Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trust buying Korean skin-care products online?
Yes, especially if you’re shopping for Korean beauty products through a trusted retailer like Nordstrom—but it’s still worth paying attention to who you’re buying from. While Nordstrom curates its assortment, some beauty brands like Haruharu Wonder may be fulfilled by third-party sellers. A quick check to make sure the product is sold directly by Nordstrom (rather than a marketplace partner) can give you a little extra reassurance.
It also doesn’t hurt that shopping for K-beauty products at Nordstrom makes the whole process feel low-risk: If something doesn’t work out, returns are easy to handle either online or in-store (no repackaging stress), which isn’t always the case with other e-tailers.
How does Nordstrom curate their K-beauty products?
Nordstrom’s approach to curating K-beauty is, as West puts it, “rooted in thoughtfulness.” Rather than chasing trends, the team looks for brands that “balance innovation with integrity,” prioritizing clinically backed ingredients and formats that make routines feel “lighter and more intuitive”—like toner pads and ampoule-infused treatments that simplify steps while still delivering results. “Transparency matters, too,” she adds, noting a focus on formulas centered on hydration, sensitivity, and barrier health. “Those everyday concerns that resonate across every skin story.” Just as key is how those products are introduced: Nordstrom relies on curation and clear storytelling to “simplify that journey,” spotlighting approachable entry points that make discovery feel effortless rather than overwhelming.
Meet the experts
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified medical doctor and Medical Director of PureenMD based in Fort Lee, New Jersey
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best K-beauty at Nordstrom, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists, estheticians, and brand founders. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
