Soko Glam and I go way back. Soon after I moved to the Big Apple (and four years after the e-retailer launched), I began discovering my affinity for Korean beauty. Nine-plus years later, Korean skin care (and makeup…and even a bit of hair care) and I are still tied at the hips; it’s truly changed the state of my skin for the better. In fact, my face is kinda obnoxiously plastered all over allure.com, and this very story, showcasing my favorite K-beauty finds over the years. There’s no shortage of innovation and, even to me, it gets overwhelming. I constantly rely on Soko Glam’s cofounder, Charlotte Cho, and her insider-savvy curations to know what’s really up in the fast-paced world of K-beauty and worth your money, which brings me to my next point…
Now through April 30, you can score 20% off sitewide at sokoglam.com, and the discount automatically applies at checkout. You also get free gifts with purchases of $50, $100, $150, and $250, cumulatively—so if you spend $250 or more, you get the gifts from the previous three spend thresholds. The biggest draw? Even though tariffs are just around the corner, Soko Glam hasn’t altered any pricing to reflect said tariffs. Whether or not that will change in the coming weeks and months (evidence suggests prices will increase in the long run, namely when companies simply can’t bear the burden of tax imports), who’s to say? Don’t panic. Spend wisely. But if you’re in the market to restock or stock up on your must-haves, Soko Glam’s Friends and Family Sale is the time to do it.
Our Top Soko Glam Sale Picks:
Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Come for the innovative and interactive twist-up dispenser and stay for the makeup-melting, skin-softening results. Cleansing your face shouldn’t come at the cost of a stripping finish, which is why Dr. Althea’s Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm is infused with green tea seed oil, grapeseed oil, madecassoside, and cica to moisturize and soothe skin from start to finish. (We recommend taking a full minute to really massage and work in the product. It’s called being thorough…and self-care.)
“My main metric for cleansing balms are how easily they remove makeup (specifically eye makeup) and how soft my skin feels afterwards. Dr. Althea’s Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm checks both of those boxes. The formula emulsifies so well and melts mascara, eyeliner, and the rest off like a total dream. My skin feels baby smooth and perfectly soft every time I use it. Plus, the grinder dispensing method means no searching for an applicator spoon and no dipping my hands into a pot of product (something I’ve always found semi-gross). Genius.”
Manyo Factory Pure Cleansing Oil
Another primo pick for removing your (heavy-duty) makeup, Man:yo’s Cleansing Oil transforms from a silky oil into a luxe, cleansing milk that targets blackheads and whiteheads without clogging your precious pores. Packed with 14 plant oils, the formula hydrates the skin, while argan kernel oil regulates sebum and supports cell regeneration.
“Oil cleansing for a few minutes every single night has taken my skin from good to great, and Man:yo’s Pure Cleansing Oil has been my go-to. When my pores are particularly clogged, I can physically feel the sebum and dirt coming out after rubbing a couple of pumps of this gentle formula into my skin. It’s the only reason my facialists are always telling me there’s no need for extractions.”
Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum
You might be surprised to learn retinol products aren’t as popular in Korea. Y. Claire Chang, MD, a Korean-born, New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist, puts it best: “Most Koreans take a preventative and multifactorial approach to aging and often start preventative skin-care routines early in their lives.” However, that’s not to say retinol is overlooked all together. Since 1997, Iope has offered and reformulated several retinol serums, but the Retinol Super Bounce Serum is perhaps its most sophisticated. Pure retinol is paired with encapsulated retinol, granactive retinoid, and bio-seletinoid, which are said to be less irritating (because of slower release time or lack of conversions needed) than the former but impressively effective.
“When it comes to Korean retinols, Iope is the blueprint. As soon as I felt the lightweight, gel-like texture of the Retinol Super Bounce Serum, I knew it would be a regular in my routine. It’s so gentle, melts into my skin, absorbs quickly, and makes my complexion notably plumper—and my thicker nighttime moisturizers seem to absorb better, too.”
Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why treat your skin to one type of hyaluronic acid when you can indulge your skin with five? We’re talking high, medium, and low-molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to provide deeper absorption at all levels of the skin. Torriden’s refreshing, non-sticky Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum replenishes moisture levels immediately upon application and over time, also thanks to barrier-strengthening ceramides and soothing allantoin.
There’s something oh so satisfying about this serum’s silky texture. It dries down almost immediately, and my skin always feels bouncier with each application. At night, I often pair it with my retinol serum to offset any dryness, as well as in the morning to give my vitamin C serum a hydrating boost.
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Moisture Sun Cream SPF 40
Look up best chemical sunscreens in the K-beauty dictionary and you’ll see Thank You Farmer’s Sun Project Water Sun Cream looking back at you. This moisturizing cream applies like a dream, absorbing in seconds, and doesn’t leave a white cast, ever. Assisting the hydrating and brightening agenda are key ingredients panthenol, niacinamide, vitamin E, and glycerin. We’ll take two, please.
“Thank You Farmer Sun Project Moisture Sun Cream SPF 40 encapsulates everything I love about Korean sunscreens, which are 100% more elite than US sunscreens. (I said what I said.) It’s supremely hydrating—so much so that I actually skip my daytime moisturizer—without feeling heavy or greasy and gives my skin a delightful but not over-the-top glow. This lightweight cream truly melts right in without the slightest bit of cast.”
Etude Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk
True to its name, Etude Sunprise Milk Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+ is a lightweight, milky, and fluid-like formula that doesn’t leave a chalky finish or cause your makeup to pill, like other mineral sunscreens often do. It does take a few beats longer to fully absorb, so as long as you don’t mind that aspect, this subtly floral formula is a goodie. Don’t forget to shake well before application!
“As someone who mainly wears chemical sunscreens, it’s not hard to deduce that I’m very picky about mineral sunscreens. Despite the initial jumpscare-white formula, Etude’s Sunprise doesn’t leave a ghastly cast on me, though I definitely need to be patient blending two fingers’ worth of product—I take about 30 seconds altogether, and as you can see in my after photo, my skin returns to its natural state—just a smidge brighter and more evened out. You can see a subtle glow in my after photo, but if I were to skip my moisturizer (which I totally could, since I applied a hydrating essence and antioxidant serum prior), I think I’d achieve a truer matte finish.”
Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
Treat acne gently. It might sound counterintuitive, but that’s the Korean way. In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal’s Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica. Consider your burgeoning pimples and accompanying redness, minimized.
Tester feedback from former Allure commerce writer Jen Hussein
“I’ve been dealing with a few pimples (okay, and a bit of post-popping inflammation—I never said I was perfect!) on my face, and Mediheal’s Madecassoside Blemish Pads has tremendously improved the look of them. I like to swipe one pad across all of my problem areas (like my forehead and chin) to give my little zits a dose of calming, redness-reducing cica extract.”
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
A Korean beauty best-seller that’s all over your FYP and actually worth the hype it’s garnered? That’s Cosrx’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. This mega-hydrator is chock-full of, you guessed it, snail mucin to soothe blemishes, brighten acne scars, and even out hyperpigmentation. Glass skin is closer than you think, friends.
“Ok, yes, I know this product might not be new to most people, but it still deserves a testimony to its long-standing popularity. Not only is the texture so fun (and surprisingly not tacky seconds after applying), it gives my skin lots of glow and bounce, and helps fade rouge dark spots over time.”
Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask
While Saturday Skin’s Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask has a fun, jelly-like texture, it’s not here to play around. It works hard while you snooze and infuses your skin with deep hydration—so you wake up with refreshed, supple skin. How so? Look to the key vitamins found in the bouncy formula, including vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B (niacinamide), and vitamin C (yuzu extract). All you need is a little bit of product applied on top of your moisturizer to seal in all that barrier-repairing, skin-smoothing goodness—you’re welcome.
“I love loading up with retinol at night, and this overnight mask delivers. But! It’s also packed with vitamin C-rich yuzu extract, so my skin looks smoother and more radiant the next morning. And, despite me layering hydrating essences and serums beforehand, this doesn’t leave my skin feeling overly glowing and sticky. Head’s up: The citrusy scent is quite potent, so some people might not be into that, but I don’t mind it at all!”
Then I Met You Bong² Bounce Cream
In the words of Cho, the founder of Then I Met You, the Bong² Bounce Cream is “a citrusy moisturizer that not only smells like a dream but also does an incredible job of protecting your skin barrier.” We couldn’t agree more. Barrier creams have a reputation for being thick and greasy, but this lightweight gel-cream doesn’t feel the slightest bit heavy, nor does it clog pores or pill underneath makeup. The star of the show are vitamin C-rich hallabong extract, ceramides, squalane, and omega fatty acids, which provide long-lasting hydration, barrier support, and an undeniably juicy glow.
“I absolutely adore Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm so it’s no surprise I’m equally in love with Bong² Bounce Cream, which also contains seaberry and persimmons to lend it that cheerful marigold hue. I love vitamin C everything during the daytime, so hallabong extract—a.k.a. a sweet, vitamin C-rich orange native to Jeju, South Korea—is perfect for the brightening, tone-evening job. The gel texture is so airy and layers seamlessly underneath my sunscreen and makeup, too.”
Haven’t finished satisfying your shopping urge yet? Check out more K-beauty goodies to upgrade your routine:
Now, watch Ariana Grande break down her incredible music video looks:
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