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Best K Beauty Brand Picks from the Hwahae Awards

The Hwahae Awards highlight the 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.

Hwahae Ranking Winners:ย 

๐Ÿ†ย 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 is known for nature driven, gentle soothing formulas designed for daily use and sensitive skin.

๐Ÿ†ย 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)

๐Ÿ†ย 2025 First Half of the Year Best New Arrivals – Toner Pads 1st Place

Milba Lab โ€”ย Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad

Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad
MilbaLab Chuncheong Herb Calming Toner Pad
โ˜… 4.66 (409)

Milba Lab focuses on deep hydration, calming, and barrier care, using mineral rich base waters and herb for long lasting moisture.

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 specializes in minimal, comfort first formulas suited for sensitive, irritation prone skin.

๐Ÿ†ย 2025 Beauty Awardsย Skincare Device 1st Place

medicube โ€” Booster Pro

AGE-R Booster Pro
medicube AGE-R Booster Pro
โ˜… 4.64 (73)

medicube is known for its dermatologist tested, device driven approach to skincare, offering tools and formulas designed to enhance absorption and visible results.

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)

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 is known for hydration science and water binding technology that creates lightweight but highly effective hydrating layers.

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)

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 specializes in clean, minimalist calming formulas and barrier repair, with a strong presence in gentle anti aging.

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)

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 is a sun care focused brand recognized for its lightweight, no cast formulas made for effortless all day reapplication.

Routine with Hwahae Ranking Winners:

AM Routine for Hydration and Protection

Cleanser: Nacific CICA PDRN Gel Cleanser

Gentle gel texture that refreshes skin without stripping.

Hydration Boost: Milba Lab Jeju Lava Seawater Hydrating Ampoule Essence

Lightweight mineral moisture that helps skin wake up hydrated.

Soothing Prep: Purelica Cica Toner

Calms redness and prepares skin for smoother product absorption.

Moisturizer: EARTHAT Comforting Cream

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

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!ย 


PM Routine for Repair and Recovery

Hydration Layer: eple:me Hydra Cell Boosting Toner

Water binding hydration that preps skin for nighttime treatment.

Treatment: Purelica PDRN Ampoule

Slow aging care that supports elasticity and overnight skin recovery.

Moisturizer: EARTHAT Comforting Cream

Reinforces the barrier and seals in hydration while you sleep.

Editor’s Note

These brands lead consumer trust because they deliver performance without heaviness or irritation. The shift toward steady improvement, gentle ingredients, and slow aging principles continues to define Koreaโ€™s modern skincare landscape, and these award winners reflect that evolution.


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