The Best K-Beauty Products You *Need* to Invest In Right This Minute

Over seven decades ago, Suh Sung-Whan, the Founder of South Korean beauty giant Amorepacific, pledged to share the amazing antioxidant benefits of indigenous Korean botanicals with the world. Coupled with cutting-edge technology and innovation, the Amorepacific brands have been consistently delivering high-performance formulas to tackle and treat various skin concerns, awarding you with a luminous complexion.

And while there are a tonne of lotions and potions from their four key brands in India—Innisfree, Laneige, Sulwhasoo, and Etude House—we decided to curate a list of the absolute must-haves that should be on the radar of all skincare aficionados.

Innisfree

This brand is dedicated towards sharing the clean and pure energy of nature with the world. Innisfree products feature responsibly-sourced ingredients from Jeju Island that are rich in nature’s bounty and treat various concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, dehydrated skin, spots, and more.

 

Cosmo Recommends

 

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, INR 1,950

A personal favourite, this serum is formulated with fresh green tea leaves extract—derived using the double squeeze method—that opens up the moisture path of dehydrated skin. A global bestseller, it strengthens the moisture barrier of the skin in just 30 minutes post-application and instantly increases moisture by over 700%. It is enriched with the Green Tea Biome, which includes Tri-biotics (Pre-Pro-Postbiotics) that keeps skin healthy. 

 

   
Innisfree Black Tea Youth Enhancing Ampoule, INR 2,780

Another gem from Innisfree, the Black Tea Enhancing Ampoule, formulated with Reset Concentrate, provides intensive anti-ageing care and boosts skin’s radiance. It also helps create firm, healthy, and vibrant-looking skin. This ampoule’s Reset Concentrate provides intensive anti-ageing care that helps relieve signs of skin fatigue and boosts radiance. Bonus: its Night Defense Formula protects the skin by creating a protective barrier and keeps your skin hydrated all night long.

 

Sulwhasoo

Amorepacific’s signature luxury brand, Sulwhasoo is known for its high-performance formulas. In fact, the Sulwhasoo Heritage & Science Center (SHSC) has been the Mecca of research on Korean traditional medicine and science for five decades. It features four specialised labs: Ginseng Lab, Herbal Medicine Lab, Benefit Activation Lab, and Modernization of Korean Traditional Medicine Lab. The Korean ginseng is Sulwhasoo’s holy grail ingredient, and after 50 years of dedicated research on this legendary ingredient and rare elements from the scarce plant, Sulwhasoo’s signature Ginseng range will awaken the skin’s radiance that is from confidence with a healthy glow.

Cosmo Recommends

 

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum, INR 13,900

 

This serum features encapsulated Korean ginseng oil, ginseng root extract, and ginseng flower extract, all of which help deeply-hydrate skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and improve skin’s elasticity.

 

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, INR 17,000

This luxurious, silky-smooth cream features an innovative complex of Korean red ginseng and retinol that work in tandem to firm up skin and leave it dewy and radiant.

Laneige

The experts at Laneige have been researching the interaction between water and skin for over two decades. Over the years, through their research, Laneige experts learned that moisture is the key to glowing, beautiful skin. Laneige’s Water Science, the core technology of all of the brand’s products, harnesses the explosive moisture energy to address various skin concerns.

 

Cosmo Recommends

 

Water Sleeping Mask, INR 1,850

 

This overnight mask has quickly become an icon. Applying a thick layer of this mask twice or thrice a week is all you need to make your skin appear well-rested and moisturised the next morning. The gel formula soothes skin and smoothes texture, while its aromatic scent helps you relax. 

 

Lip Sleeping Mask, INR 1,150

The Lip Sleeping Mask is another cult favourite from the brand. It is formulated with Vitamin C, shea butter, and fruit extracts (like raspberry, strawberry, and goji berry) that heal chapped lips. The formula is intensely hydrating—it gently melts away dead skin and keeps skin supple—and is available in eight refreshing flavours like Sweet Candy, Mint Choco, Gummy Bear, Vanilla and Lemon Sorbet, as well as the classics like Berry, Grapefruit, and Apple Lime.

 

ETUDE

Etude is one of the most exciting beauty brands from South Korea, known for its playful packaging and high-performance products. The brand offers both skincare and make-up and is ideal for make-up beginners to discover and master their true beauty.

 

Cosmo Recommends

 

ETUDE Dear Darling Water Gel Tint, INR 450

This water-based gel tint moistures lips and adds a delightful hint of colour. The formula glides on effortlessly and coats the lips with intense, long-lasting colour. Plus, it’s also a multi-tasker that can be used on the cheeks and lids, too.

 

ETUDE Drawing Eyebrow, INR 260

This product makes it super-easy to achieve brows on fleek. Featuring a long-wear, pigmented formula, it allows you to fill sparse areas, while the custom spoolie on the other end makes helps blend the colour seamlessly.