The best Korean makeup for you depends on your skin type and the finish you want, not on one famous brand. Choose a semi-matte cushion or a matte BB cream for oily skin, a dewy or satin cushion for dry or mature skin, and check the ingredient list for fragrance if your skin is sensitive. Then match the shade by depth and undertone, and wear sunscreen underneath, because the SPF in makeup is not enough on its own.
What is the difference between a cushion, BB cream and foundation?
All three even out the look of skin; they differ in format, coverage and feel. On Korean labels, a primer is often called a makeup base.
| Product | What it is | Coverage and feel | Choose it if you want |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushion foundation | Liquid foundation in a sponge-like pad inside a compact, applied with a puff | Light to high, easy to build | Quick application and touch-ups from your bag |
| BB cream | A tinted "blemish balm" cream, often with skincare ingredients | Sheer to medium | An easy everyday base |
| Liquid foundation | Foundation in a bottle | Medium to high | Control over coverage on the whole face |
| Primer or makeup base | A layer after skincare and before foundation | Smooths, adds glow or corrects tone | Base makeup that sits more evenly |
Which Korean makeup brand should you choose?
No single brand suits everyone, and lists of top Korean makeup change every year. A viral product tells you about its look, not about your skin. Choose a product line by finish and skin type first, then a shade within that line. The same goes for Korean cosmetics brands in general: one brand's cushion can suit you while its foundation does not.
Examples of brands in Keauty's makeup collections include Clio, Hera, Laneige, Jung Saem Mool and Espoir for cushions, Cell Fusion C and Dr. Ceuracle for BB creams, Missha and VDL for primers, and 3CE, Romand, Colorgram and Wakemake for colour makeup.
How do I choose Korean base makeup for my skin type?
Start with how your skin feels by midday, then pick the finish. Not sure of your skin type? Our skin quiz can help.
| Skin type or need | Look for | Examples in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Oily or shiny by midday | Semi-matte cushion or matte BB cream | Clio Founwear Cushion, Dr. Ceuracle Recovery Balm |
| Combination | Buildable, natural semi-matte cushion | Jung Saem Mool Skin Nuder Cushion |
| Dry or dehydrated | Dewy or satin cushion | Clio Mesh Glow Cushion, Hera Black Cushion |
| Sensitive or reactive | No fragrance in the ingredient list, patch test first | Cell Fusion C Skin Blemish Balm |
| Vegan preference | A formula the brand describes as vegan | Espoir Protailor Be Natural Cushion |
| More coverage from a bottle | Long-wear liquid foundation | Clio Founwear Foundation |
Oily or combination skin
Look for a semi-matte or matte finish. Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion The Original SPF 50+, PA+++ 15g*2ea #21C Lingerie gives high coverage with a satin-matte finish, and Clio says it lasts 24 hours without darkening. Dr. Ceuracle Recovery Balm SPF 28 PA++ 45ml is a light beige tinted BB cream made for oily skin types; the brand says its matte finish does not smudge when you reapply.
For combination skin, Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Longwear Cushion - Medium 14g*2ea has lightweight, buildable coverage with a natural, semi-matte finish. The brand says it hydrates while controlling excess oil, and the set includes a refill.
Dry or dehydrated skin
Moisturize well first, then choose a dewy or satin cushion. Clio Kill Cover Mesh Glow Cushion -No.2 Lingerie 15g*2 is a creamy cushion with dewy, lightweight coverage, made with rose water, chamomile and 8 kinds of hyaluronic acid. Hera BLACK CUSHION SPF 34 / PA++ - No. 17N1 IVORY 15g x 2ea has a soft satin finish, and Hera describes the texture as comforting and non-drying.
Sensitive or reactive skin
Read the full ingredient list and patch test before wearing a new base all day. The Clio Kill Cover Founwear, Hera, Laneige, Jung Saem Mool and Espoir cushions all list fragrance (parfum). Cell Fusion C Skin Blemish Balm Intensive 30ml - Signature Beige_MX is a BB cream made with 6 peptides, 5 ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and its ingredient list includes no fragrance. It also comes in Golden and Hazel, and the brand suggests blending shades to adjust the colour.
Vegan, or more coverage
Espoir Protailor Be Natural Cushion -Ivory 14*2ea is a micro mesh cushion with a moist gel cream texture, and Espoir describes it as a vegan formula with vegan certification. It lists fragrance too. If you prefer a bottle, Clio Kill Cover Founwear Foundation The Original 35ml -21C1 Lingerie is a light but dense liquid that covers pores along the skin texture, and Clio says it is designed to last the day without a midday fix. More BB creams and liquid formulas are in our foundation collection.
What Korean makeup works for mature skin?
Think thin and hydrating. A satin or dewy finish can look softer on mature skin, because a heavy matte layer can make dry areas look more obvious.
- Prep with moisturizer and, if you like, a hydrating base: The History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Mi Essential Makeup Base 40ml is described as a silky base that hydrates and leaves skin smooth and supple.
- For a cushion, start with the Hera Black Cushion (soft satin, described as non-drying) or the Clio Mesh Glow Cushion (dewy, with hyaluronic acid).
- Apply one thin layer, then use concealer only where you need it, and powder only where you get shiny.
Which Korean cushion foundation should you pick?
There is no single winner: the right cushion depends on your skin and the finish you like. Examples in Keauty's cushion foundation collection include Clio, Hera, Laneige, Jung Saem Mool and Espoir. Even one brand can make very different cushions: Clio pairs the semi-matte Kill Cover Founwear with the dewy Kill Cover Mesh Glow, which it recommends for people who prefer a radiant finish.
How do Korean shade codes like 21C or 17N1 work?
Korean shade labels can be a number, a number with a letter, a name or a mix. Within one line, the number usually orders depth, and a letter can hint at undertone. Hera's Black Cushion chart, for example, uses C for cool, N for neutral and W for warm, so No. 17N1 Ivory pairs a depth number with a neutral undertone.
Codes are not shared between brands. Laneige's 17C1 and Hera's 17N1 both start with 17, yet they belong to different systems, so check each brand's own chart. Clio describes 21C1 Lingerie as a cool-toned option in its Kill Cover range, and Hanskin describes its Bright concealer, marked #17-21, as a bright ivory with a cool undertone. Espoir uses names (Ivory) and Jung Saem Mool uses depth words (Medium).
Some products here come in shades named Ivory, such as Hera 17N1 Ivory and Espoir Ivory, which can suit pale Nordic skin, but fair skin can still be cool, neutral or warm, so choose the undertone as carefully as the depth. Check the match along your jaw by a window around midday, because low winter sun and warm indoor light shift how a shade reads. Our Korean cushion shade guide walks through the full method.
Do you need a primer or concealer?
Not always. A primer helps base makeup sit more evenly, adds glow or balances the look of your skin tone. Missha's Layering Fit Base, for example, comes in Mint for redness and Violet for yellowish skin, and Missha states SPF 15 PA+.
- For a flushed look: Laneige Skin Veil Base_EX 30ml -No. 60 Mint Green is a tone-correcting base that Laneige lists for flushed skin. Wear it after sunscreen or only where you want more cover. It lists fragrance.
- For dull-looking skin: the No.40 Pure Violet shade of the same base is listed for tired, dull skin, and VDL says its LUMILAYER PRIMER 30ml uses violet-sheen pearls for a lit-from-within glow.
Concealer covers what a thin base leaves. Hanskin Blemish Cover Concealer - Bright 12g is a creamy, full-coverage concealer with a semi-matte finish for dark circles, redness and blemishes. Browse more in our primer and concealer collections.
Is the SPF in Korean makeup enough sun protection?
No, not on its own. Several Korean base products list an SPF, such as the Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion (SPF 50+, PA+++), Hera Black Cushion (SPF 34, PA++) and Dr. Ceuracle Recovery Balm (SPF 28 PA++). Treat that number as a product claim measured under test conditions: a thin, patted layer of makeup is not a full sunscreen application.
Apply sunscreen as the last skincare step, let it settle for a few minutes, then add primer and base. In the Nordics, winter sun is low and gentle, but daily SPF makes sense from spring until autumn, and on bright snow days. Our Korean sunscreen guide helps you choose one that sits well under makeup, and our guide to applying sunscreen over makeup covers top-ups later in the day.
How do I make a cushion last in dry winter air?
In a Nordic winter, indoor heating and cold air can leave skin tight and flaky, and base makeup tends to catch on dry patches. A few habits help:
- Moisturize, then let skincare and sunscreen absorb before makeup.
- Press the puff lightly into the cushion. Clio warns that tapping hard picks up too much product.
- Tap a thin layer from the centre of the face outward, as Jung Saem Mool suggests, and build only where needed. For a dewier finish, the brand suggests misting the puff first.
- For a BB cream, Cell Fusion C suggests a lightly dampened sponge or puff for a more skin-like finish.
- Close the compact after use and wash the puff regularly with mild soap and water.
What about Korean lip, cheek and eye makeup?
3CE Mood Recipe Lip Color 3.5g has a primer-like matte texture and a creamy feel that blends into gradient lips. Colorgram All In One Overlip Maker 0.7g is a dual-sided lip pencil for a natural overdrawn look. Romand Better Than Cheek blush has a smooth matte finish, and the Wakemake Soft Blurring Eye Palette Renewal 14g holds 16 pans of matte, shimmer and glitter shades. See them all in our makeup collection.
FAQ
What is Korea's version of Sephora?
The closest match is a health and beauty chain such as Olive Young, which sells skincare and makeup from many Korean brands in one shop. Premium brands such as Hera also sell through department stores.
Does Ulta carry Korean makeup?
We can't speak for another store's range, which changes over time, so check Ulta's own listings. Keauty carries Korean cushions, BB creams, primers, concealers and colour makeup from brands such as Clio, Hera, Laneige and Romand. If you live outside Europe, contact us to check what we can ship to you.
What is the number one foundation in Korea?
No single foundation is number one for everyone. Sales rankings change and only show what many people bought, not whether a shade and finish suit you. Shortlist by skin type and finish with the table above, then match depth and undertone within that line.
Can men wear Korean BB cream or foundation?
Yes. Base makeup works the same way on any face, and some formulas are made with men in mind: B.ready Blue Foundation is described as thin coverage for men's skin that conceals pores and blemishes. Its ingredient list includes fragrance and alcohol, so patch test first if your skin is sensitive.
Keauty sells some of the products mentioned here.
This is general cosmetic information. Skin differs from person to person, so patch test new makeup, especially if your skin is sensitive, and ask a doctor or pharmacist about any skin condition.
