Until recently, getting the coveted Korean Glass Skin meant burning hours on personal imports and picking up packages from the corner store. Not anymore! K-Beauty, the industry that normalized ingredients like snail mucin and fermented rice, has officially arrived and received its own section in Super-Pharm. We sampled a variety of Korean brands at accessible prices and came back with recommendations that are good even for those not planning to adopt a 10-step skincare routine.
Let’s start with Dr. Jart, the brand that turned face masks into rocket science. The colorful Cryo Rubber mask is not just another wet sheet that drips down your neck; it’s a two-step ritual including a serum ampoule and a cool rubber mask designed to lower the skin’s temperature and, along the way, relieve all the stress from the past week. Unlike sheet masks, the rubber is meant to lock in moisture and make your skin feel as if you drank a liter of spring water, while you’re binge-watching Netflix and startling the Wolt delivery person. A tester who tried the blue hydration mask reported a refreshing sensation similar to an ice roller. The skin comes out soft, bright, and less “grumpy,” like an energy boost. There are also masks for firming, brightening, and soothing, each with its own color, of course. Not cheap, but very fun.
Dr. Jart, Cryo Rubber Mask – NIS 59.
The flagship product of the haircare brand Unove is the leave-in ampoule, a successful solution for those without the patience for a long shower mask ritual. The “ampoule” is a rich blend of oils and chamomile extracts in spray format, designed to protect hair from heat and repair damage on the go. A small amount on towel-dried hair, from the mid-lengths to ends (not on roots), doesn’t weigh hair down or leave it sticky, and will turn it from coarse to silky on the first use. Note that this product has a strong scent—the “shampoo-like” fragrance is very dominant and doesn’t leave room for other smells in the environment, including perfume. It’s worth checking if you like it first because once applied, it will accompany you all day.
Unove, Leave-in Ampoule – NIS 100.
The promise of Korean Glass Skin—hydrated, even-toned, maximally smooth, and glowing from within—feels like science fiction in the Middle East. The practical answer is, of course, to stock up on pleasant, lightweight moisture and hope for the best. Belif’s Aqua Bomb is exactly that—a pale blue, thin gel-cream that behaves like a sip of water: Absorbed instantly, not greasy, and functions as a perfect makeup base for humid summer days. Its herbal-citrus scent is very delicate, feels clean, and disappears quickly. Great for normal to oily skin; very dry skin will likely need more.
Belif, Aqua Bomb – NIS 150.
Another product to adopt for summer: The nicest thing you can say about a sunscreen is that it doesn’t feel like sunscreen. The SPF50 from Round Lab’s Birch Juice line is a compensation for those carrying trauma from sticky products; like all the brand’s items, it comes in a beautiful package with delicate illustrations that look like they belong in a Korean children’s book, exactly the vibe: Clean, minimalist, and effortless. The texture is a light moisturizing emulsion, the kind that doesn’t flake or leave a white cakey mask. It’s almost scentless and completes the protection corner with a product that’s pleasant to pull from your bag and feels even better on the face.
Round Lab, SPF50 Sunscreen – NIS 75.
