Navigating the world of K-beauty can be a challenge when there are so many brands to explore and even more formulas to try out. In all honesty, not everything is worth your time or money but it may be difficult to sus out the good from the bad. We’re stepping in to give you the bite-sized, grab-and-go rundown on the K-beauty brands actually worth your attention this year, and we guarantee these groundbreaking labels will become fast favorites on your top shelf. From derm-developed brands to sensitive skin-friendly formulas, pay close attention to the following in 2025 – just keep scrolling for all the deets.


SUNGBOON EDITOR

Fun fact: ‘sungboon’ is Korean for ‘ingredient’, and at SUNGBOON EDITOR, top-performance ingredients are first priority. Clean skin-loving ingredients are wielded to produce effective skincare that treats a wide range of skin troubles and shows visible results. You may know this brand best for its influencer-approved Green Tomato lineup that targets enlarged pores and excess sebum, but the product range also touts skincare for reverting dark spots, sagging skin and dullness.

K-beauty Brand SUNGBOON EDITOR

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SUNGBOON EDITOR

Bid an unbalanced complexion goodbye and say hello to the Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+ and Green Tomato Deep Pore Double Cleansing Ampoule Oil, good for removing impurities from the pores and controlling sebum production. The Deep Collagen Anti Wrinkle Lifting Mask quickly became TikTok-viral as fans have gushed over its ultra-nourishing and rejuvenating effects.

Our SUNGBOON EDITOR Recommendations

SUNGBOON EDITOR - Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+ SUNGBOON EDITOR - Green Tomato Deep Pore Double Cleansing Ampoule Oil SUNGBOON EDITOR - Deep Collagen Anti Wrinkle Lifting Mask


Parnell

David's own struggle with dermatitis and skin diseases led to the establishment of his brainchild beauty brand Parnell. He identified Manuka Honey as a key ingredient local natives were using to treat skin wounds, and after years of research and testing formulas, the Cicamanu™ Biome was born. Together with farmers that source local New Zealand ingredients and scientists that study skin concerns, Parnell is dedicated to delivering high-quality products that bring comfort and relief to sensitive complexions.

K-beauty Brand Parnell

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Parnell

The soothing and moisturizing properties of Parnell’s signature Cicamanu™ Biome can be found in their Cicamanu 92 Serum and Cicamanu Serum Cushion; the former encourages overnight recovery of a damaged skin barrier and the latter achieves a moist, flawless base for glass skin. An underrated pick from the brand is the Glacial Biome Water No-Sebum Cushion, a blotting cushion that keeps the skin refreshed and quenched, rather than cakey and dry.

Our Parnell Recommendations

Parnell - Cicamanu 92 Serum Parnell - Cicamanu Serum Cushion (Global Version) Parnell - Glacial Biome Water No-Sebum Cushion


FATION

FATION is the creation of leading Korean pharmaceutical company Dong-A Pharm, focused on developing derma solutions for blemish-prone and problematic skin types. The K-beauty skincare label relies on science-baked formulas created by their mother company’s skin medicine research center, ensuring each product is sensitivity-friendly and addresses skin concerns from the root of the issue.

K-beauty Brand FATION

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - FATION

The Nosca9 line from FATION features products made with fresh Cica that offer potent healing, hydrating and soothing benefits far more effective than dry Cica. Top picks include the award-winning Nosca9 Trouble Serum that balances the skin and calms redness, the Nosca9 Trouble Toning Repair Cream of the same line, and Real Fit Collagen Firming Mask that provides intensive moisture while smoothing out rough skin texture.

Our FATION Recommendations

FATION - Nosca9 Trouble Serum FATION - Nosca9 Trouble Toning Repair Cream FATION - Real Fit Collagen Firming Mask


Genabelle

Your skin’s in safe hands with Genabelle, the derma-grade K-beauty label founded on the basis of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients made accessible and affordable to all. Gentle yet powerful, Genabelle’s offerings focus on healing skin post-treatment and through the everyday, relying on R&D to create ‘Hyperformance Dermatology Skincare’ for all. They’re perhaps best recognized by their PDRN collection that blew up on social media platforms, but there’s more to the brand that deserves the spotlight.

K-beauty Brand Genabelle

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Genabelle

Genabelle’s signature PDRN collection highlights the PDRN VITA Toning Ampoule and PDRN Rejuvenating Toner that are made to recover a damaged skin barrier and alleviate irritation. For a firming and lifting boost, check out the Edelweiss Lifting Serum that’s enriched with protective Edelweiss extract found in the Swiss Alps, known for surviving through harsh weather conditions.

Our Genabelle Recommendations

Genabelle - PDRN VITA Toning Ampoule JUMBO Genabelle - PDRN Rejuvenating Toner Genabelle - Edelweiss Lifting Serum


Nard

We’re calling it: Nard is slated to take over your shower routine in 2025. The Korean nature-oriented beauty brand is named after the resilient plant that grows in the barren high altitude areas of the Himalayas, providing you with the full body essentials you need to look and feel your best every day. Initially rolling out with hair care staples to revive dry and damaged strands, they have since made their foray into body care to make your daily showers all the more refreshing.

K-beauty Brand Genabelle

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Nard

Damaged strands don’t stand a chance against the Damage RX Shampoo, featuring an impressive lineup of 22 amino acids, hydrolyzed Keratin and Silk, and 4 kinds of protein to protect and strengthen dry and brittle hair. The sister Damage RX No Wash Treatment pairs perfectly to help promote silky tresses, while the Body Wash Tea Tree Rosemary uses 5 types of herb ingredients to slough away dead skin cells.

Our Nard Recommendations

Nard - Damage RX Shampoo Nard - Damage RX No Wash Treatment Nard - Body Wash Tea Tree Rosemary


Which brand are you trying in 2025? Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!