Glow Like a K-Drama Star with These 8 Korean Skincare Essentials

Dreaming of that flawless, K-drama glow for holiday gatherings? Look no further! These Korean skincare essentials will have you looking radiant and camera-ready.

Korean skincare is the secret behind that luminous, party-ready glow, known for its innovative textures, powerhouse ingredients, and accessible luxury. My sister-in-law never forgets to stock up on cult-favorite Korean products whenever she comes back from her trip. From ultra-hydrating sunscreens to brightening serums, here are eight must-have picks to glow like your favorite K-drama stars.

#1: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics

If you’re serious about sunscreen, you’ve probably heard of Beauty of Joseon’s SPF. It’s praised for its blend of antioxidants, skin-barrier support, and soothing ingredients. This SPF 50 sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection and leaves skin radiant and smooth, perfect for an everyday glow.

Price: Around S$21.60 at FairPrice

#2: ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ | Airy Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++

Personally, this is my favorite sunscreen stick. This duo offers versatile sun protection. The Watery Sun Gel has a lightweight, hydrating finish, while the Airy Sun Stick makes reapplication a breeze with its convenient, matte, non-sticky formula—no white cast in sight!

Price: Approximately S$15.90 on Cocomo.sg

#3: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Say goodbye to blackheads with this fan-favorite exfoliator from COSRX. Powered by BHAs, it gently clears pores, reduces excess oil, and leaves skin refreshed without stripping moisture.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Price: Around S$22.75 at Watsons

#4: Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Sheet Mask

“Mediheal masks are my go-to,” says skincare expert Charlotte Cho. This tea tree-infused mask is packed with ingredients like willow bark and rosemary to calm and clarify skin, while chamomile reduces redness, which is ideal for pre-event prep.

Price: About S$19 on IShopChangi.com

#5: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

This iconic lip mask is a K-beauty staple for a reason. Made with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, it hydrates lips overnight, leaving them plump and soft by morning.

Price: Approximately S$24 on Laneige’s website

#6: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

These hydrocolloid patches are lifesavers for pesky pimples. They help absorb impurities, reduce inflammation, and shield skin from bacteria. This is ideal for speeding up the healing process.

Price: Around S$3.40 on Hush SG

#7: SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad

These toner pads are loved for their powerful mix of AHA, BHA, and PHA, which exfoliate and clear out pores. Perfect for acne-prone skin, they keep skin bright and clear.

Price: Approximately S$20.90 at Watsons

#8: Goodal Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum

This best-selling serum boasts 70% green tangerine extract, niacinamide, and arbutin. Its gel-like texture brightens, evens skin tone, and helps fade dark spots—a true glow booster.

Price: About S$27.93 at Watsons

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Give your skin the gift of these K-beauty essentials this season and let your glow be the highlight of every holiday celebration!

Sources: 1 & 2

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There’s a limited edition Dr.G x Inside Out 2 skincare range with an ongoing 1+1 promo until 14 June 2024

Dr.G x Inside Out 2

Olive Young’s latest collaboration is sure to stir up some joy—a limited edition skincare line in partnership with Dr.G, themed around <Inside Out 2>.

This exclusive collection merges the best of skincare science with your favorite animated emotions and it’s available for a short time only, with a 1+1 promo running until mid-June.

Dr.G pH Cleansing Red Blemish Clear Soothing Foam 150ml 1+1 Set

Dr.G pH Cleansing Red Blemish Clear Soothing Foam 150ml

Promo Price: $24.51

First up, you will want to bid farewell to blemishes and say hello to soothed skin with the Dr.G pH Cleansing Red Blemish Clear Soothing Foam.

This gentle, yet effective cleanser tackles excess oil and acne-prone skin with a soft, creamy texture that won’t leave you feeling stripped or irritated.

Powered by a 5-CICA Complex and 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid, it hydrates and soothes even the angriest of breakouts, whether on your face or body.

Ditch the harsh scrubbing and let this pH-balanced formula do the work for you.

Dr.G Red Blemish Soothing Up Sun 50ml 1+1 Set

Dr.G Red Blemish Soothing Up Sun 50ml

Promo Price: $26.93

Protect your sensitive skin with the Dr.G Red Blemish Soothing Up Sun 50ml 1+1 Set.

This moisturizing sunscreen delivers clinically tested SPF50+ PA++++ protection to shield your skin against harmful UV rays, infrared light, and environmental pollutants.

Powered by a 10-CICA Complex, it gently soothes and hydrates, leaving a refreshing, non-sticky finish.

Formulated with Centella Asiatica-based CICA and 5 calming ingredients, this sunscreen helps alleviate heat-induced irritation and boosts moisture levels for a healthy complexion.

Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Toner 300ml 1+1 Set

Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Toner 300ml

Promo Price: $30.29

Dull, blemish-prone skin, meet your new best friend.

This Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Toner is a skincare superhero, gently sweeping away impurities while soothing and strengthening your complexion.

Powered by a 5-CICA Complex and nourishing African Aloe, this toner helps promote healthy cell turnover for a smoother glow.

Plus, plant-derived AHA and BHA work to remove excess oil and residue, leaving you with a clean, clear canvas for makeup.

With key barrier-boosting ingredients, this toner fortifies your skin’s natural defenses for lasting suppleness.

Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream 70ml 1+1 Set

Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream 70mL

Promo Price: $43.29

Last but not least, banish blemishes and restore skin’s radiance with the Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream.

This water-based formula feels refreshing and lightweight, never greasy.

Powered by soothing Centella Asiatica, it provides hydration to soften skin.

Sensitive types, rejoice, for the gentle, CICA-infused blend calms redness and irritation for a happy glow.

And as a special bonus, this 1+1 set includes a color-changing emotion cup as a complimentary gift.

The Olive Young and Dr.G x <Inside Out 2> skincare range is not to be missed. Don’t miss out on the chance to grab your 1+1 promo that’s as appealing as it is fleeting (only until 14 June 2024). It’s time to give your skin the star treatment it deserves, with a touch of animated cheer from the <Inside Out 2> characters 🙂

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5 Budget-Friendly Korean Beauty Tips

Korean beauty secrets focus on the rigorous steps that you need to follow on a daily basis. They invest their time and money on flawless skin to wear less makeup. Dewy skin with tinted lips is the way their go-to look!

#1: DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Much like the tip shared by a Parisian model, renowned Korean artist Song Ji-eun is zealous when it comes to drinking water. She drinks about three liters of water daily. She believes that the act of hydration will keep her skin looking radiant. She is right!

Drinking water is essential for your body. In some cases, it may even lighten your skin! Generally speaking, it keeps your skin from cracking or drying out.

#2: FOLLOW THE 10 STEPS

Most Korean skincare regimen involves 10 steps. It includes applying sheet masks, essences, serums, moisturizers, fermented products, and sunscreen. Cleansing and exfoliating are parts of the ritual too. I am going to focus on exfoliation.

Exfoliation not only cleans out clogged pores, but also removes dead skin cells. Doing so will brighten your skin. People with sensitive skin must exfoliate once a week. While, people with less sensitive skin shall exfoliate three times a week. Consider purchasing the Palmer’s Exfoliating Facial Scrub for S$15.90.

#3: MASSAGE YOUR OWN FACE

Many Koreans prefer showering with a warm to hot temperature setting. As an avid fan of facials, I learned that the steam opens up pores. It makes it easier to remove your blackheads and other imperfections. Fortunately for South Koreans, skin clinics are rampant in their area. So, how can we mimic this convenience?

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Massage your face whenever you want to. Create circular motions with your fingers tapping your forehead, cheeks, and jaw. Massaging it can increase ciculation. It is believed that this can lead to a dewy complexion.

#4: USE A CHARCOAL FACE MASK

Buying sheet masks in South Korea is synonymous to purchasing rice in Singapore. It is a necessity! What face mask ingredient is all the rage? Well, charcoal is popular these days. Charcoal dries out your face to detoxify it from excess oils. Furthermore, it exfoliates the face to wash out other impurities. Let it sit on your face for 10 to 15 minutes.

A popular Korean brand for face sheet masks is MEDIHEAL. Its black charcoal mask retails for S$8.90 at Watsons.

#5: WEAR A TINTED LIP COLOR

Korean women prefer wearing lip tints for its many advantages. Firstly, it stays put throughout the day. You can eat two slices of pizza and still have stained lips! Secondly, brands incorporate different natural products such as plant extracts and essential oils. Lastly, it is perfect for the low-maintenance or no-makeup look.

Image Credits: Hanbyul❤ via Flickr Creative Commons

Korea’s innisfree carries a variety of lip tints including the Eco Flower tint for S$10. It has balsam, calendula, rose, azaleas and camellia extracts make your lips look fresh and beautiful.

Sources: 1 & 2

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