Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave this storySave this story
If you’ve spent any time scrolling through K-beauty TikTok, chances are you’ve spotted at least one of the best Kahi products without even realizing it. The Korean skin-care brand shot to fame with its Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm, a chunky pink stick that became nearly as recognizable for its K-drama cameos as for its skin-care benefits. (In shows like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, characters could be seen casually swiping it across their cheeks, forehead, and neck for an instant hit of moisture and glow.) And while multi-balms have since become a much bigger K-beauty category, Kahi has stuck with the formula that helped popularize them (the original Multi Balm hasn’t been reformulated in six years!).
That portable approach to skin care is still Kahi’s calling card. Rather than keeping moisturizing and glow-boosting formulas confined to your bathroom shelf, the brand packages many of them in swipe-and-go formats made for skin care anywhere, anytime.
Our Top Kahi Products
- Bounce Back: Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm, $23
- Root Awakening: Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm, $23
- Stick With It: Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF Broad Spectrum 50+, $21
- Soft Spot: Kisstin Balm, $23
But convenience doesn’t come at the expense of ingredient-packed formulas. Depending on the formula, you’ll find skin-care ingredients such as PDRN, adenosine, niacinamide, collagen, ceramides, and botanical oils. The lineup has expanded beyond its viral multi-balm, too, with lightweight SPF sticks and even a mess-minimizing grinding cleansing balm. Ahead, find our favorite Kahi products for smoothing and glowing on the go.
Bounce Back: Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm
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Kahi
Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm
Amazon
Why we love it: Anyone who’s dabbled in K-beauty has probably heard of buzzy PDRN. “PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, refers to DNA fragments that are most commonly derived from salmon sperm DNA that have been studied for wound healing, tissue repair, inflammation control, and regeneration,” Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City, previously told Allure. While there still isn’t enough clinical research to determine whether the benefits of injectable PDRN translate to topical skin care, at least we know the supporting cast in Kahi’s Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm is doing some heavy lifting.
Hydrolyzed collagen acts as a humectant to retain moisture, while adenosine smooths the appearance of fine lines. Licorice root extract brings soothing and brightening benefits, and a nourishing blend of sunflower, sweet almond, moringa, and rice germ oils, plus shea butter, softens dry skin and seals in moisture. The best part: It’s all packed into a swipe-anywhere stick you can use on your face, neck, and lips, before or after makeup.
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“At first glance, Kahi’s Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm looks like a giant lip balm stick, but one swipe delivers a surprising amount of hydration and nourishment all over my skin (even my dry elbows!). I love gliding it along my cheekbones—almost like a highlighter—for a glossy glow under makeup, but I mostly reach for it at night underneath my usual moisturizer when my skin is feeling extra dry. The fine lines that are starting to creep up around my cheeks and eyes always look especially nourished after I use it, without my skin feeling slick or greasy. It’s also become my hands-free fix for dry patches during the day: I can swipe it straight over areas like my cheeks whenever they start feeling parched, without dipping my fingers into a jar or slathering on another layer of moisturizer.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: PDRN, hydrolyzed collagen, adenosine, licorice root extract, shea butter, sunflower, sweet almond, moringa, and rice germ oils
- Fragrance-free: no
Root Awakening: Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm
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Kahi
Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm
Amazon
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Kahi Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm
Sarah Hoffmann
Why we love it: Whether your K-beauty routine clocks in at 10 steps or a streamlined three, washing off the day typically starts with a double cleanse—and an oil-based formula like Kahi’s Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm makes an ideal first step. Instead of digging your fingers (or a tiny spatula you’ll inevitably lose) into a jar, its grinding mechanism shaves off a fresh portion of balm with every twist, keeping the rest of the formula tucked away and making it easier to dispense just what you need. Sunflower seed oil forms the base of the formula, helping dissolve makeup and sunscreen, while sweet almond, sea buckthorn, apple seed, acai, moringa, and rice germ oils leave skin feeling soft and conditioned. The ingredient list also folds in antioxidant-rich turmeric and licorice root extracts, plus hydrolyzed collagen and adenosine to support smoother, more supple-looking skin.
Hoffmann before applying the Kahi Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Kahi Carrot Nourishing Care Cleansing Balm
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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“I can't live without a cleansing balm in my routine, and this one from Kahi is a lovely addition to my nightly makeup removal. Grinding jars are one of my favorite innovations in skin-care packaging in the last few years, because not having to dig into a jar of cleansing balm or search for an applicator spoon is just so much more pleasant. I wear mascara and tightline my eyes pretty much daily, and this balm does a great job of melting all the product away with minimal scrubbing. My skin feels very clean, but I definitely notice the hydrating effect from the carrot seed extract too.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sunflower seed, sweet almond, sea buckthorn, apple seed, acai, moringa, and rice germ oils, hydrolyzed collagen, adenosine
- Fragrance-free: no
Stick With It: Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF Broad Spectrum 50+
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Kahi
Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF Broad Spectrum 50+
Amazon
Why we love it: K-beauty culture takes sun protection seriously—and that includes reapplying throughout the day. Kahi’s Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++ makes that habit a whole lot easier: The portable stick glides directly onto skin, so you can top up your protection without getting sunscreen on your hands or messing up your makeup. Texture-enhancing powders and silicones give this stick its silky finish, while chemical filters—octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and avobenzone—provide high UVA and UVB protection. Antioxidant vitamin E, soothing bisabolol, and botanical extracts like purslane and watercress round out the formula. We love that you can snag an optional duck keychain case—an adorable little reminder to keep your sun stick close.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Kahi Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Kahi Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“As someone guilty of not reapplying my sunscreen often (until this summer!), I've been on a mission to find sunscreen sticks that don't leave a greasy finish or mess up my makeup. Kahi's Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++ is, in fact, airy, as the name implies, and feels like nothing on—even though I apply a few passes on each section of my face. One pass isn't enough! This is crucial to guarantee you have adequate UV protection! I'm sure there's a small percentage of my makeup that fades as I swipe, but it's not noticeable to me. And, as a true test, my faux freckles stay put! The finish is slightly dewy and cast-free, which I attribute to the chemical filters in the formula. Now, let's address the duck in the room. Am I extra swayed by the cute keychain covering that I got with the stick? Yes, of course. If it's cute, I will be more likely to use it—I don't make the rules! (Ok, I do.)” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone, vitamin E, bisabolol, purslane, watercress
- Fragrance-free: no
Soft Spot: Kisstin Balm
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Kahi
Kisstin Balm
Amazon
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Kahi Kisstin Balm
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: While all of Kahi’s stick balms bring a level of moisture and glow wherever you swipe, Kisstin Balm adds a little color to the equation with this flattering pink tint. The multi-use stick can be glided onto lips, cheeks, and even lids for a sheer, dewy flush, while still delivering the skin-care benefits the brand’s balms are known for. Its emollient base packs sunflower, sea buckthorn, macadamia, apricot kernel, and sweet almond oils alongside shea butter to soften and seal in moisture, while a cocktail of Korean seaweed extracts adds antioxidant and conditioning benefits. You’ll also find niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone, adenosine to smooth the appearance of fine lines, and hydrolyzed collagen to draw in moisture.
Pai before applying the Kahi Kisstin Balm
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Kahi Kisstin Balm
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I was a little nervous when I first started using this—I have naturally oily skin, so avoid anything dewy, and the pink tone didn't seem to show up on my skin—but the pictures are all the proof I need. The dewy sheen on my cheeks does that none of my other blushes can, and it's become a staple in my routine: I swipe it on my lips for quick moisture, dab it on my cheeks, and suddenly I look polished but not overdone.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, Korean seaweed extract, niacinamide, smoothing adenosine, hydrolyzed collagen, sunflower, sea buckthorn, macadamia, apricot kernel, and sweet almond oils
- Fragrance-free: no
Ready to Roll: Caxa M1 Pearl Gua Sha
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Kahi
Caxa M1 Pearl Gua Sha
Amazon
Why we love it: Unlike the basic roller you may already have stashed in your vanity, Kahi’s Caxa M1 Pearl Gua Sha has four multi-faceted, diamond-cut rollers that create a kneading massage as they travel along your facial contours. Gua sha and massage can encourage circulation and move excess fluid, temporarily reducing puffiness and making facial contours appear a little more defined (though, no, they can’t permanently reshape your face). Kahi’s signature “Seagull Line” shape is designed to hug different angles of the face, so you can get into the unique contours of your chin and jawline. At just 1.4 ounces, it’s also more travel-friendly than your average hi-tech sculpting device (plus, no batteries needed). Our tester found that it glides comfortably over bare skin without tugging, but you can also pair it with a serum, cream, or facial oil for even more slip and let the rollers do their thing.
Lee using the Kahi Caxa M1 Pearl Gua Sha
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after using the Kahi Caxa M1 Pearl Gua Sha
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from Lee
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“Thanks to TMJ, I hold so much tension in my jaw, so even if I’m not totally convinced this gua sha is doing much for puffiness, I love it purely for the massage. I’ve used more basic gua sha tools in the past, and the little spheres on this one glide so gently across my skin—no uncomfortable tugging or dragging. I’ll admit, though, I’ve only used it on clean, dry skin. I’m a little wary of pairing it with a serum or moisturizer because I can’t help but wonder if product would build up in all those tiny crevices between the rollers.” —Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Weight: 1.4 oz.
- Material: platinum-coated
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best Kahi products, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.
