A Snail Secretion Essence, Plus 3 Other K-Beauty Products to Get on Your Face ASAP

There are two types of people in this world: People who swear by Korean skincare products, and those who don't.

With gimmicky packaging, and SO MANY STEPS, I don't blame you for wondering if K-Beauty is legit. But really, Korean skin care is all about looking after your skin barrier by gently exfoliating, adding a tonne of hydration and spot treating blemishes rather than going hardcore with pimple products.

These are all things I can get on board with, so naturally, I put my hand up to road test a bunch of new K-beauty products we just launched on Adore Beauty.

Some were brilliant. Others were... interesting. Keep scrolling for four Korean skincare products I reckon are genuinely worth the hype.

1. SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner.

What: SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml

An alcohol-free exfoliating product that combines three chemical exfoliating acids and exfoliating enzymes to gently but effectively remove dead skin cells, balance excess oil production and brighten the appearance of skin tone and texture.

Fast facts:

• Main ingredients:

  • Salicylic acid - An oil-soluble BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that can exfoliate deep within the pores.

  • Citric acid - A gentle AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) to exfoliate the skin's surface.

  • Lactobionic acid - An even gentler exfoliating PHA (poly hydroxy acid).

  • Papaya enzymes for even more exfoliation (sensing a theme yet?).

  • Niacinamide - Vitamin B3, kind of does everything!

  • Hydrating ingredients glycerin and urea, plus tea tree - which you'll smell when you open the bottle.

• 30 Days Miracle Toner is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, plus normal and dry skin types after gentle overnight exfoliation.

• Drench a cotton pad with the water-like formula and swipe over your face after cleansing and before any serums or moisturiser.

• Also comes in a 30 Day Miracle cleanser, serum and moisturiser.

Why it's worth the hype:

Legit, a bottle of this exfoliating toner is sold every three seconds in Korea. It's also a favourite of skincare YouTuber Hyram, so yeah, it's worth the hype. Even though the product name says toner, I think of this more as a liquid chemical exfoliant - like Alpha-H Liquid Gold, but gentler.

The overnight results are less dramatic than Liquid Gold, but you'll still get that very gentle 'it's working' tingle, and I saw a noticeable glow the next morning. Not a miracle worker, but a winner if you're new to exfoliating acids or just don't want to burn your face off.

2. KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask.

What: KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask 90ml

This Dear, Klairs products says it's a mask, but it's really a hydrating wash-off mask, a daily moisturiser and a juicy sleep mask.

Fast facts:

• Main ingredients:

  • Vitamin E - A hydrating ingredient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to add moisture and soothe skin.

  • Niacinamide - Vitamin B3, the all-rounder for smoothing the appearance of skin tone and texture, reducing sebum production and fighting free radicals.

  • Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid)- Humectant ingredients that turn your face into a sponge, soaking up and holding onto water for plump, hydrated skin.

• Apply a thin layer as a day moisturiser, or leave on a thick layer for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off. OR if you're keen on the slugging skincare trend, apply a thick layer as a sleeping mask and wash off in the morning.

Why it's worth the hype:

This is just a very lovely mask for bouncy, radiant skin. If you have dry skin, you could use this as a morning moisturiser, but the rest of you - you'll love it as a night cream or hydrating mask. It has a gloopy, putty-like texture that turns into a silky gel consistency that gives the skin an instantly glowy sheen. Also doesn't have a scent like many K-beauty skincare products.

3. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches.

What: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

A 24-pack of hydrocolloid pimple patches for treating pimples in a matter of hours (or overnight).

Fast facts:

• Hydrocolloid technology is used in wound healing.

• Also the same technology in the squishy bandaids you use when you get a big eff off blister.

• Hydrocolloid pimple patches help blemishes to heal faster by drawing out moisture while keeping the area hydrated and protected from bacteria.

• Bonus points: Chuck one of these pimple patches on to stop you from squeezing your face.

Why it's worth the hype:

Naturally, these pimple patches sold out in a matter of days because... who doesn't love a pimple patch?! You also get 24 in a packet for less than $10, bargain. If you've seen randoms on TikTok putting huge hydrocolloid bandaids on their blemishes, just don't. Use these instead.

4. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.

What: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 100ml

Ah, the infamous snail jizz essence. But really, this snail secretion essence serum hybrid routinely goes viral for its glow-giving properties.

Fast facts:

• Main ingredients:

  • Snail mucin - A snail secretion filtrate quite literally extracted from snails said to repair and protect your skin barrier while leaving a natural glow.

  • Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) and panthenol - Two hydrating ingredients to keep your skin hydrated and moisturised.

• Apply a pump or two of this essence at night after cleansing. You can add serums and moisturiser on top, but can also be used on its own.

Why it's worth the hype:

Finally, we need to talk about this snail secretion essence. Does this product really contain snail jizz? The (politically) correct term is snail secretion, and yes, it does. Snail mucin is the most popular Korean skincare ingredient because it's famous for delivering deeply hydrated, glowy skin that looks like glass.

Snail mucin is the secretion snails... secrete... when they're stressed or really relaxed, and it helps them slide along happily in life. This product is super slimy and a bit sticky, but I have to admit it does give the skin a bouncy radiance instantly. Will I keep using it? Maybe. But now I get why everyone's into snail secretion.

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