Has anyone bought Korean skincare in Korea…? Or can recommend brands to look at when they’re?

[JemimaPyjamas]

I had two 12 hour stopovers but flights have changed and it’s now only 5 hours, so I planned to kill some time shopping in the airport.

I have heard Korean skincare is excellent but have little knowledge of it (that I’m aware of.) Hence, I am not entirely sure why it’s got the reputation it has.

I have fairly normal skin, not prone to anything like breakouts or dryness. I use serums, toners and moisturisers - different brands - all the time. Less time to be bothering with masks. I tend to wear quite subtle make up (think lip stains as opposed to lipsticks.)

Is it significantly cheaper so worth stocking up on?

Which brands are good and which are the equivalent of Superdrug own brand?

Also, is it really the norm to also either be given, or get, samples with your purchases?

I have tried to find prices on Korean sites but it keeps linking to UK sites or quoting in $ so it’d be great to hear from someone with real life knowledge!

Ooops, didn’t proof read - I meant to write ‘when I’m there’

I'm bumping for you (I'm curious as well!).

If you google mumsnet korean skincare it comes up with a couple of threads with brand recommendations.

I have erborian korean skin therapy bb cream which I really like, but some other people don't seem to.

Cosrx, somebymi, wishtrend. So many can't think of them all now. Will go through my stash and let you know. K skincare is amazing

Dear klairs is another one

Isntree, rovectin, heimish

When beauty

I find the whole Korean beauty regime overkill. I did try but it takes forever with all the lotions, serums, creams… Plus I felt like I had too much on my face. Prefer more simplistic Japanese skincare which has served me well for many years.

You don't have to do the whole 10/12 or more step though. Many days I just do three or four and it still works great

Thanks for the names, I will look them up. I also need to familiarise myself with the pricing over there to see if it's not much different to getting them here.

Erborian, especially the BB (Korean BBs are much more like a foundation than western ones which are more like a tinted moisturizer)

IT Cosmetics CC

Missha (does an "ampoule" (serum) which is a dupe of Advanced Night Repair

Innisfree

Biore

Garden of Wisdom

Cosrx

I bought a lot of Dr Jart when I was there in March. Abib face masks are great and I also got Laneige. I thought there were more Dr Jart products available and at about half the price than what I normally pay.

That's good to know about Dr Jart. What about the Laneige? Those two, and the Corsz, are both names I've heard of so I've been looking up their products prior to this thread.

Laneige is great too

Laneige is lovely. Cosrx great for aha/bha. Benton for best snail serum. Missha have great foam cleansers. Favourite luxury brand is Sum37. Their melting skin cleanser was out of this world. Can't seem to find it anywhere atm though.

My Laneige cream hydrating mist has just arrived and oh my word it's lovely. So look out for that! It's a hydrating ceramide rich mist, but like a very very fine lotion when you spray it.

Ooooh, that sounds perfect for flights too.

Belif is a great brand for a workhorse everyday moisturizer - they do a Cream and a Gel version, and I would always get both: Gel for spring and summer, Cream for autumn and winter. They were generous with samples too (downtown store but still worth asking!)

Pretty sure that Foreo and those weird colourful face massage cleanser things are Korean, if you want some facial tech.

I had some Laneige hydra gel creme thing in a squat blue tub (don’t remember the name, sorry!) that was a dream to apply but the fragrance was OTT. I’m not usually bothered by this so it was noticeable for me.

There are a few ‘cute’ brands - IIRC one called something like Dear Story, another Too Cool For School?? - that do egg masks in cute packaging and lip tints shaped like kittens. Also TonyMoly - all are good for gifts and stocking fillers.

Finally, you might find some of the Japanese classics are cheaper there too cos of regional tourism. Look for Shiseido, Shu Uemura, great sunscreen by Anessa and Biore Water.

Happy shopping - very jealous

Have you bought anything yet OP? After this thread I looked up reviews for laneige facial mist which very positive, so I ordered some

I’m not there yet, @BastetsWhiskers, I fly on the 24th.

@JemimaPyjamas shamelessly coming here to hear about your purchases 😁

Peripera Ink velvet lip tint and gloss.
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting tints.

.

@BastetsWhiskers it was a mad rush through Incheon, so you’ll have to wait till the 14th!

😱🤣

Live in Asia, can't be doing with the very complex Korean routines but I pick and choose products into something less complex. Loads of them are good:
Laneige is fab, slightly higher end compared to the below, sleeping masks are lovely in particular
Hada Labo do my go to face washes
Dear Klairs for Vitamin c drops, vitamin e mask and blue calming cream
Happy shopping!