of two ways: as a sheet mask that you leave on or swipe it on a clean face, like a toner pad to help prep and moisturize skin. Whatever you choose, these pre-soaked pads contain a revitalizing mix of collagen, ceramides, and milk proteins to help improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and sallow-looking skin. Each container holds 100 pads and you can use it day or night.

If you haven't heard about Glow Recipe, then these viral drops are the perfect introduction to the cruelty-free K-beauty brand. They are loved by many because it's a multipurpose skincare product that brightens the skin over time thanks to niacinamide and watermelon extract in its formula. It also gives an immediate radiance because it's super hydrating due to the addition of hyaluronic acid. Use it on its own or before makeup for a super dewy finish.

It's pricey, but this powerful eye cream—formulated with Korean red ginseng—is totally worth the splurge. According to Chang, "Panax ginseng is an antioxidant that has been found to have skin hydrating and anti-aging properties, including increasing collagen and improving wrinkles." Plus, as Chang points out, this eye cream also contains caffeine, which helps reduce swelling and depuff under the eyes. It also comes with a depuffing applicator tool, which feels soothing as you work the product into the skin.

"The Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment is great for anyone dealing with red or irritated skin, including those with rosacea," explains Chang. "It contains centella asiatica complex, which helps protect the skin from stress, reduce redness, and even out skin tone." Chang recommends you use it after cleansing and moisturizing, before applying your makeup. It works best on those with fair to medium skin, but we love so many other products from the Dr. Jart line.