The HIKOCO Edit

Part One: The Basics, Reconsidered

Five Korean Skincare Brands Worth Knowing — For Men

HIKOCO has spent nearly a decade bringing the best of Korean beauty to New Zealand. In the first of a three-part series, the team turns its attention to men’s skincare — and the brands making it easier to build a routine that actually works.

Korean skincare has never been exclusively a women’s category, even if it’s taken a while for that to be reflected on shelves here. The reality is that men’s skin has its own set of demands — it tends to be thicker and oilier, shaving introduces a layer of regular irritation that needs managing, and higher sebum production can mean congestion and breakouts are a recurring concern. What it doesn’t need is a complicated 10-step routine.

The brands HIKOCO recommends for men tend to share a few things: lightweight textures that hydrate without heaviness, formulas that calm rather than aggravate, and enough flexibility to address specific concerns without overhauling everything at once. Here are five worth starting with.

1. Round Lab

Round Lab is a great starting point for men who want skincare that’s straightforward and easy to customise. The brand offers a large range targeting different skin concerns, with many gentle formulas and mild or minimal actives. This makes it easy to mix and match products depending on what the skin needs, without having to commit to a complicated routine. The dedicated For Men Birch Juice range is also a great place to start.

2. Dear, Klairs

If keeping things simple is the goal, Dear, Klairs is an easy choice. The brand focuses on straightforward, skin-friendly formulas that make building a low-maintenance routine feel effortless. It’s particularly well suited to those who want effective skincare without a long list of steps, with products like the Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser and Midnight Blue Clearing Water Cream making easy additions to a routine.

3. Torriden

A Korean best-seller, Torriden is best known for its DIVE-IN range, which focuses on lightweight hydration powered by hyaluronic acid. The formulas are easy to use and layer, making them a good fit for anyone who wants hydration without heavy or greasy textures. We’ve also seen plenty of men come back over the years to restock their Torriden favourites, particularly the DIVE-IN Serum!

4. COSRX

COSRX is the one to look at if you want to get a little more experimental with skincare. The brand has a huge range of targeted products featuring ingredients such as salicylic acid, AHA, snail mucin, niacinamide and retinoids, making it easy to choose products based on a specific concern rather than buying an entire routine. Many of the formulas keep the ingredient lists relatively focused, so it’s a great brand for gradually introducing actives and figuring out what works for the skin.

5. Innisfree

A true K-beauty classic, Innisfree is a great option for men who want more choice when it comes to addressing specific skin concerns. The brand has an extensive range spanning cleansing, hydration, blemish care and anti-ageing, while still offering lightweight textures that are easy to incorporate into a routine. From the Bija Trouble Cleansing Foam to the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule, there’s plenty to explore depending on what the skin needs.

All products are available in-store at HIKOCO, The Crossing, Christchurch — where the team can help match the right brands and products to your skin. Part Two of The HIKOCO Edit looks at building a dry-skin routine without spending a fortune.