ROUND LAB: the K-beauty brand that celebrates Korea's natural terroirs
Amid the abundance of contemporary K-beauty brands, ROUND LAB has established itself in just a few years as one of the most unique. Its proposition: to celebrate the natural terroirs of the Korean peninsula by sourcing ingredients directly from the country’s most pristine landscapes. Deep water from Dokdo, birch sap from Inje, mugwort from Geomundo: each line tells a story of a region, each product celebrates a treasure of Korean nature. An almost gastronomic approach to cosmetics.
At Ma Petite Corée, we have selected ROUND LAB among our favorite brands, convinced by the originality of its terroir approach and the impeccable quality of its minimalist formulations. In this article, we break down the brand’s DNA in depth. History, philosophy, ingredients or key concepts, flagship products: everything you need to know to understand why ROUND LAB deserves a place in your routine.
ROUND LAB: a K-beauty brand rooted in Korean terroirs
ROUND LAB was born in 2017 in Seoul with a clear mission: to create high-quality skincare using the best natural ingredients that the Korean peninsula can offer. Rather than relying on synthetic actives or imported ingredients, the brand makes the bold choice of local roots. Each line is developed around a signature ingredient from a specific region of Korea, with strict traceability and direct partnerships with producers.
The brand name evokes the idea of an open laboratory exploring the entire "round," the whole of Korea, in search of the best water, the best sap, the best plant. This philosophy is reflected in a minimalist and elegant design, with clean packaging that highlights the main ingredient. The communication is sober, scientific, far from the bling of more traditional K-beauty brands. ROUND LAB speaks to skincare enthusiasts who value substance over marketing.
ROUND LAB's success is meteoric. The 1025 Dokdo Toner, the flagship product, became a phenomenon in Korea from 2018 and won the best toner award three years in a row in Korean beauty contests. The success spread to Asia, then the United States and Europe. Today, ROUND LAB is distributed on all continents and remains true to its terroir identity: each new launch draws from a specific corner of Korean geography. At Ma Petite Corée, we were charmed by this authentic approach from the very first products.
The Korean terroir: ROUND LAB's ingredient signature
Three Korean regions shape ROUND LAB's identity. The first is Dokdo, a group of islets located in the East Sea, a strong national symbol for Korea. The deep water, drawn from 1,500 meters below the surface, stays at 2°C year-round and has exceptional mineral richness. The number “1025” in the famous toner refers to the date October 25, “Dokdo Day” in Korea, commemorating a major historical event related to these islands.
The second region is Inje, a mountainous province in the northeast known for its birch forests. ROUND LAB harvests the spring sap of silver birch there, rich in minerals, naturally occurring amino acids, and natural moisturizing factors. This sap is the base of the Birch Juice line, entirely dedicated to hydration and sun protection. Birch sap has been used for centuries in traditional Korean medicine.
The third key region is Geomundo, a small island in southern Korea where an exceptional mugwort grows, nourished by iodine-rich sea breezes. ROUND LAB extracts madecassoside and other soothing actives from it, forming the base of the Mugwort line. The brand also offers other lines according to seasons and opportunities: Pine Calming Cica with Korean pine, Soybean for body care, each with its own terroir logic and specific benefits.
ROUND LAB's flagship products
ROUND LAB structures its catalog around a few iconic products. Here are the brand's essentials.
The 1025 Dokdo Toner is the brand's absolute cult product, a bestseller in Korea since 2018. Its formula combines deep Dokdo water, HATCHING EX-07 protease enzyme for ultra-gentle exfoliation, panthenol, allantoin, and betaine to soothe. Watery texture, instant absorption, new skin effect from the first uses. Suitable for sensitive skin.
The Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF50+ is the flagship sunscreen. Very high protection (SPF50+ PA++++), formula enriched with birch sap and hyaluronic acid for all-day hydration. Natural finish without white cast, perfect for everyday use. Praised by K-beauty influencers worldwide.
The Mugwort Calming Toner completes this iconic trio with a targeted offer for sensitive skin. Geomundo mugwort at high concentration, madecassoside, immediate soothing action on redness and discomfort. Perfect after sun exposure, post-peeling, or for reactive skin seeking a minimalist and effective routine.
ROUND LAB for whom? Adapting the brand to your skin
ROUND LAB is for all skin types seeking simplicity and effectiveness. The 1025 Dokdo line is especially suitable for combination to oily skin as well as dull skin, thanks to its daily enzymatic exfoliation that refines texture. Dehydrated or dry-prone skin will opt for the Birch Juice line, very hydrating and comfortable. Sensitive, reactive, or atopic skin will find a true soothing ally in the Mugwort line.
Skin with blemishes can explore the Pine Calming Cica line, enriched with Korean pine, BHA, LHA, and hyaluronic acid. It soothes redness while gently exfoliating clogged pores. ROUND LAB also offers sunscreens for all situations: chemical for urban use, mineral for the most sensitive skin. The brand suits teenagers as well as mature skin looking to return to simple and effective beauty steps.
Building your complete ROUND LAB routine
A typical ROUND LAB routine embodies the brand's minimalist philosophy. In the morning, start with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin: Dokdo Cleansing Oil followed by a foaming cleanser, or Mugwort Calming Cleanser for sensitive skin. Then apply your signature toner: 1025 Dokdo for radiance and texture, Mugwort for soothing, Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner for hydration.
Continue with an essence or serum according to your concerns. The brand notably offers the Pine Calming Cica Serum for blemishes or the Birch Juice Moisturizing Essence for deep hydration. Finish with a suitable cream, Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream for a nourishing effect, then definitely a sunscreen: Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen for daily use or Mild-Up Sunscreen in a mineral version for sensitive skin.
In the evening, the routine becomes more extensive with double cleansing, application of targeted actives, and a richer cream. Mask lovers will appreciate the Pine Calming Cica Sheet Mask once or twice a week for a soothing and hydrating boost. ROUND LAB recommends sticking to one line for at least four weeks to see visible results, avoiding mixing multiple brands in the same daily routine. Wise advice that aligns with the brand’s minimalist philosophy.
Our ROUND LAB selection at Ma Petite Corée
At Ma Petite Corée, we select each ROUND LAB reference with the greatest care. All our products come directly from South Korea, through a verified short supply chain. Here is our favorite selection, available in stock and shipped from Seoul.
Why choose ROUND LAB at Ma Petite Corée?
Buying Korean products in Europe can bring unpleasant surprises on general marketplaces. Counterfeits, expired products, poor storage in non-air-conditioned warehouses: the risks are very real. At Ma Petite Corée, we import each ROUND LAB product directly from Korea. Our team based in Seoul checks every batch before shipping to guarantee authenticity and absolute freshness.
We also offer exclusive references rarely distributed in France. Korean novelties, limited editions, formats unavailable elsewhere: our catalog is constantly evolving with new products selected by our Franco-Korean team. We test the products beforehand to offer you only what really works in practice.
ROUND LAB proves that K-beauty can sometimes do without complications: when you start with an excellent natural Korean ingredient, the final formula hits the mark. Find the entire ROUND LAB range on Ma Petite Corée and let yourself be tempted by this brand that embodies an essential facet of contemporary K-beauty.
— Yeseo, Ma Petite Corée team