SunMi James

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Everything I actually use — Korean skincare curated by your esthetician for real skin, real results.

This page contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and love.

Products I actually use.
Routines that actually work.

Step 01

Double Ceanse

Start with an oil cleanser to dissolve SPF and makeup, follow with a gentle low-pH wash. The foundation of every great routine.

Esthetician Note

I double cleanse every evening without fail. This single step changed my skin texture more than any serum.

Pore Tightening Cleansing Balm
Rejuran

Pore Tightening Cleansing Balm

Great for all skin types but especially for mature skin that needs extra hydration. The balm melts into oil and emulsifies into a soft milk texture, allowing thorough cleansing while maintaining skin moisture balance without tightness.

Holy Grail
Ginseng Oil Cleanser
Beauty of Joseon

Ginseng Oil Cleanser

Waterproof Makeup Remover: Experience the ease of removing waterproof makeup without any hassle. This oil-based cleanser effortlessly melts away even the most stubborn makeup, revealing a clean and radiant face.

Chaga Jelly Low Ph Cleanser
107

Chaga Jelly Low Ph Cleanser

GENTLE, NON-STRIPPING CLEANSER : Chaga Jelly is a gentle, low-pH cleanser that removes sunscreen, excess oil, and impurities without drying out the skin, leaving it hydrated and balanced. Unlike traditional cleansers, it cleanses without stripping, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and comfortable.

Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser
Arencia

Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser

A super creamy gentle exfoliating cleaneser. If you don't exfoliate ever USE THIS! Gently exfoliates and removes excess sebum without stripping away the skin’s moisture barrier. IDEAL FOR SENSITIVE, COMBINATION TO OILY SKIN. Effectively deep cleanses by removing excess oil and impurities from the skin

All Clean Green Foam
Heimish

All Clean Green Foam

My Favorite foaming Cleanser, espeacially for dry sensitve skin. Amino Acid-Based Formula for MILD CLEANSING: Uses gentle amino acid-based cleansing agents that effectively clean while respecting the skin’s natural barrier, offering a soft, irritation-free cleanse.

Collagen Mask to Foam Cleanser
Biodance

Collagen Mask to Foam Cleanser

2-IN-1 CLEANSER & PORE CARE: Combining the power of a foam cleanser and a pore-refining wash-off mask, this innovative 2-in-1 formula effortlessly removes impurities while improving skin texture. It deeply cleanses clogged pores, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and revitalized—no extra steps needed! DEEP YET GENTLE CLEANSE

Step 02

Hydration and Toners

Toners prep your skin to absorb everything that follows. These are the ones that actually deliver hydration.

Esthetician Note

Best when done in 2-3 layers. this will keep you skin hydrated throughout the day.

Holy Grail
Salmon Caring Centella Toner
Heve Blue

Salmon Caring Centella Toner

MAINTAINS THE SKIN'S OIL-WATER BALANCE with a pH 5.5, slightly acidic formula. It leverages THE POWER OF SALMON TO RESTORE AND HEAL DAMAGED SKIN

No. 3 Super Glowing Toner
Numbuzin

No. 3 Super Glowing Toner

[FERMENTED ESSENCE FOR HEALTHY SKIN GLOW] Infused with fermented ingredients to help revive dull skin and reveal a clearer, more radiant glow for healthy-looking skin. [VISIBLY SMOOTHER SKIN TEXTURE] Helps smooth the look of rough, uneven skin and refine the appearance of pores for a softer, more polished skin surface.

Essence Toner
Pyunkang Yul

Essence Toner

[Highly Concentrated Essence Toner for Barrier Rebuilding] The highly concentrated essence penetrates deeply into the skin layers, providing intensive hydration from within and leaving the skin thoroughly moisturized

Jeju Matcha Tes Essence
Dr. Ceuracle

Jeju Matcha Tes Essence

MATCHA MILKY ESSENCE: A dual-layer purifying hydrating milky toner powered by Jeju matcha and green tea that deeply soothes, smooths, and helps support a healthy-looking skin barrier. GENTLE DETOX + ENHANCED ABSORPTION: Best if applied 2-3 layers

Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence
Dr. Ceuracle

Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence

ALL-IN-ONE MILKY ESSENCE: A perfectly balanced blend of oil (15%) and water (85%) for all-in-one skincare. This milky essence delivers deep hydration without heaviness, making it ideal for simplifying your routine. It helps restore healthy skin by balancing the skin’s moisture barrier, making it perfect for daily use even for sensitive skin.

Dark Spot Correcting Glow Toner
Axis-Y

Dark Spot Correcting Glow Toner

Brightens Dark Spots & Uneven Skin Tone: Formulated with 5% Niacinamide and Glutathione to help visibly improve dark spots, discoloration, and dullness for a clearer, more even-looking complexion.

Step 03

Serums and Actives

Targeted treatments for texture, brightness, and barrier repair. Less is more — pick what your skin actually needs.

Esthetician Note

Keeping the skin hydrated and using active ingredients that are gentle yet effective will help your skin win in the long run.

Holy Grail
Glutathione Flexible Liposome Tone up Serum
Purcell

Glutathione Flexible Liposome Tone up Serum

High-Dose L-Glutathione A holy grail of mine for anti-aging and skin brightening. A unique, slight sulfuric note signals the potency of genuine Glutathione. No artificial fragrance or colorant here. What you smell is pure antioxidant power at work, not a sign of expiration or compromise.

Holy Grail
PDRN 100 Essence
VT Cosmetics

PDRN 100 Essence

PDRN essence is uniquely sourced from Korean wild ginseng, offering a superior plant-based alternative to commonly used fish-derived PDRN. With its low molecular weight and enhanced stability, it ensures excellent absorption for maximum efficacy.

Cica Reedle Shot 100
VT Cosmetics

Cica Reedle Shot 100

Awesome at home treatment! Spicule microneedling serum designed to support pore care, gentle exfoliation, and improved skin texture by helping active ingredients absorb more effectively than traditional skincare serums with topical application alone.

Retinal Serum – Formulated with Advanced Retinal Liposome 2% and 58% Black Ginseng Extract
K-Secret Seoul 1988

Retinal Serum – Formulated with Advanced Retinal Liposome 2% and 58% Black Ginseng Extract

Gentle yet Effective: a liposome delivery system to retinal, the next-generation form of retinol that works up to 11 times faster. This technology enhances ingredient stability and boosts absorption for more visible results. INFUSED WITH RETINAL LIPOSOME 2%: helps reduce the look of fine lines, uneven skin tone, and rough texture for smoother, more radiant skin.Black ginseng extract, bakuchiol, 3 peptides, and niacinamide.

Holy Grail
Rentinol Shot
Celimax

Rentinol Shot

A refined micro-particle ingredient, 16 times thinner than pores, is designed to penetrate directly into pores and enhance the absorption of active ingredients. Pure Vitamin A retinol, not a retinol derivative, is a highly effective ingredient that excels at improving wrinkles and pores caused by loss of skin elasticity.

Holy Grail
Red Succinic Acid Toner Pads
Medicube

Red Succinic Acid Toner Pads

Soothing & Repairing - Infused with Panthenol and Niacinamide, our pads not only combat acne but also soothe irritation and redness, supporting skin repair and promoting a balanced, more even skin tone. Gentle Yet Effective - Experience the dual benefits of exfoliation and skin rejuvenation. Our gentle formula ensures effective dead skin cell removal while being kind to your skin

Holy Grail
Here-Oh My First Serum
De:maf

Here-Oh My First Serum

HYDRATION THAT ACTUALLY LASTS: Tight, dry skin hours after moisturizing? Low molecular hyaluronic acid absorbs deep — not just the surface — so your skin stays plump all day. STOPS SENSITIVITY AT THE SOURCE: Ceramides and panthenol rebuild your skin barrier so irritants stay out and moisture stays in. Less redness, less reacting.

B-Boost 10% Naicinamide
Nineless

B-Boost 10% Naicinamide

MINIMIZES PORES, MAXIMIZE RADIANCE: The 10% Niacinamide serum helps to refine pores and boost radiance, promoting a smoother, more luminous complexion. It works to even the skin and enhance overall skin clarity for a more youthful and glowing appearance

First Sprray Serum
D'Alba Peidmont

First Sprray Serum

Light-weight face moisturizing spray serum for Radiant Skin, Non Comedogenic.

Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
Skin 1004

Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule

Light watery texture and non-sticky formula Madagascan Centella asiatica contains 7 times more soothing actives than other centella asiatica Immediately calms and hydrates sensitive skin

No. 9 NAD+ Peptide Lifting
Numbuzin

No. 9 NAD+ Peptide Lifting

Powered by NAD+ and a blend of 50 peptides that help improve the appearance of elasticity, support a healthy-looking glow, and leave skin feeling more resilient. [Targets Sagging & Dullness Anywhere] Not just for the face! This intensive care solution targets fine lines on the forehead and eyes, while effectively firming the neck and body. Perfect for any area needing a boost in tightness and radiance.

Calming Clear Spot Patches
Pyunkang Yul

Calming Clear Spot Patches

HYDROCOLLOID FABRIC SPEEDS UP RECOVERY - Its hydrocolloid fabric absorbs exudates from wounds and create a moist environment to protect them against blemishes, zits & impurities, suppress scabs, and help minimize scars without pain. Easy to remove without redness.

Step 04

Moisturizers and SPF

Lock in your routine and protect what you have built. SPF is non-negotiable — these are the ones worth wearing every day.

Esthetician Note

Korean sunscreens labeled SPF 50 PA++++ offer high-level broad-spectrum protection, especially strong against UVA rays, which are responsible for premature aging, pigmentation, and collagen breakdown. These modern UVA Filters have now been updated for US FDA Approval yet which is why I source sunscreen from Stylevana.

345 Relief Cream Mist
Dr. Althea

345 Relief Cream Mist

QUICK, EASY HYDRATION : Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, this ultra-fine mist instantly replenishes dry skin with deep moisture, helping to support long-lasting hydration with comfort throughout the day.

Holy Grail
Madeca Cream
Centellian24

Madeca Cream

ADVANCED ANTI-AGING FACE CREAM – A firming face moisturizer with TECA Centella Asiatica that helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while supporting skin elasticity for smoother, firmer-looking, and more youthful-looking skin.

Salmon Caring Centella Cream
Heve Blue

Salmon Caring Centella Cream

PACKED WITH HIGH-QUALITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS, including 828,168ppm centella leaf water, madecassoside, and 30,380ppm portulaca oleracea water, with no expense spared ENRICHED WITH 1,500ppm salmon roe extract and 5,000ppm PDRN, it uses THE POWER OF SALMON TO RESTORE AND HEAL DAMAGED SKIN

Bean Cream
Mixsoon

Bean Cream

A great rich but lightweight moisturizer that forms a protective layer on the skin and retains moisture.

Soothing Cream
ZEROID

Soothing Cream

It is a skin-friendly cream or lotion that prevents skin damages and reinforces the skin barrier. Improves structure of skin lipid helps improve skin barrier Patented Defensamide helps improve skin barrier and keeps skin healthy

Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
Round Lab

Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Consists of 74 natural derived minerals from deep sea water helps soothe the skin irritated by external environment and keeps skin hydrated by filling it up with moisture. Ships from Stylevana, not amazon.

Relief Sun Aqua-fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++
Beauty of Joseon

Relief Sun Aqua-fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++

Crafted with rice seed water and panthenol to deliver refreshing hydration while safeguarding your skin from harmful UV rays and environmental stressors. Designed for those who prefer a sheer, non-greasy finishno white cast, no stickiness—plus enhanced hydration and a quick-absorbing, dewy finish. Ships from Stylevana, not amazon.

Heartleaf Mild Sunscreen Relief Tube SPF 50+ PA++++
Abib

Heartleaf Mild Sunscreen Relief Tube SPF 50+ PA++++

A mineral sunscreen I really like. Formulated without reef-harming ingredients. Great if you are spending the day outside or by the the water and you don't want to wear any makeup but want to cancel out some redness in your skin. Ships from Stylevana, not Amazon.

Step 05

Sheet Masks

A daily ritual for deep hydration and reset. These are the masks worth making time for. A sheet mask a day will keep the esti away!

Black Tea Mask
Pyunkang Yul

Black Tea Mask

Fermented Black Tea STORONG VITALITY WITH LOW-MOLECULAR COLLAGEN - Rich nutrition of low-molecular collagen, which has an excellent moisturizing factors, strengthen the skin and remove the apperance of fine lines therefore make the skin youthful-look

Holy Grail
Cica Daily Soothing Mask
VT Cosmetics

Cica Daily Soothing Mask

Honestly you can't go wrong with any of the different masks they have. These are awesome and you get 30 in a package so you can do a sheet mask every day. Your skin will thank you, trust me!

[Madecassoside] Blemish Repair 
Mediheal

[Madecassoside] Blemish Repair 

[BLEMISH REPAIR] Calms redness-prone skin & firms moisture barrier to even skin tone. [CLINICALLY TESTED] Reduced skin irritation by 133.88% and lowered skin temperature by 7.25℃ caused by the sun.

Gummy Vita Sticker
Abib

Gummy Vita Sticker

Obessed with All of the gummy sheet masks. Technology: Features Abib’s signature gummy sheet material that clings tightly to facial contours, boosting absorption of active ingredients for a professional-level home skincare treatment.

Holy Grail
Boi Collagen Real Deep Mask
Biodance

Boi Collagen Real Deep Mask

PORE TIGHTENING & FIRMING: Formulated with ultra-low molecular collagen, this mask maximizes penetration and absorption. It refines enlarged pores, improves skin elasticity, and visibly smooths fine lines and wrinkles instantly. DEEP HYDRATION: The oligo-hyaluronic acid in the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask provides superior moisturizing effects compared to regular hyaluronic acid. It quickly hydrates the skin's surface and penetrates deeper layers, leaving the complexion healthy and well-moisturized.