Since 2014, Soko Glam has annually recognized the most beloved and expertly curated products in K-Beauty. This coveted Best of K-Beauty® award is given to only the most exceptional brands and innovative products in Korean Beauty.
This year, our panel of experts was particularly esteemed and well-informed: the Soko Glam community! Highly engaged and skincare savvy, the community voted on their favorite products in ten different categories ranging from vegan beauty to their most trusted holy grail must-haves.
Our list was broad in the beginning but was narrowed down to a strong 10. If you’re not yet acquainted with these game-changing staples, now’s the time to add level up your skin care routine by adding one—or perhaps a few—to your lineup.
CLEANSER
Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [BHA] (Best All-Around)
The gunk in your pores doesn’t stand a chance against BHA-infused cleansing oil. It’s formulated with a nourishing blend of natural oils, including orange, lemon grapefruit, olive, and jojoba. This gently cleanses your skin while salicylic acid helps lightly exfoliate, control sebum, and nix blackheads. It’s the perfect solution for those with oily or combination skin types.
TONER
good light Moon Glow Milky Toning Lotion (Best Newcomer)
Fresh on the beauty skin, this milky, moisturizing toner has made a serious splash. It helps leave your skin balanced, smooth, and glowing—just like a full moon. The formula boasts a gentle combination of natural AHAs that remove dead skin cells while meadowfoam oil (an anti-inflammatory fatty acid) and ceramides bolsters the skin barrier and help skin look healthier.
ESSENCE
Then I Met You® The Giving Essence (The Holy Grail)
True to its name, this essence is a giver of all things good. It boasts 5% niacinamide (the optimal concentration for brightening your skin), along with 80% naturally fermented ingredients—such as galactomyces ferment filtrate and saccharomyces ferment filtrate—to minimize the look of pores while targeting blackheads. At the same time, it hydrates your skin with polyglutamic acid, an ingredient that holds four times more moisture than hyaluronic acid.
SERUM
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum (Best Clean Beauty)
Give dull skin a glorious boost with this newest launch from Acwell, which puts brightening licorice extract front and center. It also contains niacinamide, astringent white eggplant, and hydrating, antioxidant-rich pine bark extract. It has a water-like texture that quickly soaks onto the skin.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum (Best Staple)
If you’re on a quest for glowing, radiant “honey skin,” this silky serum is perfect for you. Beauty of Joseon is known for its heralded, clean formulations that utilize traditional Korean ingredient. Glow Serum uses propolis (a natural antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties), niacinamide to brighten the complexion, and antioxidant-rich turmeric to defend against free radicals.
TREATMENT
Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask (Best Night Treatment)
Before hitting the pillow, give your skin a nice drink of this vitamin-doused sleep mask. It’s formulated with both Yuzu extract (vitamin C) and retinol (vitamin A), which work the night shift for your skin to promote a smooth, radiant, and youthful appearance. You’ll also love the unique jelly texture and the fact that a little goes a long way.
Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Hydrogel Eye Patch (Best At-Home Treatment)
Who knew you could pack so much goodness into one eye patch? These hydrogel patches are infused with a plethora of incredible skin-nourishing ingredients, including gold, pearl, seaweed, snail secretion, bee venom, diamond, and charcoal powder. The result is plumped fine lines, smoother-looking skin, and a brightened, rejuvenated appearance.
FACE CREAM
Rovectin Lotus Water Cream (Best Vegan Beauty)
On the prowl for an ultra-lightweight cream that doesn’t skimp when it comes to hydration? Rovectin’s Lotus Water Cream is at your skin’s service. The shining hero in this formulation is lotus flower, which fosters a clearer-looking complexion and helps skin feel healthier. It works in tandem with natural flavonoids, which help ward off premature signs of aging while contributing to improved elasticity.
SUNSCREEN
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen (The New Classic)
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable, and one way to ensure you’re eager to apply is to use a product that’s exception. Neogen’s Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen boasts everything you could possibly want in an SPF: a lightweight texture, no greasy residue, and a fast-absorbing formula. It goes one step further by nourishing skin with a bouquet of 20 plant extracts, including aloe, avocado, acai, and hibiscus.
BODY CARE
Klavuu Green Pearlsation Tea Tree Care Body Spray (Best Body Care)
Body care is a newly trending skincare category, and rightfully so! The whole of our skin deserves proper care. This body spray for Kavuu is a standout for a few reasons. First, it delivers a soothing, blemish-busting blend of tea tree oil, salicylic acid, pearl, and algae extracts. Second, it dispenses a luxuriously fine mist that makes application a breeze.
+Which winners are you most excited about? Let us know below!
