K-Beauty Showdown: Classics vs. Newbies – Which Products REALLY Win? | K-Beauty Skincare Guide by CYoung

What's up, everybody? CYoung here, and today we're settling a long-standing debate: K-Beauty legends versus the hottest new launches. You know I don't do hype, so I'm putting Olive Young's most iconic classic products head-to-head with the newbies. Same steps, same face, and absolutely ZERO mercy.

If you've ever scrolled through Olive Young, wondering if that viral new serum is actually better than the tried-and-true classic, this is your survival guide. I'm breaking down the real differences in texture, ingredients, performance, and most importantly, who each product is actually best for. No fluff, just the honest truth. Let's get into it!

Toner Pads: The Daily Wipe-Down

❌ Classic: MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Blemish Pad

✔ Newbie: BIODANCE Vita Niacinamide Gel Toner Pad

Toner pads are a staple in my routine – quick, easy, and perfect for a post-shower refresh. The Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad has been an Olive Young bestseller for ages. They recently upgraded their picker, which was a much-needed improvement, but the pads themselves? Still a bit of a struggle. They're soft, yes, but they don't stick to the skin well, especially if you're trying to use them as a mini sheet mask. Plus, I've noticed they tend to dry out inside the container over time, even with the lid on tight.

Enter the Biodance Vita Niacinamide Gel Toner Pad. Biodance is known for their viral gel masks, and they brought that same innovative spirit to their toner pads. These pads adhere much better to the skin, feeling more like a true gel mask that stays put. They deliver a refreshing burst of hydration and niacinamide without the fuss. For me, a toner pad needs to be convenient and effective, and the Biodance pad just performs better in both categories.

Verdict: The Biodance Vita Niacinamide Gel Toner Pad takes the crown. It's simply more effective and user-friendly.

Serums: Brightening & Barrier Boosters

✔ Classic: Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum

⚠️ Newbie: Purito Seoul TXA Niacinamide 10 Retinal Serum

Both of these serums pack a punch with niacinamide and TXA, which are fantastic for brightening and evening out skin tone. But the experience? Totally different.

The Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is a gentle giant. It's super friendly for daily use, even for sensitive skin like mine. The moisture feels comfortable, and while there's a slight residue, it's not heavy for most skin types. If you're looking for consistent brightening without any drama, Anua is your girl.

Now, the Purito Seoul TXA Niacinamide 10 Retinal Serum is where things get interesting. It has those cute little retinal capsules, which sound fancy, but the texture is... sticky. Like, hair-sticking-to-your-face sticky. Oily skin types, be warned. And for my sensitive, dry skin, I actually experienced peeling by day three because of the retinal. Yes, SPF is an absolute must with this one. While it's powerful, it's definitely not for everyone, especially if you're new to retinoids or have sensitive skin.

Verdict: For comfort and daily use, the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is the clear winner. Purito is powerful, but you need to know what you're getting into.

Creams: Hydration & Barrier Support

✔ Classic: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream

❌ Newbie: Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream

Dr. Althea has been making waves, and I've had many of my makeup artist friends rave about their creams. I even included the 345 Relief Cream in my moisturizer tier list video!

The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is a fantastic everyday moisturizer. It has that classic cream texture that just melts into your skin, absorbing beautifully without feeling heavy. It's a solid choice for daily hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

However, the Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream was a bit of a letdown. While it aims to strengthen the barrier, I found it left a slightly stuffy, almost silicone-like layer on my skin. Other makeup artists I tested it with felt the same. More importantly, if your skin barrier is truly compromised – think redness, irritation – this isn't the heavy-duty product you need. You'd be better off reaching for something with more panthenol, like La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 or Bioderma Cicabio Crème.

Verdict: The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is still the reigning champion for a great everyday moisturizer.

Sunscreens: Daily Protection

⚠️ Classic: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics

✔ Newbie: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice+B5

Beauty of Joseon sunscreens are beloved for a reason – they feel amazing on the skin. The original Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics is a fantastic product. It feels just like a moisturizer, making it easy to incorporate into your routine. However, for those with oily or combination skin, or if you live in a tropical climate, it can sometimes feel a little too greasy.

That's where the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice+B5 comes in. I even had my husband, who has oily-combo skin and hates anything sticky, try it out. He loved it! This new version definitely absorbs into the skin more quickly, leaving a lighter finish. For me, while I don't mind the original, the Aqua Fresh version just feels a bit more weightless and disappears faster.

Verdict: The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice+B5 wins for its quicker absorption and lighter feel, especially for those who find the original a bit too rich.

Tone-Up Bases: Instant Brightness

✔ Classic: Chong M Skin Setting Tone Up Sun Base (Pink)

❌ Newbie: A'pieu Tone-Up Base (More Natural)

Tone-up bases are a secret weapon for instantly brightening your complexion, especially for special occasions like wedding makeup. The goal is to make your skin look brighter without piling on too much foundation.

The Chong M Skin Setting Tone Up Sun Base (the pink one) is a classic for a reason. It delivers a strong, noticeable tone-up effect. If you want to make your skin look two tones brighter – one tone from the base, one from your foundation – this is the way to go. It has a distinct pink tint that really helps to neutralize dullness and give that coveted bright K-Beauty glow.

The newer A'pieu Tone-Up Base (the one I compared) offers a more subtle, natural brightening. While some might prefer this for everyday, if you're reaching for a tone-up base, you usually want that oomph. For me, the stronger effect of the Chong M base is what makes it truly effective for its purpose.

Verdict: The Chong M Skin Setting Tone Up Sun Base wins for its powerful and effective brightening.

Cushion Foundations: Creamy Coverage

✔ Classic: AGE 20's Essence Cover Pact

❌ Newbie: WAKEMAKE Water Glow Coating Cushion

When it comes to cushion foundations, these two are in a league of their own because they're cream cushions. This means the "foundation" inside is actually a thickened cream, not a liquid soaked into a sponge.

The AGE 20's Essence Cover Pact is a classic for a reason, especially popular with women over 40 and moms. It's a million-seller on TV home shopping in Korea! The texture is super creamy, almost oily, which is fantastic for dry or mature skin. Other sponge cushions can look too matte and settle into cracks, but this one provides a dewy, hydrating finish. The best part? You don't tap it like a regular cushion; you slide it on, which makes application easier and provides great coverage.

The Wakemake Water Glow Coating Cushion also aims for that creamy finish, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. While it's creamy, when applied with its puff, it ended up looking a bit semi-matte. They do provide a brush, which many people love for fitting into pores better, but I don't think the overall product is worth it compared to the AGE 20's.

Important Note: Both of these creamy cushions are not for oily or combination skin types, especially if you struggle with larger pores. They are definitely for dry, mature skin.

Verdict: The AGE 20's Essence Cover Pact remains the gold standard for creamy, hydrating cushion coverage for dry and mature skin.

Eyeshadows: Pigment & Texture

❌ Classic: WAKEMAKE Mix Blurring Eye Palette

✔ Newbie: Clio Pro Eye Palette Air

Eyeshadows can make or break a look, and finding the right texture and pigmentation is key.

The Wakemake Mix Blurring Eye Palette was one of Olive Young's best-sellers in 2024. It's a decent palette, but I found the colors to be a bit too light, especially if you have a slightly darker complexion or want more impact. The shimmer shades are nice, but overall, the pigmentation felt lacking.

The new Clio Pro Eye Palette Air definitely impressed me. The colors are much more pigmented, even the brown shades are dark enough to show up beautifully. What I really loved is that some of the shades have a slightly creamy texture. This is a game-changer for dry or mature skin, or women over 50. Using powder eyeshadows as a first base can emphasize wrinkles and look heavy. These creamy textures help to smooth things out and apply much more seamlessly. Clio also made some shades that can be used on eyes and cheeks, which is a nice bonus.

Verdict: The Clio Pro Eye Palette Air wins for its superior pigmentation and creamy textures that work wonders for mature skin.

Blushes: A Pop of Color

✔ Classic: romand Juicy Roll Cheek ("06 Bare Grape")

❌ Newbie: freshian Egg-like Cream Blush ("01 Fuzzy")

Blushes are tricky, especially cream or liquid formulas. Both of these require a bit of finesse, so they might not be ideal for total beginners.

The romand Juicy Roll Cheek in "06 Bare Grape" is a cute, innovative roll-on blush. The color is lovely, but you have to be careful with application. Rolling it directly can disturb your base makeup, so I recommend dabbing it on with your fingers or a sponge for better control. It's a fun product, and the packaging is adorable.

The freshian Egg-like Cream Blush in "01 Fuzzy" is super, super wet. While the color might be good for very fair skin, I found it almost too creamy to control. It felt like it could easily lift my foundation underneath. For me, the texture was just too much to work with effectively.

Verdict: The romand Juicy Roll Cheek wins for its innovative packaging and slightly better control, even if it still requires a careful hand.

Contour Powders: Sculpting the Face

✔ Classic: ETUDE Contour Powder ("03 Cool Tone Illuminator")

❌ Newbie: too cool for school Veiled Contour ("Fog Ash")

Contouring is essential for adding dimension, and Korean brands have mastered subtle, cool-toned shades.

The ETUDE Contour Powder in "03 Cool Tone Illuminator" is a solid choice. It comes in one shade, which makes it super easy to use, especially if your skin tone isn't too dark. The color is pretty good for creating natural shadows for the V-line and nose shading.

The new too cool for school Veiled Contour in "Fog Ash" offers two shades, which theoretically gives you more options. However, I have a pet peeve with the packaging – it tends to separate, which is just annoying. While the shades themselves are decent, the user experience is hampered by the design.

Verdict: The ETUDE Contour Powder wins for its simplicity and ease of use, despite the Too Cool For School offering more shades.

Aegyosal Pencils: Eye Brightening

✔ Classic: too cool for school Frottage Pencil ("09 Sheer Nude")

❌ Newbie: tooq Waterproof Slim Eyeliner ("Rose Nut")

Aegyosal (under-eye bags that give a youthful look) is a huge trend in K-Beauty, and these pencils are designed to enhance that area.

The classic too cool for school Frottage Pencil in "09 Sheer Nude" is a winner. It's easy to draw with, and the color effectively brightens up the aegyosal area, making your eyes look more awake and youthful. It's a staple for a reason.

The new tooq Waterproof Slim Eyeliner in "Rose Nut" is thin, which sounds great for precision. However, I found it very hard to draw with, requiring too much pressure. This can be irritating for the delicate skin around the eyes. While the "Rose Nut" color offers a nice mauvey, toned-down look, if you want that bright, easy-to-achieve aegyosal, the Too Cool For School pencil is superior.

Verdict: The too cool for school Frottage Pencil is still the best for easy, effective aegyosal brightening.

Lip Glosses: Shine & Color

❌ Classic: rom&nd Glasting Color Gloss ("01 Peony Ballet")

✔ Newbie: AMUSE Jel-Fit Gloss ("04 Bare Girl")

Lip glosses, lip oils, lip serums – the market is flooded! But for me, if it's too transparent, why bother? I want a little color.

The rom&nd Glasting Color Gloss in "01 Peony Ballet" is a famous gloss, and many K-pop makeup artists still use it, which speaks to its quality. It's a pretty pinky color, and it definitely delivers on shine.

However, the new AMUSE Jel-Fit Gloss in "04 Bare Girl" (the "I won color" I tried at Olive Young) stole my heart. It's a gorgeous mauvey, cool-tone color that is just so pretty. It's not 100% non-sticky – it's a gloss, after all – but it's perfectly wearable. I literally gasped when I tried it. This is going to be my go-to for the entire winter. If you're a cool-tone girly who loves a beautiful mauvey tint, you need this.

Verdict: The AMUSE Jel-Fit Gloss wins for its stunning color and CYoung's personal preference for glosses with a noticeable tint.

Where to Buy

Ready to try these K-Beauty winners (and maybe some of the honorable mentions)? Here are the links to grab them! Don't forget to use my discount codes for extra savings!

MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Blemish Pad: Olive Young
BIODANCE Vita Niacinamide Gel Toner Pad: Olive Young, YesStyle
Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum: Olive Young, YesStyle
Purito Seoul TXA Niacinamide 10 Retinal Serum: Olive Young, YesStyle
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream: Olive Young, YesStyle
Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream: Olive Young, YesStyle
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics: Olive Young, YesStyle, Amazon
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice+B5: Olive Young
romand Juicy Roll Cheek ("06 Bare Grape"): Olive Young, YesStyle
freshian Egg-like Cream Blush ("01 Fuzzy"): Olive Young, YesStyle
rom&nd Glasting Color Gloss ("01 Peony Ballet"): Olive Young, YesStyle
ETUDE Contour Powder ("03 Cool Tone Illuminator"): Olive Young
too cool for school Veiled Contour ("Fog Ash"): Olive Young
too cool for school Frottage Pencil ("09 Sheer Nude"): Olive Young
tooq Waterproof Slim Eyeliner ("Rose Nut"): Olive Young
WAKEMAKE Water Glow Coating Balm: YesStyle

Discount Codes:

Amore Mall: Use code CYOUNG for 15% OFF!
YesStyle: Use code CYOUNG0 at YesStyle
OliveYoung Global: Use code CYOUNG0 at OliveYoung Global

Final Thoughts

So, what did we learn today? Sometimes, the classics are classics for a reason – they've stood the test of time and continue to deliver. Other times, new innovations truly push the boundaries and offer a better experience. It's not always about "new" being better, but about finding what truly works for your skin and your preferences.

I hope this head-to-head battle helps you navigate the overwhelming world of K-Beauty. Don't just fall for the hype; listen to your skin and choose wisely!

Which team are you on – Classic or Newbie? Let me know in the comments below, and tell me what other K-Beauty products you want me to battle next!

FAQ

Q1: What's the difference between a toner pad and a regular toner?

A1: A toner pad is a pre-soaked cotton pad with toner, offering convenience and often gentle exfoliation or targeted treatment. A regular toner is a liquid you apply with your hands or a separate cotton pad. Toner pads are great for quick application or as a mini sheet mask.

Q2: How do I know if a product is right for my skin type?

A2: Always consider your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive) and concerns (acne, aging, dullness). Look for ingredients that target those concerns. For example, niacinamide for brightening, ceramides for barrier repair, or hyaluronic acid for hydration. Patch testing new products on a small area of your skin is always a good idea, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Q3: Why do you prefer creamy eyeshadows for mature skin?

A3: As skin matures, it can become drier and develop fine lines. Powder eyeshadows can sometimes settle into these lines, making them more noticeable, or look chalky. Creamy eyeshadows tend to glide on smoothly, provide a more hydrated look, and are less likely to emphasize texture, resulting in a more youthful and seamless finish.

Q4: Are K-Beauty "tone-up" products suitable for all skin tones?

A4: K-Beauty tone-up products are designed to instantly brighten the skin, often with a white or pink tint. While they can work for many, those with deeper skin tones might find some tone-up products leave an ashy or unnatural cast. It's crucial to test them out or look for reviews from people with similar skin tones to ensure a natural, brightening effect rather than a ghostly one.

Q5: What is your skin type, CYoung?

A5: I have dry, sensitive skin, and I'm in my 40s. This means I'm always looking for products that are hydrating, gentle, and address concerns like fine lines and maintaining a healthy skin barrier, without causing irritation.