I keep restocking these 3 K-Beauty basics — here’s why

Simple, affordable, and surprisingly luxe — my most-used skincare trio

It’s spring (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere), and the signal I’m getting from the universe is “refresh.” Everything: skincare, fragrance, clothes, etc.

But I’m trying to be mindful these days, and one thing I’m tracking is my skincare budget. It’s too easy to jump on the bandwagon, collecting the latest drops from Cult Beauty and SpaceNK like prized puffy stickers from my 1980s collectors album.

So, I’m focusing in two directions when I’m topping up on skincare:

• The first is my old standby, Beauty Pie. (I’ve been a member since 2017 and have supposedly saved over £6000 by buying their products over more famous brands. I doubt this claim, but nonetheless, it’s good value.)

• The second is K-Beauty — so affordable, with great ranges and formulations.

If you’re on a limited budget, you can do far better with K-Beauty than high street/drugstore ranges or saving up for luxe. Trust me.

My Top 3 Recs

I orginally found these thanks to Aigoo, a lovely shop near me that sells K-Beauty and accessories. Getting advice from them started me on my K-Beauty journey — there’s nothing like a face-to-face recommendation.

These three products form a basic routine: double-cleanse and moisturise. I’ve bought all of them multiple times and keep coming back. They could work for all ages and all types of complextions. (Looking at my male readers here too!)

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1. Balm Cleanser: Heimish All Clean Balm

I’m a huge fan of balms. They add a layer of luxury and indulgence to even the most humdrum nighttime skincare routine.

My gateway drug to the balm world was a British classic — the Emma Hardie Moringa Balm — which is indulgent, rich, and like a spa treatment in a jar. But it’s not affordable. I buy about one a year, love it, but can’t justify stumping up £50 when I know there are alternatives.

For a fraction of the cost, Heimish’s balm cleanser gives you the same effect, though it’s lighter — both in texture and fragrance. It’s gently botanical in scent and super silky on the skin. It even comes with one of those sweet little spatulas so you can smear it on to your heart’s content. The mandarin version is lovely, too, if you prefer a citrus scent.

Spend a minute or two massaging your face, then wipe it all away with a flannel (washcloth, for those in North America). It’ll cut through makeup, SPF, you name it.

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2. Second Cleanse: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

For the full double-cleanse, follow with this gel cleanser. You only need the tiniest raindrop on your finger to work it into a satisfying lather. It takes care of any leftover oil without stripping the skin.

I use it in the morning too — it’s a gentle, easy one-step cleanse to start the day.

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3. Moisturiser: Heimish Watermelon Moisture Soothing Gel Cream

This is my most repurchased skincare item of this decade.

I picked it up when my skin was sensitive and flaky after my first (of many) bouts of COVID-19. I couldn’t handle anything else on my face for weeks.

It’s a light yet wildly moisturising gel-cream that melts into the skin without feeling greasy or heavy. If you like Tatcha’s Water Cream or Clinique’s gel moisturisers, you’ll love this. It’s lightly scented (yup, watermelon) and layers beautifully — no stickiness, no heaviness.

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I’ve tried plenty of other K-Beauty items, but these are the three I keep coming back to: tried, tested, and worth every penny.

If you give them a go, let me know. And meanwhile, do you have any K-Beauty faves I should know about?