Your essence, serum, or sleeping mask might be more forgiving on your skin if you miss a day or two.
But the standard is different for the 10-step Korean skincare routine. The essential step? MOISTURIZER.
Without it, you’re bound to ask why your skin isn’t improving.
Many people are envious of the flawless radiance seen in Korean skin that has taken the beauty market by storm. It’s true that genetics influence skin characteristics, but that isn’t the only reason.
We can take a step-by-step approach to that coveted complexion by doing what they do every day. And because your skin works hard for you, it’s important to show it a little love!
We’ve rounded up the best skincare Korean beauty moisturizers and categorized them based on skin compatibility, so it’s easier to find the perfect one for you!
5 Best Korean Moisturizers to Add to Your Face Skin Care Routine
Mizon Black All in One Snail Repair Cream
Our Pick
It’s not easy to pick an overall best when it comes to Korean skincare products, but this one is a no-brainer. Packed with quality ingredients, this product is a game changer and is the best Korean moisturizer for every type of skin and season.
If you want to subscribe to the 10-step Korean skin care routine and achieve that cream skin Korean beauty standard, this is a good place to start.
The Experience
It might seem like a heavy formula, but this Korean moisturizer is actually a lightweight cream. It almost feels like a water gel cream. Because of this, it sinks right into the skin upon application.
Users have noted that this has no added fragrance. This is good news for those with sensitive skin since fragrances can cause irritation.
Because of its lightweight feature, this is the best Korean moisturizer to use for both morning AND evening.
The Mizon Black All in One Snail Repair Cream is a gentle product that helps with a lot of skin problems including blemishes, scars, and dark spots. It also improves complexion by decreasing pore size and smoothening out fine lines.
Because of its lightness, many users have used this moisturizing face cream as a primer.
What’s Inside
For its star ingredient, it has black snail secretion filtrate which formulates 90 percent of the product. Apart from resilient species origins, it is also able to survive harsh conditions.
Snail mucin is a powerful ingredient for skin rejuvenation, which makes it perfect for Korean moisturizers.
It boosts collagen production and repairs skin cells. The anti-aging properties make it good for users of all ages.
Aside from that, this cream has a lot of antioxidants that include cocoa, mushroom, and grape extract, as well as garlic. Sounds like ingredients for a weird dish you don’t want to try out, but trust me, they do wonders on your skin.
What’s Not Inside
Unlike other creams that come in a pot, this one does not include a spatula for application. This means that you have to use your fingers, which can be unhygienic for obvious reasons.
But the good news is that it also has no parabens, fragrance, or artificial color.
Pros
- Contains 90 percent black snail filtrate that rejuvenates the skin
- Paraben-free, fragrance-free, and artificial color-free
- Contains a lot of antioxidants
- Addresses multiple skin problems like fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- No applicator
Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream
Best for Dry Skin
People who have dry, damaged skin are more likely to reach for moisturizers. This is obvious because the benefits of a moisturizer work wonders for dry skin.
The most important factor to consider for dry skin is not only the product’s ability to hydrate but also to keep the moisture in throughout the day. This can be challenging, but the Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream is up for it.
The Experience
At first, the moisturizing cream will feel heavy and thick. But after a few moments, the cream is completely absorbed and your skin feels plump without any greasiness.
That’s why this is the clear choice for treating dry skin.
Compared to other ultra-hydrating moisturizers out there, this feels almost water-like. This water-cream sensation can calm and soothe your dry skin while offering super aqua moisture.
And because the skin absorbs the water-cream so well, it does not leave any greasy residue or a heavy feeling. This is a hard balance to achieve when it comes to hydrating creams, but this product does it well.
Floral Fragrance Fun
The first thing you will notice upon opening this gel cream is its scent. It has an added floral fragrance some people don’t mind, but other users have reported it can be too much.
Depending on your sensitivity to the smell, you might think twice about this gel cream. An important thing to note is that the smell lasts throughout the day.
What's Inside
The first ingredient you’ll probably notice is water. This is common enough, but in actuality, this moisturizer uses hydro-ionized mineral water.
This differs from ordinary water because of six extra minerals: manganese, sodium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and calcium. No wonder it has that super aqua effect.
It also comes with squalene which is a substance known for balancing oil production. Its primary purpose is keeping moisture at a healthy level.
Pros
- Uses hydro-ionized mineral water
- Moisturizes without the greasy feeling
- Hydrates dry skin and keeps the moisture in throughout the day
Cons
- Scented
- Contains silicone
Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Best for Sensitive Skin
Finding the right makeup and skincare products for sensitive skin is not easy. A lot of moisturizing creams may offer promising benefits, but sometimes, it does more harm than good. Your skin isn’t always compatible.
This is where Klairs’ calming cream comes to the rescue. Users with sensitive and acne-prone skin praise this product’s soothing effects.
The Experience
What’s great about the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream moisturizer is its ability to sit well with sensitive skin. Yes, even with rosacea and eczema. While some users experience irritation at times, this face cream isn’t all bad. In fact, many can attest to its compatibility with super delicate skin.
We suggest using the applicator instead of your fingers for application. This is because heat from the fingers lessens the cream’s cooling sensation.
The heat is also another reason why we recommend using this after sun exposure. It can help sunburns heal easier and provides the soothing effect users rave about. It also gives the same effect to irritated skin caused by shaving or laser procedures.
What’s Inside
This Korean moisturizer boasts its Centella Asiatica extract. Used for generations in India, the herbaceous plant produces anti-aging and anti-oxidative properties.
A 2008 study published in Experimental Dermatology discusses the benefits of this plant. With continuous treatment, centella asiatica extract photoages skin and prevents skin aging. What a treat indeed!
Another note-worthy ingredient is guaiazulene, a dark blue hydrocarbon that calms the skin. This is perhaps what gives the product its famous blue color. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so for sensitive skin, that’s a plus for you.
What’s Not Inside
You’ll be happy to know this face cream is made cruelty-free. You can also leave your beauty worries behind if you’re thinking of any harmful ingredients like Ethanol, parabens, and silicon.
It also has no artificial coloring or artificial fragrance that usually don’t sit well with sensitive skin.
Pros
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Soothing
- No artificial coloring or fragrance
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive for its size
- Does not effectively reduce the appearance of red spots
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
Best for Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you might be thinking twice about moisturizing. Isn’t your skin oily enough? Why pile more things on there?
But as it turns out, moisturizing may be the solution to your problems. This is counterintuitive, but skipping the moisturizer can cause more problems. Your keyword here is hydration. And quite frankly, more moisture simply means more water. And water isn’t harmful at all.
This moisturizer has birch sap, packed with all the goodness you need to hydrate the skin. So if you’re looking for a solution to sebum overproduction, this might be the best Korean moisturizer for you.
The Experience
If you’re looking for a good summer moisturizer, the COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion is a go-to product. You won’t have any greasy residue issues since this absorbs into your skin quickly.
In addition, it is a lightweight moisturizer that works for all skin types. But it is still perfect for tackling oiliness because it can hydrate without feeling heavy. In fact, you can add on as much of the product as you want since the finish will feel the same thanks to complete absorption
What most users love about this product is its satin finish. The tea tree oil component also helps soothe the skin. However, some users feel the tea tree scent is not everyone’s cup of tea. (Pun intended)
What’s in the Name?
While the name suggests it’s oil-free, this is not the case. A perusal of the ingredients list shows that it has two oil types: lemon peel and tea tree oil. Although to be fair, these are listed at the end of the list, which means they may only be in trace amounts.
What’s Inside
COSRX emphasizes the use of Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice in this particular moisturizer. Don’t let the name intimidate you though. You can also refer to it as birch sap or birch juice.
This is what makes this moisturizing lotion such a strong bet for oily skin types. Birch juice contains 11 amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals that help hydrate the skin.
You might be familiar with hyaluronic acid, a common hydrating ingredient in a lot of beauty products. This is even more powerful than that thanks to its high water content.
What’s Not Inside
This product contains no parabens and sulfate. There is also no added fragrance. The scent comes naturally from the tea tree oil, which happens to be one of the ingredients.
Pros
- Contains birch sap that treats irritated skin
- Does not have a greasy residue
- Does not clog pores
- Contained in a pump bottle for easier control
- Amino acids and antioxidants help in hydrating the skin
Cons
- Has tea tree scent
- Not for those who are sensitive to moisturizing alcohols
Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream EX
Best for Combination Skin
Balance. That’s what this green tea moisturizer offers. For those with combination skin, this will do wonders for you. Since this skin type is both dry and oily, it can be hard to find the right middle ground.
Luckily, this balancing cream from Innisfree does just that.
The Experience
As a balancing cream, this product is neither too thin nor too thick. It has a lightweight formula but is also deeply moisturizing. It is able to hydrate the skin without leaving any greasiness.
Apart from the texture, users also love the cream’s scent. The fragrance is so strong it lingers even after applying other beauty products.
And if you’re thinking allergic reactions and skin irritations, don’t worry. Users share the strong benefits this cream provides. Even with delicate skin, this Korean moisturizer is as strong as a serum and that’s why it’s a good choice.
What’s Inside
The researchers for this cream studied about 2,400 varieties of green tea (Camellia sinensis) before getting the right one. They chose one extracted from fresh green tea leaves in Jeju Island, a paradise in South Korea frequented by tourists.
Jeju Island is renowned for its beauty and abundant plant life.
The benefits of the green tea extract for skin health have been proven by many studies before. A 2003 study from the Medical College of Georgia shared how green tea extract is linked to skin cell rejuvenation.
Because green tea is rich in antioxidants, it is an excellent anti-aging substance. This is a highly important characteristic to look for in moisturizers because we seek to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Aside from antioxidants, it also has Vitamin E and B. The former helps increase skin elasticity and collagen production, while the latter promotes cell regeneration.
Pros
- Formula is neither too light nor too heavy
- Paraben-free and mineral oil-free
- Deeply moisturizing without being greasy
- Addresses other skin concerns like fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- Not the best choice for colder months because it is thinner than most moisturizers
What Are the Benefits of Using a Moisturizer?
Moisturizers not only hydrate the skin, but also serve as a protective barrier throughout the day.
At night, it provides nourishment for your skin since cleansing strips away natural oils.
Everyone Will Benefit from Moisturizing
This is even more evident in those with dry skin who lack moisture. The water in hyaluronic acid, for example, benefits all types of skin since it contains more water-moisture effects without any greasiness.
Those who moisturize have less chances of developing premature aging symptoms and so are more likely to gain youthful radiant beauty. Face creams can help prevent lines from forming because of their well-researched ingredients.
They help the skin heal at a faster rate. With the amount of pollution and UV rays exposure, we need to be more conscious of how we protect our skin.
Choose a moisturizer that goes well with your type of skin. The top Korean moisturizers above are great options to start with.
As with any beauty skincare product, moisturizers are commonly used during the day and before going to sleep. You may also consider the season when choosing a moisturizer because temperature plays a role in its effects on your skin.
A Few Reminders to Share for Every Skin Type
Dry Skin
With dry skin, moisture is a must. Beauty doesn’t just happen because you have the best skin. Beauty also matters most when you know what to apply that’s perfect for your skin’s needs.
What you should look out for are Korean skincare products (e.g., day and night cream moisturizers, sheet masks, etc.) with good hydrating properties and can keep the moisture in for long periods.
A sheet mask is a wonderful Korean skin care product worth adding to your skincare routine alongside a moisturizer. Sheet masks can help bring your dry skin back to life!
Some ingredients to take note of include hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Although, hyaluronic acid would be the ideal option because of its high water content, thus, better moisture.
Oily Skin
As discussed earlier, moisturizing is essential for all skin types. In many cases, this happens because the skin is trying to work harder to produce more oil and protect itself.
Applying moisturizer allows the skin to relax more and produce less oil because it already senses the presence of a moisture barrier. Too much oil production leads to breakouts. So giving your skin a break keeps the acne at bay.
The important thing to remember in choosing a moisturizer for oily skin types is to stick to those with little to no oil components as these can worsen the oiliness.
For those with oily skin, this applies to ALL skincare products, not just moisturizers. So keep this in mind when buying a new oil cleanser, serum, etc.
It’ll be good to follow a skincare routine that specifically targets acne and oiliness.
Sensitive Skin
For sensitive skin types, it is recommended to find what substances trigger skin irritation. Beauty also means you have to be smart by subscribing to the best choice.
By reviewing the ingredients list first, you have less chances of leaving your skin feeling irritated. Look for Korean skincare products whose ingredients support your skin type.
It is also best to stay away from moisturizers with added fragrance because they can easily irritate sensitive skin. Subscribe to gentle beauty products that are dermatologically-tested.
Look out for the following as they can trigger skin problems for some people:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Artificial Fragrance
- Formaldehyde
Combination Skin
When looking for the perfect moisturizer for you, pick one that is neither too hydrating nor too drying. We know your skin is hard to deal with because it is characterized by the worst of both worlds.
Find the proper balance. Choose a product that works well with your skin issues. Not all combination skin types are the same. Some may experience more problems with the T-zone, while others struggle more with dry areas.
However, if you really can’t find any product that solves your problems, it might be time to use two types of moisturizers for different areas of the face.
And for all skin types, be sure you learn how to apply your moisturizer correctly. It can help your skin absorb the formula much quicker and easier.
Summary
Choosing the right moisturizer entails a lot of research and trial. Whether it’s for everyday use or for wearing under makeup, just be sure to choose the right one for your skin type.
Our lightweight moisturizer of choice is the COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap, which is great for the hotter months.
However, if you’re looking for a heavier Korean moisturizer that suits colder weather, it’s preferable to go for the Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream.
Overall, the Mizon Black All in One Snail Repair Cream trumps all other Korean moisturizers listed because of its skin rejuvenation abilities, giving you glowing skin.
But as with a near-perfect goal of having Korean glass skin, it’s good to read the ingredients first and do some research too. You might not be a chemist, but you sure can seem like one when you’ve mastered the labels.
CHANGELOG:
August 17, 2021 – Updated product descriptions, improved article formatting, reviewed and updated overall content, updated article title
July 23, 2021 – Updated article title
July 13, 2021 – Reviewed and updated article links
