5 Korean beauty products under Rs 1,500 that we buy over and over again
Limese promises authentic K-beauty brands at pocket-friendly rates
Shopping for Korean beauty products can make you feel a little like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. As seductive as waking up with glass skin sounds, the multitude of brands and difficult-to-pronounce ingredients can be overwhelming. Not to mention we’re always wary of being conned into buying dupes when shopping online. That’s why we’ve been on a mission to find a retailer that understands Indian skin concerns, and stocks authentic products. And our search brought us to Limese, which also happens to be the official importer for beloved brands like CosRX and Klairs.
If you’re looking for a curated approach, take the platform’s skincare routine quiz to find out exactly what products would service you best. For those who want to dip a neatly-manicured pinkie into the world of Korean beauty products, we have an all-star line-up you can’t go wrong with. From the unofficial ambassador of K-beauty to an SOS mask (full form, Save Our Skin) that will change the way you Netflix and Chill.
These are our favourite products from Limese, available for under Rs 1,500.
5 Korean beauty products that won’t burn a hole in your pocket
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
You cannot have a conversation about K-beauty without talking about the BTS of ingredients — snail slime. And this product from the CosRX stable has converted more fans than ‘Dynamite’. Snail mucin is a moisturiser and collagen stimulator, and is packed with skin-friendly nutrients including zinc (anti-inflammatory), as well as antioxidants like vitamins A and E. “It’s a trusted ingredient in the K-beauty world and has become a popular one because it can offer noticeable results,” says dermatologist Sheel Desai-Solomon.
No wonder one buyer called it the “holy grail” of her beauty haul.
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
This bestselling toner from Klairs is like a fairy godmother for your pores. The customer reviews on Limese are breathless. “I’ve tried a lot of toners but since my skin is sensitive, nothing seemed to work on it until I found this. No second thoughts,” says one reviewer, while another agrees that “my open pores issue got solved to a large extent”.
An active ingredient in the toner is Phyto Oligo, a patented formula made with a blend of althea rosea (hollyhock root extract) and aloe leaf extract. It is shown to soothe and nourish the skin. Use clean fingers to tap it gently into your skin, as the heat of your palms facilitates absorption.
Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack
Along with the aroma of gajar ka halwa and the crackling of bonfires, winter brings an unwelcome visitor: dry, chapped lips. Even if you drink enough water to fill a small swimming pool, you’re likely to find yourself unconsciously gnawing at the peeling skin on your lower lip.
The Klavuu lip care pack available on Limese features three oils — sweet almond, apricot and avocado — for a triple whammy of protection. Use it as a daily balm, or slather on a generous amount before you sleep so the ingredients can weave their magic.
Some By Mi Bye Bye Blackhead 30 Days Miracle Green Tea Tox Bubble Cleanser
Blackheads are the sharp bits of gravel on the road to clear skin. Remember when you attacked one on your T-zone in a moment of weakness, only to have it angrily erupt into a volcanic pimple.
Now you can leave the heavy lifting to this cleanser from Some By Mi, aptly named Bye Bye Blackhead. The bottle packs in green tea leaf water to nourish and repair the skin, while the BHAs go to work on drawing out impurities and excavating blackheads and whiteheads without leaving marks.
It’s also incredibly fun to use, as the green-hued gel starts to foam after being left on the skin for the required three minutes, so you can see the science working in real-time.
One Thing Centella Soothing Cream
The hero ingredient in this cream is centella asiatica or cica (gotu kola) extract, a favourite with dermatologists. The botanical is considered a powerful antioxidant, helping to reduce inflammation and hyper-pigmentation, especially useful if you have sensitive or sensitised skin.
In one clinical study, participants who consistently used cica along with a small dose of vitamin C over a six month period enjoyed a significant improvement in firmness, elasticity and skin hydration. We love it for the lightweight formula, which works well in tropical climates like ours.
Eclair LED Therapy Mask
Sure, this may be a few hectares outside of the budget, but this is an investment that will pay you back. With healthy, youthful skin and fewer visits to the salon for a facial.
Launched by Klairs, this at-home LED mask uses red, orange and blue light at different wavelengths to work on different skin concerns. According to celebrity dermatologist Dennis Gross, “Blue light is known to kill bacteria on the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, which is why it’s often used to treat acne. The red light, a longer wavelength, goes deeper into the skin and reduces inflammation.”
The key to seeing actual benefits is consistent use over an extended period of time. Customers love this mask for the lightness and ease of use, with many agreeing that the blue light option is ideal to reduce the appearance of marks and acne.
Did we mention the best part? Limese offers free samplers with every purchase, so you may just find a new favourite hiding in your delivery package. That’s what we call serendipity.
