From PDRN and peptides to collagen masks and pore pads, Korean beauty products are some of the most sought-after items on beauty counters and in skincare aisles. Offering deep hydration, targeting fine lines and achieving the coveted “glass skin” look, K-beauty has played a huge part in shaping trends this year and it’s going nowhere.
News that’s sure to please K-beauty fans searching for the best beauty advent calendars, Lookfantastic has launched its first-ever Korean beauty advent calendar, and it’s packed with some of the biggest names in the industry. Inside, you’ll find 13 products from cult K-beauty brands including Laneige, Anua, Medicube, Biodance and Beauty of Joseon, alongside under the radar brands such as Aromatica and Isntree.
The £50 calendar contains £145 worth of products, making it a chance to try some of the biggest names and buzziest products in K-beauty without paying full price. With K-beauty continuing to dominate our skincare routines, it’s a tempting way to discover what’s worth adding to your bathroom cabinet next.
Read on for my full review of the Lookfantastic 12 days of K-beauty advent, including what’s inside to how much you can save.
Read more: Lookfantastic advent calendar, reviewed
Lookfantastic K-beauty advent calendar 2026
Price: £50
Worth: £145+
Saving: £95+
Number of days: 12
Number of products: 13 (five full-sizes)
Advent calendar highlights: Skin1004 centella ampoule, Beauty of Joseon revive eye serum ginseng + retinal and Isntree GIM PDRN firming cream
Available: Now
Who's it for: K-beauty fans
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Great for dry skin types
Take note
- No make-up featured
It’s quality over quantity with the new Lookfantastic K-beauty advent calendar. With 13 products, it’s a fraction of the 27 in the retailer's main one, but it’s also £70 less. The five full-sized products are well-chosen with some of the most sought-after brands falling into the category, such as Anua and Biodance, while the eight deluxe (AKA travel sized) are ideal for trying new brands before committing to a purchase.
Some customers have said they’re unhappy with the presentation of the calendar, as it comes in a clear bag with numbered boxes that contain the products inside. I can see why this design is less festive and seems like less effort, but with the huge waste that’s involved with beauty advent calendars each year (and most can admit it’s really just the products you’re after except for Liberty’s), I think the bag is a smart, reusable move.
Unexpectedly as a key breakout trend this year, there’s a lot of hydration and barrier-focused K-beauty in the lineup. This might be overkill if you already own lots of moisturisers and hydrating serums, but if you really want to nail this step in your routine, this is your chance to try Haruharu, Laneige, Skin1004 and Innisfree. That being said, there’s also a few products targeting pores, exfoliation, scalp care, pigmentation and anti-ageing. I’m also impressed by the balance of discovery brands, such as Isntree and Aromatica, with popular, hard-working formulas.
The full-sized Anua zero-cast moisturising finish sunscreen and Round Lab cleanser are useful and both gentle on the skin, but don’t feel the most exciting. Don’t fret though, as viral products haven’t been forgotten like the Biodance bio collagen real deep sheet mask and Medicube’s zero pore pad 2.0.
Equally, IndyBest’s beauty buff Lucy Smith swears by Skin1004’s centella ampoule for skin flare ups, along with Biodance’s bio collagen real deep sheet mask. In her review of the sheet mask she said it kept her skin hydrated for 14 hours, adding “I won’t be heading on another long-haul journey without one of these masks again.” I tested the Beauty of Joseon revive eye serum ginseng and retinal, which makes the under-eyes supple and brightened, and if you want to take your anti-ageing routine further, Isntree’s GIM PDRN firming cream is one to try.
While it’s labelled K-beauty, you should note there’s no make-up in the calendar, which is a missed opportunity to feature products like Erborian’s CC red correct. Plus the Aromatica rosemary salt and Laneige water sleeping mask are very mini, so I’m divided on their usefulness.
That said, if you're fairly new to K-beauty, the relatively affordable calendar (compared to the other options this year) is an attractive and fun way to try a broad range of brands and products.
Buy now £50, Lookfantastic.com
Is the Lookfantastic K-beauty advent calendar worth it?
For K-beauty fans, yes – particularly if you’re new to the category. But even if you’re not crazy for Korean beauty, the Lookfantastic K-beauty advent calendar will also excite skincare buffs generally. While there are only 13 products, the £50 price tag reflects the more curated selection, including five full-sized products from sought-after brands such as Anua and Biodance. The eight travel-sized products also make sense for discovering new brands before committing to full-sized buys. The main drawback for some is the packaging, but that aside, it’s a strong skincare focused calendar with good value for money.
How I tested
I unboxed every box, revisiting findings from previous testing alongside fresh reviews of products that were new to me. In particular I looked at:
What’s inside the Lookfantastic K-beauty advent calendar?
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds covers a wide range of beauty reviews and new launches for IndyBest from advent calendars to fragrance, make-up and more, so she knows what’s worth your time and money. Elsewhere, she consulted senior shopping Lucy Smith who has been reviewing advent calendars for IndyBest for three years.
Read more: I unboxed Selfridges’s beauty advent calendar 2026
