Top 25 K-Beauty Products of 2025 – The Saturated, The Smooth and The Shiny

Korean skincare and beauty products have had an unbelievable boost in 2025. There are more brands, more products and more trends than one person can keep up with. All our favourite brands have been popping out new serums, cleansers and devices to tone, shape, smooth and bring a glow to all skin types. In 2025, the focus has been on visible results, natural and traditional beauty and actively seeking out products that provide skin health and youth.  

K-beauty has created products that actively seek to nurture and protect skin cells, probiotics to regenerate skin biome and protective creams that seal in moisture and protect from pollutants and environmental damage. The combination of ancient techniques with the peak of modern technology has only served to show why South Korea is leading the world’s beauty trends. 

So, if you’ve fallen out of reels or been taking a beauty breather – this is your catch-up for all K-beauty's top products and brands to trial in 2025! 

25. Cosrx The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peeling Gel 
For a dramatic refresh of the face, COSRX has brought the power of a spa peel to its fans at home in a little tube of pink gel. The 35 in the title refers to the formula being 35% enzymatic acids, which interacts with the outermost skin layer to melt sebum and dead skin cells. It provides about the deepest exfoliation you can get at home. Within a few uses, people report softer, clearer skin that reduces acne outbreaks and has gotten people addicted to the feeling. It’s important not to over-exfoliate and always follow instructions. 

COSRX carefully formulates all their products – and where other peeling gels cause dryness and flaking, this gel is formulated with hydrating panthenol and vibrant Vitamin B12 to produce plump, healthy and glowing skin. If you are looking for a new treatment to reduce skin roughness, texture and produce a new shine, this is the one! 

24. Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad 
A big rise in 2025 was the addition of ‘pads’ to all kinds of products – giving users a convenient and carefully metered way to enjoy their favourite products. This was no different in the Numbuzin Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad, who combined their famous line with a two-sided pad to deliver perfect results each time. One side is infused with essence and glutathione (jelly pad) and the other is soft, exfoliating cotton (gauze pad) which allows the user to apply the essence to their skin and then to gently exfoliate at the same time. 

It’s designed to reduce hyperpigmentation and skin roughness, whilst clearing dead skin cells and allowing the strong combination of Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Panthenol and Tranexamic acid to absorb into skin layers. It’s been a wonder to reduce acne scarring, clear skin and tone up your look. 

23. Beauty of Joseon Refreshing Pore Mask 
In the continuing trend of natural, clean products – Beauty of Joseon comes in strong with their plant-based, kaolin clay mask, that softly exfoliates and tightens pores with red bean extract. Infused with pear and strawberry (to provide vitamins and antioxidants), it textures oily/combination skin to reduce excess sebum and soften. It has no artificial fragrances or clogging oils – making it the perfect weekend treatment to apply and sit in a hot bath.  

22. Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum 
Looking for a hydrating, quick-absorbing sun serum that does not trigger acne outbreaks, doesn’t leave you feeling shiny and doesn’t harm animals or the ocean ecosystem? If it seems too good to be true – it isn’t! Skin1004’s careful formulation for sensitive and acne-prone skin produces a soft, hyaluronic acid infused sunscreen that utilizes centella asciatica to soothe redness and green tea for antioxidants. 

With nourishing ceramides to protect the skin barrier, this serum locks in deep to provide protection (SPF+50 and PA++++) that prevents UVA/UVB damage via three new-generation sun-protective agents. It is a highly balanced sunscreen – ready for summer through to winter to protect your skin. 

21. Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting And Firming Ampoule 
Vitamin C has been an absolute darling of skincare of late. It is a powerful antioxidant that brightens skin, lightens dark spots and provides skin cells with protection from premature aging. In Missha’s Vita C ampoule, they provide a carefully formulated ampoule of vitamin C in small liposomes, that bind to skin barrier and deliver nutrients directly to cells.  

It also contains a sledge of essential oils (eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, orange peel oil, grapefruit oil and soybean oil) which provide strong action against fine lines, wrinkles and produces a soft, citrusy smell to the ampoule. It is best for normal, dry skin types and to help refresh dull, aged skin and give a strong boost to each morning. It can cause a reaction in sensitive skin types, however, so be wary if you tend to have a reaction to Vitamin C or essential oil products. 

20. Elizavecca Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask 
Looking for a fun way to clean away blackheads, with a fun mask that bubbles like crazy on your face? An oldie-but-goodie K-beauty has remained in circles for a decade, but had a resurgence this year is the Elizavecca Carbonated Bubble Clay mask. Formulated with soothing kaolin clay, combined with cleansing charcoal – that actively draws out impurities from deep within pores. This mask is also infused deeply with green tea, lavender, peppermint and floral extracts to soothe and care for acne-prone skin. 

The carbonation (via carbonated water) means that as the mask is exposed to the air it froths and bubbles up, creating a tickling feeling against your face. It makes this bubble mask ideal for a before-shower treatment to ensure you feel extra clean and smooth. 

19. TIRTIR Ceramic Milk Ampoule 
If you are a lover of make-up and are aiming to achieve, soft, poreless skin – this ampoule is one of the tools of the trade. It is a highly nutritious, vegan ampoule that provides amino acids to damaged, rough skin. It contains almond, oat and rice bran extracts to firm skin and smooth. It absorbs quickly, leaving a non-sticky and gentle finish. Sits well under makeup, to provide a natural glow and soft sheen that lasts for the whole day. It contains soybean ferment, which provides natural probiotics to the skin barrier. 

It contains 18 different vitamins and proteins to help smooth and equalize skin barrier, to make it as easy as possible to produce shiny, glassy skin. It is designed to be safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin. 

18. Medicube Kojic Acid Tumeric Brightening Gel Mask 
A big trend of 2025 has been the rise of hydrogel masks. They are thicker than a sheet mask and have a rubbery, gel consistency that seals against the skin and provides deep hydration. The gel mask is designed to brighten and even skin. It’s sealed in place for 1-3 hours, which allows kojic acid to absorb into skin and inhibit melanogenesis, relieving and calming blemishes and hyperpigmentation. This is paired with soothing tumeric, a vibrant anti-inflammatory and healing root extract, which provides skin the ability to repair and enhances the skin barrier. 

This is the ultimate mask for soothing hyperpigmentation, brightening and balancing skin. Medicube has a slew of hydrogel masks available - so be sure to find your fav for your skintype.

17. Anua Rice 70 Intensive Moisturizing Milk 
The Anua vegan milk products range has a similar style to the TirTir, but both have been ubiquitous in 2025 – so it would be ignorant to miss this one out. As a deeply hydrating toner, this product is rich in rice bran water and brightening niacinamide to balance sebum and produce a radiant complexion. It is a non-sticky, milky formula that is mixed carefully with ceramides to hydrate and firm up the skin barrier to prevent water loss throughout the day. 

It absorbs quickly, providing an instant boost and is designed for sensitive or acne-prone skin to provide a holistic, protective toner. 

16. Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm 
This balm has been available for a while already – but its popularity has only grown. Known for its ability to melt away makeup and refresh pores, it’s most used at the end of the day or as part of a double cleansing routine. It helps deep clean without drying and tightening skin and contains soothing rice bran and chrysanthemum extract to relief and calm texture. 

It’s suitable for all skin types, but very well suited for oily and combination skin types or if you are a keen makeup connoisseur to help clear excess sebum and keep skin clear and clean. 

15. Mary and May Marine Collagen Serum 30ml 
Mary and May produce products that are deeply transparent about their origin and ingredients, that simply work. This year, their most famous serum has been the Marine Collagen serum, with low-molecular weight collagen extracted from marine sources. It’s collagen, combined with hydrating hyaluronic acid produces plumper, softer skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Anti-aging products have gained new traction in younger audiences with the rise of preventing “premature aging” and this simple, effective serum has been a big hit in 2025. 

14. Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum 
The name is a mouthful, so let's break it down. Anua has worked hard to formulate the ultimate, acne-friendly serum. It contains 10% Azelaic acid, which reduces bacterial load, reduces inflammation and importantly redness. It’s most used clinically to treat roseacea and hyperpigmentation, so this serum is great for both of these too! 

No Anua serum will ever contain just one thing – this serum is also packed with green tea extract, aloe vera juice and 7 types of cica. It’s designed to maximize calming of redness and hydrate, whilst preventing formation of new acne. It exfoliates, brightens, soothes and comes in a charming, green color that helps combat left over redness. If you are a fan of green tea serums and are looking for something with an extra punch to help color balance your skin, this might be your new favourite serum. 

13. Axis Y New Skin Resolution Gel Mask 
If you know and love the famous Axis Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow serum to reduce blemishes and smooth skin, you'll adore the New Skin Gel Mask. It’s a soothing, herbal, deep-green mask that sits on your face and infuses your skin with a slam dunk of ingredients to fight hyperpigmentation, acne and brighten skin. With soothing heartleaf and mugwort to reduce redness and acne, calming madecassoside to reduce pigment, yam root to tone-up and soften skin and the vitamin boost of fig – this mask is a delight to use and feels like akin to a handmade tincture that has been medicinally prepared to calm and soften skin. 

Sit back and emerge feeling fresh and new with this 10-minute mask that is delightful to relax with. 

12. Be The Skin BHA+ Pore Zero 30 Second Exfoliator 
Looking for a perfect, fresh herbal exfoliator that tackles acne, blemishes and reduces pore appearance? All in one small, reasonably priced package? Then we welcome the rise that Be The Skin’s Pore Zero range has had this year. With people aiming for glassy, poreless skin – these products have been making the rounds and this exfoliator has been a fan favourite.  

Formulated with Willow extract (BHA), brightening apricot and plumping aloe vera – this skin treatment works perfectly as a second cleanser that removes dead skin cells, treats blackheads, whilst moisturizing and soothing skin. With a few uses, find yourself with smoother, brighter skin and the happiest pores you’ve had for some time. 

11. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 
Damaged skin barrier? Meet the cure – with Skin1004’s carefully formulated Probio-Cica line that is designed to balance and repair skin from the ground up. With fermented centella asciatica extract to calm and reduce bacteria, this ampoule doubles up with Lactobacillus probiotics to provide healthy bacteria back into your skin biome to protect and improve your skin pH. Not only that but coupled with madecassoside extract (to reduce hyperpigmentation) and ceramides to deeply hydrate – along with pH balancing acids, this ampoule will take damaged, unbalanced and acne-prone skin and allow your skin to shine the way it should. 

It’s no wonder it’s been an absolute hit in 2025 and it will likely continue making strides in the future. 

10. Cosrx Aloe 54.2 Aqua Tone-Up Sunscreen 
Long-time K beauty fans will know and love Cosrx’s Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. Although Cosrx is incredibly famous for their snail lineage – true ones know that their aloe soothing sun cream is one of their treasures. And they’ve revolutionized the formula with their new Aqua Tone-Up edition, complete with 54.2% aloe leaf extract to boost hydration and naturally nourish skin – also carefully combined with brightening niacinamide and calming allantoin. It contains 5 separate ingredients to provide UVA/UVB protection. 

It’s a perfect sunscreen for all ages, incredibly lightweight and provides a strong SPF+50. Users however, have found it does not mix well with makeup (pilling beware) - so if you are planning a killer makeup style, maybe skip this one! 

9. Medicube Age-R Glutathione Glow Capsule Cream 
Someone told Medicube that the redox balancing, antioxidant glutathione was useful in reducing fine lines, restoring skin glow and producing firm, bouncy skin – so they delivered with 99.4% glutathione droplets sealed in little phospholipid bubbles to absorb deeply in skin cells. Mixed with the usual brightening niacinamide and deep hydration produced by glycerin and ceramides – this cream has been a crowd favourite to produce younger, glowy skin. 

Along with the Medicube Age-R Booster pro device line, this cream has been a favourite to routines looking to restore a glow to dull skin and reduce appearance of fine lines. 

8. Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream 
This era of skincare has changed from using harsh chemical agents and antimicrobials to strip bacteria from skin, to nourishing and restoring the natural skin barrier. If you have found yourself in the cycle of using serum after serum to reduce acne, only to find breakouts worsening – it’s time to switch up to the famous Dr Althea 345 relief cream. Non-scented, non-greasy and deeply hydrating (with ficus extract), this cream allows you to achieve hydrated, smooth and protected skin without breakouts and anger. 

It has wowed users by its ability to give acne-prone skin a genuine pathway to repair and hydrate and its popularity is not going anywhere anytime soon. 

7. Tocobo Vita Tone Up Sun Cream Deluxe 
If you’ve loved the milky trends, you’ll love Tocobo’s new vegan sunscreen formulation. With Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Vitamin B12 and soothing adenosine – this vitamin-packed, milky-pink formula provides a smooth application and SPF50+ protection all day. With a base of sea buckthorn water extract in place of water, it absorbs quickly and applies similar to a serum, rather than a heavy cream. It brightens up your skin, provides a deep hydration and wears well under makeup. 

Best reviews come from combination or oily skin, as it can take longer to absorb in dry skin. Works delightfully under makeup and keeps you protected all day! 

6. Celimax Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster 
A spot treatment with dazzling effect, the Celimax Vita-A Retinal Booster shot literally makes the skin tingle on application as it injects purified retinal deep into pores in nano form (literally 1/16 the size of the average pore!). With a 100% satisfaction rate in testing – this booster has been booming across the beauty sector with its strong retinal effect that is designed to work deeply, rather than in a high concentration. 

If you like a dramatic product with a fun application (as the internet does) you’ll have to try out the Retinal Shot yourself! 

5. Medicube PDRN Pink Exosome Shot Serum 2000 
One of the biggest trends of 2025 has been the anti-aging holy grail – PDRN. Extracted originally from salmon gametes – it is small DNA-related molecules that work hard to repair DNA structures and regenerate cells. Its power has been remarkable and in this shot serum, Medicube has concentrated 2000ppm of PDRN into small exosomes, designed to inject themselves directly into skin cells. 

If you are wanting to trial out PDRN and see its effect – this is the perfect product to start with! It comes in two strengths, 2000 and PDRN 7500 (it's best to start at the lower concentration and work up your skin tolerance). Medicube has a whole range of PDRN products, but this is by far the strongest and most effective. 

4. Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence 
With a year of returning to natural elements, nature and vegan cosmetics – there's been a resurgence of the famous Dr Ceuracle Kombucha fermented toner. An important product that soothes and revives the skin barrier – this toner provides a rich source of probiotics to skin and balances sebum, whilst gently washing skin in rejuvenating centella asciatica extract. This will always be a favourite of some – but with its flexibility for a variety of skin types and deep hydration, this soothing kombucha essence will likely stick around. 

3. Mixsoon Bean Essence 
Glassy, soft skin from a serum that deeply hydrates, exfoliates and produces a dewy finish? It can only be from Mixsoon’s star product – fermented bean extract mixed carefully with pomegranate essence. It melts away sebum, smooths pores and produces a deep shine that people are hungering for in 2025. It is pricy, but it can be used in the AM and PM for different effects and creates a warm glow under makeup.

If you love snail mucin, but are looking for a vegan alternate, you’ll find it in this TikTok famous, dewy, thick golden bean serum. 

2. Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask 
If you’re shocked to see yet another Medicube product on this list – you must have escaped the onslaught of exposure, influencer videos and demonstrations that Medicube unleashed on the world this year. It was so strong, the mention of Medicube was banned from some communities due to over-saturation. Their star product of 2025 has been the collagen night wrapping mask. It’s an overnight mask you gently spread on your face, that dries in place and seals nutrients and rich collagen against your skin – to provide a deep, soft glow the next day.  

People were and still are obsessed with this collagen peeling mask that gives such a nice shine, people wanted to wear it throughout the day. The bottle is small and only has a few uses in it – but if you want to trial out an addictive new luxury for your skin, look no further! 

1. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum 
This list would never have been complete without homage and mention to the star leading us into 2025 – the brightening, glassy skin essential serum made by Anua. This product leaves skin with a deep, luscious glow (due to being 10% niacinamide) and with tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces redness and helps heal acne scarring. This product helps even out skin, smooths pores and will have people stopping you and asking what you’ve done to your skin. 

We have an in-depth review here, but if you are looking for a noticeable difference in two weeks, want to reduce acne scarring, soften pores, brighten skin and feel more confident in your new glow – this is the product of 2025 and has yet to be beaten. 

2025 has been a blend of old and new products – as new audiences are just newly discovering Korean beauty and brands are launching newer and newer products to fit trends and new scientific discoveries. Our old favorites will always be constant in our lives (and on our skin), but if you are looking to shake up with a new, show-stopping product pick up some PDRN, feel out a new mask or treat yourself to a shiny new serum. 

All the above are available on Arktastic, authentic and direct from South Korea. Shop now!