3 iconic Korean skincare products that I’m now obsessed with

Today, I’m reviewing 3 iconic Korean skincare products that have taken the world by storm.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, and Sioris Time is Running Out Mist are all K-beauty staples. They’re products I always see on TikTok or Instagram, and they’ve got tonnes of positive reviews. I couldn’t wait to try them!

But do they live up to the social media hype, or do other products deserve the spotlight? I share my honest thoughts on these popular Korean skincare products.

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The 3 iconic Korean skincare products

Here are the 3 viral Korean skincare products:

1. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
2. Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
3. Sioris Time is Running Out Mist

But what are the INCI lists like? How do they feel on my skin? Have they made a difference so far? Below, I’m going to share my thoughts on each product.

1. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

£21 for 100ml

Product claims

The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence promises to give the skin a natural, healthy glow with a lightweight texture. It also claims to prevent skin moisture loss, deliver deep hydration, visibly improve skin elasticity and texture, and clear your complexion for a radiant finish. It’s fragrance- and cruelty-free.

Key ingredients

The top 5 ingredients on the INCI list are:

• Snail secretion filtrate: a type of slime from snails that significantly improves hydration in the skin
• Betaine: a gentle humectant (retains or preserves moisture) that can help correct uneven skin tone
• Butylene glycol: a humectant and texture enhancer
• 1,2-hexanediol: a non-sensitising moisture-binding agent
• Sodium polyacrylate: an absorbent and emollient (softens or soothes skin)

See the full INCI list below:

Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine

Review

Firstly, it’s great to see such a short INCI list. A) because it’s less likely to contain an irritant for people with more sensitive skin and B) because it’s far easier to read and understand. The top 5 ingredients all contain moisturising ingredients, so you know this essence is going to be a hydration powerhouse.

As COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is marketed as a snail mucin essence, it’s fantastic to see snail secretion filtrate as the top ingredient! This often doesn’t happen, so this formula truly delivers the active.

The formula feels amazing on the skin. It has this unusual gloopy texture that is somehow still very lightweight and absorbent. I love applying it because it’s instantly cooling and hydrating. And this hydration lasts all day. If you love that glowy glass skin look, I’d highly recommend this COSRX essence, as it gives the skin a plump radiant finish.

Since using COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, my skin feels more hydrated, plumper, and moisturised overall. If my skin needs a hydration boost, I’ll always reach for this.

Rating: 5 stars

This is a fantastic product that’s totally worth the hype. And who doesn’t love a bit of hydration?

2. Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

£24 for 35ml

Product claims

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop promises to fade discolouration, reduce enlarged pores, and create a bright and even skin tone. It claims to be suitable for sensitive skin and revitalise your complexion. It will make your skin look glowy and healthy, according to the brand.

Key ingredients

Excluding water, the top 5 ingredients on the INCI list are:

• Propylene glycol: a humectant
• Ascorbic acid: pure vitamin C that helps to illuminate the complexion, reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, and improve uneven skin tones
• Hydroxyethylcellulose: thickening agent
• Centella asiatica extract: has potent antioxidant properties and hydrates and soothes upset skin
• Citrus junos fruit extract: conditions the skin

See the full INCI list below:

Water, Propylen Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Illicium Verum(Anise) Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi(Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Asarum Sieboldi Root Extract, Quercus Mongolia Leaf Extract, Persicaria Hydropiper Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, SH-Olgopeptide-1, SH-Olgopeptide-2, SH-Polypeptide-1, SH-Polypeptide-9, SH-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Soybean/Folic Acid Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol

Review

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is an affordable vitamin C serum containing high levels of ascorbic acid (5%). It immediately makes the skin look more radiant and feel more hydrated. For the price point, this is an incredible vitamin C serum for glowy, healthy skin.

If my skin looks dull or feels thirsty, I always reach for Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. It instantly revitalises my complexion.

This is the best inexpensive vitamin C product I’ve tried. There are a couple of products I prefer purely in terms of radiance-boosting, but they’re far more expensive.

The texture is interesting, as it’s thicker than your typical serum. It sits somewhere in between a serum and facial oil. The serum has a highly nourishing texture too. While it does absorb into the skin after a minute or two, I think people with particularly oily skin might find this serum a bit too heavy, especially when paired with a moisturiser.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I love this vitamin C serum. It’s defo worth the hype!

3. Sioris Time is Running Out Mist

£18 for 100ml

Product claims

The Sioris Time is Running Out Mist promises to revitalise dry and dehydrated skin with long-lasting moisture. This refreshing spray claims to be a 3-in-1 toner, mist, and serum that provides immediate hydration with nutrient-rich organic fruit water.

Key ingredients

Excluding water, the top 5 ingredients on the INCI list are:

• Citrus junos fruit extract: conditions the skin
• Macadamia integrifolia seed oil: an emollient that’s great for dry skin
• Propanediol: moisturises the skin with a smooth, dewy finish
• Jojoba seed oil: an emollient that enhances the skin’s restorative properties
• Beta-carotene: an antioxidant

See the full INCI list below:

Citrus Junos Fruit Water(78%), Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil(8%), Propanediol(8%), Water, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil(2%), Beta-Carotene, Glycerin, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil *ORGANIC FARMING

Review

I can see why the Sioris Time is Running Out Mist is so popular; it’s amazing!

This nourishing mist immediately gives my skin some much-needed moisture. Compared to other mists I’ve used, this one has a thicker texture but is still absorbent. Although it doesn’t have a cooling sensation, it’s instantly hydrating.

Since I’ve been using a fan so frequently recently due to it being so humid and stuffy here, my skin has seriously appreciated this mist.

In fact, it’s probably my favourite mist of all time. It’s a serious luxe treat for the skin. I wish the mister itself was a little bit finer for more dispersed coverage, but that’s a very minor point.

Sioris Time is Running Out Mist makes my skin look dewier, healthier and glowier. I can see why this is marketed as a 3-in-1 product as it offers a tonne of benefits. If you’ve got dry skin, you’ll especially love this!

Rating: 5 stars

I can’t get enough of this wonderful mist.

Overall review of the K-beauty products

These 3 products all deserve their holy grail K-beauty status and have all improved the look and/or feel of my skin.

Plus, the products come in at under £25. If you were to buy from a typical Western skincare brand for these same INCI lists, you’d likely pay a lot more. Korea is truly ahead of the curve with affordable, high-quality and innovative skincare!

All of these products will make your skin more hydrated, radiant and dewy. Did I hear you say #glassskin goals? Because same.

I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about these products. Active ingredients high up the INCI list? Check. Make skin feel and appear healthier? Check. Lightweight and absorbent formulae? Check.

I’d tried quite a few COSRX products prior to this review, but I hadn’t used Sioris or Klairs before. But I certainly will be checking out more products from all of these brands in the future. I’m thoroughly obsessed.

Favourite product?

Sioris Time is Running Out Mist.

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.