Beauty fans in Korea are in a league of their own: with direct access to the latest skincare formulas, ingredients and innovations, they’re the first ones in line to try out what beauty brands have to offer and can weed out the good from the truly exceptional. The 2024 Hwahae Awards, stemming from Korea’s Hwahae beauty ranking app, bestows prestigious awards to all the fan-favorite beauty from the latter half of 2024, as well as the year as a whole. We’re spotlighting 8 note-worthy picks from the Hwahae Awards that we know our global VANA fans will love, and have to try out in the year ahead. Read on to discover our top recommendations.

No. 1

Dr.G - R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Dr.G

What’s one to do when they’re met with angry skin and inflamed breakouts? No need to fret because that’s exactly what the Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream combats. This lightweight cream is powered by 10 types of Cica for a powerful soothing effect, penetrating the skin to provide up to 100 hours of hydration. The result is a calmer, more balanced complexion as acne and redness are relieved.

No. 2

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SKIN1004

It’s no surprise the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil snagged a Hwahae Award, given how popular it is on our own shelves. Made up of Centella Asiatica and 6 plant-based oils, the silky formula effortlessly melts away buildup and excess sebum from the skin, leaving you feeling clean and refreshed without any stripping sensations. It’s made to be used by all skin types as the perfect oil cleanser for your PM double cleansing routine.

No. 3

ongredients - Skin Barrier Calming Lotion

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - ongredients

It’s not enough to recover dry and irritated skin post-damage, but you also want to bolster your skin’s resilience against future damage. Enter: the ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion, a milky lotion staving off transepidermal water loss and stress-induced troubles with Centella Asiatica and a 9-Peptide Complex. Together they form a protective moisture barrier to improve moisture retention and support the skin barrier, boosting the skin’s ability to renew itself.

No. 4

APRILSKIN - Pink Aloe Pack Cleanser

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - APRILSKIN

The APRILSKIN Pink Aloe Pack Cleanser is far from your average cleanser: with Mungbean and Soybean particles it acts as an irritation-free exfoliator to enhance skin smoothness, while the Pink Aloe Vera Water-enriched base clears away waterproof makeup, sunscreen and impurities. The non-comedogenic and gentle formula is ultra-calming on the skin, thanks to the latter key ingredient, and is suitable for all skin types to use on a daily basis.

No. 5

Aestura - AtoBarrier 365 Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Aestura

ICYDK, a strong skin barrier is key to warding off a plethora of skin concerns. The dermatologist-tested Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream feeds your skin all the necessary nutrients your barrier needs to maintain a healthy state in the long term, including capsuled Ceramide, Cholesterol and Fatty Acids which make up a Lipid Complex that provides a whopping 120 hours of lasting moisture. For those tackling an extremely dry and sensitive complexion, this balmy cream is guaranteed to be your saving grace.

No. 6

Purito SEOUL - Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Purito SEOUL

For the days when your skin is in need of rapid soothing, the Purito SEOUL Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented is the booster you’ll want to have in your arsenal. It nourishes the skin with Centella Asiatica to deliver immediate soothing benefits, quelling redness and irritation. This serum is also good for strengthening the skin barrier to prevent future damage, as well as refining skin texture for a visibly even complexion.

No. 7

Cell Fusion C - Cooling Pad

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Cell Fusion C

Cell Fusion C is best known for their top-notch sunscreen formulas, but did you know about the rest of their skincare collection? The Cooling Pad is essential for alleviating heated skin and inflammation, with Glacial Water dousing your skin in reinvigorating moisture and offering an instant cooling effect. Free of alcohol, fragrance or essential oil, use it as a toner pad post-cleanse or as a targeted mask pad for swift treatment on aggregated areas of the face.

No. 8

innisfree - Green Tea Hyaluronic Moist Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - innisfree

Following the success of their Green Tea Seed Serum, innisfree came out with the Green Tea Hyaluronic Moist Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ that is formulated with the core ingredients of its bestselling predecessor. This sunscreen taps into Green Tea and encapsulated Hyaluronic Acid for their moisturizing and hydrating properties that penetrate the skin to leave a white cast-free, dewy finish. The brand recommends this sunscreen for all occasions, including for use under makeup as it blends into the skin flawlessly without pilling.

Which of these award winners are you adding to your wishlist? Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!