The magic of Korean skincare has cast its glass skin spells on most skincare routines thanks to viral brands like Laneige, Medicube, and ANUA. With skin-soothing ingredients, creamy formulas, and a 10-step routine, we’ve all become obsessed with K-Beauty.
But the innovation weaved into Korean skincare and Korean makeup is showing no signs of taking a breather. From readymade toner pads, to multi-use makeup, forward-thinking K-Beauty solutions never fail to impress us. To find out which Korean beauty trends have been big for 2025 and will no doubt continue to be, scroll on…
1. Toner pads
As much as indulging in our 10 step Korean skincare routine is a recurring daily highlight, we’re also partial to a shortcut (a.k.a. “lazy girl hack”) at BEAUTY BAY. Cue: toner pads. These compact, pre-soaked, ready-to-go pads tackle a range of skin concerns with pore-tightening, hydrating, acne-preventing, and calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica, heartleaf, niacinamide, and AHAs and BHAs.
This fuss-free solution to toner is ideal for travel; simply swipe one over your face after cleansing to soothe, exfoliate, or hydrate your skin. Or, for a more luxe experience, leave them to rest on your skin to allow the ingredients to penetrate deeper.
2. Spicules
Crowned as the pain-free alternative to microneedling, spicule skincare is the at-home, (sometimes painful,) affordable Korean skincare innovation that’s making itself at home in many skincare routines. If you’re wondering “what are spicules?”, they’re essentially microscopic, needle-like structures from marine plants or sea sponges – so they’re 100% natural.
They can act as an exfoliant, buffing away dead skin cells to leave you with a brighter complexion. But our favourite benefit of spicules is their ability to create micro-channels in the skin, allowing the hydrating, nourishing skincare ingredients that follow to penetrate deeper and more effectively to enhance results. Although they’re gentler than traditional microneedles, they still deliver a sting, which is, in our opinion, bearable because of the dewy results. But, no pain no gain, right?
3. Face masks
The rule isn’t always “if it’s viral on TikTok, it must be good”, but the Korean face mask trope does follow suit. Hydrogel face masks, like the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, in particular are having a moment on our FYPs (and now bathroom shelves.) But Korean face masks as a whole are trending all thanks to their deeply hydrating, smooth, dewy results.
We’ve tried, tested, and reviewed Korean face masks and can vouch for them being comfortable enough to wear for 15 minutes for a quick moisture hit, or overnight whilst sleeping for longer-lasting results. Packed with hydrating and soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and collagen extract, the glass skin results are a shining example of the buzz around Korean skincare.
4. Innovative makeup formulas
Whilst Korean skincare has our hearts, Korean makeup also has a hearty dose of our interest. It focuses on natural-looking coverage and radiant skin with products like the unique cushion foundations from TirTir which blend seamlessly into skin.
But playfully packaged, multi-use makeup products make appearance after appearance across Korean beauty brands too, delivering nothing short of freshly flushed cheeks and dewy, juicy lips. Our favourite is the fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot which has a consistency we can only describe as deliciously ‘spreadable.’ Build it up for a hit of colour or blend one layer to your lips and cheeks for a sheer wash of dewy colour.
5. SPFs
Korean sunscreens have become a huge skincare trend for 2025 thanks to brands like Purito Seoul, Dr.Jart+, Thank You Farmer, and Beauty of Joseon delivering lightweight, non-greasy formulas that leave no trace of a white cast. When combined with broad spectrum SPF, this dreamy combo makes them pretty much the perfect sun care solution.
Many double up as skincare as they’re packed with gentle yet effective Korean ingredients like heartleaf, snail mucin, and Centella Asiatica. So as well as protecting any redness and hyperpigmentation from UVA/UVB rays, they also help tackle skincare issues.
6. Lip products
Nourishing, hydrating, softening K-Beauty lip care has had a surrounding hype for a while, but 2025 sees it make its way into even more skincare regimes. From balms and oils to scrubs and masks, Korean lip care products are formulated without irritants to gently yet effectively buff away dead skin, deeply hydrate, plump, firm, and protect.
You’re probably familiar with the viral Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, but brands like good light cosmetics and Belif also offer protective, hydrating, moisturising Korean lip products too.
