Curated by Diana Choi
Asian-owned brands setting the standard for beauty and skincare culture globally
*Disclosure: please note that product links are independently selected by the author and editor; if you purchase these products, Cold Tea Collective may earn a commission, which helps us fund our publication and continue to share stories for the next generation of the Asian diaspora.
I often joke that my love for beauty started when I was still in my mother’s womb.
I’m half Korean and half Chinese, and growing up, skincare and beauty rituals were simply part of everyday life, from sheet masks to the latest skincare innovations coming out of Asia. Long before “glass skin” went viral on social media, Asian beauty brands were already leading the way in ingredient innovation, skincare technology, and routines focused on maintaining healthy, resilient skin.
Today, I’m also a beauty founder myself. I launched my brand Vibes of Grace, a beauty brand founded in Los Angeles and formulated in Korea, after years of struggling with sensitive and dehydrated skin. As someone who travels frequently, I noticed my skin constantly cycling through what I call “skin chaos”: dry airplane air, climate shifts, stress, and irritation. It made me realize how many people deal with the same issues.
That experience also deepened my appreciation for the Asian founders who paved the way before me. These brands didn’t just introduce groundbreaking ingredients and formulas to the world, they also turned cultural rituals and philosophies around skin health into global beauty conversations.
With the Sephora Spring Savings Event around the corner, here are some Asian-owned beauty brands I admire and a few products I’d personally add to my cart.
*Disclosure: please note that product links are independently selected by the author and editor; if you purchase these products, Cold Tea Collective may earn a commission, which helps us fund our publication and continue to share stories for the next generation of the Asian diaspora.
See also: Growing up between two ideals of beauty
Redefining “The Asian Glow”: Asian-owned skincare brands to give you glass skin
One cornerstone of Asian skincare philosophy is protecting the skin barrier and maintaining hydrated, healthy skin. This is where the term “glass skin” comes from: skin that looks luminous, smooth, and almost reflective (hence glass-like).
Tatcha
Tatcha, founded by Vicky Tsai, holds a special place in my heart. She also attended my alma mater, Wellesley College, and her story of quitting her corporate job and moving back home has been personally inspiring and resonating.
After struggling with chronic eczema, she traveled to Japan and discovered traditional beauty rituals used by geishas, eventually building one of Sephora’s most beloved skincare brands.
One of my personal favorites remains one of their earliest hero products: the Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers (Sephora Canada); they’re perfect for absorbing midday oil without disturbing makeup.
Another standout isThe Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Refillable Moisturizer (see in Canada), which true to its name, leaves your skin incredibly soft and hydrated.
Glow Recipe
Korean-American founders Sarah Lee and Christine Chang both met at L’Oréal before launching Glow Recipe, and I admire how they translated Korean skincare innovations into playful, ingredient-driven products.
I recently met Christine in person and can confirm her skin is truly flawless.
Their newest launch that caught my attention is the PDRN Repair Toner Pads (see in Canada), powered by vegan PDRN+ to help soothe irritation and strengthen the skin barrier. Toner pads are perfect for travel. If you can’t commit to a full sheet mask on long flights, try these for a quick way to hydrate the skin.
Bonus: Glow Recipe’s products are vegan and cruelty-free.
Dr. Jart+
Founded by dermatologist Jung Sung-jae and architect Lee Jin-Wook, Dr. Jart+ helped popularize Korean skincare globally with science-driven formulas and innovative ingredients.
One ingredient is Centella Asiatica, also known as Cica, known for its powerful calming and healing properties and is found in many Korean skincare products.
Dr. Jart+ has built an entire reputation around calming compromised skin, and one product I often reach for when my skin is irritated is the Soothing Hydra Solution™ PRO Face Mask (Sephora Canada).Whenever my skin feels irritated, it’s one of the fastest ways I’ve found to calm things down.
Asian-owned beauty brands to try during the 2026 Sephora Spring Savings Event
Blume
Blume, founded by sisters Taran and Bunny Ghatrora, is a Vancouver-based brand that focuses on acne solutions and normalizing conversations around breakouts.
A Gen Z designer on my team was struggling with persistent forehead breakouts, and within a week, her skin looked dramatically better. She credited Blume’s Meltdown Acne Oil as one of the products that helped calm her skin. And sorry – it’s only available in Canada.
Innisfree
Founded in South Korea by beauty conglomerate Amorepacific, Innisfree is known for using natural ingredients sourced from Jeju Island, including green tea, volcanic clay, and orchid extracts.
Their Green Tea Caffeine Eye Serum (buy in Canada) is currently on my radar. The formula combines green tea, caffeine, and niacinamide to help hydrate and brighten the under-eye area while reducing puffiness. As someone who often deals with dark circles after travel, I’m particularly intrigued by its cooling rollerball applicator.
Shiseido
Japanese beauty powerhouse Shiseido has been at the forefront of skincare innovation for over a century. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable in Asian beauty routines, and Shiseido’s formulas are widely considered some of the best.
Their Ultra Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 50+ ( is still one of my favourite sunscreen sticks. It glides on invisibly and makes reapplication effortless throughout the day.
See also: Asian parenting and beauty ideals: The road to self-acceptance
Makeup for the “No Makeup Makeup” Look
Asian beauty has long embraced the idea of enhancing natural features rather than masking them. Here are a few products that help achieve that effortless look.
Laneige
Korean beauty brand Laneige, also part of the Amorepacific group, has become globally famous for its hydrating formulas. I love their Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum Treatment (shop in Canada). It’s deeply hydrating, glossy without being sticky, and adds just enough tint to give lips a naturally healthy look.
Patrick Ta
Vietnamese American celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta built his brand around glowing, skin-first beauty, shaped by his years working with Hollywood celebrities, including Vancouver native Shay Mitchell.
He shared his story with Sephora as part of their AAPI Heritage Month campaign in 2023. His resilience and creativity was born out of struggle: he dropped out of high school during his junior year due to academic and peer pressure due to his weight, sexuality and academic challenges. His desire to help others feel confident through makeup drives his success and he is now the name of one of the most well-recognized beauty brands in America.
Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo (Sephora Canada) is one of my favorites. The formula is incredibly blendable, and his signature technique of applying cream blush over powder creates a beautiful flush that still looks natural. It comes in a mini version too!
Clé de Peau Beauté
Luxury Japanese beauty brand Clé de Peau Beauté, also part of the Shiseido family, is known for combining advanced skincare science with high-performance makeup.
If there’s one product I always stock up on when I’m in Japan, it’s the Clé de Peau Concealer Stick.
It’s hands down one of the best concealers I’ve ever tried. It provides excellent coverage while still looking natural on the skin, and somehow manages to conceal imperfections without feeling heavy. I’m currently on my third stick.
See also: Breaking beauty standards: Catherine Li leads the way
Asian beauty brands are setting the standard for skincare culture globally
Asian beauty has shaped so much of today’s global skincare culture. But beyond the products themselves, these brands also represent something deeper: the sharing of cultural rituals, generational knowledge, and philosophies about caring for ourselves.
As an Asian founder building my own beauty brand today, I’m constantly inspired by the innovators who came before me. Their success showed that our stories, traditions, and approaches to beauty deserve a place on the global stage. Supporting Asian-owned beauty brands isn’t just about discovering great products. It’s also about celebrating the creativity, resilience, and diversity that continue to shape the future of the beauty industry.
And if the Sephora Spring Savings Event is your excuse to try something new, consider adding a few Asian-founded brands to your cart. You might just discover your next holy grail.
*Disclosure: please note that product links are independently selected by the author and editor; if you purchase these products, Cold Tea Collective may earn a commission, which helps us fund our publication and continue to share stories for the next generation of the Asian diaspora.
