GrailPeople

Creator profile

James Welsh

James Welsh

@jameswelsh

Hey its James, on this channel I take a deeper dive into skincare: the ingredients, the science, and the marketing. I explore Korean skincare trends and break down the myths that confuse people more than they help. With a degree in Editorial & Advertising Photography, I also investigate photo manipulation in beauty marketing, from filters and blurred-out complexions to the “perfect skin” illusions used by brands and influencers. Alongside deep dives and ingredient science, I post commentary style videos that look at the biggest beauty brands, their histories, their controversies, and the decisions that led them there. I expose brands when they deserve it, call out their BS, and break down why certain launches, scandals, or trends matter. My goal is simple: make skincare understandable, enjoyable, and rooted in truth. If you want relaxed, educational deep dives, ingredient breakdowns, brand investigations, and honest commentary on the beauty industry, then subscribe!

40Products
4Categories
1.6MSubscribers
Source channel ↗JSON API ↗

FACE

4 products

Foundation

Dr. Jart+Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30

color corrector · natural · $54.00 · Dr.Jart+, Sephora
It's like redness cancelling magic.
It does do a good job at what it does.▶ 7:11–7:15
If you can't wear a mineral sunscreen without it going white on you, you might want to patch test this before you use it.▶ 7:46–7:50
It's thick so it's not for everyone.
It's a little bit grippy as well.▶ 8:14–8:17
I have to prep my skin very differently knowing I'm going to use this. So, I have to hydrate well. I usually have to do like a sheet mask or toner pads on my cheeks for extra hydration. Make sure I use a slightly thicker moisturizer just on my cheeks. So, there is a lot of prep.▶ 8:22–8:28
If you're oily, I think you'll love this.▶ 8:40–8:43
It's still great. Never going to lose its lease of life.▶ 7:58–8:02
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

Mist

CaudalieGrape Water Hydrating Face Mist

face mist · natural · €9.00 · Caudalie
It's far more effective for doing what people want in a face mist. Hydration and soothing.▶ 18:09–18:16
You have that organic grape water in here, which is naturally rich in minerals, antioxidants.▶ 18:14–18:20
Caudalie also say prebiotics to support the skin's microbiome.▶ 18:20–18:26
Their own clinical studies show apparently it can reduce skin sensitivity by 61% and boost hydration by over 120%.▶ 18:30–18:35
There's no alcohol, which I don't mind alcohol at all, but they say it's alcohol-free, no fragrance in here, and no volatile oils, just a calming, refreshing mist that actually strengthens the skin instead of potentially irritating it.▶ 18:38–18:44
The grape water does the same job of refreshing the skin and providing an okayish base for makeup.▶ 19:11–19:14
If your goal is hydration, soothing, and makeup prep that actually benefits your skin, just give the water in a can a go.▶ 19:34–19:41
It's again a more modern choice and a gentler option for every skin type.▶ 19:43–19:48
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

Moisturizer

EmbryolisseLait-Crème Concentré

moisturizer · $32.00 · Embryolisse USA, Embryolisse Canada
It's often praised as like this multitasker. Moisturizer, primer, mask, and it does give the skin like a soft, nourished feel under makeup.▶ 13:27–13:34
It's effective.
It's fine um if you want that instantly smooth plump base, which is why makeup artists love it.▶ 13:47–13:52
It's a very old school emollient cream.
Rich and occlusive, but not particularly innovative when it comes to skin barrier support.▶ 13:25–13:29
For the price and the hype, you're mostly paying for its reputation as a backstage favorite at fashion shows.▶ 14:17–14:21
Some people like it and like I said, it's going to do the job very, very well.▶ 14:21–14:27
Embryolisse is kind of like rich and slightly greasy.▶ 15:39–15:43
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

Setting Spray

CaudalieBeauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow Face Mist

face mist · dewy · $49.00 · Sephora, Caudalie
It feels so outdated.
Is essentially a mix of like peppermint oil, rosemary, and a ton of fragrances that you don't really want in skin care or a product that you're going to be reapplying and reapplying and reapplying throughout the day.▶ 17:05–17:08
I find it absolutely horrific.▶ 17:21–17:25
It's minty. It's like spraying a cold mint all over your face, and you get a tingle, which is mostly from peppermint and alcohol.▶ 17:24–17:28
For sensitive skin, that combination of fragrance and essential oils in here is going to be more irritating than beneficial.▶ 17:36–17:43
This is on par for me with the Mario Badescu mist. You know, the flavored colored water that they offer.▶ 17:49–17:55
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

LIP

3 products

Lip Balm

Summer FridaysLip Butter Balm

lip balm · glossy · $24 · Summer Fridays, Sephora
It's got shea butter, muru muru butter, and vegan waxes. So, yes, it's moisturizing and softening, and it gives you a really nice shiny finish if that's what you're after.▶ 10:14–10:21
I feel like you don't have much control. It's shiny or nothing.▶ 10:32–10:38
It's just like a lot of like very basic lip balm stuff. It's not groundbreaking.▶ 10:38–10:45
I do find myself reaching for it fairly often and my lips drying out fairly often, too.▶ 10:56–11:03
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

LaneigeLip Glowy Balm

lip balm · glossy · $19 · Sephora, Laneige US
The Laneige lip glowy balm on the other hand kind of combines some of those more nourishing butters with a formula designed for both treatment and aesthetics as well.▶ 11:03–11:07
It has that shea butter and muru muru, but it also delivers that like glossy finish without the stickiness that I find I get with the Summer Fridays.
The textures are a lot lighter in my opinion.▶ 11:25–11:29
We have added antioxidants and it comes in tinted versions too.▶ 11:27–11:33
Laneige has years of like lip care expertise behind their like sleeping mask, which is a cult favorite, number one bestseller on pretty much every K beauty selling website, and that's kind of been adapted into this portable on-the-go balm.▶ 11:46–11:52
I feel like Laneige offers that same hydration with just kind of like an added polish to it, comfort as well on the lips and like a real longwear lip conditioning where I don't find myself constantly reaching for my lip balm.
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

Lip Treatment

LaneigeLip Sleeping Mask

lip mask · glossy · $24.00 · Sephora, Laneige US
People were saying how like soft it made their lips hydrated lips overnight.▶ 5:35–5:41
I always say this is really nothing special. It's just very good at what it does.▶ 5:58–6:04
It's thick. It's got like a balmy texture that locks in hydration overnight.▶ 6:04–6:09
Every other version of this lip mask genuinely helps with dry, flaky, tight feeling lips.▶ 6:16–6:23
It still holds up. It's still great. All these years later, it's really stand the test of time.▶ 6:32–6:35
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

SKINCARE

32 products

Cleanser

ArenciaFresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser

foaming cleanser · $16.00–$19.00 · arencia.us, Walmart, koreanbeauty.com
The texture. I love this. I will forever love this.▶ 1:16–1:21
You need the tiniest amount, the tiniest amount of cleanser and one tub lasts you a lifetime.▶ 1:33–1:38
It is like a mask cleanser. So, even if you do leave it on for a little bit longer, it's not going to dry you out.▶ 1:54–1:58
It's got rice water and rice powder. So, you get this very, very gentle almost like polish like exfoliation that's not scratchy or aggressive in any way.▶ 2:00–2:04
It's just enough to smooth texture over time.▶ 2:08–2:13
This is the perfect kind of very gentle exfoliation that just buffs away at that peeling skin without stripping or irritating the skin any further than what Tre can already do.▶ 2:38–2:48
It gives you a really nice deep clean. It foams up very very nicely, but doesn't strip the skin as well.▶ 2:48–2:52
I love this in summer. I love this after like a sweaty day. I love it if my skin's just a little bit oilier than usual.▶ 2:52–2:58
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026

CliniqueTake the Day Off Cleansing Balm

cleansing balm · $70.00 · Clinique
It's iconic. It's very, very nice. It's very simple. It's fragrance-free and it gets the job done.▶ 3:32–3:38
It melts down makeup and sunscreen and rinses clean. It's very, very nice, very basic.▶ 3:47–3:55
It's more of a cosmetically elegant kind of feeling, right? It's nice. A little bit pricey.▶ 3:52–3:59
Clinique is a no frills remover in a good way.
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

House of HURPurifying Cleansing Balm

cleansing balm · $26.86 · houseofhur.com, caretobeauty.com, koreanbeauty.com
The House of HUR purifying cleansing balm on the other hand takes things just that little step further.▶ 3:59–4:06
It still has that like sherbet to oil to milk kind of like texture, but also includes cranberry powder which melts down as you massage offering like a really really gentle daily exfoliation which you can use alongside other exfoliants.▶ 4:06–4:11
You still got fruit extracts like strawberry, cherry, and sea buckthorn which are very antioxidant rich and help regulate oil production and help brighten the complexion too.▶ 4:21–4:27
You're not just cleansing, you're also gently resurfacing, soothing, and treating your skin.▶ 4:56–4:59
I just think like when you could get more, why not?▶ 5:04–5:08
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

Banila CoClean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original

cleansing balm · $21.00 · banilausa.com, Watsons Singapore
It always left like little plasticky feeling like little bits of balm that had to break down further.▶ 9:54–9:58
It feels like the starting point of a cleansing balm.▶ 9:58–10:04
It's decent, but outdated, and I feel like it's been replaced by many.▶ 10:12–10:16
Now it just doesn't hold up. There's too many better options.▶ 10:18–10:22
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

AnuaHeartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil

cleansing oil · $20.00–$22.00 · Ulta, anua.com, anua.global
It's fine, it's absolutely fine. It's going to do the job it needs to do. It's going to take off your makeup, it's going to take off your sunscreen.▶ 4:13–4:16
In a no different way to any other oil, other cleansing oil out there.▶ 4:19–4:24
It's fine, it's normal, it's nothing special.▶ 4:44–4:48
Source: Overly sponsored skincare products: what's worth the hype and what's not · Mar 2025

ELEMISPro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Cherry Blossom
cleansing balm · €116.00 · ELEMIS, SEPHORA UK, Debenhams
I gave their cherry cleansing balm a go and apparently this is the exact same kind of formulation just with a cherry scent.▶ 8:52–8:59
I love this so much.
There's a very slight feel that you're using butter at one point but it's like a sweetness and a richness to it.▶ 8:59–9:07
It's a cleansing balm that already feels like you've broken it down into an oil.▶ 9:09–9:13
It is an amazing product.▶ 9:13–9:18
It's expensive, it's probably double the price that I'd want to pay for a cleansing balm.▶ 9:15–9:20
It's also lasting me twice as long as a cheaper cleansing balm that I'd usually have to use a little bit more of.▶ 9:18–9:23
This just has so much slip to it, you can use a tiny bit and it just spreads all over your face and breaks down everything really quickly, really easily.▶ 9:26–9:34
Source: Overly sponsored skincare products: what's worth the hype and what's not · Mar 2025

Eye Cream

S.NATUREAqua Soy Yogurt Eye Cream

eye cream · $28.49 · Kbeauty Canada, Korean Skincare UK, Ballagrio
It's got soy yogurt in soy yogurt biome made from fermented black soybeans.▶ 8:27–8:32
You're getting probiotics kind of support a healthier barrier under the eyes, which I didn't think I needed, but it really does make a nice difference, especially for this like chickeny skin.▶ 8:32–8:35
Where I've been doing tretinoin and stuff, my eyes can get pretty sensitive. And this really did kind of help just calm and soothe everything under my eyes.▶ 8:41–8:47
In the summer as well with my allergies, again, this was really healing.▶ 8:51–8:59
It felt boring. When I used it, I was like, kind of feels like the Sarah V under eye cream, but it's so so good.▶ 8:56–9:02
There's panthenol in here for that moisture retention, squalane to mimic skin's natural oils, of course, and a blend of natural lipids like shea butter, olive oil, castor oil to deeply condition.▶ 9:05–9:09
It's just done in this K beauty way of this really nice thick but at the same time lightweight moisturizing eye cream.▶ 9:18–9:24
You're not just moisturizing though, you're strengthening skin and targeting wrinkles and improving resilience, too.▶ 9:38–9:40
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

Kiehl'sCreamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

eye cream · $40.00–$62.00 · Kiehl's, Sephora
It really is a staple for a lot of people.▶ 7:48–7:51
It's rich, it's thick, and it's nourishing.▶ 7:49–7:52
That's why I don't like it because it's a maybe a little bit too thick for my under eyes.▶ 7:51–7:57
This is based around avocado oil and shea butter, which again, all right, little bit outdated, a little bit old, but they moisturize well enough.▶ 8:03–8:08
The formula is fairly heavy. It doesn't do much beyond that, which is fine again because that's all you really need under your eyes for most people, right?▶ 8:12–8:17
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

Face Mask

BIO HEAL BOHProbioderm Collagen Remodeling Eye Patch

eye patch · $28.80 · JOSEPH BEAUTY, Ballagrio, Glam Global UK
Actually helps deliver skin care ingredients.▶ 6:14–6:18
They got PDRN in them which is going to help calm the skin.▶ 6:16–6:24
Alongside those four different types of collagen that are in this serum that you get a good amount of on these patches, you get a nice plumping hydration under the eyes.▶ 6:24–6:28
There's glycogen in here for hydration and firmness and hexapeptide that supports collagen synthesis.▶ 6:33–6:39
These patches are clinically tested for puffiness, wrinkles, and elasticity and brightness.▶ 6:45–6:50
You do see like a plump and like a lift and a tightness under the eyes, albeit temporary, but they also don't like fall down your face despite dispersing a good amount of under eye serum as well.▶ 6:02–6:08
The BOH patches are designed as actual treatment products with that well-aging and plumping and hydrating kind of treatment underneath as well and all those ingredients.▶ 7:20–7:25
They feel like an eye cream in patch form, which I find a lot of eye patches just kind of you leave on and then they fall off and then there's nothing there.▶ 7:28–7:33
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

PixiDetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches

eye patches · $24.00 · Pixi Beauty, Sephora UK
They're interesting. They're a bestseller. They look cute.▶ 5:23–5:29
They've got gold in them, a cucumber extract, and hyaluronic acid.▶ 5:27–5:34
Hydrogel patches like these are mostly like very simple humectants like water and glycerin, and they have a slight cooling effect because of it.▶ 5:32–5:39
The gold is of course purely for marketing benefits than skin benefits.▶ 5:44–5:48
They're that very old thick kind of like hydrogel that just like slowly make their way down your face the longer you keep them on.▶ 5:56–6:02
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

SKINFOODBlack Sugar Mask Wash Off

wash-off mask · $13.00 · theskinfood.us, theskinfood.com.au, Watsons
It smelt syrupy like molasses, like brown sugar. Feels gritty and in a satisfying way back in the day and does make your skin feel super smooth instantly.▶ 12:35–12:43
It was too abrasive, especially for those with easily sensitized skin or acne prone skin.▶ 13:19–13:26
It just doesn't hold up to today's standards. We moved on to gentler. I would say smarter exfoliation.
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

Mist

CNP LaboratoryPropolis Energy Ampule Mist

face mist · dewy · $25–$35 · Target, YesStyle, Olive Young Global
This one is so nice. It actually feels like it's doing something because it is an ampoule.▶ 4:15–4:19
It's got propolis in which is brilliant for barrier support and in general glow and moisturization. It's anti-inflammatory. It's got antioxidant properties in there.▶ 4:21–4:25
You got hyaluronic acid, panthenol, betaine, so you're actually getting a really nice dose of hydration as well.▶ 4:28–4:36
The mist is also ultra fine. Ultra ultra fine.▶ 4:36–4:42
I like layering this up. If you like multiple layers of hydration and toners, you can layer this up without using so much product, but still getting that kind like seven skin feel of hydration.▶ 4:41–4:44
If my skin is looking dull midday, one spritz and it looks alive again, not greasy in any way. A really nice, healthy glow.▶ 5:16–5:20
It's gentle, sensitive, skin friendly, no stinging.▶ 5:22–5:28
I honestly don't see the need for any other mist.
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026

Moisturizer

RhodeBarrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm

moisturizer · $22–$36 · rhodeskin.com, Sephora, Sephora UK
This is good. This is a proper occlusive style balm moisturizer.▶ 2:36–2:40
It's kind of their version of the Cicaplast but honestly, I feel like in a much more cosmetically elegant way.▶ 13:04–13:10
It's got hyaluronic acid complex in it.▶ 13:08–13:11
Poly glutamic acid though, which is so so nicely hydrating. Muru Muru butter, ceramides. So, we're getting barrier support as well.▶ 13:15–13:22
It's designed to seal everything in overnight.▶ 13:26–13:30
It's really not that heavy as it sounds, though.▶ 13:28–13:32
It is perfect on my combination skin.▶ 13:40–13:45
If my barrier feels compromised, if I've traveled, if my skin is dry from tret, this is the final step in my evening routine.▶ 13:42–13:48
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026

RoCCicaplast Baume B5+

balm · $18.99 · La Roche-Posay US, Sephora UK
I think it's a really really nice restorative repairing cream.▶ 0:47–0:53
It's really really good if you're dealing with like minor scrapes to the face or like post-procedure skin.▶ 1:23–1:29
The texture is very, very thick.▶ 1:40–1:43
It's very thick emollient like and it creates a nice occlusive layer on the skin.▶ 1:49–1:53
For a lot of people, especially those with oily combination skin like myself, it can feel kind of heavy, very greasy.▶ 2:01–2:09
Sometimes people said it's made their breakouts worse.▶ 2:12–2:17
I feel like people do pose this as the healing ointment for everything.▶ 2:13–2:20
It's more so like for special occasions.
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica B5 Cream

face moisturizer · natural · $18.90 · SKIN1004, Amazon, Ulta Beauty
It's lightweight.
It's fast absorbing and more suitable for like daily use.▶ 3:03–3:07
The B5 tea tree cream also targets like acne prone skin with tea tree extract and tea tree oil which bring that kind of like antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help calm active breakout.▶ 3:20–3:24
I feel like this one does an amazing job at it, too.▶ 3:39–3:43
This formula actually includes ceramide as well to reinforce the barrier and hyaluronic acid for that hydration.▶ 4:04–4:09
As somebody with combination skin I love that.▶ 4:17–4:21
This gel cream just makes perfect sense.▶ 4:34–4:39
It's a lot more cosmetically elegant and wearable, but does the same job.
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

S.NATUREAqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream

moisturizing cream · $20.00 · KBeauty USA, Skin Cupid, The Skincare Library
The formula is way more advanced and it contains way more skin beneficial ingredients.▶ 14:41–14:44
Why not get a cream that's going to do the job and do more?▶ 14:49–14:53
We have squalane in here again mimicking the skin's natural oils for deeper hydration and softness without the heaviness.
You have eight types of hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights meaning it's a little bit of deeper hydration but you're going to get that plumpness as well and that glow.▶ 15:00–15:09
We have a quaxel in here which goes a step further by improving water circulation and retention.▶ 15:09–15:15
Making this not just a fine moisturizer to use under makeup, but a treatment cream really for everything your skin could possibly want.▶ 15:28–15:37
S.Nature on the other hand feels weightless, watery, non-sticky and absorbs so quickly while still leaving skin really, really plump and hydrated.▶ 15:47–15:53
Great for makeup prep.▶ 15:45–15:48
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

Serum

FRANKLYPDRN Bounce Ball Serum

facial serum · $19.90–$27.90 · FRANKLY official website, KoreanBeauty.com, YesStyle
When I see a PDRN product, I know I'm going to get bounce, hydration, and just like a plump looking face, right?▶ 9:18–9:26
It uses salmon PDRN alongside a hydrating essence and oil capsules in a 9:1 ratio.▶ 9:32–9:42
You get barrier support, moisture, and then that bouncy finish without it feeling greasy.▶ 9:44–9:48
This is somehow both oily and not oily at all at the same time.▶ 9:48–9:55
It kind of becomes like this liquid oil. Not like a dry oil, not an oily oil. It just feels so so hydrating.▶ 9:55–10:04
The hydration and bounce it gives your skin is so so nice.▶ 10:12–10:16
It gives your skin that like slightly fuller look over time, plumper, more elasticy looking.▶ 10:14–10:21
The texture is so nice. So so nice.▶ 10:14–10:18
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026

TIRTIRAzelaic Acid 12% Serum

facial serum · $18.75–$25.00 · TIRTIR Global, Macta Beauty
If you deal with redness, breakouts, post acne marks, this is so so good.▶ 7:54–8:02
Azelaic acid is one of my favorite ingredients because it's anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. It helps regulate keratin production. So, it tackles congestion and redness at the same time.▶ 8:02–8:05
12% is strong, but still a cosmetic level. And in this formula, it's kind of buffered.▶ 8:09–8:16
While it's calming redness and balancing oil, it's also hydrating.▶ 8:18–8:22
TIRTIR had the all clear from a lot of cosmetic chemists. So it is actually doing something.▶ 8:32–8:36
I stopped using azelaic acid for the longest time because a lot of the formulas would peel. They'd also primarily been like a cream form. So these hydrating soothing serums are perfect for me.▶ 8:36–8:41
This is definitely a my skin is acting up and I need to sort it out kind of serum.▶ 8:47–8:53
It has very much become a holy grail serum for when my skin is just going through it.▶ 8:51–8:57
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026

numbuzinNo.3 Skin Softening Serum

facial serum · $28.00 · numbuzin US, numbuzin MY, skincare.pl
I ended up using this every single day, twice a day.▶ 6:18–6:23
It's like a very ferment serum with galactomyces and bifida ferment lysate. So very essency actually.▶ 6:21–6:32
Focusing on barrier support, brightening, elasticity of the skin, you know, it's a typical well-aging essence formulation.▶ 6:32–6:38
This one is a very slow burn, I would say. But after a few weeks, your skin just looks better, smoother, more even. Feels more resilient as well.▶ 6:56–7:00
Slightly thick, but very lightweight, but sinks in so nice to the skin.▶ 7:04–7:10
Does give you that nice well hydrated glow, but very natural.▶ 7:08–7:15
Number three is essentially about textured skin and elasticity. And this is the kind of serum that makes your whole routine kind of like work better.▶ 7:19–7:23
I have noticed I'm kind of building texture back up in my skin on purpose for something else. And it's very easy to do that when I'm not using this serum.▶ 7:32–7:40
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026

S.NATUREAqua Collagen Peptide Triple Gel Essence

gel essence · $39.95 · Kbeauty Canada, ModeSens, Nordstrom
This isn't just hydration, but it's amazing hydration.▶ 1:54–2:00
It's that same clear, slightly thicker than water kind of like feeling product, but it's a full-on treatment.▶ 1:57–2:05
You're getting hexapeptide 8, which is that Botox in a bottle peptide.▶ 2:08–2:13
It just helps kind of like soften fine lines, wrinkles, plump things out, but it's very effective at doing so.▶ 2:11–2:17
You also get hydrolyzed collagen. Again, really, really good at hydrating the skin.▶ 2:19–2:23
You have your eight types of hyaluronic acid, right? Which nothing special. Every brand has it. But mixed in with this, it's just so effective at plumping and really, really hydrating the skin.▶ 2:32–2:38
What really sets this product apart is their MultiX BSASSM complex.▶ 2:41–2:51
It's just a nice mix of seven different plant extracts like centella, chamomile, licorice, and green tea, which all help to calm the skin, calm irritation, brighten, and help strengthen skin barrier.▶ 2:51–3:01
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

VichyMinéral 89 Hydrating and Plumping Daily Booster Serum

facial serum · dewy · $29.99 · Vichy USA, Sephora UK
It's marketed as this revolutionary hydrating serum packed with volcanic water and hyaluronic acid and is very very very nice.▶ 1:09–1:16
When I kind of look at the ingredients, it's quite basic in a nice way, not in a bad way.▶ 1:22–1:29
It's lightweight and hydrating. It literally just feels like water for your skin.▶ 1:34–1:38
The claims about the barrier support and antioxidant protection are mostly coming from their mineral water, which doesn't really have the same robust clinical backing as ingredients like peptides or ceramides, for example.▶ 1:36–1:44
Source: 5 overhyped skincare products and their better Korean dupes · Sep 2025

COSRXAdvanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

essence · dewy · $25.00 · COSRX.com, Ulta Beauty, Mirai Skin
It's lightweight, absorbs super quickly, and plays well with almost every skin type.▶ 4:18–4:24
If you got a compromised skin barrier or you're dehydrated or you're just a little bit irritated, this is such a nice product to just use.▶ 4:24–4:27
It's still a great product.
Does it still hold up? 100% absolutely.▶ 4:15–4:20
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

mixsoonBean Essence

facial essence · $31.50 · mixsoon.us, Amazon
I genuinely love this product.▶ 1:40–1:42
I think it's really really nice.
I love this product as a hydrating product.
I love the fermented ingredients in here for my skin personally.▶ 1:42–1:48
When I have very very dry skin I'm going to use this especially if I know I'm wearing makeup during the day.▶ 1:46–1:51
Bit of Bean Essence over the top there covers right over it no texture whatsoever.▶ 1:54–1:58
It does work like that it genuinely does.▶ 2:10–2:15
I do think the want for it has kind of gone down now I don't think it's as popular as it used to be.▶ 2:42–2:45
Source: Overly sponsored skincare products: what's worth the hype and what's not · Mar 2025

AbibGlutathiosome Dark Spot Serum Vita Drop

facial serum · $32.00 · Abib US, Abib.ca, Watsons Singapore
This serum kind of uses like multiple pathways to target post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, redness, um pigmentation in general.▶ 7:35–7:43
There's something about the combination of all the ingredients in this one serum that I really, really loved for evening out skin tone.
It's very, very watery.
It's super fast absorbing.▶ 8:46–8:49
It literally just feels like water on the skin.▶ 8:49–8:52
Lays great under sunscreen and makeup.▶ 8:50–8:54
It's also so much more affordable.▶ 8:52–8:57
Affordability when it comes to serums that target things that take time, I think is really really important.▶ 9:13–9:19
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

CaudalieVinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum

facial serum · €53.00 · Caudalie, Space NK
I actually really enjoyed it.▶ 6:01–6:05
I liked it as a general nicely hydrating skin brightening product.▶ 6:05–6:11
It kind of just like made my skin look a bit fresher, not more even.▶ 6:11–6:17
It didn't get rid of hyperpigmentation, but my skin looked happy when I was using this.▶ 6:17–6:20
I do not think it's a go-to for pigmentation in my personal experience.▶ 6:22–6:28
The issue is for myself and many many people is it just doesn't deliver when it comes to fading stubborn dark spots like post acne marks melasma.▶ 6:52–6:58
It's a lovely texture, lovely, layers well with everything.▶ 7:17–7:24
For £52, the results just here didn't match the price tag for me.▶ 7:21–7:27
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

VT CosmeticsGlucamune Essence

essence · dewy · $17.66–$22.08 · VT Cosmetics official, Amazon
This actually uses a vegan alternative derived from snow fungus, which is really interesting.▶ 11:46–11:52
It's actually been shown to provide 9.7 times the soothing effect of heart leaf and over 100% more hydration than hyaluronic acid.▶ 11:59–12:05
You're not just getting hydration, you're getting targeted soothing for sensitive and easily irritated skin.▶ 12:07–12:11
VT's Essence has a more of like a lightweight, non-sticky finish that still gives you that hydrated, dewy look without feeling tacky.▶ 12:35–12:40
It's not sticky whatsoever.
For me is a better choice for much deeper hydration with that vegan option, too.▶ 13:13–13:18
Source: 5 most overrated skincare products and what to buy instead · Sep 2025

SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule Serum

facial serum · $19.80 · SKIN1004, Macy's
Love it love it love it love it it's incredible.
I absolutely love it when my skin is ruined when my rosacea is flaring up when I need some soothing.▶ 7:06–7:13
If I want to make like a quick like mask out of cotton pads in this serum cuz it's so affordable in such a huge amount I will use this serum.▶ 7:13–7:21
The toner is just as good.▶ 7:21–7:26
SKIN1004 even though quite popular online I still feel it's somewhat underrated.▶ 7:25–7:30
They are misleading about their ingredient list they say that this is 100% Centella asiatica but it actually has some other ingredients in.▶ 7:30–7:35
The products are very very very good.▶ 7:50–7:56
I believe all the claims I've seen great before and afters.▶ 7:55–7:58
Source: Overly sponsored skincare products: what's worth the hype and what's not · Mar 2025

SPF

Haruharu WonderBlack Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+/PA++++

sunscreen · natural · $22.00 · haruharuwonder.com
It's fragrance-free and great for easily sensitized skin.
Super lightweight but nourishing at the same time.▶ 2:08–2:12
There are mornings where I skip most of my routine. I'll hydrate and then I'll just use this because it's got the ingredients of a nice calming, soothing, repairing serum, plus a moisturizer, plus a sunscreen.▶ 2:10–2:16
Works great under makeup, doesn't peel, doesn't sting my eyes.▶ 2:22–2:25
I could put this right over my eyes and it doesn't sting. In the beard, throughout the hairline, it's just a go-to for so so many people.▶ 2:24–2:29
This definitely holds up and shows how sunscreen formulas have really evolved.▶ 2:34–2:40
This is just like a perfect moisturizer that just so happens to have some protection as well.▶ 2:49–2:54
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

Beauty of JoseonRelief Sun : Rice + Probiotics

sunscreen · dewy · $29.00 · beautyofjoseon.com, koreanbeauty.co.uk, keoji.com.au
They didn't have to sponsor anyone everyone was already talking about this product.▶ 3:08–3:16
It is not since the great Korean sunscreen scandal has a moisturizer been this elegantly formulated or has this sunscreen felt just exactly like a moisturizer and that's why everybody loved it.▶ 3:16–3:22
It's nice and light.
It's such a good sunscreen and it deserves all the attention it got.▶ 3:38–3:42
If you are oily you may not love this.▶ 3:36–3:40
As somebody who has an oily T-zone that likes to be dewy I enjoy this.▶ 3:42–3:48
I absolutely love this stuff.▶ 3:56–3:59
Source: Overly sponsored skincare products: what's worth the hype and what's not · Mar 2025

Toner

MisshaTime Revolution The First Treatment Essence 5X

facial essence · natural · $39.00 · MISSHA US, Direct Beauty UK, Missha Middle East
It would just make your skin look so refreshed when you use this consistently.▶ 13:55–14:01
Today it still works. It's still a great product helping with texture, hydration, prep.▶ 13:59–14:05
It feels like it preps your skin for other actives.▶ 14:03–14:10
But it's no longer the only option.▶ 14:10–14:15
Source: 10 Years of Viral Korean Skincare: Products That Survived the Hype · Jun 2025

TOOLS

1 product

Eye Cream

VT CosmeticsPDRN Reedle Shot Eye Lifter

eye treatment · $27.70–€49.99 · StyleKorean.com, Korean Beauty Shop EU, Lila Beauty Australia
It has this like vibrating metal applicator at the top that they say delivers 12,000 vibrations per minute, which sounds really dramatic, but it actually is actually really, really nice.▶ 10:44–10:52
It does help a little bit with like lymphatic movement and product absorption I found the most. It just helps the eye cream absorb super super fast.▶ 10:55–11:02
Really sinks down into the skin and it just feels nice.▶ 11:04–11:12
It gives you a cold soothing massage as you do it.▶ 11:30–11:34
It really does make a difference with how quick it absorbs.▶ 11:36–11:40
There are no hydrolyzed sponge spicules in the ink list whatsoever. So they are kind of banking on the popularity of the um spicule range, but thank god because I don't want those anywhere near my eyes.▶ 11:45–11:52
This contains peptides, PDRN derivatives, ceramides, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide. So, you're getting that brightening, you're getting barrier support, hydration.▶ 11:57–12:01
The formula itself is genuinely pretty solid. It's very, very good.▶ 12:10–12:16
Source: Holy grail Korean skincare that transformed my skin · May 2026
James Welsh Beauty Recommendations | GrailPeople