South Korea have always been real skincare innovators. They invented many of the skincare formulas and technologies that we take for granted now in the western world. I’m always after that Korean ‘glass skin’ effect look, and here are five K-beauty products that i’ve been using to achieve it.

Tosowoong Dr Troubex Blemish Pads* – £10.09, Stylevana

We’ve all seen acid toner pre-soaked pads before – Nip & Fab do great ones and Dr Dennis Gross do great ones (albeit more like little wipes). These are from Korean beauty brand Tosowoong and they are fabulous! A very generous large tub of 70 for the price too! These pads are soaked in AHA and BHA acids (exfoliates the skin and dries up blemishes), as well as Centella Asiatica (which heals wounds/spots and prevents scarring). These are excellent pads for anyone who struggles with blemishes and breakouts, and they are also real glow-boosters. So, if you use Pixi Glow Tonic or Alpha H Liquid Gold to exfoliate your skin and give it some glow, these would be great for you too.Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule* – £12.69, Stylevana

How do I explain what Propolis is? It’s the by-product from honeybees – basically a mixture of bee saliva, pollen and beeswax. They use it to protect their hives as it’s a good sealant. It’s good for the skin because it’s an amazing healer. It’s anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic. It’s also great for sensitive skin as it’s soothing too. Not only does it protect, heal and soothe the skin, but it’s also a great moisturiser too and it leaves your skin with a lovely radiance. There’s also anti-oxidant-rich honey in this product, as well as pigmentation-reducing Sophora Angustifolia Root extract.

Check out my review of another very unique Korean beauty product – the Jinmee Hydrapuff!BRTC First Ampoule BB Cream SPF 37* – £23.99, YesStyle (I got this product in the amazing SkinStar Box – a K-beauty subscription box!)

When I swatched this at first, I thought it was far too dark for my very pale skin, but it blends down until it’s not noticeable. All you see is a more even-toned, perfected skin. Korea did invent the BB and CC cream that is now all over the western world, so it’s no surprise that this is a great product that’s pretty much universal. It brightens, smoothes and plumps so that you have a more even skintone with greater elasticity. It also contains BRTC’s prized Fermentox Complex 30% – a complex of fermented Brown rice, Green tea and Dandelion. This complex also brightens the skin and it strengthens the skin barrier too. This BB cream is also packed with nourishing vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts. I love this for no-makeup days, but it would also be a great perfecting primer with real skincare benefits.Jejuen This Sheet Is Bananas Sheet Mask – £2.99, JustMyLook

I do love a sheet mask. I really only use them for hydrating, soothing and plumping/firming the skin. This one is fun and it’s designed to hydrate. Packed with Hyaluronic Acid, this mask will leave your skin plump and glowing from all that moisture! The sheet mask was of course invented in South Korea. They were the real innovators of this technology, so I always have room in my beauty stash for a K-beauty sheet mask. This one is cruelty-free and made from 100% cotton.EssenHerb Bulgarian Rose Ampoule – $28, FaceTory

I love anything rose-scented when it comes to beauty. This is a hydrating serum that’s light and gel-like. It’s formulated with Bulgarian Rose, which is packed full of vitamins and nutrients for the skin to brighten and minimise signs of ageing; as well as hydrating Rosa Damascena Flower Water. This is a great product for someone with dry skin who needs an intensive moisturiser and hydrator, but is also a winner for all skin types. There’s that healing and barrier maintaining Centella Asiatica in here too, as well as Niacinamide which minimises redness, minimises pigmentation, minimise pores, strengthens the skin barrier to lock in moisture, and renews the skin surface. So much goodness in here! So many reasons to try a Korean skincare routine!

This post contains press samples, but all opinions are my own.

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