I started buying K-beauty products around 2018, mostly out of curiosity after seeing rave reviews online. What I love most is the emphasis on gentle, effective ingredients and innovative formulations—plus, they often come at a better value compared to Western brands. Two products I consistently purchase are the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. They've both become staples in my skincare routine for hydration and barrier repair. I'm definitely concerned that tariffs on South Korean products could drive prices up. K-beauty has always been an affordable luxury for me, but if costs rise significantly, I'll have to be more selective. I've already started buying backups of my favorite products while prices are still stable. If prices increase a lot, I might consider switching to U.S. or Japanese alternatives—but it would be tough to find exact dupes, especially for products like snail mucin that are uniquely Korean. I'm based in Los Angeles, California, where there's a big K-beauty community, so access is easy—but I'm worried that could change with tariffs. Thanks!
I started buying K-beauty products back in 2017 after a trip to Seoul opened my eyes to how different and thoughtful their skincare approach is. I like that K-beauty focuses more on long-term skin health than just covering up flaws. I also love how the ingredients are often gentler and more plant-based—it just feels like the products "get" my skin. I'm loyal to a few products like the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. Those are like staples in my cabinet—I use them daily and genuinely feel the difference in texture and hydration. Yes, I'm definitely worried about tariffs. Like, I've already noticed a few prices creeping up online. I actually just ordered an extra two bottles of my essence just in case. It's not full-on hoarding, but I'm bracing myself. If prices jump significantly, I'd probably test out alternatives from Japan or indie brands here in the U.S., but it would be tough. Nothing has worked quite like K-beauty for me. I'm based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Author | Face Yoga Coach | Skincare Educator & Medi-Facial Certified | Nutrition Advisor | Founder of Hale and Belle® & Ati Svelte at Hale and Belle®
Answered 9 months ago
I fell in love with K-beauty in 2019 after trying a sheet mask from SOME BY MI sold on Nykaa. The hydration, gentle formulas, and playful packaging struck a perfect balance between effective skincare and fun self-care. Q: Please give 1-2 examples of products you buy. A: Today, I regularly use COSRX Snail Mucin Essence and Nykaa-available Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum—both deliver radiant, dewier skin without feeling heavy or greasy. A: Are you worried tariffs might affect prices? Have you been stocking up? A/ Absolutely. The recent news that the U.S. is planning 25% reciprocal tariffs on South Korean imports starting August 1, 2025 has me concerned. Even though I buy via Nykaa and don't import directly, global pricing usually adjusts and distributors pass those costs on. So yes—I've started holding onto favorite products like my snail mucin, just in case. Q: If prices go up, would you shift to U.S. or other countries' beauty brands? A: I'd try to stick with Korean brands—they offer a skincare philosophy I haven't found elsewhere. But if prices jump steeply, I might explore local Japanese or U.S. options. That said, without a strong K-beauty alternative, I'll likely stretch my budget or hunt for sales before fully switching. Q: What city are you located in? A: I'm based in Kanpur, India, where Nykaa dominates the K-beauty scene. Still, tariffs and global supply chain shifts always ripple down—even here.