Unconventional K-Beauty Products You Didn’t Know You Needed Right Now

Think Korean beauty is just sheet masks and cute lip tints? Their innovation goes way beyond the expected with products you never realized you couldn't live without. Here, Sheryll tests out some unconventional K-beauty products and wonders how she ever got through life without them.

When it comes to K-beauty, we all love the serums, the sheet masks, and the essences. But there are some truly unconventional unsung heroes out there. In my quest to try all that Korean beauty has to offer, I took the plunge and tried some unconventional K-beauty products that aren’t your standard skincare essentials. I didn’t really expect much, but I was actually really surprised by my finds! Let’s check them out.

A’Pieu Mask Booster Mist

The A’Pieu Mask Booster Mist is one of those things I totally thought would be a gimmick, but it is everything! It’s a gel mist that you spray on your skin before you use a sheet mask to help your sheet mask adhere better and boost the benefits of your sheet mask. You can even use it with your clay or wash-off masks, too.

Basically, yes, it’s sort of a toner, but it does actually help your sheet masks from sliding off. It feels super refreshing on the skin and smells amazing, too! Some notable ingredients include kelp extract, Hawaiian deep-sea water, and sea grape extract.

The Saem Sebum Removing Cotton Swabs

Do you love watching those videos of dermatologists popping pimples and extracting oil from pores? Well, these handy dandy cotton swabs can help you achieve all of your oil and pimple extractions at home. When I first received them, I was like … these are just regular cotton swabs. But what makes them different is 1) they are black, so you can really see the gross stuff you get out of your pores clearly. Second, they have a special tip that’s basically an extractor! Since they are one time use only, you can just toss it when you’re done!

After my esthetician taught me how to do extractions on myself correctly, I went home and tried one of these swabs, and it worked like a charm. To use, disinfect the “tool” side of the cotton swab in alcohol. Gently press the pool against your blemish (make sure it’s ready to extract) and wait for that “pop.” So satisfying.

Tip: Make sure to remove the “seed” or the head of the blemish and not just the pus.

Missha Puff Shower Cleanser

I am obsessed with my makeup sponge (I use the ones from Real Techniques), but I’ve found that using a regular makeup brush cleaner or soap doesn’t really help get my sponge super clean. Enter the Missha Puff Shower Cleanser. There is something ridiculously satisfying about using this product and seeing the makeup magically disappear from your sponge. I’ve never seen anything like it. The thin, gel cleanser doesn’t foam at all, but somehow it manages to get your makeup sponges spotless and looking like new. Like the packaging says, it is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

To use, apply the cleanser and rub it in. If you really want to get it clean, add a bit of water in a ziplock bag, place the sponge in the bag and use those arm muscles to really work the makeup out of the sponge. (Check out this quick tutorial here:)

A’Pieu Hole Cleaner

I had to save the best for last. First of all, the A’Pieu Hole Cleaner wins the K-beauty award for worst product name in the history of product names.

Thankfully, it’s not as ridiculous and terrible as it sounds: It’s an ear and naval cleaner. And I know you’re like, “Sheryll … really? An ear and navel cleaner?! WHAT?!” And yes, I am here to tell you that you should probably at least check it out. I am a very clean person and regularly clean my belly button, and listen … this stuff got out stuff I didn’t even know existed. Gross, I know, but we owe it to ourselves to be our best selves at all times!

Have you tried any unconventional K-beauty products? Did you love them? Let us know in the comments!