The 17 best K-Beauty products available to the UK, according to a Korean beauty expert
While K-beauty has been popular in the United States for years the UK market has been a little slower, but it's now improving vastly in terms of total accessibility. Where I once had to ask my dad to bring back a list of specific skincare products from his yearly trek to Korea, now you can walk into dedicated K-Beauty stores such as PureSeoul in London, order from Amazon and other mainstream beauty retailers to get your hands on the creams, serums, and treatments Koreans are actually loving and using. Here, my edit of the must-have K-beauty products that are finally available, no flight or passport needed.If you are looking for a fragrance-free moisturiser that is gentle and deeply hydrates the skin, you need to try the Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream. What truly sets this triple lipid complex moisturiser apart are the ceramide capsules (a single tube has one million capsules). The technology allows for longer retention of ceramides in the skin barrier. It's the Korean number one bestseller at Olive Young, Korea's premier cosmetic store, and was awarded the prestigious Olive Young Award in 2024.
£25.99 at amazon.co.ukThis blurring face powder has been a cult classic in Korea for years. The special silicone mesh keeps the three-powder blend from making a mess in your bag and easily disperses the product. It's perfect for anyone constantly on the go who wants to keep oil at bay for good.
£13.49 at stylevana.comThe Torriden Dive-In serum delivers moisture without any stickiness, and it should be the first step in your skincare routine. The watery essence-serum is beloved by Korean K-beauty consumers, as it won the Olive Young Award back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.
£21.00 at amazon.co.ukThe number one sunscreen of the 2023 Olive Young Awards has landed at Boots. The hydrating formula leaves zero white cast and does not irritate the skin. The magic lies in birch sap from birch trees in Korea's Inje region, which is full of hydrating amino acids.
£21.00 at boots.comI will never not have this in my medicine cabinet. Known as the "flight attendant spray" for its use by Korean Air flight attendants and their famed skin despite dry cabin conditions, the d'Alba First Spray Serum is simply a treasure. The double-layer serum is formulated with tuber magnatum (white truffle) extract and avocado oil that, when shaken and sprayed, delivers the perfect mist of hydration.
£20.00 at amazon.co.ukThe mixture of soybean, hazelnut, olive, jojoba, tea tree, lavender, evening primrose, sunflower oil, and rice oils gently removes make-up, sunscreen, and blackheads from even the most sensitive skin. For three consecutive years (2021, 2022, and 2023), it has reigned as Olive Young's number-one ranked product. To get a deeper clean, follow up with a foaming cleanser.
£18.00 at amazon.co.ukLooking for a cushion foundation that gives sheer coverage and an illuminating glow? Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion is the ultimate pick for a your-skin-but-better formula. However, I will say even though K-beauty has opened and marketed itself to a larger global audience, the shade range of the cushion foundations is extremely limiting despite its immaculate formulation.
£38.98 at amazon.co.ukThis is essentially at-home microneedling in a tube. Here's how it works: Smaller and thinner than the size of the average pore, Cica Reedletm creates pathways into the skin for quicker absorption and gentle exfoliation after massaging the serum into the skin. Ingredients such as Centella Asiatica extract, green propolis extract, and low-molecular hyaluronic acid are combined to soothe and pack the skin with nutrients.
£23.95 at The hydrating lip gloss worn by Blackpink Jennie. Need I say more?
£25.77 at yesstyle.comThis best-selling little jar truly gives life back to the skin. The propolis extract nourishes and gives an unbelievable glow from within. Other ingredients in this ampule, which is essentially a supercharged serum, include beta-glucan, hyaluronic acid, and madecassoside to soothe the skin with hydration.
$21.02 at oliveyoung.comThis is my current sunscreen, and I love it. The combination of hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica Extract in this SPF50 soothes sensitive skin and delivers plump hydration while protecting it from harmful UV rays. It wears extremely well under make-up and leaves behind a glass-like glow—not a white cast. Nutrients from seven types of sprout extracts help revitalise the protected skin.
$20.25 at beautybay.comWith a honey-like consistency, this lip tint is almost a lipgloss hybrid. Colours range from bright berries to warm caramel tones, and it has even won a 2024 Olive Young Award. For those searching for a product similar to pigmented lip gloss with longer-lasting staying power, this is the one.
$7.14 at oliveyoung.comToner pads are the ultimate multi-use skincare product. My favourite way to use them is as a mini sheet mask, applied for ten minutes on any dry areas of my face. Wiping your face with the pads after washing is a great way to ensure no make-up or SPF is left behind. And for make-up prep, the pads can be a quick way to infuse the skin with hydration. These toning pads come in a few varieties, but I like the calming and dark spot-reducing Madecassoside Blemish Pads the best.
£18.41 at stylevana.comTorriden's biodegradable sheet mask is the love child of the brand's beloved Dive-In Serum. For days when you need extra hydration, the cellulose sheet keeps skin moist with three different sizes of hyaluronic acid. Other ingredients like D-panthenol and allantoin help soothe the skin.
$8.71 at oliveyoung.comBuilt for the Korean stubbornly straight lash, this mascara keeps a curl like an oath. Not only does it come in black, but also brown and a unique grey-brown for a softer finish. It's as smudge-proof as they come.
$10.75 at oliveyoung.comThe Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot gives the most bouncy wash of colour that makes skin glow. The dual-use product is made with cocoa butter and agave tequilana leaf extract to blur both enlarged pores and lip lines. The consistency is extremely unique, with an almost fluffy, jam-like texture that makes applying it all the more fun.
£14.89 at Everything from the Dr. G Red Blemish line is famed in South Korea for its soothing capabilities, but the cream is particularly beloved with two Olive Young Awards. The lightweight gel cream instantly calms down any redness and irritation using Centella Asiatica extract. It's especially great for those with sensitive skin.
£30.19 at stylevana.com
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Outfitter 50-liter Duffel Bag, $96 (originally $160) Herschel Supply Co. Outfitter 50-liter Duffel Bag, $96 (originally $160) Over 11K five-star ratings: Samsonite Freeform 28-inch Large Luggage, $98 (originally $280) Amazon Prime Day—which runs from July 8 through July 11—is right around the corner, and some of the best early deals revolve around brand name luggage. Right now, we're spotting pieces from T+L-approved brands at their lowest prices yet, including this Vera Bradley Women's Adair Rolling Duffel, almost $100 off, and this Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX Hardside 3-piece Luggage Set, 55 percent off. Who says high-quality luggage can't be cute? California-based luggage brand Calpak has garnered a dedicated following for injecting color into its collection of editor-loved tote bags, carry-ons, and luggage sets. If you're wanting to try out the durable brand for yourself, now's the time to do so: the Calpak 4th of July Sale has colorful fan favorites up to 60 percent off. That includes this persimmon Evry Starter Bundle, $272 off, and this lilac Luka Belt Bag, 45 percent off. $265 $159 at $545 $273 at Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Nordstrom Rack is beloved by bargain hunters for consistently providing the absolute best prices on designer handbags, apparel, and shoes. But the discount retailer also hosts incredible deals on luggage that are almost too good to be true, with some bags hitting their lowest prices yet ahead of the July 4th weekend. Need proof? This Kenneth Cole Reaction Renegade 3-piece Luggage Set used to be $900—but right now, it's marked down to just $230. As for this chic, metallic Travelpro Rollmaster Lite 24-inch Expandable Medium Spinner: it used to be $400, but is now just $112, thanks to its 72 percent-off discount. $900 $230 at $400 $112 at The Samsonite Summer Savings Event is a treasure trove of impressive luggage deals this long weekend. Starting your luggage rotation from scratch? Check out the Pivot 3 3-piece luggage set; on sale for 44 percent off. Each piece is outfitted with TSA-approved locks, 360-degree spinner wheels, and ergonomic handles. If a smart carry-on is what you're after, scoop up this Voltage DLX Global Carry-on Spinner—it comes with a USB charging port, interior pockets, and is knocked down $70 for July 4th. Samsonite Pivot 3 3-piece Luggage Set, $280 (originally $500) Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Extra Large Spinner, $390 (originally $650) Samsonite Voltage DLX Global Carry-on Spinner, $120 (originally $190) Samsonite Novex Laptop Backpack, $60 (originally $100) Samsonite Theorym Underseater, $210 (originally $350) Samsonite Nuroad Hanging Travel Kit, $56 (originally $80) Samsonite Voltage DLX 3-piece Luggage Set, $400 (originally $700) Samsonite Mobile Solution Deluxe Carryall, $77 (originally $110) Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Large Spinner, $330 (originally $550) Samsonite Classic Leather Flapover, $182 (originally $260) If you're on the hunt for a new quality crossbody bag or weekender this July 4th weekend, look no further than the Lo & Sons Summer Sale, which has travel bags up to 40 percent off. This AAPI-founded brand has earned a reputation for creating brilliant, functional, and sustainable pieces that can help you stay organized at home, the office, and abroad. This Rowledge Backpack, which doubles as a tote bag, was awarded a spot on our list of Best Laptop Backpacks—and it's currently $145 off. And this T+L travel editor-loved Catalina Deluxe Tote, is marked down to $123, returning $82 to your travel budget. $298 $179 at $225 $135 at Whether your summer travel plans have you connecting with Mother Nature or jetsetting to a new city, REI has the luggage and bags you need for a smooth, successful adventure. The outdoor authority is hosting a 4th of July Sale featuring clearance discounts up to 50 percent off. For a limited time, you can grab this Gregory Quadro Pro 22-inch Hardcase Luggage, which is outfitted with multiple interior pockets and has a USB charging port, for nearly $100 off. You can also pick up this Osprey Arcane Roll-top Waterproof 18 Pack—a must-have for water activities and rainy hikes—for half off. The Delsey Paris Endless Summer Event features up to 25 percent off sitewide. 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