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Korean skincare has quietly taken over the beauty world — but which brands are truly worth the hype?
Within the world of K-Beauty, the ‘mini bobusang trend’ (centred on carrying many items in small form) was curated to ‘try before you buy’, offering a pocket-sized sample with no commitment. Considering the ever-expanding array of Korean skincare crossing into the mainstream beauty sector, adopting the ‘mini bobusang trend’ is an incredibly useful way to navigate your skin needs without the overwhelm.
Perhaps this list will entice you to explore in-person across the UAE within retailers such as XBeauty, K-Secret and The Face Shop — or alternatively, order on Ounass and try them within two hours.
Whether you’re hunting for the latest red light mask or something as specific as a rice facial toner, there is genuinely something for every skin type and concern. Some of the most impressive formulas come from lesser-known brands that regularly outperform the social media giants — quietly earning cult status long before the beauty industry catches on. Get to know their names now, before the rest of the world does.
Thank You Farmer
Thank You Farmer provides skincare essentials to nourish the skin and promote a healthy, luminous complexion. The brand name pays homage to the farm-grown ingredients in combination with modern skincare technology.
Their water-based SPF 50 is a prominent best-seller and a lightweight solution to sun protection and skincare – without creating a white cast or reacting to makeup products.
Skit beauty
For the more playful side of K-Beauty, Skit seems to adopt the ‘Rhode’ style of marketing – with GenZ-centred social media feeds and vibrant product packaging. Staying on-trend, with releases such as the hydrogel clover face patches and clover spot patches, creates a youthful feel to the brand, with Skit feeling more playful than scientific. Skit’s approach to skincare juxtaposes the often minimal look and feel of competitors within the K-Beauty landscape.
Torriden
Torriden is committed to hydration, purely wanting you to ‘dive in’ and allow your skin to glow. The non-sticky feel and hypoallergenic qualities further the barrier-friendly reputation and solidify Torriden as a brand to know within K-Beauty. Their products are a testament to the power of hydration-first skincare, something that is essential when living in the UAE.
Skin 1004
Perhaps slightly more known, Skin 1004 is a brand built entirely on centella asiatica extract sourced from Madagascar, with seriously notable soothing benefits to the skin. The formulas combine centella with varying other active ingredients (retinol, niacinamide, azelaic acid) to revitalise and promote radiant, glowing skin with their gentle formulas.
I’m from
The I’m From products state their main focus ingredient (I’m from: rice, fig, vitamin tree water..), derived in its most natural form. Creating a safe feel to the composition of the product and a sense of trust from the outset. With the most popular product being the I’m From Rice toner – rich in antioxidants and fast absorbing for underneath makeup or further skincare products.
