As someone who enjoys skincare but tends to stick to a familiar morning and evening routine, I haven’t always been drawn to the latest Korean and Japanese skincare trends. However, that all changed when the Boots K+J Beauty Skin Edit arrived at my door.
Priced at just £35 but valued at over £140, this beauty box includes nine products, six of which are full-sized. Boots describes the collection as featuring ‘viral favourites’ and ‘hydration heroes’ designed to leave skin looking dewy, radiant and refreshed.
The box showcases renowned Korean brands such as Beauty of Joseon, Biodance and Haru Haru Wonder, alongside Japanese skincare specialist Curél, known for its moisture-rich formulations and expertise with sensitive skin.
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It’s clear I’m not alone in liking this box; it already holds a perfect five-star rating on Boots' website. One satisfied customer praised it as “another fantastic beauty box from Boots,” highlighting its exceptional value. Another buyer shared their enthusiasm, saying they were ordering a second box to avoid running out, noting their skin felt healthier with a natural glow after just a week.
Not every opinion was entirely positive, though. One reviewer mentioned a preference for the previous K-beauty box, finding the new moisturising spray left a sticky feeling and would have preferred a face wash instead. Nonetheless, they acknowledged the overall good value and quality of the products.
Another customer singled out the box as their favourite purchase, especially appreciating the selection of brands and the suitability for sensitive skin. They credited Korean skincare for clearing their skin and providing a glow without irritation.
For comparison, Sephora offers the YEPODA K-Beauty Icons Set at £40, containing four travel-sized products including the Calm Balm and Bubble Double. Selfridges sells a K Beauty Skincare Kit for £60, featuring eight products from brands like Anua, Biodance, Laneige and medicube.
As someone new to Korean and Japanese skincare, I particularly enjoyed trying products from a variety of brands, some familiar such as Beauty of Joseon, Biodance and Dr Jart+, and others completely new to me like Laka, Curél and Genabelle.
The box’s contents work out to approximately £3.88 per product, with one alone valued at £25.90 on Boots’ website. This alone makes the box feel like an excellent investment.
Among my favourites was the Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream. The gel-like texture applies smoothly and feels comfortable without being heavy. After a week’s use in the mornings, my skin feels nourished and supple, with the tube likely to last a long while due to its concentrated formula.
I also tried the Dr Jart+ Hydro Firming Mask with hydrolysed collagen, which left my skin feeling firmer and well-hydrated. Applying it on clean, dry skin and removing it once it turns clear (or after an hour) truly delivered the much-talked-about ‘glass-like’ skin, with effects lasting until the next morning. I have already reordered a four-pack for my weekly pamper evenings.
Though I was familiar with Biodance, the collagen gel toner pads were a pleasant surprise compared to the more hyped medicube pads often seen on TikTok. I kept these pads in the fridge for an extra cooling effect and, despite having sensitive skin prone to blemishes, found no irritation after twice-weekly use for two weeks.
One product stood out as a game-changer for me amidst the recent UK heatwaves: the Curél Deep Moisture Spray. This spray not only delivers much-needed moisture but also provides a refreshing coolness during hot spells. I kept it by my bedside for quick spritzes if I felt too warm at night, and it doubles as an effective make-up setting spray. I understand why many reviewers call it a ‘holy grail’ product – I have already ordered a second bottle myself.