CKD

More about CKD
The story behind CKD “CKD is the consumer-skincare face of Chong Kun Dang, one of South Korea's oldest pharmaceutical companies, founded in 1941.” Read the full story

CKD is the consumer-skincare face of Chong Kun Dang, one of South Korea's oldest pharmaceutical companies, founded in 1941. The drugmaker moved into the cosmetics market around 2017, framing the CKD initials as 'Calm & Keep for Dermatology' and pitching its products as the application of pharmaceutical-grade research to everyday skin health. The brand's anchor is the Retino Collagen line, built around low-molecular-weight collagen described as roughly 300 daltons for improved absorption, paired with retinal and flexible liposome delivery, alongside a Lactoderm range using heartleaf and lactobacillus-themed formulas for moisture and barrier support. The catalog here, spanning creams, essences, peel-off masks and a Gua Sha neck cream, reflects an anti-aging and sensitive-skin focus. CKD's pitch rests heavily on the credibility of its pharmaceutical parent and on brand-led clinical and hypoallergenic testing. As a cosmetics line under a decade old, it does not yet carry an extensive body of independent peer-reviewed research specific to its products, so its standing leans on the reputation and resources of Chong Kun Dang rather than long-term, third-party clinical evidence.

Founded
2017
Origin
South Korea
Parent company
Chong Kun Dang
Heritage
Emerging
Type
Pharmacy brand
Verdicts
4 Strong choice · 5 Good choice of 25 assessed
Top-rated
CKD Amino Biotin Protein Cream Shampoo
27 products reviewed

All CKD Products

All 27 Cleansers 4 Treatments 13 Moisturizers 7 Sunscreens 3
Type Cleansers 3 Moisturizers 7 Serums 5 Sunscreens 3 Toners 1 Masks 7 Shampoos 1
Strong choice dandruff
No.1
CKD Amino Biotin Protein Cream Shampoo in a 750 ml pump bottle Anti-Flake Scalp Shampoo
CKD shampoo

Amino Biotin Protein Cream Shampoo

A mild, conditioning sulfate-free shampoo whose real strength is a Korean functional active set of zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, niacinamide and panthenol that genuinely helps flaky, irritated scalps. The biotin and amino acids on the label add smoothness, not growth, and the heavy fragrance is a drawback for sensitive scalps. Good for dandruff-prone hair, not a hair-loss cure.

Key Zinc Pyrithione · Salicylic Acid

normalcombination
4.5 (29)
$20.00 $0.79/fl oz
Full protection sun damage
No.2
CKD Green Propolis All-Covery Sun SPF50+ PA++++ 40ml tube Tinted Mineral Cover Sun
CKD sunscreen

Green Propolis All-Covery Sun SPF50+ PA++++

A solid, zinc-led tinted mineral sunscreen that doubles as a light base, covering redness while delivering SPF50+ PA++++ with a comfortable semi-matte finish. It is a strong pick for fair-to-medium skin that wants mineral protection and coverage in one step, though the single shade, rosemary and lavender oils, and a puzzling propolis claim deserve a closer look.

Key Zinc Oxide · Titanium Dioxide

normalcombination
$20.80 $15.38/fl oz
Full protection sun damage
No.3
CKD Green Propolis All-Mild Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 40ml tube Gentle Zinc Daily Sun
CKD sunscreen

Green Propolis All-Mild Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

A well-formulated, zinc-only SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen that spreads smoothly, fades to a relatively light cast on fair-to-medium skin and adds niacinamide and ectoin for barrier support. It is a strong, affordable mineral option for reactive skin, with the small caveat that rosemary and lavender oils sit oddly beside the hypoallergenic label.

Key Zinc Oxide · Niacinamide

normalcombination
$20.88 $15.44/fl oz
Good choice hyperpigmentation
No.4
CKD Vita C Teca Dark Spot Cream Pack 80 ml with applicator brush At-Home Brightening Pack
CKD mask

Vita C Teca Dark Spot Cream Pack

An intensive, brush-on brightening pack that gives the line's vitamin-C-and-niacinamide actives a long 40-minute contact time, boosted with glutathione and a full TECA centella complex. As a periodic at-home dark-spot treatment it's a pleasant, affordable spa-style step that leaves skin brighter and soft. Just know it's a slow-and-steady boost, not an instant fix, and likely fragranced.

Key Niacinamide · Vitamin C

normalcombination
4.4 (600)
$22.00 $8.13/fl oz
Full protection sun damage
No.5
CKD PDRN Ampoule Sun Stick Balm SPF 50+ PA++++, 17 g open twist-up stick Glowy Reapplication Stick
CKD sunscreen

PDRN Ampoule Sun Stick Balm SPF 50+ PA++++

A well-formulated SPF 50+ PA++++ stick with a stabilised five-filter system and a dewy finish, useful for reapplying over makeup. The PDRN in its name appears after fragrance, so it adds nothing measurable, and the fragrance, all-organic filters and lack of US availability will put some readers off. Buy it as a glow stick for top-ups, not as a PDRN treatment.

Key Tinosorb · Avobenzone

drynormal
Price n/a
Good choice dryness
No.6
CKD Collagen Core Glow Cream 35ml tube Rich Glow Cream
CKD moisturizer

Collagen Core Glow Cream

A genuinely comfortable, lipid-rich cream with squalane, shea butter, niacinamide and adenosine that leaves dry, tired skin soft and softly glowing. But the collagen and retinol it is named for sit far down the formula, bergamot adds fragrance, and nearly fifty dollars for 35ml asks a lot for what is, at heart, a well-made moisturizer.

Key Squalane · Shea Butter

drynormal
$49.40 $41.74/fl oz
Good choice dehydration
No.7
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Skin Toner 250ml bottle Collagen-First Hydrating Toner
CKD toner

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Skin Toner

An unusually rich hydrating toner with 77 percent collagen extract, niacinamide, several hyaluronic acid forms and barrier lipids that leaves skin plump and dewy after each use. It is a good first step for dry and normal skin, but the retinal is a trace and three essential oils plus allergens make it a poor fit for sensitive complexions.

Key Hydrolyzed Collagen · Niacinamide

drynormal
4.4 (48)
$20.00 $2.37/fl oz
Good choice dryness
No.8
CKD Lactoderm Beneficial Moisturizing Cream jar Postbiotic Barrier Hero
CKD moisturizer

Lactoderm Beneficial Moisturizing Cream

A genuinely sophisticated postbiotic barrier cream that pairs a high-dose lactobacillus ferment with a patented skin-identical lamellar lipid complex of ceramide, cholesterol, and phospholipid, all fragrance-free. It soothes and reinforces dry, reactive, compromised skin impressively for the price — only the fungal-acne-prone and vegans need to look elsewhere.

Key Probiotics & Prebiotics · Ceramides

drynormal Fragrance Free
4.5 (6.0k)
$29.00 $8.58/fl oz
Good choice sensitivity
No.9
CKD Lactoderm Beneficial Heartleaf Mask pack Calming Jelly Mask
CKD mask

Lactoderm Beneficial Heartleaf Mask

A genuinely gentle, fragrance-free soothing jelly mask that doubles up two calming botanicals — heartleaf and cica — over a five-ferment postbiotic base. It delivers real short-term relief for red, reactive, dehydrated skin and suits all skin types, with only the usual single-use-mask caveats and a minor fungal-acne question mark.

Key Houttuynia Cordata · Probiotics & Prebiotics

normaldry Fragrance Free
4.4 (1.5k)
$16.00
Supporting role aging
No.10
CKD Retino Collagen Gua Sha Neck Cream 50ml with gua sha tool Neck-Targeted Retinal Cream
CKD moisturizer

Retino Collagen Gua Sha Neck Cream

A rare thing: a dedicated retinal-and-collagen neck cream that actually ships with a gua sha tool. It brings the viral CKD formula — retinal, low-molecular collagen, niacinamide, adenosine, ceramides — to the neck and décolleté most routines ignore, with a pleasant massage ritual built in. The essential-oil fragrance on thin neck skin is the main caveat.

Key Retinal · Collagen

normaldry
4.4 (5.0k)
$25.00 $14.79/fl oz
Supporting role aging
No.11
CKD Retino Collagen Moisturizing Cream jar Daily Collagen-Retinal Cream
CKD moisturizer

Retino Collagen Moisturizing Cream

The everyday cream of CKD's viral Retino Collagen line — a hydrating daily moisturizer that folds in small-molecule collagen, a gentle retinal and niacinamide for subtle anti-aging. It plumps, smooths and firms gently at a budget price, sealing in the line's ampoule and serum nicely. The essential oils and retinoid status are the caveats, ruling it out for sensitive and pregnant users.

Key Hydrolyzed Collagen · Retinal

normalcombination
4.5 (4.0k)
$17.00 $6.70/fl oz
Supporting role aging
No.12
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Cream 40ml tube Viral Retinal-Collagen Cream
CKD moisturizer

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Cream

The cream that turned CKD into an Olive Young powerhouse earns most of its hype: real retinaldehyde plus a patented low-molecular collagen and two Korea-approved actives in a rich, bouncy base that plumps and firms without the harshness of prescription retinoids. The essential-oil fragrance is the main reason sensitive skin should think twice.

Key Retinal · Collagen

normaldry
4.5 (30.0k)
$30.00 $22.18/fl oz
Supporting role aging
No.13
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Intensive Cream 25ml tube Loaded Retinal Night Cream
CKD moisturizer

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Intensive Cream

CKD's maxed-out night cream takes the viral retinal-and-collagen formula and stacks on 55% low-molecular collagen, a big multi-peptide complex, ceramides, and beta-glucan. The result is a richly nourishing, treatment-grade cream for dry, mature skin and neck care — held back mainly by a heavy essential-oil fragrance, a small 25ml tube, and a premium price.

Key Retinal · Collagen

drynormal
4.4 (4.0k)
$28.00 $33.12/fl oz
Supporting role dryness
No.14
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Glow Stick 10g Pocket Glow Balm
CKD moisturizer

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Glow Stick

A handy, pocket-sized glow balm that delivers an instant dewy sheen and softens dry patches, even over makeup. But the glow comes from sunflower oil and synthetic mica, not from collagen, peptides or the trace of retinal the name trades on, and a fragrant essential-oil blend makes it a risky pick for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Key Sunflower Oil · Shimmer Pigments

drynormal
$21.30 $60.38/oz
Promising aging
No.15
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 First Essence 150ml bottle Affordable Retinal Gateway
CKD serum

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 First Facial Essence

The viral CKD essence earns its hype on value: third-generation retinal paired with high-dose small-molecule collagen, niacinamide, and ceramides, fragrance-free, in a 150ml bottle for the price of a tiny retinal serum. It's a genuinely smart, gentle gateway into retinoids, just be realistic about what the 'collagen' actually does and avoid it in pregnancy.

Key Retinal · Hydrolyzed Collagen

normalcombination Fragrance Free
4.4 (5.0k)
$30.00 $5.91/fl oz
Promising aging
No.16
CKD Retino Collagen Low Molecular 300 Guasha Lifting Serum 40 ml with steel gua sha roller Gua Sha Lifting Serum
CKD serum

Retino Collagen Low Molecular 300 Guasha Lifting Serum

A collagen-forward firming serum that sells the ritual: a 71%+ small-molecule collagen base for a strong instant plumped-and-lifted look, a built-in steel gua sha roller for at-home massage, and a whisper of retinal for gradual firming. The instant lift and the tool are genuinely satisfying and great value. Just know the lift is temporary, the retinal minimal, and the essential oils rule it out for sensitive and pregnant users.

Key Hydrolyzed Collagen · Retinal

normalcombination
4.5 (3.0k)
$20.00 $14.79/fl oz
Promising aging
No.17
CKD Retino Collagen Pore Elasticity Mask sheet mask box Plumping Hydro-Matrix Mask
CKD mask

Retino Collagen Pore Elasticity Mask

The sheet-mask version of CKD's viral collagen line delivers a satisfying, immediate plumping boost from a thick hydro-matrix sheet drenched in collagen, niacinamide, adenosine, and a touch of retinal. It's a great pre-event or weekly treat for dewy, supple skin — just know the firming is temporary and the bergamot-oil fragrance rules it out for reactive skin.

Key Collagen · Retinal

normaldry
4.6 (1.5k)
$18.00 $3.60/sheet
Promising aging
No.18
CKD Retino Collagen Pumping Ampoule bottle Collagen Plumping Ampoule
CKD serum

Retino Collagen Pumping Ampoule

A loaded, affordable collagen-and-hydration ampoule that genuinely earns its 'pumping' name through a 55% small-molecule collagen humectant film, backed by a real retinal-and-niacinamide accent and a deep skin-matrix complex. It plumps and softens impressively for the price — just know the collagen claims are overstated, the retinal is light, and the essential oils rule it out for sensitive skin.

Key Hydrolyzed Collagen · Retinal

normaldry
4.4 (5.0k)
$24.00 $23.66/fl oz
Promising aging
No.19
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Collagen Pumping Ampoule 30 ml bottle Collagen-Retinal Value Ampoule
CKD serum

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Collagen Pumping Ampoule

A clever, viral budget ampoule that bundles two anti-aging strategies: instant 'collagen pumping' from a 55% small-molecule collagen base for immediate bounce, and genuine long-term firming from gentle retinal. It plumps and hydrates on contact and smooths fine lines over time, all pharma-credentialed and cheap. The essential oils and retinal rule it out for sensitive and pregnant users, but for everyone else it's strong value.

Key Hydrolyzed Collagen · Retinal

normalcombination
4.5 (5.0k)
$18.00 $17.74/fl oz
Promising hyperpigmentation
No.20
CKD Vita C Teca Triple Blemish Patch tub of 60 patches Targeted Brightening Patch
CKD mask

Vita C Teca Triple Blemish Patch

Don't let the name fool you — these aren't pimple stickers but oversized brightening hydrogel patches loaded with four forms of vitamin C plus glutathione, tranexamic acid, and arbutin, balanced by soothing TECA. They're a smart, sensitive-skin-friendly way to target dark spots zone by zone, with the usual caveats of gradual results and a citrus-oil fragrance.

Key Vitamin C · Glutathione

normalcombination
4.4 (1.2k)
$25.00 $0.42/patch
Unproven dullness
No.21
CKD Vita C Teca Blemish Shot Mask hydrogel sheet 5-pack Loaded Brightening Mask
CKD mask

Vita C Teca Blemish Shot Mask

A genuinely loaded brightening hydrogel mask that packs a serum's worth of proven actives — multi-form vitamin C, tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, niacinamide and glutathione — into a cooling, fragrance-free sheet on a soothing centella base. It delivers an instant brightened, plumped glow and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. As a periodic treatment-grade boost it's excellent, as long as you don't expect a sheet mask to fade spots on its own.

Key Vitamin C · Niacinamide

normalcombination Fragrance Free
4.4 (700)
$20.00 $4.00/sheet
Unproven dullness
No.22
CKD Retino Collagen Creamy Peel-Off Mask tube Instant Glass-Skin Peel-Off
CKD mask

Retino Collagen Creamy Peel-Off Mask

CKD's collagen-rich peel-off mask delivers exactly what the format promises: an instant, satisfying tightening and a glassy glow as you peel the film away. Buffered with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and plant oils, it's gentler than most peel-offs — but the results are temporary, the peeling is a mild stress, and the bergamot fragrance rules it out for sensitive skin.

Key Collagen · Film Formers & Texture Polymers

normalcombination
4.2 (600)
$20.00 $7.39/fl oz
Not yet assessed large pores
No.23
CKD Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Pore Cleansing Foam 150ml tube Collagen-Buffered Foam Cleanser
CKD cleanser

Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 Pore Cleansing Foam

The cleanser in CKD's viral Retino Collagen line is a soap-based foaming wash softened by a hefty 35% low-molecular collagen load plus hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It deep-cleans like a classic fatty-acid foam but rinses to a less stripped, more moisturized feel — a solid value pick for normal-to-oily skin, though the saponified base and essential-oil fragrance limit it for dry or sensitive types.

Key Collagen · Hyaluronic Acid

normalcombination
4.3 (2.0k)
$15.00 $2.96/fl oz
Not yet assessed dullness
No.24
CKD Vita C Teca Hydrogel Face Mask box of 5 sheets Full-Face Brightening Jelly Mask
CKD mask

Vita C Teca Hydrogel Face Mask

The full-face sibling to CKD's Vita C Teca patches, this jelly hydrogel mask spreads the same loaded brightening complex — six forms of vitamin C plus glutathione, tranexamic acid, and arbutin, calmed by TECA centella — across the whole face. It's a strong, gentle all-over glow treatment, with the standard sheet-mask caveats of gradual results, per-use cost, and a citrus-oil fragrance.

Key Vitamin C · Glutathione

normalcombination
4.4 (800)
$20.00 $4.00/sheet
Not yet assessed dullness
No.25
CKD Vita C Teca Toning Shot Serum 30 ml bottle Pharma Brightening Serum
CKD serum

Vita C Teca Toning Shot Serum

A pharma-brand brightening serum that does several things at once — niacinamide-led tone correction with vitamin C support, a soothing centella-and-herbal complex, and a mild natural-spicule exfoliation — at a genuinely affordable price. It brightens and smooths gradually and gently. The bergamot oil and the slightly scratchy spicules are the main caveats, but for budget multi-angle brightening it's a solid pick.

Key Niacinamide · Vitamin C

normalcombination
4.4 (1.0k)
$16.00 $15.77/fl oz
No.26
CKD Green Plum AHA BHA Makeup Remove Cleansing Oil Balm in a 50 ml pale green grinding jar Hygienic Grinding Balm
CKD cleanser

Green Plum AHA BHA Makeup Remove Cleansing Oil Balm

A clever grinding jar that keeps a cleansing balm hygienic and neatly dosed, filled with a competent, well-emulsifying formula that melts makeup and rinses cleanly. The AHA and BHA are present only at trace levels, a heavy citrus and rosemary essential-oil blend limits it for sensitive skin, and it costs more per use than most balms.

Key Emollient Esters · Emulsifiers

normaldry
4.3 (56)
$20.00 $11.43/fl oz
No.27
CKD Green Plum AHA BHA Pore Zero Cleansing Oil, 200 ml bottle with sage-green pump Citrus-Scented First Cleanse
CKD cleanser

Green Plum AHA BHA Pore Zero Face Cleansing Oil

A light, well-emulsifying cleansing oil that removes makeup and sunscreen cleanly at a fair price. Its AHA and BHA are declared at parts-per-billion levels, so they do nothing for pores, and a generous blend of citrus and rosemary essential oils makes it a poor match for sensitive skin. Buy it as a pleasant first cleanse, not as an exfoliant.

Key Emollient Esters · Emulsifiers

oilycombination
4.3 (56)
$18.00 $2.56/fl oz

More about CKD

CKD is the skincare line of Chong Kun Dang, a South Korean pharmaceutical company founded in 1941 that expanded into cosmetics around 2017.

The brand name is framed as 'Calm & Keep for Dermatology,' and its products lean on the parent's pharmaceutical research positioning, with formulas marketed as hypoallergenic and clinically tested. While the skincare line itself is relatively young, it benefits from the manufacturing and R&D resources of an established drug company; independent peer-reviewed validation of its specific cosmetic products remains limited.