Best Korean Retinol products
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Do you have a retinol product in your skincare routine? If not then you’re totally missing out.
In this post, I will be sharing the best Korean retinol products you can get started with. But before I do that, let’s talk about:
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is used in skincare products for its anti-aging benefits. It stimulates collagen production, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes cell turnover for improved texture and tone. It’s known to enhance the skin’s structure, making it smoother and more youthful, while also addressing blemishes, pigmentation, and acne.
There is also Retinal. Retinal is more effective than retinol for addressing wrinkles and uneven texture, but it can be more irritating, especially in higher concentrations. As a total beginner, you should stick to retinol.
It’s recommended to start with a low concentration of retinol to minimize irritation and allow your skin to adjust. A common suggestion for beginners is a retinol concentration of 0.1% to 0.3%. Gradually increase concentration or frequency as your skin adapts.
Now that we know what retinol is and some of its benefits, here is a list of the best Korean retinol products that are amazing and totally beginners friendly.
Best Korean Retinol Creams
Elizavecca Milky Piggy EGF Elastic Retinol Cream
This is one of the best Korean retinol creams out there! It’s so popular in the skincare community and for all the right reasons. It is Enriched with 69.9% swiftlet nest extract and retinol to nourish and revitalize skin for a healthy glow. It also helps to restore the skin’s oil-moisture balance and regulate sebum secretion caused by dehydration.
It contains less than 1% retinol making it a Good strength for beginners. If you’re just getting started with retinol, this will probably be your best bet! Did I also mention how affordable it is? This product can easily compete with so many high-end brands of retinol products.
Elizavecca Milky Piggy EGF Elastic Retinol Cream Is available on Yesstyle, StyleKorean, Amazon, and Stylevana
Cosrx the retinol 0.1 cream
We all know that cosrx never misses and this product was another hit. This is a facial cream infused with 0.1% retinol to restore skin elasticity. It targets the signs of skin aging, including noticing creases, loss of skin firmness, and roughness. it contains some great active ingredients such as pure retinol, panthenol, adenosine, and tocotrienol which Helps smoothen wrinkles and fine lines. This is another great option for retinol newbies.
Cosrx the retinol 0.1 cream Is available on YesStyle and Amazon
Best Korean Retinol Eye creams
Some by mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream
If you currently look like a panda, do yourself a favor and get this eye cream. It’s an anti-aging moisturizer specially designed for the eye area to improve dark circles and fine lines. It contains niacinamide for brightening benefits and hyaluronate acid and panthenol for intense hydration. It’s very lightweight and gentle and can also be used on other parts of the face like your smile lines and forehead.
Some by mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream Is available on YesStyle, Stylevana, and Amazon
Beauty of Joseon revive eye serum
This is the last but definitely not the least good Korean retinol. You know how much I love Beauty of Joseon and this eye serum is Infused with 10% Ginseng Root Extract and 2% Retinal Liposome to improve wrinkles in the sensitive eye area. It works amazingly on dark circles and fine lines. It has a Nourishing texture which gives a smooth application and leaves a non-sticky silky finish. Although it’s an eye serum, it works great as a face serum too. A little goes a long and it’s very affordable.
Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum Is available on Yesstyle, Stylekorean, Stylevana, and Amazon
Best Korean Retinol Serums
Some by Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum
this is another excellent Korean retinol from some by Mi. It Contains retinol, retinal, and bakuchiol to help boost skin elasticity with low irritation. It’s lightweight, nonsticky, and quite moisturizing. This is an excellent choice for those with sensitive, dry, or oily skin. Works amazingly and you will see results in about a week of use.
Some by Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum Is available on YesStyle, Stylevana, and Stylekorean
Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
This is a wonderful retinol starter product. It’s a vegan moisture ampoule with retinol and cica ingredients to make skin protected, smooth, and clean. Its watery texture soothes skin from the early to middle stage of acne breakout and reduces redness skin tone and blemishes. It’s also quite moisturizing and doesn’t irritate the skin making it great even for those with sensitive skin.
Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule Is available on YesStyle and Amazon
Mistakes to avoid when using retinol
A lot of people make so many mistakes when they start using retinol that can damage their skin. Here are some of these mistakes to avoid:
- Start with low concentrations to prevent irritation.
- Always apply your retinol products AT NIGHT. This should be in your pm skincare routine only.
- Always use a pea size amount. It’s enough.
- Apply a thin, even layer—more isn’t better.
- Gradually increase usage. Start with once a week and once your skin can adjust, you can increase that to 2-3 times per week.
- Always use sunscreen. This is non-negotiable. Using retinol makes your skin more sensitive so make sure you apply a generous amount of sunscreen daily and reapply after every 2-3 hours. I am currently loving the beauty of Joseon sunscreen and the Round Lab bitch juice sunscreen.
- Moisturize well to combat potential dryness and flakiness. Here are some of my best Korean moisturizers for oily skin.
- Avoid harsh or incompatible products alongside retinol.
- Don’t neglect other skincare basics like gentle cleansing and moisturizing.
- Be patient; retinol takes time to show results—don’t rush the process.
Final thoughts on the best Korean retinol products
I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did while writing it. Retinol is an amazing ingredient and incorporating one into your skincare routine will be a great idea.
Have you tried any retinol products before? What’s your favorite retinol? Let me know in the comments below.
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