Upcoming K-Beauty Trends for 2026 | Staying Bright with Minimalism

With everything going viral on TikTok and AI imagery creating a more abstract flawless aesthetic, people are pushing out the boundaries for more fun and excitement in their skincare. People are starting to draw away from complex routines and finding joy in the basics once more:

After hitting 20-step routines (who can keep up?), people are pulling back on the number of products they are buying. 2026 will be a year of drawing focus. No longer buying 3 different serums, companies are combining actives and ingredients to create simpler routines that are more obtainable and easier to perform. Expect toners that act like serums and serums that combine moisturizing qualities to help simplify the everyday. 

Like the Medicube Jelly Mist serum, it provides the ability to act as a toner, serum and light moisturizer all-in-one; whilst also acting as an on-the-go relief to dryness and a dewy glow. People are going to switch up the maximalist routines of Korean beauty to bring back simplicity and joy. It's possible to be radiant without layering the world and we’re likely to see this spreading. 

The origins of Korean beauty has been healing, natural ingredients that give the benefits of nature and revival (just as they have for thousands of years). This feeling and nature-based skincare is likely to continue to spread and sell, with focus on individual ingredients such as licorice, panthenol, caffeine and PDRN.  

There's also going to be a more holistic focus on skin health; from infusing probiotics, to gentle hydration – coming as a deep contrast to previous years with harsh serums and strong retinoids. Dermatology is still trying to pin down the healthy face microbiome and how disruption can lead to various skin conditions. 

As mentioned before, as K-beauty hits peak virality, it’s not enough to just deliver results. 2026 is set to deliver peak vibrancy and colour to your routine. Where everything has to be Instagrammable to be shared and trending; we’re getting a variety of Barbie pink serums and fun textures – from bubble serums to jelly mists and more! It’s time to have some fun with your routine with something a bit new and a bit trendy.

Yes, Korean beauty has become famous for its serums, gentle moisturizers and innovative ingredients. But it’s time for their hair products to hit peak virality. There’s a large number of new Korean brands on the scene, delivering luscious and refreshing hair treatments with a bit of fun. From hair gelato, hair perfumes and more – 2026 will be the year of perfect hair for sure!

Looking for a vibrant, neon addition to your routine to brighten and deeply absorb into your skin? Check out the newest addition to Medicube’s vibrant Kojic Acid range. It’s a light gel cream (perfect for oily skin), infused with capsules to deliver antioxidants deeper into your skin. It’s also paired with a delicate Deep Vita C Capsule Serum, which both are perfect for hyperpigmentation and in a summer routine.

This cream has been out for a while in 2025, but its fame in South Korea hasn’t reached our shores yet. It’s infused with perilla extract, an aromatic herb beloved in Korean dishes that also has deep healing properties. It’s perfect for dark spots, inflammation, damaged cells and fine lines – all in one nourishing cream. 

This foundation is designed for that easy, blurry and dewy finish – without having to match your foundation. It’s a creamy coat that starts out white, but blurs into your skin as you blend it. Infused with collagen and Volufiline, it helps vanish fine lines and creates a perfect cover every time that requires absolutely zero colour matching. Perfect for those lazy make-up days – where you want to look flawless with minimal effort.

Looking for that easy, all-in-one cream that helps brighten, moisturize, vanish fine lines and help heal your skin barrier? Check out this cream that has already gone viral in South Korea. With high purity PDRN, it’s ideal for dry or dull skin that needs a gentle (but strong boost).

We mentioned the hair and this is our most exciting addition to 2026. This nourishing and delicious-looking gelato pack comes out as a gummy and refreshing hair mask. It’s actually infused with keratin and rich amino acids to coat hair and help soften and refresh it. With the Bouncy Berry being perfect for luscious curls and the Silky Banana helping bring deep shine to straight hair – there's something for everyone!

Looking for that barrier health protection? This spot treatment contains 2 billion probiotic cells per 1 ml, for an entire skin barrier refresh. This skin barrier spot treatment is perfect to treat and hydrate a damaged skin biome that needs a restart button. Rich in 90% Lactobacillus, it forms a rich protection for your skin that has ongoing and lasting results (especially for damaged and acne-prone skin). Rebuild your skin with the Pixcell Biom.

Stay up to date with latest releases and popular trends in South Korea with Arktastic! Complete with skincare advice articles, a personalised skincare assistant (Have you asked Pogi?) and more - it's the ultimate place to perfect your K-beauty routine!

Excited for more K-beauty reads? Check out our guide to perfecting your summer skincare routine (and keep cool!). Or check out our review of Arencia's latest release - their Boosting Retinal Eye Mask.

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Arencia Boosting Retinal Eye Mask review