The bestselling K-beauty products in Australia
image via @biodance_global / instagram
words by Lara Daly
From TikTok’s viral sheet masks to the snail mucin that broke the internet, here are nine K-beauty products worth the hype.
Honestly, what did we do before K-beauty? Ever since South Korean beauty brands like Laneige and Cosrx became available in Australia, our skin barriers have been thriving. Ingredients that at first sounded strange (snail mucin and bird’s nest sheet masks) have now become the trusted route to achieving that illusive ‘glass skin’ glow and ‘chok chok’ bounce.
What sets Korean beauty apart is its obsession with skin health and hydration, encouraging us to stop sucking our skin dry and start moisture-sandwiching. Aside from being lightyears ahead of the West in terms of innovation, the other obvious drawcard of K-beauty is the accessible pricing. When we were paying upwards of $80 for serums with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, you could find the same product at a South Korean supermarket for a fraction of the price.
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The K-beauty industry is projected to grow to over AUD $28 billion by 2034, no doubt thanks to TikTok viral products and the global rise of K-pop stars. While the range of K-beauty available here is still limited, products like sheet masks, serums, essences and sunscreens have become staples in our routines.
Curious to know exactly which ones Australians love the most, we conducted some research into the bestselling K-beauty from local retailers. If your goal is glass skin, these seem to be the best-rated, most repurchased products to get you there.
1. Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
No surprises, we’re starting the list with the viral Cosrx snail serum. At around $30 a bottle, this is one of the most popular K-beauty products in Australia, for good reason. Fans of the pre-serum essence rave about its hydrating properties and with no added fragrance of harsh actives, it’s a staple for even those with sensitive skin.
Buy it here.
2. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry
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Another iconic K-beauty product, this is technically an overnight lip balm but everyone from makeup artists to beauty novices love it for a long-lasting glossy treatment, any time of day.
Buy it here.
3. Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
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We’ve all seen the viral TikTok videos of people wearing these hydrogel masks overnight – they start off white and gradually turn clear as your skin absorbs its collagen-packed serum. Satisfying! According to Adore Beauty, the Biodance Bio-Collagen sheet masks are the retailer’s best-selling K-beauty product of the last 12 months. “An insanely viral product we almost can’t keep on shelves,” says Merchandise Manager at Adore Beauty, Liz O’Brien. “[I’m] obsessed with this for flights, Sunday arvos and wintery nights.”
Buy it here.
4. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50
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Looking for your next favourite SPF? Beauty of Joseon makes the best, according to internet reviews and dermatologists. Specifically, people really love the brand’s Relief Sun Rice and Probiotics for its non-greasy formula, even on oily skin types.
Buy it here.
5. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI
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One bottle of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is sold every ten seconds and at $120 a pop, you’d hope it’s really good. The brand’s bestseller is formulated with naturally-aged ginseng that’s rich in antioxidants, said to promote brighter and younger-looking skin. Many positive reviews report more radiant, clearer and less puffy skin.
Buy it here.
6. Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal
The best-selling K-beauty eye serum at Adore Beauty, “you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like this once they’ve tried it,” Liz O’Brien tells us. “Lightweight yet nourishing, smoothing and brightening – it’s not just a great night’s sleep, it’s a great week‘s sleep, bottled.”
Buy it here.
7. Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
Another beauty innovation that changed the game – pimple patches! What did we do without them? Pick, pop and scar our precious skin, that’s what. Not only do these Cosrx patches draw out impurities, they provide a barrier from bacteria so you spot will heal faster. At just $5 for a pack of 24, no wonder these are a best selling product at W Cosmetics and Adore Beauty.
Buy it here.
8. Innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream
This K-beauty moisturiser is a hero product for good reason. Five types of hyaluronic acid, probiotics from green tea sourced directly from Jeju Island work to stop moisture loss, making it ideal for your winter skincare routine.
Buy it here.
9. Mediheal Placenta Essential Sheet Mask
Another cult favourite sheet mask, Mediheal uses three types of plant-based placenta (derived from rye, soybean and a flower called ‘edelweiss callus’) for an extremely glow-giving effect. At $2 a pop, you can’t really go wrong.
Buy it here.
For more on Korean beauty, try this.
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