Checklist · 12 picks · 6 categories
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A K-beauty routine has lots of steps, so there's plenty to pick from at Christmas. Most of these come from NBC Select's K-beauty guide, where staff tried more than 50 products.
Banila Co's Clean it Zero is its best cleansing balm and COSRX's Low pH its best gel cleanser. COSRX's viral snail mucin is its best essence, Hanyuul's Red Rice its best hydrating serum and Peach & Lily's Glass Skin its best brightening serum. Round Lab's Birch Juice is its best overall face sunscreen and Innisfree's Daily UV Defense its best for dry skin. TonyMoly's set of 10 is its most versatile sheet mask and Mediheal's its best overall. Belif's True Cream is a Shop TODAY Expert Approved moisturizer, and Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask is BestReviews' best of the best. The splurge is IOPE's Stem III, NBC Select's best moisturizer.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they aren't into Korean skincare in particular; the gifts for skincare lovers page fits better.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TonyMoly I'm Real Sheet Mask Set | budget | $15-25 | trying a different mask every spa night | 1 outlet |
| Mediheal N.M.F. Ampoule Mask | splurge | $25-50 | a reliable hydration boost for any skin type | 1 outlet |
| Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - Berry | mid | $15-25 | the cult-favorite overnight mask | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · 10 masks
Best for trying a different mask every spa night
NBC Select's most versatile sheet mask: a set of 10 masks, each aimed at a different skin concern, from rice water to tea tree oil.
Heads up. It has a subtle scent.
1 outlet. NBC Select most versatile sheet mask.
$15-25
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splurge pick · Multipack
Best for a reliable hydration boost for any skin type
NBC Select's best overall sheet mask: its serum is built on hyaluronic acid, a dermatologist's go-to hydrator, plus five amino acids.
Heads up. The serum can be sticky.
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall sheet mask.
$25-50
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mid pick · Jar
Best for the cult-favorite overnight mask
BestReviews' best of the best lip sleeping mask: it adds moisture to make lips soft and supple, and it comes with its own applicator.
Heads up. The smell is a bit too sweet compared with other options
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the best lip sleeping mask.
$15-25
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Best face cleanserbudget pick · Tube
Best for a gentle morning wash or second cleanse
NBC Select's best gel cleanser: a water-based, non-stripping gel with tea tree oil and beta-hydroxy acid for your second cleanse.
Heads up. Slight scent
1 outlet. NBC Select best gel cleanser.
under $15
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splurge pick · Balm
Best for melting off SPF and makeup first
NBC Select's best cleansing balm: the first step of a double cleanse, with a gentle formula that still removes waterproof makeup.
Heads up. NBC Select says it's best to use the applicator
1 outlet. NBC Select best cleansing balm.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence | budget | $15-25 | the glass-skin step everyone talks about | 1 outlet |
| Hanyuul Red Rice Serum | mid | $25-50 | sensitive skin that needs extra hydration | 1 outlet |
| Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum | splurge | $25-50 | going all in on the glass-skin look | 1 outlet |
Best essence or serumbudget pick · 3.38 oz
Best for the glass-skin step everyone talks about
NBC Select's best essence: the viral snail mucin essence, recommended by dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang, and a little goes a long way.
Heads up. May take some time to absorb
1 outlet. NBC Select best essence.
$15-25
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mid pick · Bottle
Best for sensitive skin that needs extra hydration
NBC Select's best hydrating serum: fermented rice and ceramides in a soothing formula that absorbs quickly.
1 outlet. NBC Select best hydrating serum.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Serum
Best for going all in on the glass-skin look
NBC Select's best brightening serum: peach extract, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, and it's safe for sensitive skin.
Heads up. Pricey for the size
1 outlet. NBC Select best brightening serum.
$25-50
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Best face moisturizerbudget pick · 1.69 oz
Best for a light cream that layers well
A Shop TODAY Expert Approved and editor's pick K-beauty moisturizer: peptides, ceramides and squalane in a cream that absorbs fast and feels light.
Heads up. Shop TODAY notes it may suit oily skin better
1 outlet. Shop TODAY expert Approved moisturizer.
$25-50
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Best sunscreenbudget pick · 1.69 fl oz
Best for dry skin that wants a dewy finish
NBC Select's best sunscreen for dry skin: a lightweight, glowy Korean SPF with green tea and centella that doesn't leave a white cast.
Heads up. May be too shiny for oily skin, and it has chemical filters
1 outlet. NBC Select best sunscreen for dry skin.
under $15
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mid pick · Daily SPF
Best for SPF that feels like skincare
NBC Select's number one face sunscreen out of 100 it tried: safe for sensitive skin, no white cast, and hydrating enough to double as a moisturizer.
Heads up. Faint earthy smell
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall face sunscreen.
$25-50
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Best face moisturizersplurge pick · Jar
Best for dry or sensitive skin that wants a richer cream
NBC Select's best moisturizer: a niacinamide, peptide and allantoin cream that's good for sensitive skin and very hydrating.
Heads up. Thicker consistency
1 outlet. NBC Select best moisturizer.
$50-100
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Spot a mistake? A broken link, a wrong price range or an outdated pick: tell me at hello@allsetlist.com and I'll fix it.
Sheet masks. TonyMoly's set has 10 masks, each aimed at a different skin concern, and NBC Select's best overall sheet mask, the Mediheal N.M.F., is built on hyaluronic acid and five amino acids.
Usually the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, NBC Select's best essence. NBC Select lists it as soothing and good for all skin types and says it comes recommended by dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang. Its heads-up: it may take some time to absorb.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.