I Test a Lot of Skincare — Here Are My 5 Best K-Beauty Finds of the Year

This past year, there was no shortage of new K-beauty drops to tempt the wallets of skincare lovers everywhere. But while many are tested, only a select few ever make it to HG status. Here, editor Sheryll singles out her five best K-beauty finds of the year that are now enjoying a permanent space in her skincare routine. Why you may love them, too.

It’s that time of year — time for my favorite K-beauty finds of 2018. I am blessed with the opportunity to try a TON of skincare, thanks to the nature of the job, but there are only five products that make the cut for the best of the best.

This year has been particularly frustrating for me. Hormonal acne and I have had an awful time together, and I’ve been unhappy with my skin more times than I’d like to admit. But through all of the pain and heartache, there were a few products that really made my skin much happier and easier to deal with, despite hormonal acne trying to ruin my life.

Pureforet Centella Multi Lotion

Not gonna lie, I didn’t have high expectations for this lotion. The packaging isn’t that special. It kinda looks like some genetic drugstore lotion, but it’s this product that taught me looks can definitely be deceiving.

Made with tons of the healing and anti-inflammatory ingredient Centella asiatica, the Pureforet Centella Multi Lotion healed my skin back from the depths of my hormonal acne problems more times that I’d like to admit. In the summer, it was the perfect lightweight moisturizer. It isn’t greasy and really hydrates the skin while delivering a heavy dose of anti-inflammatory goodness. It’s one of the few products that I’ve used all the way down to the last drop. I am OBSESSED.

Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence

I have tried and loved a lot of different sunscreens this year, but nothing held a candle to the Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence. It was hydrating without being greasy. Zero white cast. None of that thick, unspreadable texture. Just nice, lightweight hydration that wears beautifully under makeup. It actually feels like a moisturizer (and hydrates like one, too), so during the summer I’d sometimes skip a traditional moisturizer and just use this.

When I put it on my face for the first time, I literally gasped out loud and texted Coco and Fiddy. Like ... I can’t express how much I love it.

Papa Recipe Bombee Fruitables Sheet Masks

I got these on a whim because there was a big sale on them, expecting them to just be a normal, daily sheet mask type of thing, but OH GIRL THEY ARE SO MUCH MORE. Each of the masks are made with plant, fruit, and veggie extracts like mangosteen, pomegranate, red current, pineapple, papaya, and more. They are made with a very lightweight cellulose material that adheres like a dream.

They are kinda hard to get out of the package, so I’d deduct one star if it wasn’t for the fact that these masks are insanely effective. Normally brightening masks don’t do all that much for me, but I had visible results immediately after I took it off. The Red Squeeze Intensive “flavor” is my go-to for days when my skin is dull and lifeless and needs a hydrating pick me up. I LOVE them.

Purito Green Level Buffet Serum

This serum was another sleeper hit (featuring my 2018 ingredient centella). Made with a whopping 49% centella, the Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum also includes other bomb-ass ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and collagen.

Again, I suffered a lot from hormonal acne this year, and this helped my skin recover from all of its misery. When I maybe kinda sorta messed up my skin from over-exfoliating, I slathered this on like my life depended on it. One of the main things it does is help repair your skin barrier, something I desperately needed. And if green beauty is your jam, you’ll be happy to know that it’s certified green by EWG.

JayJun Roselle Eye Patches

This was another impulse buy — the packaging is SO lush and gorgeous that even though I never used eye patches, I just had to get them. And now I can’t be without them (read my full review here).

I work extremely early in the morning so I never really look like I get enough sleep, plus now that I’m older my under-eyes are starting to get dry. Enter the JayJun Roselle Eye Patches. Made with a lush hydrogel material and infused with hibiscus extract and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, they are the smoothing, hydrating eye patch of my dreams. They adhere to the skin and don’t shift around. If I’m feeling super fancy, I’ll put these on first and then put a sheet mask over them to get a little 2-for-1 deal. BIG MOOD.

What were your favorite K-beauty finds of 2018? Let me know in the comments!