K-beauty routines by skin type, with the Seoul price

Oily and breakout-prone

Shine by midday, clogged pores, the odd breakout.

Whole routine in Seoul$35.12₩49,500 before the tax refund

A gentle low-pH gel cleanser, a leave-on exfoliating toner a few nights a week, a light propolis and niacinamide serum and a watery sunscreen. Nothing heavy, and a patch for the breakouts you do get.

1. CleanseCOSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel CleanserMorning and night · Cleansers · 150ml$5.58
2. ExfoliateCOSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner2 to 3 evenings a week, not with retinol · Toners · 150ml$7.55
3. TreatBeauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + NiacinamideThin layer, morning and night · Serums & essences · 30ml$10.26
4. ProtectBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh: Rice + B5Every morning, last step · Sunscreen · 50ml$10.64
5. SpotCOSRX Acne Pimple Master PatchOn a breakout, overnight · Sheet masks · 24 patches$2.64

From the US: the 4 of 5 products we can match costs $64.26 on Amazon US with tax, vs $32.63 in Seoul. You save about $31.63.

From the UK: 3 of 5 products we can match costs $48.51 on Amazon UK, vs $22.99 in Seoul. You save about $25.52.

Dry and tight

Tight after cleansing, flaky patches, makeup that clings.

Whole routine in Seoul$69.45₩97,900 before the tax refund

A balm to melt sunscreen and makeup without stripping, then layers of water (toner, hyaluronic serum) sealed in with a ceramide cream, and a moisturising sunscreen.

From the US: the 1 of 5 products we can match costs $23.54 on Amazon US with tax, vs $11.07 in Seoul. You save about $12.47.

From the UK: 3 of 5 products we can match costs $81.07 on Amazon UK, vs $35.19 in Seoul. You save about $45.88.

Sensitive and red

Stings easily, flushes, reacts to new products.

Whole routine in Seoul$68.47₩96,510 before the tax refund

Short ingredient lists and calming ingredients (heartleaf, centella, ceramides), plus a mineral sunscreen. Introduce one product at a time.

From the US: the 3 of 5 products we can match costs $65.86 on Amazon US with tax, vs $39.24 in Seoul. You save about $26.63.

From the UK: 3 of 5 products we can match costs $86.10 on Amazon UK, vs $49.31 in Seoul. You save about $36.79.

Dull and uneven

Tired-looking skin, marks left after spots, uneven tone.

Whole routine in Seoul$62.57₩88,200 before the tax refund

Niacinamide-based brighteners, a rich cream at night, and daily sunscreen, without which no brightening product does much.

From the US: the 4 of 5 products we can match costs $76.41 on Amazon US with tax, vs $51.93 in Seoul. You save about $24.48.

From the UK: the whole routine costs $85.31 on Amazon UK, vs $62.57 in Seoul. You save about $22.74.

Three-step starter

New to K-beauty, or just want less.

Whole routine in Seoul$32.81₩46,250 before the tax refund

Cleanser, one cream that does the job of serum and moisturiser, and sunscreen. Cheap, light in a suitcase, and a good base to add to later.

From the US: the 1 of 3 products we can match costs $18.19 on Amazon US with tax, vs $8.30 in Seoul. You save about $9.89.

From the UK: 2 of 3 products we can match costs $32.54 on Amazon UK, vs $24.51 in Seoul. You save about $8.03.

First fine lines

Late 20s and up, starting on retinol.

Whole routine in Seoul$68.01₩95,860 before the tax refund

A gentle 0.1% retinol cream two or three nights a week, a snail essence to keep skin comfortable, and an overnight mask on non-retinol nights. Sunscreen every day is not optional with retinol.

From the US: the whole routine costs $133 on Amazon US with tax, vs $68.01 in Seoul. You save about $64.91.