19 of the Best Korean Skincare Products at iHerb That Won’t Break the Bank

As a beauty editor, I’ve tested and evaluated the Korean skincare products at iHerb from a range of brands. Here are my favourites:

• Best Cleanser: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
• Best Toner: Pyunkang Yul ACNE Toner
• Best Exfoliator: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
• Best Niacinamide Serum: Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10 Serum
• Best Vitamin C Serum: Cos De BAHA VM Vitamin C MSM Serum
• Best Essence: Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X
• Best Hydrating Serum: COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule
• Best Moisturizer: SOME BY MI Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Cream
• Best Sunscreen: ETUDE Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+

These are just a few of my top picks. Keep scrolling for all the details, and even more iHerb Korean skincare products to consider.

Gentle cleansing is always the way to go, no matter what your skin type—which is why Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel is at the top of my cleanser list. This gel is high in glycerin to moisturize, with mild coconut-based surfactants to cleanse and a skin-friendly pH level of 5.5.

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You don’t need to have acne-prone skin to use Pyunkang Yul ACNE Facial Cleanser. Unlike most acne cleansers, it’s non-drying and low-lather, with a hydrating gel texture. It’s also a good choice for sensitive skin, since it’s unscented and irritant-free. A little goes a long way, so this should last you quite a while.

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For normal to oily skin, consider COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. This popular gel formula has a slightly acidic pH of 5.3-6.3, which is said to be ideal for keeping the skin barrier healthy. It’s lightly foaming but non-stripping, and it’s infused with BHA and tea tree oil to purify the skin. 

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Just like the matching cleanser, Pyunkang Yul ACNE Toner is a product I’d recommend for all skin types. It’s mildly exfoliating, but rather than acids, it contains willow bark extract, an ultra-gentle BHA. It also has niacinamide and Centella Asiatica extract to help calm your skin. 

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For exfoliation, COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the product I’ve been using and recommending for years. It’s a leave-on liquid gel powered by betaine salicylate, a form of BHA that’s more hydrating than salicylic acid, but just as effective. It’s great for treating blackheads and breakouts, as well as smoothing and brightening your skin.

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If BHAs are too intense for you, mandelic acid is a great alternative. By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water (which applies like a toner) has a 5% concentration of the active ingredient, making it ideal for all skin types. The acid will remove dead skin cells, while panthenol and Centella Asiatica will soothe your skin.

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Niacinamide brightens, controls oil and supports the skin barrier (to name just a few benefits), and 10% is the sweet spot for most people. That’s why I like Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10 Serum. It has a light, fast-absorbing texture, a base of soothing aloe (not water), and 1% zinc for added anti-inflammatory benefits. There’s also a 20% version, Cos De BAHA NZ Niacinamide 20 Serum, which is even better for enlarged pores.

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When it comes to vitamin C, I look for serums with sodium ascorbyl phosphate—a non-irritating vitamin C derivative with brightening, anti-aging and anti-acne benefits. It’s the star ingredient in Cos De BAHA VM Vitamin C MSM Serum, which also has an aloe base and added hyaluronic acid. So this could act as both a brightening and hydrating treatment in one!

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Cos De BAHA AZ Azelaic Acid 10 Serum is the number one bestselling azelaic acid serum, and for good reason. You’re getting 10% of the active ingredient in a lightweight, aloe-based serum along with niacinamide, panthenol and hyaluronic acid. You can use this to target redness, pigmentation and scarring.

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For reactive, irritated skin, I’d recommend SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule. This simple, seven-ingredient serum is all about Centella Asiatica extract (also known as “cica”). It helps with soothing, hydrating, reducing redness, calming inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier.

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If you feel like your skincare routine could use a boost, an essence could help—specifically, Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X. This is a hydrating, firming and brightening liquid that you apply with a cotton pad or your fingers. It’s made of 97% fermented yeast extract, plus niacinamide and ceramides for barrier support.

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If you love a “glass skin” look (and who doesn’t?), COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is for you. While most essences are watery, this one has a thicker, gooey texture. That’s because it contains 96% snail mucin, an emollient ingredient with hydrating, soothing and brightening properties. Once absorbed, it’s not sticky or oily—it just gives a subtle glow.

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COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule is my go-to Korean hydrating serum—in fact, I prefer to use this instead of hyaluronic acid treatments. What makes it unique is 83.25% propolis extract (a.k.a. “bee glue”), which is hydrating, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It has a non-greasy, gel-like texture and sinks right into your skin.

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Another propolis-based serum to try is Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum. This TikTok fave has a slightly lower concentration of propolis (59.94%), but makes up for that with the addition of 2% niacinamide. So it’s a great choice if you just want one serum that’ll give you a dewy, hydrated glow with long-term brightening.

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Finding a truly barrier-supportive moisturizer isn’t easy, but SOME BY MI Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Cream actually ticks off my boxes. Besides 40% snail mucin, it contains cholesterol, fatty acids, and five types of ceramides—all of which are excellent for repairing and maintaining your skin barrier. 

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For an overnight treatment and moisturizer in one, By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream gets my vote. It gives you 1% bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative) and 0.03% retinaldehyde (the most effective over-the-counter retinoid) in a light, silky cream.

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Deciphering Korean sunscreen labels is not for the faint of heart, but I’ve finally found a product to put on your radar: ETUDE Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+. This is an all-mineral formula with 17% zinc oxide and an “airy” (read: lightweight) feel. While I’d still use a higher-zinc SPF for long periods of sun exposure, this formula will give you good UVA and UVB protection for everyday wear. 

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I try every pimple patch that crosses my desk, but COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch is honestly my favourite. Like all pimple patches, they absorb gunk, prevent scarring and speed up the life cycle of your breakout. I also appreciate that they stay put, come in a variety of sizes, and are non-medicated (since that can cause further irritation). Plus, the price point can’t be beat!

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Navigating the dozens of Korean sheet masks on the market is daunting, so I’ll save you some time by giving you my pick: Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Cica Beauty Mask Pack. They’re made from an eco-friendly material and are saturated in Centella Asiatica extract, glycerin and hyaluronic acid—perfect for a soothing skin treat!

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