If the ingredient makes you curious, that is a concrete introduction to the brand. If you don’t want to use snail filtrate, you can simply skip this product line. A familiar bottle is not a mandatory stop on the way to a suitable routine.

Anua: The cream is also worth taking a look at

Anua offers different series and types of ingredients, including Heartleaf, rice and ceramides. So you don’t have to commit to the toner that you may have first associated the name with. Anua: Range and ceramide cream

The Anua 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream contains, among other things, panthenol, glycerin and the ceramides NP, AP and EOP. It is intended as a moisturizer; The shop instructions call for it to be the final care step in the evening.

If you like to end the evening with a cream, you can get to know Anua in just this one step. It can also be used with your trusted cleanser and a different brand of serum. If you have known intolerances, read the full list of ingredients, even if you already like other products from the brand.

Medicube: If you have similar names, pay attention to the variant

With the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, 30 ml , PDRN and peptides immediately catch the eye. The shop formula also contains niacinamide, glycerin and fragrance. If you consciously shop fragrance-free, you can sort out this option.

It is worth taking a particularly close look at the name here. Medicube has a Salmon PDRN and a Rose PDRN version of the Pink Peptide Serum with different ingredient lists. The linked shop variant contains fish ingredients, including salmon egg extract, and is therefore not a vegan selection. Medicube: The two recipes

This is how a striking product name becomes a concrete decision. Check whether you really want to supplement this serum. Terms like PDRN or peptides alone don’t tell you what you’re missing in your previous care.

Five more brands to get to know

Maybe you’re looking for K-Beauty brands that you’ve rarely come across before. How well known a label is also depends on which channels you follow. That’s why we don’t call this selection “undervalued” and don’t derive quality from attention. The following examples expand our view of ten brands from our own range. This is an editorial selection from our shop, not an independent product test.

Arencia: Read Vitamin C in more detail

The back of the Arencia Vitamin C Booster Shot is worth it. The main focus there is on the vitamin C derivative 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid; Niacinamide is also part of the published formulation. A derivative is a chemically modified form of the vitamin. The product name alone does not say which form of vitamin C you are using.

If you want to explore such a serum supplement, look at your previous routine. Niacinamide is already included here. A second bottle is not a requirement. A formulation with a vitamin C derivative can also be irritating; “Booster” does not mean irritation-free or suitable for all skin types.

Dr. Melaxin: A balm for individual dry areas

The Dr. Melaxin Cemenrete Calcium Volume Multibalm is a care stick with a fat and wax base. This makes it an interesting product type if you prefer to specifically treat a small area instead of spreading a serum all over your face.

“Volume” is part of the product name. This does not mean that lost facial volume will return. Calcium in the list of ingredients is also no evidence of such an effect.

Celimax: Telling two vitamin A products apart

Celimax offers the Celimax The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster and the Celimax The Vita-A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum . The names refer to different forms of vitamin A. Both ingredient lists also contain Hydrolyzed Sponge, a component of the A-Shot recipe described by the manufacturer.

Neither product’s name automatically makes it a gentle introduction for sensitive skin. Both require careful application. Comparing retinol and retinal helps you classify the selection without a supposed strength table. Retinoid products are not used during pregnancy.

Centellian24: Centella is not the entire recipe

The Centellian24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse contains Centella ingredients. However, the currently published shop recipe also contains retinol as well as essential oils and fragrance ingredients. This is a good example of why a plant name on the front doesn’t replace looking at the full list.

If you are looking for consciously retinoid-free care or the simplest possible accompaniment for already irritated skin, you should not choose this cream just because of Centella. The information on pregnancy and personal tolerance also applies to retinol.

Dr. Althea: A cream remains your own decision

The Dr. According to the shop ingredients list, Althea 345 Relief Cream contains, among other things, glycerin, panthenol, niacinamide and ceramide NP. It’s an example of a moisturizer if this exact step is missing from your routine. The term “relief” does not mean treatment of a skin disease.

Plant extracts are also part of the formulation. If you have a known intolerance, check the list for exactly this substance. The fact that a product is often described as calming does not guarantee individual tolerability.

To compare it with your previous cream, there is our selection guide for K-Beauty and luxury care . If you are unsure about a specific product, you can ask Thu your question via Ask Thu .

What helps with budget, sizes and sets

First decide how much you want to spend. Then compare similar product types: the total price, the filling quantity and the price for the same quantity. A large bottle with a cheaper milliliter price may still cost more at the checkout than you want to spend.

A set can be practical if you can actually use the products included. Mentally go through each one. Would you also choose it separately? Two additional serums are not necessary because they are nicely packaged together.

Smaller sizes can be convenient when getting to know someone if they are offered. Still take the price into account. And give yourself time between new products: Changing the whole routine at once makes it harder to tell which product you like and which you don’t.

Vegan and cruelty-free: ask two questions

vegan is about avoiding animal ingredients; at animal testing-free about the conditions surrounding animal testing. A reference to one does not fully answer the other question. Some certifications check both areas: The Vegan Society has its own criteria for ingredients and animal testing in its Vegan Trademark Standard. The Vegan Society: Certification criteria

Pay attention to the specific product and the scope of a confirmation. A vegan cream does not make any statement about any other bottle of the brand. If anything is unclear, a current manufacturer confirmation is more helpful than a guess based on the brand name.

If you would like to get basic information first, read Is Korean skincare really that good? . Our article Buying original K-Beauty online then accompanies the selection of a source of supply and a look at product information.

What we know for sure

• A brand name does not replace a look at the product type, recipe and application.
• The ten examples are individual choices, not a shared shopping list.
• Similarly named variants may contain different ingredients.
• Vegan ingredients and information on animal testing should be comprehensibly documented.

Sources

• Beauty of Joseon: Ginseng Essence Water
• SKIN1004: Centella Ampoule
• COSRX: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• Anua: 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream
• Medicube: PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, Salmon and Rose Formula
• The Vegan Society: Vegan Trademark Standards

Product information checked on September 17, 2026. Please note the list of ingredients and instructions on your specific package.