Gather round, VANA community, the 2024 Mid-Year Hwahae Awards have dropped! ICYDK, Hwahae is a Korean beauty platform that helps users find the best beauty for their skin type and concerns. This season they’ve dropped their Mid-Year Hwahae Awards, featuring the best product of each skincare category as voted for by their audience – sound familiar? *wink* After taking a deep dive into the full winners list, we’ve compiled a selection of editor’s picks to let you know about the must-trys and best-buys amongst all award-winners, available on Stylevana and ready to assimilate into your own skincare routine to join you on your skin journey. Keep scrolling for all the details.

Best Hydrating Cleanser

Torriden - DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Torriden

Foam cleansers have a notorious reputation for being stripping but the Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam is anything but, thanks to the 8 layers of Hyaluronic Acid in its formula that draw hydration into the skin and enhance moisture retention. Its lightweight and refreshing finish keeps the skin plumped and bouncy coming out of the cleansing routine.

Best Calming Toner

ANUA - Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - ANUA

Does it come as any surprise that the ANUA Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner has swept up yet another accolade? This Heartleaf-packed toner works wonders on irritated, inflamed and sensitive complexions, absorbing rapidly to relieve skin stress and deliver calming effects. It’s a popular pick amongst users with oily, combo and acne-prone skin for getting a glass skin glow without the grease.

Best Texture-Smoothing Toner Pad

CELIMAX - Ji Woo Gae Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - CELIMAX

We love how the CELIMAX Ji Woo Gae Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad kills 2 birds with 1 stone: the multifunctional toner pad sweep away dead skin cells and excess sebum with BHA, while Heartleaf extract takes charge in soothing irritated complexions and removing impurities from the pores. The cotton pads themselves feature one gauze side for gentle exfoliation, the opposite an embossed surface for smoothing everything out.

Best Brightening Toner Pad

numbuzin - No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - numbuzin

Struggling with dark spots and hyperpigmentation? Meet the numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad, featuring a medley of brightening ingredients like Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide and Glutathione. Each swipe gets you closer to an even, more radiant complexion as the pad inhibits melanin production to fade unwanted imperfections, at the same time resurfacing skin texture.

Best Hydrating Lotion

Round Lab - 1025 Dokdo Lotion

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Round Lab

Abundant moisture doesn’t always have to come in the form of a heavy-duty moisturizer – just get a glimpse of the Round Lab - 1025 Dokdo Lotion. Ulleungdo Deep Sea Water and Triple Hyaluronic Acid come together in this weightless lotion, made to quench a thirsty complexion and prevent moisture loss. A layer of this formula post-toner results in healthier and more vibrant skin as the skin barrier is nourished and repaired.

Best Hydrating Ampoule

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SKIN1004

SKIN1004’s iconic Madagascar Centella ingredient is amazing on its own, but when it’s fermented? You get the magic of the Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule, a milky ampoule that soothes irritation, firms the complexion and boosts skin luminosity with every drop. It includes Ceramide, Phytosterol and fatty acids in a golden 3:1:1 ratio for locking moisture into the skin, leaving it plump and hydrated sans stickiness or greasiness.

Best Anti-Aging Serum

COSRX - The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - COSRX

COSRX's The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum pinpoints everything from enlarged pores and fine lines to a loss of skin firmness and an uneven skin tone, perfect for those wanting to target multiple signs of aging at once. The key lies within the 6 Peptides incorporated into the formula, all of them joining forces to improve the skin’s long term condition. A gentle, non-irritating booster, it’s suitable for all skin types and mild enough to pair with other products without kicking up a fuss.

Best Hydrating Cream

S.NATURE - Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - S.NATURE

The S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream has won the crowds over with its deep hydrating and nourishing formula that contains plant-based Squalane, Panthenol, and a whopping 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid. The luxurious pudding-like cream melts into the skin to leave a glassy dewiness, safe for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone skin, an advantage of its exclusion of irritating and harmful additives.

Best Troubled Skin Cream

I'm From - Licorice Calming Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - I'm From

Spotted: the ultimate acne scar savior. The I'm From Licorice Calming Cream puts the spotlight on Licorice Exosome and a mind-blowing 100 million Licorice flavonoids that provide calming care to irritated and troubled complexions. As it seals moisture deep into the skin, it alleviates redness that flares up as a result of inflammation and recovers the skin barrier to fend off acne scars. The convenient tube packaging ensures every dollop you squeeze out is fresh and hygienic so your skin receives the best treatment.

Best No-Sebum Sunscreen

make p:rem - UV Defense Me. No Sebum Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - make p:rem

Move over, greasy and shiny sunscreens: the make p:rem UV Defense Me. No Sebum Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ is here to upgrade your sun care routine. This vegan mineral SPF blends into the skin to leave a velvety matte finish, helping to control excess sebum and reduce shine in a flash. Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, it performs just as smoothly under makeup as it does on its own.

Best Moisturizing Sunscreen

Dear, Klairs - All-day Airy Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Dear, Klairs

Anytime we find out about a white cast-free, non-greasy sunscreen, we’re all up in its business. Our current obsession is the Dear, Klairs All-day Airy Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ that, true to name, blends out to absolute invisibility and weightlessness. Mild yet powerful, the fresh texture is a dependable sunscreen you can reach for every day to layer as the last step of your AM routine, or under makeup as a protective primer.

Best No-Sebum Sun Stick

TOCOBO - Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50 PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - TOCOBO

The TOCOBO Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50 PA++++ is practically made to slot into your bag for those SPF reapplications every 2 hours. In it you’ll find micro-sized porous powder that absorbs sebum and oil, adhering to the skin thinly like a primer would. Cotton extract maintains healthy hydration levels, and a Herb AC Complex protects against sebum and acne. Upon application this sun stick imparts a silky matte finish, promising not to smudge anything underneath.

Best Moisturizing Sun Cushion

Round Lab - Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cushion SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Round Lab

Hydrating: check. Mess-free: check.Travel-friendly: check. Seriously, what’s not to love about the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cushion SPF50+ PA++++? Tucked away in a compact cushion is a Glycerin-enriched mineral SPF that replenishes skin moisture levels, giving you an extra boost as you double down on your UV protection. It’s highly rated for making sunscreen reapplication seamless – no white cast or unwanted sheen in sight.

Best Pore Care Sheet Mask

numbuzin - No.3 Tingle-Pore Softening Sheet Mask

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - numbuzin

If enlarged pores and bumpy skin are stressing you out, get to know the numbuzin No.3 Tingle-Pore Softening Sheet Mask. It puts your skin concerns in their place with Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate and Bifida Ferment Lysate, plus a Tingle Pore Complex; together, these ingredients tighten the pores, smooth out texture and encourage a glowing complexion from within. Who knew all it took was this sheet mask and 15 minutes to solve your pore-blems?

Best Pore Care Peel-Off Pack

MEDIPEEL+ - Red Lacto Collagen Wrapping Mask

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - MEDIPEEL+

Don’t let the unusual Saran wrap-esque texture of the MEDIPEEL+ Red Lacto Collagen Wrapping Mask deter you: this peel-off mask delivers major benefits when it comes to revitalizing sagging skin and enhancing elasticity, with 70.2% Collagen doing the heavy lifting (no pun intended). Intended to be used as a weekly treatment, it recharges skin moisture levels and supports your natural radiance – just slather, wait and peel to unveil your awakened appearance.

Best Pore Care Sleeping Pack

Biodance - Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Biodance

It’s unanimous: the It’s unanimous: the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask is a hit. The Collagen Peptide and Galactomyces-infused gel mask works to penetrate deep into the dermis and visibly refine skin texture, nipping sagging skin, fine lines and texture in the bud. Oligo-Hyaluronic Acid offers a hydrating touch, while Niacinamide supports a brighter complexion. This mask is intended to be worn for 3-4 hours, but fans also love wearing this overnight to awake with gleaming, nourished skin.