Your K-Beauty Shopping Guide

When shopping for the best beauty products in Australia, Korean skincare is some of the best but can be hard to find. Many K-beauty products are team favourites here at Beauty Affairs for the effective ingredients and unique formulas! But what makes brands like Dr Jart+ and TonyMoly so popular worldwide? Have all your questions answered, plus read our guide to Korean skincare here!

This beauty balm from Dr Jart+ balances the line between makeup and skincare, lending coverage for skin in a nourishing formula.

What is K-Beauty?

K-beauty is short for “Korean Beauty” and refers to cosmetics and skincare made by Korean brands. K-beauty is more than just a type of product; compared to Western skincare standards, the Korean approach is slightly different. 

For example, in Western countries, we tend to see toner as a further cleansing, clarifying step for the skin. In many K-beauty skincare brands, a toner is a product that’s ideal for adding extra moisture and hydration; it’s not formulated to clean the skin further. 

Korean skincare is also less focused on actives such as Retinol, Glycolic Acid, and Vitamin C. You’re more likely to see ingredients such as Centella Asiatica, Snail Mucin, and probiotic fermented ingredients as the focus of Korean skincare. In Australia, you can shop the best of the best K-Beauty right here at Beauty Affairs!

This emulsion from luxury brand Sulwhasoo infuses skin with lightweight hydration and the anti-aging benefits of natural plant extracts for radiant, even-toned skin.

Why is K-Beauty So Popular?

Korean skincare in Australia is gaining popularity thanks to effective, unique formulas you won’t necessarily find from the usual Western beauty brands. In a global survey across many countries, 35% of respondents agreed that K-beauty is popular amongst the general public and that products are highly in-demand. 

So, why shop for Korean skincare? Why do so many people love these products? There are a few reasons why these products are so popular, both in South Korea and worldwide. Here are a few quick reasons to try K-beauty!

TonyMoly Intense Care Gold Snail Eye Mask is the perfect pick-me-up for tired, puffy eyes. An intensely hydrating formula instantly smoothes fine lines while active ingredients smooth away eye bags and fade dark circles.

Ideal for Sensitive Skin

Because Korean skincare products are less active-focused, they’re less likely to irritate and cause over-exfoliation. This means that those with skin prone to redness and irritation because of too many actives in a routine can breathe easy using these skincare products!

Dr Jart+ Cicapair Cream nurtures skin with the power of Centella Asiatica. This replenishing cream is perfect for soothing irritated skin and warding off future redness thanks to moisture barrier-repairing ingredients.

Latest Technology and Innovations

South Korea is the home of skincare innovation. After all, it’s the birthplace of many staple skincare products that we use in our beauty routines: bb creams, cushion foundation, and even sheet masks. Shopping for Korean skincare means that you’ll be shopping for the latest in skincare innovation!

This innovative rubbery modeling mask penetrates skin texture more deeply than a sheet mask to deliver high-potency active ingredients. Each freshly-made Korean rubber face mask penetrates skin surface to quickly and effectively deliver the benefits your skin needs most.

Holistic Approach to Skincare

While K-beauty brands can vary in the ingredients they choose and the price points, from affordable to luxury, they tend to have one thing in common: a holistic approach to the care of your skin. 

Korean skincare addresses your skin as a whole, not just a single skin concern like many Western brands do. By ensuring that all of your skin's needs are met - hydration, protection, and nourishment - K-beauty products help to ensure that your skin is healthier and therefore better-looking for longer. 

The toner works by improving skin elasticity, firming and lifting skin, fading wrinkles and aging signs, and restoring its youthful radiance. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula leaves a soft layer of moisture that firms and plumps skin with a hydrating finish.

What are the Best Korean Skincare Ingredients?

Because the Korean beauty industry is so cutting edge, these skincare products are often formulated with natural ingredients that we’d never find in typical Western products. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the most famous skincare ingredients in Korean skincare and exactly what makes them so great for the skin.

Snail Mucin

This one can come as a shocker to many, but snail mucin is a skincare ingredient that has become synonymous with this kind of skincare. Snail mucin has incredibly hydrating benefits, instantly improving skin water levels and reducing irritation. It can also temporarily smooth out the look of wrinkles with intense hydration.

TonyMoly Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Toner is no ordinary toner - this ampoule-style toner delivers huge benefits to your skin thanks to a high percentage of ultra-hydrating Snail Secretion Filtrate combined with Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and more for luminous skin. 

Ginseng Extract

Ginseng is a plant-based extract found in many luxury skincare lines in Korea. It’s a staple ingredient in many Sulwhasoo and History of Whoo products because it’s truly one of the best natural anti-ageing ingredients. 


Studies have found that Ginseng can lighten dark spots for glowing, youthful skin. It can also reduce inflammation - this is more important than you may think for anti-ageing! 

Recent studies have confirmed a link between chronic inflammation and premature wrinkles. This holistic approach ensures that skin health is addressed from all angles for skin that stays youthful-looking for longer.

Formulated with Mother Chrysanthemum extract Chilhyangpalbaeksan, and Korean traditional herbs, this anti-aging emulsion helps keep skin vibrant, luminous, silky smooth and dewy.

Centella Asiatica

Another natural plant extract, this plant and its derivatives often appear as “Cica” in product names and ingredient lists. Also called Gotu Kola, this skincare ingredient is another powerful all-rounder for healthy skin. Centella Asiatica is most well-known for its soothing powers, but calming irritation isn’t the only benefit it has for skin.

This natural ingredient is rich in antioxidants, helping to defend your skin against free radicals that cause premature wrinkles.

Dr Jart+ Cicapair Calming Mask is a mask that helps deeply moisturizes and soothes dry and sensitive skin. It is formulated with Centella Asiatica, which helps recover sensitive/damaged skin by soothing and repairing the skin barrier. 

Where to Buy Korean Skincare in Australia?

When it comes to K-Beauty, Australia is lucky to have us! At Beauty Affairs, our range has extended to include the best in Korean cosmetics. Shop Dr Jart+, Sulwhasoo, and more here at Beauty Affairs. Transform your skin with these nourishing, effective products!

Or, if you’re not sure where to start with a skincare routine, try our skin analysis quiz. You’ll be able to identify your skin type, and get a free routine that’s tailored to your skin type. 

Products Mentioned:

  • Dr Jart+ Nourishing Beauty Balm Black Label
  • Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Emulsion
  • TonyMoly Intense Care Gold Snail Eye Mask
  • Dr Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Cream
  • Dr Jart+ Shake & Shoot Rubber Soothing Mask
  • The History Of Whoo Gongjinhyang Essential Moisturizing Balancer
  • Tonymoly Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Toner
  • The History Of Whoo Gongjinhyang Seol Radiant White Emulsion
  • Dr Jart+ Cicapair Calming Mask
  • Alexis Adrienne

    Alexis Adrienne

    Alexis Adrienne is a passionate beauty writer with over 10 years of experience. She’s incredibly keen on all things skincare, makeup and cosmetics, with a fingertip on the pulse of the latest global beauty trends at all times.

    1 comment

    Thank you for this comprehensive K-beauty shopping guide! It’s incredibly helpful for navigating the vast options and finding the best products. I can’t wait to try out your recommendations!

    Okkabeautydubai October 28, 2024

    Leave a comment

    All comments are moderated before being published