As a beauty editor, there's nothing I hate more than seeing a visible film of foundation sitting atop my skin. I'm talking about cakey texture, creasing, and smudging. When any of these things happen (or, at the very worst, all of them happen), I experience a very real and visceral frustration. I'd rather not wear foundation than put up with it, which is why I'll often just wash it off with my nearest makeup remover.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of subpar foundation formulas that look like, well, foundation. But don't let that deter you, because there are also a lot of exceptional foundations that blend into the skin beautifully—remaining discreet and undetectable no matter how long you wear them. And many of the latter happen to be Korean foundations. Thanks to innovative formulas with skin-benefiting ingredients, they tend to look seamless on the skin. Is she wearing foundation, or is her skin just that good? We'll never know. Ahead, check out the eight best Korean foundations, according to editors and the internet.
What Sets Korean Foundations Apart?
Korean foundations are very skin-focused. In fact, Korean brands were some of the first to incorporate skin-benefitting ingredients into their formulas, which is why so many of them contain hydrating and soothing ingredients—not to mention SPF. In other words, they do double duty, covering imperfections while treating the skin with active ingredients.
Coverage can range from light to full. Some of the most popular Korean foundations offer buildable, dewy coverage with a lightweight feel, thanks to an emphasis on cushion compacts. Of course, coverage and consistency will change depending on the brand and product. The only thing that remains constant? They rarely crease, settle, or smudge.
Best Overall: AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50
A cushion compact, this foundation has a featherlight feel. As for coverage, it's seamless and dewy, which makes it a good option for anyone who has dry skin and experiences cracking and creasing when using other formulas. To me, the best part is the fact that it contains good-for-skin ingredients like antioxidants and hydrating bamboo sap—not to mention SPF 50+. Even though it's pricey, it comes with a refill and an additional puff, so you're really getting two foundations for the price.
Promising review: "This foundation is so hydrating and great for my dry skin. It gives a subtle dewy look and has buildable coverage for a more natural look." — Amazon customer
The CCC in this Korean foundation stands for color, control, and change. And it's not just a foundation; it's a multifunctional primer, CC cream/BB cream hybrid, and foundation all rolled into one. It contains skin-benefiting ingredients, offers medium coverage that you can sheer out or build up, and uses a suspension of micro-color beads that blend into the skin easily upon application. It's so easy to apply and offers a fresh (never cakey) result that I love.
Promising review: "This stuff is amazing, I recommend it to anyone who will listen." — Amazon customer
This foundation was developed by Jung Saem Mool, one of Korea's top makeup artists. It promises to provide a "skin-like" finish. Translation? It provides buildable coverage with a satiny finish that's somewhere between matte and dewy.
Promising review: "This is literally the best. I have high-end foundations between $40 and $90 that this blows the doors off. I have texture issues, wrinkles, redness, and dull skin. Been using Retin-A and glycolic acid to help with those issues and it has left my skin on the dry side. This foundation is thin but has great coverage, you can layer it for more coverage without it caking or creasing. Worth every penny!! I'm also not left oily looking.... just a soft glow to the skin." — Amazon customer
Another matte and full-coverage formula, this one contains peony extract, hyaluronic acid, and calendula for extra hydration. It contains setting powder, so it promises to blend and set seamlessly on the skin with no creasing or caking, all the while controlling shine. Cool, right?
Promising review: "I love it. It is definitely my new go-to makeup forever." — Amazon customer
With sunflower seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and radish root ferment filtrate, this liquid foundation benefits the skin while providing that "glass skin" effect. It offers medium coverage that's buildable, so it's easy to apply it according to your coverage preference.
Promising review: "Very happy with color, texture, and smoothness of application." — Joah Beauty customer
One of the classic cushion compact foundations that I love, this one has an innovative sponge applicator that retains makeup to reduce waste without drying out or stiffening up (IYKYK). Its coverage is medium yet buildable and super dewy thanks to hydrating ingredients like bamboo water, baobab tree fruit, and witch hazel. The one downside? The shade range is minimal.
Promising review: "Goes on like silk, stays all day, doesn’t settle into wrinkles, great coverage." — Amazon customer
If a full-coverage foundation is more your speed, this one is for you. Its high-coverage formula will easily cover imperfections, but here's the kicker: It's incredibly lightweight and silky. There's none of that heaviness or stickiness that some people (like yours truly) associate with full-coverage formulas. It also promises a "magnet-like adherence" for up to 24 hours of wear.
Promising review: "I actually love this foundation! It blends easily and has a beautiful soft satin finish but dries down more like a matte formula. So far I haven’t needed to set it anywhere outside of my t-zone and it easily lasts a whole work day." — Amazon customer
Okay, so this is technically a BB cream, but with a ginseng-enriched formula that offers lightweight, buildable coverage, it's good enough to make the list. Unlike other BB creams that offer dewy finishes, this one offers a soft, velvet-matte finish that helps minimize the appearance of pores. Plus, it's so easy to blend that you can just use your fingers.
Promising review: "I wish they made this in more shades. It is a full-coverage moisturizer that lasts all day and does not separate on your face after a long day." — Amazon customer
Shop 5 More Korean Makeup Products I Love
This lengthening and volumizing mascara has a waterproof formula that lasts all day.
This highlighter duo is so pretty.
This palette contains four eye shadows and two blushes, all in flattering neutral shades.
The lip tint that basically started the blurred-lip trend.
If a matte lip isn't your thing, try this gloss. It's formulated with mango, olive, and jojoba oils, so it's just as moisturizing as it is shiny.
-
This TikTok-Viral Foundation Gives a Radiant, Filtered Effect in SecondsI was pleasantly surprised.
-
Out of All the Makeup Brands Editors Have Access to, We Use These 8 the MostThey're too good.
-
This Foundation Is the Celebrity Secret to Flawless Skin, and It's on SaleIt was the key beauty product on the set of Euphoria.
-
Believe It or Not, Kendall Jenner's 3 Favorite Makeup Products Are $16 or LessCelebs are just like us.
-
Most Foundations Make Large Pores More Noticeable—These 14 Are the ExceptionThey're makeup-artist approved.
-
Makeup Artists Use These 18 Foundations to Make Dark Spots VanishNow you see them—now you don't.
-
Party Season Isn't Complete Without These Viral Makeup ProductsThe finishing touches you're missing.
-
Makeup Artists Love to Use These Inexpensive Foundations on Mature SkinYou'd never guess they're not expensive.
