Sally Foran: New to Korean beauty? Here are my top picks to try

Once the preserve of Asian beauty stores, you’ll now find Korean beauty products in almost every retailer, from Boots to Brown Thomas. These are our top picks.

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025 - 01:00

Sally Foran

1. Genosys Blemish Balm Cushion SPF50

I absolutely adore this. It provides buildable, natural-looking coverage while nourishing the skin and offering broad-spectrum SPF50 protection.

My skin glows when I wear it, and it’s perfect for busy mornings as it gives me colour, protection, and skin-loving benefits.

It delivers quick, mess-free application in a refillable compact.

More than 60% of the product is composed of moisture essence, making it extremely hydrating, and its peptide complex formula helps calm irritated skin, promote collagen induction, and enhance skin regeneration.

It’s also rich in saponin for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and contains glutathione to brighten, even skin tone, and support acne-prone skin.

If you’re over foundations that feel too heavy, but tinted SPFs don’t do enough, your search is over.

€59.50, skinshop.ie

2. Beauty of Josean Relief Sun: Rice + probiotics

The perfect sunscreen for people who hate sunscreen.

It looks and feels like a lightweight moisturiser but offers so much more; no white cast, no pilling, protection.

It contains ingredients like probiotics and niacinamide to repair and strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness, rice water to boost moisture, as well as amino acids and vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection.

Suitable for even sensitive and acne-prone skin, it’s fast absorbing, leaves no trace beyond a radiant glow, and sits beautifully under make-up. Is it any wonder it went viral?

€18, Boots

3. Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Want a youthful, glass skin glow? Don’t let the name put you off.

This was the first essence I tried, and it’s remained a favourite since.

Infused with 96% snail secretion filtrate, Korea’s best-kept beauty secret, it’s an ultra-hydrating, lightweight, quick absorbing treatment that replenishes and revitalises dry, damaged skin while providing anti-ageing benefits to help minimise fine lines, fade dark spots, soothe damaged skin, and target dull, rough skin and scars.

Expect a smooth, radiant complexion with increased elasticity and bounce, while also protecting skin from moisture loss.

€31.50, Distinct Distribution

4. Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask

Another viral sensation, this transforms from a serum-saturated gel mask to a transparent sheet mask and delivers plumping moisture with a glass skin finish.

Ideal before a big event, you wear it overnight or for at least three to four hours (which I prefer to do).

When removed, you’re left with the most refreshed and glowing skin.

Developed with oligo hyaluronic acid, a low molecular version of the humectant that provides long-lasting hydration, it quickly hydrates the skin’s surface and penetrates deeper layers for a healthy, moisturised complexion.

Refines enlarged pores, improves skin elasticity, and visibly smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

€9, Brown Thomas

5. Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum

Another viral product from Beauty of Josean, this eye serum has a really nourishing formula that’s infused with a powerhouse of ingredients to help improve the eye area, including 10% ginseng root extract for long-lasting hydration; 2% retinal liposome to smooth skin, stimulate collagen
synthesis, support the moisture barrier, help reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness while enhancing skin elasticity and brightness; macadamia and rapeseed oils to moisturise and soften the skin; and niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to provide additional
hydration and skin repairing benefits.

It has no essential oils or fragrances, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin or those who have struggled with retinol in the past.

Lightweight and non-sticky, it absorbs quickly for a smooth finish.

Packaged in an airless pump container to preserve the potency of key ingredients.

€19, Millies

6. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry

This overnight lip mask saved my lips after a burn on holiday (despite wearing SPF!).

It’s a gorgeous, rich formula that smells good enough to eat.

Non-sticky, it nourishes and softens dry lips while you sleep.

The following morning, you can expect any other lip products you have to apply more smoothly too.

€17.99, Beauty Features

7. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Soothing Color Correcting Treatment SPF30

7. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Soothing Colour Correcting Treatment SPF30

I’ve used this since its launch to soothe the appearance of redness and sensitivity.

Featuring an innovative colour change capsule that adapts to your skin tone, the cream transforms from a light green tone to a neutral beige, instantly brightening and evening the skin tone to reduce the appearance of blemishes and discolouration.

Green pigments and tiger grass help to neutralise the appearance of redness caused by breakouts, while houttuynia cordata and yarrow fortify the skin barrier.

€33.45, Look Fantastic

8. Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 with Lactic Acid and Panthenol

This got me at zero pores and it did not disappoint.

It contains 70 dual-sided toning pads, an embossed side to help exfoliate and a soft side to hydrate and soothe.

Pre-soaked in essence, these help to refine the look of textural irregularities thanks to an AHA fruit complex, salicylic and lactic acids, which gently exfoliate and minimise the appearance of pores.

Panthenol hydrates and calms, and their anti-sebum P complex controls shine and balances oil levels.

Effectively, these unclog pores and remove dead skin cells while promoting a smoother, clearer complexion.

Suitable for daily use, although if you have sensitive or compromised skin, I’d be cautious.