Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Korean Skin Prep (In order!)
61
items Get ready to elevate your skincare routine with our newest lineup of skin prep essentials designed to smooth, hydrate, and prime your skin for a radiant, long-lasting glow. Whether you’re getting ready for makeup or embracing your natural look, these...
Sections
7
Cleansers 🫧
Toner 💦
Toner pads 💧
Essence 👃
Serum/ Ampoule 🚰
Moisturiser 🧴
Cleansers 🫧
Wake skin up without stripping it. Use a mild cleanser or simply splash with lukewarm water if your skin’s dry.
A very popular choice for everyday use. It’s gentle, low-pH (which helps preserve the skin barrier) and good for sensitive or combination skin.
COSRX - Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Nice for a slightly brighter effect + gentle cleansing. One reviewer says it “doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture; suitable for all skin types.”
Beauty of Joseon - Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Great if your skin is sensitive or tends to get red. Centella Asiatica is calming and the formula is described as “thoroughly purifies … without leaving my skin feeling tight or dry.”
SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam
Hypoallergenic, fragrance-light, designed for sensitive skin, barrier repair. Good if you need something very gentle. Vogue +1 ANUA Heartleaf Pore Deep Cleansing Foam: Best for oily or acne-prone skin (deep cleans pores, includes BHA for sebum contro...
ETUDE - Soon Jung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
Uses green tea extract + amino acids. Good antioxidant protection + gentle cleansing
innisfree - Green Tea Amino Hydrating Cleansing Foam
More minimalist; good if you prefer fewer extra ingredients and want something barrier-friendly.
Pyunkang Yul - Cleansing Foam 150ml
Toner 💦
Rebalance and add first layer of hydration. Apply with palms or a cotton pad and pat gently.
A power-toner with AHA + BHA + PHA — great if you have oily skin, clogged pores or breakouts. Works to exfoliate gently and refresh the skin.
SOME BY MI - AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml
Also targeted at texture, pores & oilier skin. A simpler formula for clarifying without over-stripping.
COSRX - AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Ingredient-rich for hydration + nourishment. Black rice + hyaluronic acid make it good for dry or sensitive skin that needs more moisture.
haruharu wonder - Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Fragrance Free
A deep hydration toner using ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to get moisture deeper. Good if your skin feels dehydrated (tight, dull) even if not “dry”
Isntree - Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner
A “rice milk” style toner that's a bit milky, great for brightening + nourishment. Ideal for skin needing both glow and moisture.
Beauty of Joseon - Glow Replenishing Rice Milk
Premium hydration toner. Good if you’re looking for higher-end ingredients and want an already well hydrated base.
Dr. Ceuracle - Pro Balance Biotics Toner
Targets barrier repair & moisture (rice extract + ceramide). Good for sensitive, irritated skin or skin that’s been over-washed/over-exfoliated.
THE FACE SHOP - Rice & Ceramide Moisturizing Toner 150ml
A budget friendly rice-extract toner primarily for brightening and gently hydrating. A good intro toner or backup option.
SKINFOOD - Shine Muscat BHA Toner
Very popular option on tiktok with great reviews on yesstyle. Very hydrating and a great option for something more simple
Torriden - DIVE-IN Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Toner
Toner pads 💧
A nice alternative for people who usually put their toners onto their toner pads so these are nice to have ready on you since they are easy to use.
A heavy-hitter pad with AHA, BHA and PHA for multi-level exfoliation + soothing Truecica (centella + other calming agents). Best for textured, oily/combination skin with clogged pores.
SOME BY MI - AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad
Designed for pore control & smoothing — dual textured pad with exfoliating ingredients and calming extracts. Good if you want clearer pores and smoother texture.
medicube - Zero Pore Pad Mild
High-centella content for soothing redness/irritation. Excellent for sensitive or reactive skin that still wants the pad format.
SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad
Same as the mild version but for those with less acne prone skin and can handle harsher ingredients.
medicube - Zero Pore Pad 2.0
More budget friendly; carrot extract + calming formulation. Suitable as a gentle daily pad for mild exfoliation or calm-down days.
SKINFOOD - Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pad
Contains a high % of heartleaf extract (anti-inflammatory) + some exfoliation. Good for blemish-prone or oily skin that’s also sensitive.
Anua - Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad
A classic exfoliating toner pad from a trusted brand; for oily/clogged skin needing texture smoothing.
COSRX - One Step Original Clear Pad
Tailored more for radiance / brightening — if your concern is dullness or uneven tone rather than strong exfoliation.
numbuzin - No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
Geared toward sensitive/barrier-weakened skin; cica mild formulation in pad form for easy use when you want minimal fuss.
VT - AZ Care Toner Pad 60 pads
Soothing, good for sensitive/acne-prone skin (madecassoside = a cica-type ingredient)
Mediheal - Madecassoside Blemish Pad
Calming & anti-blemish (tea tree extract)
Mediheal - Teatree Trouble Pad
Hydrating option for dry or tired skin
Mediheal - Watermide Moisture Pad
Essence 👃
Lightweight, watery treatment that boosts hydration and helps products absorb. Pat in until absorbed.
High concentration of snail mucin (96% of formula) + sodium hyaluronate, designed to repair skin, fade acne scarring, boost hydration and improve texture
COSRX - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
A cult classic. Uses fermented yeast extract (Saccharomyces) + niacinamide to help texture, brightness, hydration. Great all-rounder.
MISSHA - Time Revolution The First Essence 5X
Fermented complex + good for barrier strength, good pick if you are dealing with weakened skin barrier or want to prep your skin well.
Purito SEOUL - Fermented Complex 94 Boosting Essence 150ml
Uses ginseng and traditional herbal ingredients — good for antioxidant protection, more mature skin or if you want that glow.
Beauty of Joseon - Ginseng Essence Water
With 100% mugwort extract (a calming, anti-inflammatory herb) — excellent if you have redness, irritation, sensitive skin. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner: Minimalist, gentle formulation. While labelled “toner”, it functions like an essence. Ideal for sen...
I'm from - Mugwort Essence
Minimalist, gentle formulation. While labelled “toner”, it functions like an essence. Ideal for sensitive skin, layering light hydration
Pyunkang Yul - Essence Toner
95% galactomyces ferment filtrate + ingredients for tone-evening & hydration. Great if pigmentation or uneven tone is your concern.
COSRX - Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Uses black rice extract + probiotics to support the skin barrier, boost resilience and antioxidants. Good for stressed skin or when you want to build strength.
haruharu wonder - Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
Serum/ Ampoule 🚰
One concentrated treatment (vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, etc.). Allow a minute to sink in.
Contains PDRN + peptides, which are trending in Korean skincare for regeneration and repair. Good for firming, improving skin elasticity, smoothing texture.
medicube - PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
A brightening/anti-blemish serum (propolis + niacinamide) from the brand known for combining traditional Korean “hanbang” herbs with modern actives. Good for uneven skin tone and oilier skin
Beauty of Joseon - Glow Deep Serum
A slightly different version in the same line — nice if you want brightening with a simpler texture.
Beauty of Joseon - Glow Serum
This one works more on exfoliation/renewal (AHA/BHA/PHA) which can help with clogged pores, texture, dullness.
SOME BY MI
Great for sensitive or irritated skin, centella (cica) based soothing serum, minimal fragrance/formula.
Purito SEOUL - Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented
Combines PDRN + hyaluronic acid + collagen. Strong hydrating + firming combo. Good for when barrier is compromised or skin needs a boost
Anua - Niacinamide 10 TXA 4 Serum
Focused on peptides which support skin structure, firmness, and are more gentle than some aggressive actives — good for anti-ageing without heavy retinols.
COSRX - The 6 Peptide Skin Booster
A more premium/herbal luxury pick: ginseng extract, traditional Korean botanicals. Good for mature skin, adding glow, richness.
I'm from - Ginseng Serum
Moisturiser 🧴
Choose a gel or lightweight cream suitable for your skin type to lock in moisture.
Formulated with 92% snail mucin. Great for barrier repair, soothing irritation, and deeply hydrating without feeling heavy. Many users who had dry or post-breakout skin like it for calming and recovery.
COSRX - Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
A more premium “hanbang” (traditional Korean herb) style cream, great for radiance, anti-ageing, and matured skin types.
Beauty of Joseon - Dynasty Cream
Uses double-fermented hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. Especially good for normal to dry skin.
LANEIGE - Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Moisture Cream
A barrier-supporting cream with minimal irritants, good for sensitive or compromised skin that needs calming and repair.
ETUDE - Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
A lightweight water-gel texture moisturiser—excellent for oily or combination skin. The red bean extract helps with oil control and the gel finish suits warmer weather.
Beauty of Joseon - Red Bean Water Gel
Focuses on calming, minimal ingredients, and barrier-repair. Good for reactive or sensitive skin.
Affordable Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin | Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream ...
A budget-friendly gel cream, centring on hyaluronic acid to draw water in and provide hydration without heaviness—good for those who dislike thick creams.
Isntree - Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream
Rich in centella (cica) and probiotic/“Cica-barrier” ingredients, ideal for sensitive, irritated or compromised skin.
SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Cream
Very relaxing and cooling moisturiser for those who want to stay hydrated all day and have a soft glow
Torriden - DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Cream
Sunscreen ☀️
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every morning. Apply last (after moisturizer / facial oil) and reapply during the day.
A strong all-rounder. SPF50 + PA++++ means broad UVB + high UVA protection. Contains rice extract + probiotics for skin soothing and texture. Lightweight, minimal white cast
Beauty of Joseon - Relief Sun
The same as the other one but for more oil skin based
Beauty of Joseon - Relief Sun Aqua-fresh
Great for sensitive or irritated skin — centella (cica) for calming, water-fit texture, good protection
SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
Ideal for those who prefer a gel texture, perhaps combination/oily skin, or want something that layers easily under makeup.
Isntree - Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
Budget-friendly, aloe to help hydrate + soothe, good pick for daily use and more affordable.
COSRX - Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
For normal to dry skin wanting more moisture along with good sun protection.
ROUND LAB - Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
Minimalistic/clean formula (less fragrance etc) — good if you prefer more “skin-care first” approach.
Purito SEOUL - Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen 2024 Version
Luxury feel, “moisture finish” — good for drier skin or when you want a glow.
haruharu wonder - Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen
A sun stick version, handy for re-application during day, especially useful for oily/combination skin or for travelling/outside use.
Beauty of Joseon - Matte Sun Stick