When the words skincare revolution are mentioned, Korean beauty, or K-beauty, is normally the first that comes to mind. With thousands of years of history, Korea has adopted natural solutions, blended them with science, and created products that have transformed how the world views skincare. The idea is not just to cover up one’s flaws but to create a healthy foundation so the skin will naturally glow.
What’s so appealing about K-beauty is that it’s all about experience and outcome. Every stage of the routine is a moment of self-love, from calming cleansers to treatment-like masks. It’s not rushing through a five-minute quick fix but spending time on yourself with well-thought-out formulas that marry the best of nature and technology.
The icing on the cake? You don’t have to take a flight to Seoul to get your hands on these products. Ulta has brought some of the most popular K-beauty favorites into the palm of your hand. Here are ten favorites that have gained a dedicated fan base and raving reviews all around the globe.
1. Erborian BB Cream with Ginseng and SPF 20
BB cream was begun as a trend in Germany, but Korea established it as a global trend. One of the finest starters to K-beauty is Erborian’s BB Cream with Ginseng, which works both as makeup and skincare in one step. Its lightweight and natural shade evens out skin tone while hydrating simultaneously.
Boosted with ginseng, the active root which has been a long-standing ingredient in Korean traditional medicine, the cream not only conceals blemishes but also moisturizes the skin. The added sun protectant bonus of SPF 20 also doubles as a sunblock, so you get a great multi-product solution to simplify your morning routine. Rather than having to apply several products, you can brush this on and go.
- Moisturizes while covering spots
- Sun protection with SPF 20
- Creates a warm, natural glow
It’s not hard to see why this product is now the favorite go-to of anyone looking for an instant but finished look without the weight of foundation.
2. Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36
Sunscreen is the holy grail of any skincare regimen, and Innisfree’s Daily UV Defense is one of them. It shields from bad rays without giving the coveted white cast sundowners are infamous for. It’s light and silky to apply, akin to a moisturizer rather than a shield.
The formula includes green tea and sunflower seed oil, two ingredients known for soothing the skin while delivering hydration. This means you’re not just protecting yourself from sun damage but also giving your face extra nourishment. Many users love how it sits under makeup without pilling.
Regardless of whether you’re outside all day or just running out on a short errand, this sunscreen seamlessly integrates into your everyday routine. It’s difficult to go back to thicker formulas after using it.
3. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Snail mucin may sound peculiar, but to K-beauty, it’s a treasure for its healing, hydrating, and plumping properties. COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Essence is one of the best-selling products in the range because how it wakes up dehydrated, irritated skin.
This essence is similar to water without weight, with light weight that penetrates quickly. Daily use smooths redness, texture softens, and leaves skin significantly more elastic. Those who get dullness or wrinkles usually notice improvements in weeks.
- Hydrates deeply but not heavy
- Calms redness and irritation
- Is smoother and plumper skin
It’s beautiful demonstration of how K-beauty turns unusual ingredients into something wonderful.
4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Dry, cracked lips stand no chance against Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask, a top K-beauty import. This nighttime treatment is full of humectant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C that get to work during sleep. By morning, lips are softer and smoother.
A big part of what makes it so irresistible is the deep texture and frolicking combination of flavors from vanilla to berry. It takes something simple and makes it a luxury, which is actually really so very much in the spirit of the K-beauty slogan of pampering oneself with skincare.
It is on the nightstand year-round for many consumers, not only in winter. The mask has become a cult hit as the go-to, pampering step that provides visible results.
5. Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Face Mask with Hyaluronic Acid
If you’ve ever wanted an at-home spa experience, Dr. Jart+ delivers it with the Cryo Rubber Mask. It comes in two parts: an ampoule packed with hyaluronic acid and a cooling rubber mask that helps lock in the serum. The effect is both soothing and hydrating, making it especially refreshing on warm days.
The “cryo” motion soothes redness and deflates puffiness, and the distinctive rubber texture presses in the moisturizing formula deep into the skin. It’s a spa facial, but you get to do it in your own living room.
- Hydrates with hyaluronic acid
- Sothes redness and irritation
- Plumps and rejuvenates skin in one application
It’s not hard to see why skincare junkies grab for this mask when they need a quick glow-up.
6. Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser
A good cleanser will clean without stripping, and Peach & Lily’s Power Calm Gel Cleanser does exactly that. With chamomile and camellia in the formula, it strips the oil, dirt, and makeup off while leaving the skin comfortable and calm.
Its jelly-like consistency is soft and cool and a joy to apply in the morning and at night. Rather than drying out or puckering your skin, it preserves your skin’s own natural moisture barrier. That is why it is ideal for sensitive skin.
Applied twice daily, this cleanser lays the foundation for the rest of your regimen. It’s evidence that the simplest steps can be the most powerful.
7. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
Round Lab’s Birch Juice Toner has found itself the center of a cult following due to its moisturizing abilities. Hyaluronic acid and birch sap team up to hydrate dry skin, leaving that glassy, plump face for which K-beauty is so well known.
The formula is calming yet potent, so it’s a great solution for all skin types, even sensitive. It smooths out texture and prepares the skin to absorb serums and moisturizers better.
- Delivers long-lasting hydration
- Mixes and lightens skin texture
- Applied easily in multi-step skincare regimens
If your skin is parched, this toner is like a tall glass of water.
8. Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
Glow Deep Serum is a fan favorite for evening out uneven skin tone and dullness. With rice bran water and alpha-arbutin, it helps to lighten and tone the complexion.
It has a watery light texture that disappears without leaving a sticky residue. Numerous users find their skin smoother and brighter with frequent use.
It’s a gentle yet potent step for anyone looking for that inner glow. For newbies, it’s also an easy way to try a serum without overcomplicating your routine.
9. belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Moisturizer
Moisturizers don’t come much fresher than belif’s Aqua Bomb. This gel-cream formula is an icy slap of cool water that saturates tired skin and invigorates it instantly. With Lady’s Mantle extract, it also has antioxidants to shield against the environment.
The sheer heaviness is light applies beautifully under foundation in the AM or as a PM finishing step. It’s instantaneously absorbed, leaving skin silky but never oily.
- Increases hydration levels dramatically
- Soothes with anti-inflammatory herbs
- Perfect for dry or combination skin
This product reveals why belif is a staple brand among K-beauty fans.
10. Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash-Off
Exfoliation is the secret to smooth skin, and Skin Food Black Sugar Mask has gained cult status for getting it done in a way that is neither too harsh on the skin. Formulated with mineral-rich black sugar, it gently exfoliates off dead skin cells while nourishing the skin beneath a drink of moisture.
The feel is rich, with a pleasant fragrance that makes the experience delightful. Rinsed, skin glows and feels silky. Unlike rich scrubs, this one can be used daily without irritation.
No wonder this product has been a longtime favorite and remains a magnet for new converts. It’s proof that sometimes, the old standbys are the best.
The Last Word on K-Beauty
K-beauty is not a skin trend it’s a cultural revolution that has shifted the way we think about beauty. It’s about investing, rather than patches; allowing time to build layers delicately; and embracing rituals that are functional and pampering.
With these ten products stocked at Ulta, you can have a taste of K-beauty without boarding a flight. Every product whether it’s water-drenched toners or radiance-boosting serums brings its own kind of magic. Together, they tease out some of the reasons Korean skincare has such a fervent international following.
So, whether you’re just starting out in the K-beauty universe or are already addicted, use this list as your bible. Skincare is highly personal, and these products provide you with the means to play around, to figure out what works for you, and to have fun doing it. Glowing skin isn’t just an aesthetic issue but an emotional one, too.
