We are BIG fans of Korean Skincare here at PHARE. It's effective, it's experiential and it's generally gentle on the skin. Over the last year or two, we've added some gorgeous Korean products to our list of PHARE Approved K-Beauty line up. Here are our most-recommended.
The Phare Edit
The K-Beauty Edit: Korean Skincare We
Korean skincare has earned its reputation. The formulations are clever, the textures are beautiful, and the prices are often a fraction of what you'd pay for something comparable from a luxury brand.
We wrote a piece a while back on whether K-beauty is worth the hype (the short answer is yes, with caveats). This is the follow-up: the actual products we stock, reach for, and recommend in the clinic.
SKIN1004 | Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
We LOVE an oil cleanser as the first step in a double-cleanse. It lifts off SPF, makeup, and the day's build-up properly, so your second cleanse can actually do its job. This is a gorgeous, light oil cleanser that melts away everything (including stubborn waterproof mascara) and rinses clean without leaving a film. Centella in the formula keeps it gentle enough for sensitive skin, which is rare in an oil cleanser.
COSRX | 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
A multi-peptide serum that does a lot of work in one step. Six different peptides plus hyaluronic acid, designed to support skin firmness, hydration, and overall resilience. Peptides are one of those ingredient categories that quietly delivers without dramatics. Use it morning or evening, before your moisturiser. A good option if you're looking to bring peptide work into your routine without committing to something more expensive.
COSRX | BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
An exfoliating acid we recommend most for congested skin, oily skin, or persistent blackheads. BHA (salicylic acid) gets into the pore and clears out the build-up that blocks the surface. It's a leave-on liquid, so you apply it after cleansing and it does its work overnight. Build up tolerance gradually if you've not used acids before, two to three nights a week to start. The texture is light and the formula is gentle enough that most skin types tolerate it well.
Beauty of Joseon | Light On Centella + Vita C
A vitamin C serum that won't break the bank. The combination of vitamin C with centella (a calming, repair-supporting ingredient) is what makes this work for skin that usually finds vitamin C irritating. Brightening, antioxidant protection, and a comfortable finish. A solid morning serum if pigmentation prevention is on your list and you've never tried Vitamin C before.
Dr.Althea | 345 Relief Cream
Ceramides and niacinamide in a cream specifically designed for sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin. The kind of moisturiser you'll want to have handy when your skin is unsettled, post-procedure, or just behaving unpredictably. We love it for patients post-treatment because it calms and rebuilds without anything that could provoke a reaction. Light enough for daily use, rich enough when the skin needs more.
Round Lab | Birch Moisturizing Sheet Mask
Twenty minutes of wear for skin that feels nourished, plump and soft. Sheet masks are one of the things K-beauty does properly. Birch sap and hyaluronic acid in a 100% cotton sheet that delivers a serious dose of hydration in one sitting. Brilliant before an event, after a flight, or any time the skin feels tight or dehydrated. Bonus tip, pop yours in the fridge before application for a gorgeous cooling sensation.
Dr. Althea | Retinol Flat Iron Eye Roller
A retinol eye serum with a built-in gua sha roller, so the massage happens as you apply. It pairs retinol with bakuchiol, which takes the edge off the irritation you'd usually expect from a retinoid this close to the eye, alongside ceramides, peptides and centella to keep the barrier calm. The cool flat tip rolls the serum on without dragging and helps with puffiness. Evening only, and SPF always.
Beauty of Joseon | Relief Sun: Aqua-Fresh
A firm PHARE favourite, this lightweight, water-fresh SPF50 with rice extract and probiotics sits beautifully on the skin, doesn't leave a cast, and works under makeup. Super hydrating, so dry skin-types tend to love it, but it suits pretty much everyone. Korean SPFs are in a league of their own, and this SPF is right up there with the best.
Tocobo | Bio Watery Sun Cream
One of Dr. Laura's personal favourites and one of our best-sellers. SPF50, watery texture, suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, this is a gorgeous SPF for everyone. If you haven't tried this one yet, be sure to try it next time your SPF runs low - it's gorgeous and we struggle to keep it in stock.
We could include countless more K-Beauty SPF options here, but we have so many that are PHARE Approved. Check them out for yourself, you won't regret it.
WHERE TO START
This is just a selection of the Korean Skincare that has been PHARE approved.
If you're new to K-beauty, SPF is a great place to start. We all need an SPF every day, and Korean SPFs are lightweight, user-friendly, and suitable for pretty much everyone. Once you try it, you'll likely want to explore other categories - which is why we put together this edit. Our top choices across cleansers, actives, moisturisers and more.
