10 Best Cruelty-Free Korean Skincare Products You Need to Try
Being a skincare girlie shouldn't mean you have to compromise on your values. But finding great products that tick all your boxes, including being kind to animals, can sometimes be a challenge.
Fortunately, if you’re a skincare enthusiast who prefers cruelty-free options, the K-beauty world is your oyster! Many Korean brands are leading the way in ethical beauty, creating innovative and gentle formulas that are never tested on animals—and they still deliver fantastic results.
New to the world of K-beauty? Or maybe you’re just looking for some new cruelty-free Korean brands to add to your skincare routine? This guide is here to help.
We’ve curated a selection of excellent cruelty-free K-beauty products. Some are cult-favorites, others are up-and-coming, but each with its own unique benefits.
How to Check if a Korean Skincare Product Is Cruelty-Free
Before we get into the list of our best cruelty-free Korean skincare products, here’s an important question to consider: Is your current K-beauty favorite animal-friendly?
In 2016, South Korea passed legislation banning animal testing on cosmetics, which has since encouraged many Korean brands to adopt cruelty-free practices. However, this law doesn’t automatically guarantee that all Korean skincare brands are cruelty-free.
While the law has led a significant portion of the market to avoid animal testing, some brands may still do it, particularly those selling in China, where animal testing is required by law for certain cosmetics.
As such, always take the time to investigate the specific brand to be sure you’re buying cruelty-free Korean skincare. Look for recognized certifications like Leaping Bunny or PETA-approved logos. Another quick verification method is searching PETA’s online cruelty-free database for more information.
Cruelty-Free Korean Products: Our Top Picks
Check out our favorite cruelty-free Korean beauty products that offer amazing results while being animal-friendly.
1. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
It would be remiss not to include this iconic product in our list of best cruelty-free Korean skincare. This cult-favorite essence has gained a well-deserved reputation for its effectiveness and unique formulation.
What makes the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence even more special, aside from its amazing results, is that the snail mucin is ethically sourced. Stressed snails do not produce high-quality anti-inflammatory secretion, so COSRX ensures they are kept in a comfortable and stress-free environment to obtain the best possible ingredient for their products.
This cruelty-free Korean skincare product is a must-try for anyone dealing with redness, acne scars, or dull skin.
2. Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
Beauty of Joseon is another very popular cruelty-free Korean brand, and their Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal is a standout. This innovative serum blends the powerful anti-aging properties of ginseng with retinal, a form of vitamin A (retinoids) known to be even more effective at promoting cell turnover and diminishing the appearance of fine lines than retinol.
The brand emphasizes traditional Korean ingredients and time-honored beauty secrets, and this cruelty-free Korean skincare product is a prime example of that.
3. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
If you’re looking for a gentler eye treatment that’s still as effective as retinol, the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream is a great option.
This eye cream contains bakuchiol, a natural ingredient often compared to retinol for its anti-aging benefits. However, bakuchiol is generally considered gentler and less likely to cause the “retinol uglies,” which refers to the purging and breakouts that some people experience when they start using retinoids.
Additionally, and importantly, unlike retinoids, bakuchiol can be used during pregnancy. That, combined with the nourishing properties of black rice, makes this cruelty-free Korean skincare product a must-try!
4. Axis Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
The Axis Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum absolutely lives up to its name. It's an excellent choice for addressing hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and dark spots. But even if you don't have specific concerns, you'll appreciate the brighter and more radiant complexion it gives you.
Axis Y is known for creating products with natural, skin-friendly ingredients that are both effective and gentle, and this cruelty-free Korean skincare serum is no exception. It has become quite popular for delivering noticeable results relatively quickly, all while promoting skin health.
5. I'm From Rice Toner
I'm From is another notable inclusion in our list of cruelty-free Korean brands. This Korean toner, especially, has held its own even with the influx of newer rice-based skincare options in the K-beauty market today.
This speaks to its exceptional quality and how effective it is in brightening and hydrating the skin. Its gentle formula is perfect for people with a compromised skin barrier. We also love its minimalist yet luxurious packaging and bottle design.
The I'm From Rice Toner is definitely a cruelty-free Korean skincare product you’ll find yourself repurchasing!
6. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-fit Sun Serum SPF 50
A more recent, but just as popular, addition to the cruelty-free K-beauty scene is the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-fit Sun Serum SPF 50.
This Korean sunscreen is super-comfortable to wear—lightweight yet still offers excellent sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Plus, its formula includes a good amount of Centella Asiatica, an ingredient well-known for its soothing and skin-repairing properties. You truly can’t go wrong with Centella!
7. TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner
Another excellent addition to our list of cruelty-free Korean skincare products is the TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner.
K-beauty may have given us the concept of glass skin, but J-beauty has mochi skin—a plump, smooth, and bouncy complexion that looks as soft as a mochi bun. This product combines K-beauty’s innovative formulations with Japan’s mission for soft, bouncy, and plump skin.
Packed with ceramides, this toner deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier, making it a lifesaver for dry or sensitive skin. It leaves your complexion supple, even-toned, and resilient—just like mochi!
8. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Airy Sun Stick
One of our favorite things to do for sun protection is reapplication throughout the day—Isntree’s Hyaluronic Acid Airy Sun Stick makes that process a dream. This cruelty-free Korean skincare product is designed for easy and convenient reapplication throughout the day.
Its moisturizing formula keeps your skin hydrated, while its non-greasy texture allows you to reapply multiple times without feeling heavy or sticky. It’s a great choice for carrying around in your purse to stay protected on the go.
9. Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
If you’re looking for gentle exfoliation, this is the product for you. Benton is an OG cruelty-free Korean brand that gained popularity for its innovative approach to skincare, using out-of-the-box yet traditionally proven ingredients like bee venom and snail mucin.
While the brand has evolved, it still delivers innovative, cruelty-free Korean skincare formulas that cater to sensitive and acne-prone skin. The Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner is a testament to this philosophy.
This exfoliating toner combines the soothing properties of aloe with BHA (salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate and clarify the skin. It's an excellent product for skin texture and minor blemishes.
10. Purito Centella Unscented Serum
Rounding out our list of top cruelty-free Korean skincare products is the Purito Centella Unscented Serum, a product that delivers a high concentration of soothing and skin-repairing Centella Asiatica extract.
Plus, as the name suggests, this serum is unscented, so we highly recommend it for sensitive skin or people who prefer fragrance-free products.
It calms irritation, reduces redness, and strengthens the skin barrier, making your skincare routine even more effective.
Discover More Cruelty-Free Korean Brands at EYURS
We hope this guide has helped you discover some amazing cruelty-free Korean skincare products to add to your routine! Each of these items is a great example of the innovation and gentleness, to both you and animals, that many K-beauty brands are loved for.
Explore these and more best-selling cruelty-free Korean skincare at EYURS and shop authentic, affordable products today!