10 K-Beauty Trends Taking Skincare to the Next Level in 2025

K-beauty has served as a north star in the skin care industry for over a decade now, serving up everything from snail mucin to double cleansing to some of the world’s most sophisticated sunscreen formulations. The beauty giant shows no signs of slowing down—in fact, it’s more firmly rooted in the skin care zeitgeist than ever before. With innovation at its core, K-beauty continues to push boundaries, blending tradition with cutting-edge science to shape global beauty trends. So, what’s next? Here’s a look at some of the biggest K-beauty skin care trends of 2025. 

1. Salmon Sperm (PDRN)

If you’re tapped into the beauty industry you’ve probably heard rumblings about a weird beauty treatment involving salmon sperm. It sounds sketch, but it’s a legitimate treatment gaining popularity for a reason. 

“Rejuran, also known as salmon DNA (PDRN) treatment, has gained popularity in Korea for its regenerative properties, promoting skin repair and rejuvenation,” explains Erica Choi, licensed esthetician and founder of Superegg. (This treatment usually involves microneedling, then applying a salmon sperm skin booster on top.) “However, due to the discomfort of the procedure and the need for ongoing maintenance, skin care products infused with PDRN are becoming a rising trend, with more brands incorporating this ingredient.”   

2. Fermented Pine Needle Extracts

Drawing from centuries-old Korean herbal medicine, pine needle extracts are being fermented with traditional ingredients like rice water and green tea. “This fermentation process creates potent antioxidants and natural preservatives that penetrate deeper into the skin,” says Jenelle Kim, DACM, L.Ac., founder and formulator at JBK Wellness Labs. “We’re seeing Korean labs combine this with modern peptide technology, creating products that address both aging and sensitivity concerns.” 

3. Jelly Mists

If you haven’t been introduced to the jelly mist, you’ve been seriously missing out. A long time staple in Korea, they’re about to go mainstream abroad. “Visualize a viscous, jelly-like texture that you would expect to come from a serum, but they’re sprayed out of a bottle,” says Sue Greene, co-founder of K-Beauty retail site Ohlolly. “They’re fun to look at, while providing a new way to combine two skin care steps into one. Used as a toner or an essence, jelly mists not only deliver deep hydration, but also provide barrier protection with a few quick sprays.”

4. Spicule Skin Care 

Spicule skin care is another rising K-Beauty trend, and Choi says it’s only going to become more popular. “These formulations utilize microscopic, needle-like structures derived from marine sponges or bio-engineered alternatives to create micro-channels in the skin, enhancing the absorption and efficacy of active ingredients while stimulating cell turnover,” she explains. Spicules offer benefits akin to chemical exfoliants by refining skin texture, supporting collagen production, and enhancing ingredient penetration.

5. Toner Pads

True to their name, toner pads are facial pads saturated in toner—and they are everywhere in South Korea. No shelfie is complete without a tub of toner pads! “They are a great way to balance skin hydration and many toner pads have added benefits such as smoothing and brightening,” explains Julie Monti, senior director of education for AmorePacific in the USA and Mexico. “They are popular in South Korea for their ability to eliminate skin care steps and simplify skin care routines.” 

6. Mineral Thermal Spring Microbiome Tech 

Korea’s drawn from its natural thermal springs for beauty and wellness for a while now. While early uses were pretty straightforward, science and technology have taken this ingredient up a notch. “Now, labs are isolating the unique microorganisms that thrive in these mineral-rich waters, and the beneficial bacteria are being cultivated and combined with prebiotics to create a new category of microbiome-focused skin care,” Dr. Kim explains. “This approach represents a perfect fusion of Korea’s natural resources with cutting-edge microbiome science.”

7. Exosomes

The newest “It Factor” is exosomes—everyone in the skin care industry is talking about them, they’re used in professional treatments, and even over-the-counter products are incorporating exosomes into formulas.

“Skin care formulas rich in exosomes are known to address the most common anti-aging skin care concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and inflammation,” explains Herra Namhie, co-founder of K-Beauty brand WYLYS (When You Love Your Skin). “Because cream formulas can be unstable, new research has produced exosomes that are marketed in a vial in a dry state, then added to hyaluronic acid with the freshly mixed formula used immediately. It’s a very exciting and promising trend.”

8. At-Home Skin Care Devices

Gird your gadgets: K-Beauty is coming in hot with some great technology that might just replace the at-home devices you’ve been using for years now. Choi says that in South Korea, skin care devices are evolving with advanced technology. 

“AI-driven tools, such as Samsung’s Micro LED Beauty Mirror, analyze skin and recommend personalized routines, gaining popularity among beauty enthusiasts,” Choi explains. She adds, “Energy-based devices (EBDs) are also on the rise for non-invasive treatments targeting wrinkles and acne. Devices like LG’s Pra.L, which utilizes ultrasound technology, offer lifting effects, while Medicube’s booster device, a pioneer in the field, combines microcurrent and LED technology to enhance absorption and stimulate skin regeneration.” 

9. Adaptogenic Mushroom Essence

Adaptogenic skin care has been around for a few years now, and K-Beauty is expanding on the concept. “Korean skin care is moving beyond traditional mushrooms like reishi to explore rare varieties found in Korea’s mountainous regions,” notes Dr. Kim. “These adaptogenic mushrooms are processed using a traditional Korean extraction method that preserves their bioactive compounds.” The idea is that the created essences help skin adapt to environmental stressors while supporting collagen production. 

10. Gentle Retinol Formulations 

If you’ve been following K-Beauty for a while, you know that retinol has been completely MIA from formulations and routines. This is largely because Korea has a hyper gentle approach toward caring for skin, and retinol just didn’t fit into that equation. Now, K-Beauty is beginning to embrace retinol thanks to fine-tuned formulas. “With the developments of new advanced technology, we are seeing some of the most beautifully gentle yet powerful retinol products coming out of Korea,” Greene says.