My worst-kept secret is that I love Korean beauty products. Well, considering the fact that I write about them pretty much every month, I guess it’s hard to consider it a secret at all. In any case, I know that I’m not alone—despite the fact that K-beauty’s first wave of popularity happened about a decade ago, interest in Korean moisturizers, Korean serums, Korean collagen masks, and more seems to be exploding again in recent years. It’s a no brainer, really. The peninsula’s beauty companies are constantly in fierce competition to produce better, more sophisticated and refined formulas, often at unbeatable prices. And during the flurry of this year’s Cyber Weekend discounts, those affordable price points have dipped even lower. (Take, for example, Biodance’s mega-viral collagen sheet mask, which is on sale for 30 percent off!)
I’ve been immersed in the world of K-beauty for nearly fifteen years, and I’ve spent the past year sharing my favorite Korean skin care products and Korean makeup brands with ELLE.com’s lovely readers. And as our site’s resident K-beauty expert, I’m delighted to keep performing my duty and spread the word about the best Korean skin care, makeup, and hair care deals you can shop right from the comfort of your couch (or, if you’re like me, bed). Below, you’ll find 20 heavily discounted Korean beauty products to add to your cart before Cyber Week ends.
Skin Care
It was unbelievably difficult to only pick out four skin care items, but here are the ones that made the final cut. These products—including facial device Hall-of-Famer Medicube Age-R Booster Pro, are highly rated, widely beloved, and at least 30 percent off. And need we say any more about the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence? The beyond famous serum provides palpable hydration, helps blemishes heal, and gives everyone that covetable lit-from-within glow.
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Now 30% Off
Beauty of Joseon Serum Line Calming Serum
Now 30% Off
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Now 48% Off
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Now 34% Off
Sun Protection
If you neglect to do anything else, you should at least be applying sunscreen each and every day. Of course, it protects against skin cancer, but it also helps prevent signs of aging from cropping up—wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness can all be symptoms of sun damage. Here to rescue you are Korean sunscreens, which often feature more cosmetically elegant and effective formulas. In other words, they work, but they also don’t have that dreaded “sunscreen scent” or feel greasy and thick on the skin.
Beauty of Joseon Daily Relief Sunscreen
Now 30% Off
D’Alba UV Essence Waterfull+ Sunscreen
Now 22% Off
Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Now 20% Off
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36
Now 20% Off
Makeup
Even before I was old enough to really use skin care, I was obsessed with Korean makeup products. Somehow, the products get better and better each year, with beautiful, unique shade ranges and foolproof formulas. I used to have to make the trek to the other side of the world to pick up my essentials, but I’m happy to report that many top brands have finally officially entered the U.S. market. Here, find beginner- and expert-friendly blushes and lip products at wallet-friendly prices.
Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot
Now 36% Off
Etude Heart Pop Blusher
Now 40% Off
Hera Sensual Nude Balm Moisturizing Lip Balm
Now 24% Off
Peripera Ink Mood Glowy Tint
Now 40% Off
Body Care
Your skin doesn’t stop at the edge of your face—your body needs that TLC too. Bestselling Korean neck creams, body moisturizers and other essentials are up to 50 percent off. I was hoping for weeks that the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato 6.0 Top to Toe Wash would be on sale, and it is! I love how gentle and hydrating the pH-balanced formula is (babies can use it too), and I can even use it as a face wash without fearing that it’ll irritate my sensitive skin.
CKD Guaranteed Gua Sha Neck Cream
Now 45% Off
KraveBeauty Great Body Relief Skin Barrier Body Lotion
Now 50% Off
Pyunkang Yul Intensive Ceramide Lotion
Now 28% Off
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato 6.0 Top to Toe Wash
Now 16% Off
Hair Care
Koreans take hair care very seriously, and you might be surprised by how much you end up liking Korean hair products. For example, if you have an irritated scalp and would like hair that’s even just a little bit thicker (who wouldn’t?), the Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Miracle In-Shower Treatment contains gentle acids, oils, and niacinamide to remove build-up, support scalp health, and promote hair growth—and for a limited time, you can snag it for 30 percent off. Have thin, frizzy hair that turns into a greasy mess when you try to tame it with leave-in conditioners? Try the Mise En Scene Perfect Serum Original at 44 percent off for a formula that smoothes away frizz and flyaways, adds visible shine, and makes strands smell incredible without weighing them down.
Kundal Ultra Macadamia Oil Hair Serum
Now 35% Off
Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Miracle In-Shower Treatment
Now 30% Off
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Essential Shampoo
Now 50% Off
Mise En Scene Perfect Serum Original
Now 44% Off
Carol Lee is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.