Before my days as a K-beauty pro, I tried a multitude of products off and on, but they always dried out my skin, broke me out or just didn’t have any effect at all. It all felt like a waste of effort and money. Then I was introduced to COSRX back in 2015 and it was a serious game changer.
COSRX is a hypoallergenic skin care brand for sensitive skin. It was and continues to be exactly that. There are obviously A LOT more skincare options now, but there has never been a point (since 2015) where a COSRX product hasn’t been a part of my daily skincare routine.
So, if you’re looking to start your own skincare journey, here are a few products that should be on your radar.
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
The 6X Peptide Skin Booster Serum
Peptides are definitely something you want in your skincare routine. They can moisturize the skin, improve firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, soothe irritation, and protect against sun damage.
This particular serum doubles as a toner, so it’s the first step in my skincare routine after cleanser. It also saves me a bit of time in the morning (and money), since it’s two in one. I love how it’s light-weight, non-sticky and yet still really hydrating.
The Vitamin C 23 Serum
Personally, I like to pair the Skin Booster Serum with the Vitamin C 23 Serum. I’ve tried a lot of vitamin C serums of the years and I always come back to this one. It’s the only one that doesn’t irritate my skin and actually shows results. So these two paired together really help give my skin a brightening and hydration boost.
Like with any concentrated vitamin c serum I recommend using it once or twice a week and then gradually increasing to daily use once your skin adjusts to it. Once I started using it every day, the results were pretty noticeable. It definitely helps even out and brighten my skin tone.
The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum
The latest addition to my routine is the Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum. It’s used to alleviate hyperpigmentation, dark spots and discoloration. The main ingredient to help lead the charge is, obviously, Alpha-Arbutin which basically stops the enzyme that’s responsible for the melanin/pigment production in the skin.
And what makes this so great is that it’s really gentle on sensitive or acne prone skin like mine. So much so that I can actually use it during the day, night or both! It’s also super lightweight and absorbs pretty quickly, which seems to be on par with a lot of CORSX’s more recent products.
Tip: You can actually use this serum anywhere on your body where you have discoloration concerns like knees, elbows or even underarms. Just apply a thin layer directly on the dark spots.
The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch
Recently I’ve been dealing with a bit of insomnia and these Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patches have been perfect for reducing the puffiness under my eyes and brightening and hydrating that area. It definitely makes a different if I use them regularly for about 20-30 minutes every morning, but they do tend to slide around if they’re too juicy. So, be sure to scrape off a bit of the product into the jar before applying them on your face.
There’s a bit of controversy as to when is the best time to apply eye patches within a skincare routine, but I’m a pretty firm believer in using them after serums and ampoules, but before heavy creams and moisturizers. The general rule of thumb is to apply active ingredients first, and then layer your products from lightest to heaviest with sunscreen being the final step.
Pro Tip: Keep the patches in the fridge for extra de-puffing effectiveness.
Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
For a long time, COSRX’s Aloe Soothing Sun Cream was my go to sunscreen. It’s thick, creamy and hydrating, kind of like a lotion. It leaves no white-cast, but it does have an initial “oily” feeling after application that goes away after a few minutes. It’s perfect for most seasons, but just way to heavy for our hot and humid Korean summers.
Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen
Similarly, the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen is also quite soothing and hydrating, but with a much lighter watery texture. It’s so sheer and absorbs quickly without leaving any white cast. And it has a beautiful dewy finish. The only downside would be that it requires a more frequent application to maintain protection.
Get it on YESSTYLE
Discover more from Seoul Searching
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
