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Best K Beauty Brand Picks from the 2025 Hwahae Awards

The Hwahae Awards highlight the best Kbeauty products real users return to, review highly, and consistently repurchase. Rather than focusing on hype, these Hwahae rankings reflect everyday performance, skin friendliness, and long term satisfaction. Below is a brand by brand breakdown of standout products that earned top positions across categories, along with a quick look at what each brand is known for.

1. Why can I trust these rankings?

They are based on real user feedback, not paid promotions.
Products rank higher when users consistently repurchase and review positively.

2. Does this reflect whatโ€™s popular in Korea?

Yes. Rankings are driven by real time data from Koreaโ€™s largest beauty review community.

3. How do I find products that fit me?

Browse curated ranking themes, top rated categories, hidden gems, or personalized picks by skin type and age.

Hwahae Ranking Winners: 

๐Ÿ† 2025 Second Half of the Year Vegan Awards Cleansing Gels 1st Place
Nacific โ€” CICA PDRN Gel Cleanser
CICA PDRN Gel Cleanser
NACIFIC CICA PDRN Gel Cleanser
โ˜… 4.59 (100)

Nacific โ€” CICA PDRN Gel Cleanser gently cleanses while calming the skin, using cica and PDRN to support barrier repair and hydration.

๐Ÿ† 2025 First Half of the Year Efficacy/Effect Awards – Skincare – Hydration Essences/Ampoules/Serums 1st Place
Milba Lab โ€” Jeju Lava Seawater Hydrating Ampoule Essence
Jeju Lava Sea water Hydrating Ampoule Essence
MilbaLab Jeju Lava Sea water Hydrating Ampoule Essence
โ˜… 4.62 (831)

Milba Lab โ€” Jeju Lava Seawater Hydrating Ampoule Essence delivers deep hydration from Jeju lava seawater, leaving skin plump, fresh, and comfortable.

๐Ÿ† 2025 First Half of the Year Best New Arrivals – Toner Pads 1st Place
Milba Lab โ€” Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad
Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad
MilbaLab Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad
โ˜… 4.66 (409)

Milba Lab โ€” Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad soothes sensitive skin with herbal extracts while lightly hydrating and refining texture

๐Ÿ† 2025 Second Half of the Year Next Beauty – Skincare – Moisturizing Face Moisturizers 1st Place
EARTHAT โ€” Comforting Cream
VEGAN FORMULATED FOR FACE COMFORTING CREAM
EARTHAT VEGAN FORMULATED FOR FACE COMFORTING CREAM
โ˜… 4.62 (409)

EARTHAT โ€” Comforting Cream nourishes dry or stressed skin with a rich yet soothing texture, helping restore softness and comfort.

๐Ÿ† 2025 Beauty Awards Skincare Device 1st Place
medicube โ€” Booster Pro
AGE-R Booster Pro
medicube AGE-R Booster Pro
โ˜… 4.64 (73)

medicube โ€” Booster Pro enhances skincare absorption with targeted microcurrent technology, helping treatments work more effectively.

๐Ÿ† 2025 Second Half of the Year Best New Arrivals – Toners 1st Place
eple:me โ€” Hydra Cell Boosting Toner
HYDRA CELL BOOSTING TONER
eple:me HYDRA CELL BOOSTING TONER
โ˜… 4.67 (1396)

eple:me โ€” Hydra Cell Boosting Toner preps the skin with lightweight hydration, helping support a smoother, more balanced complexion.

๐Ÿ† 2025 Second Half of the Year Next Beauty – Skincare – Moisturizing Face Moisturizers 1st Place
eple:me โ€” Hydra Cell Boosting Serum
HYDRA CELL BOOSTING SERUM
eple:me HYDRA CELL BOOSTING SERUM
โ˜… 4.63 (569)

eple:me โ€” Hydra Cell Boosting Serum delivers concentrated hydration to plump, smooth, and support the skin barrier.

๐Ÿ† 2025 Second Half of the Year Next Beauty – Skincare – Soothing Toners 1st Place
Purelica โ€” Slow-aging Cica Toner
SLOWAGING CICA TONER
purelica SLOWAGING CICA TONER
โ˜… 4.60 (197)

Purelica โ€” Slow-aging Cica Toner soothes and hydrates while supporting slow-aging care, making skin feel calmer and more balanced.

๐Ÿ† 2025 Second Half of the Year Next Beauty – Skincare – Anti-Aging Essences/Ampoules/Serums 1st Place
Purelica โ€” Slow-aging PDRN Ampoule
Slowaging PDRN Ampoule
purelica Slowaging PDRN Ampoule
โ˜… 4.49 (600)

Purelica โ€” Slow-aging PDRN Ampoule” uses PDRN to support elasticity, recovery, and long-term skin resilience.

๐Ÿ† 2025 Beauty Awards Sunscreen Sticks 1st Place
Frevits โ€” Airfit Sun Stick
Air Fit Sun Stick [SPF50+/PA++++]
FREBITS Air Fit Sun Stick [SPF50+/PA++++]
โ˜… 4.51 (546)

Frevits โ€” Airfit Sun Stick offers lightweight daily SPF protection that glides on easily without stickiness.

๐Ÿ† 2025 First Half of the Year Best New Arrivals – Sunscreen Sticks 1st Place
Frevits โ€” Airfit Sun Finishing Stick
Air Fit Sun Finishing Stick [SPF50+/PA++++] [02 Clear Green]
FREBITS Air Fit Sun Finishing Stick [SPF50+/PA++++] [02 Clear Green]
โ˜… 4.22 (325)

Frevits โ€” Airfit Sun Finishing Stick” sets makeup while adding extra SPF, keeping skin protected and fresh throughout the day.

Routine with Hwahae Ranking Winners:

AM Routine for Hydration and Protection

Step 01. Cleanser: Nacific CICA PDRN Gel Cleanser

Gentle gel texture that refreshes skin without stripping.

Step 02. Hydration Boost: Milba Lab Jeju Lava Seawater Hydrating Ampoule Essence

Lightweight mineral moisture that helps skin wake up hydrated.

Step 03. Soothing Prep: Purelica Cica Toner

Calms redness and prepares skin for smoother product absorption.

Step 04. Moisturizer: EARTHAT Comforting Cream

Soft, balanced hydration that supports the barrier through the day.

Step 05. UV Protection: Frevits Airfit Sunstick SPF50 PA++++

Invisible daily sunscreen with an easy glide texture.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Click here for sheet mask recommendations to use in between routines! 


PM Routine for Repair and Recovery

Step 01. Hydration Layer: eple:me Hydra Cell Boosting Toner

Water binding hydration that preps skin for nighttime treatment.

Step 02. Treatment: Purelica PDRN Ampoule

Slow aging care that supports elasticity and overnight skin recovery.

Step 03. Moisturizer: EARTHAT Comforting Cream

Reinforces the barrier and seals in hydration while you sleep.

Editor’s Note


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