K-beauty moisturizers may feel like a fad now, but there is good reason to join in with the hype. Korean moisturizers focus on attaining healthy, beautiful skin through protection, moisturization and natural ingredients.
What’s important, K-beauty creams don’t just handle dry skin, they tackle all sorts of skin concerns: oily skin, dull skin, combination skin and pre-mature aging.
This post is all about the best Korean moisturizers for various skin types so you can achieve that radiant skin you’ve been dreaming of.
9 Best Korean Facial Creams & Moisturizers – Ranking
Here come the best Korean creams.
Pay attention to which moisturizers are labeled for oily and combination skin or dry skin, so you don’t get the wrong product for your needs.
The top Korean moisturizers for glowing skin are:
1. Purito Panthenol Cream
My verdict: Best moisturizer for sensitive skin
The power of panthenol is what makes this one of the best Korean moisturizers for sensitive and reactive skin, and everyone who is dealing with compromised skin barrier.
To be precise, it has 10% panthenol, and has quite simple ingredients list. Yet it is a very effective and deeply moisturizing cream.
Why You’ll Love It
- Soothing bomb
Besides the incredible panthenol, there are other calming ingredients that stand out in this Korean moisturizer: Centella and squalane – and all of them also offer great moisturizing benefits.
- Controls sebum production
Niacinamide in this cream works on skin pores and helps to reduce excessive oil production.
- No fragrance
It’s free from artificial perfumes and basically doesn’t smell at all. Good option for those with sensitive skin and nose!
Keep In Mind
A few people with extremely dry skin say it’s not hydrating enough.
Speaking from my personal experience: I have been using it for over a year, also during super cold winter, and it’s been always keeping my skin well hydrated and I never felt it’s not enough.
2. Kaine Green Calm Aqua Cream
My verdict: My favorite soothing cream for summer & for oily skin
Speaking of oily skin: it can be so hard to find an appropriate moisturizer for this skin concern. You don’t want it to be dehydrated, but many creams can actually make the problem worse. That’s where this Kaine Aqua Cream come in.
It has super lightweight formula, yet provides enough hydration (and soothing) to prevent dehydrated skin.
I also recommend it for normal sensitive skin during summer time.
Why You’ll Love It
- Panthenol & other soothing ingredients
There is bamboo extract, mugwort, camellia extract, which all have soothing benefits. The cream is also infused with 3.75% panthenol – this amount is enough to support skin barrier, calm irritated skin, quickly heal wounds and inflammation.
It reduces redness and soothes itchy skin. Perfect for rosacea!
- Doesn’t suffocate the skin
Because this cream is water-based and doesn’t have oils, it fits oily skin perfectly.
It’s very hydrating and feels super lightweight, and doesn’t make the skin “suffocate”.
I always choose this lightweight moisturizer for summer, when it’s hot and humid.
Keep In Mind
I’ve heard (only) a few complaints that this cream leave a slippery finish on skin. I personally never experienced such thing, it always absorbs super well and doesn’t leave any residue!
PRO TIP: If you have extremely dry and flaky skin, make sure to check out other best Korean moisturizers for dry skin that I reviewed in this article.
3. Heveblue Penta Berry Cream
My verdict: One of the best K-beauty moisturizers for extremely dry skin
This is my pick for dry skin – this moisturizer helps to tackle dry patches, fix broken skin barrier and keep optimal skin’s hydration level.
It’s packed with 10% panthenol, Centella, glycerin and a few berries extracts – fantastic trio for calming and hydrating thirsty skin.
It is on thicker side and feels really rich, yet it’s not sticky at all.
Why You’ll Love It
- Deeply nourishes skin
This is one of the best Korean moisturizers for dry skin, as well as cold winter months.
- Amazing ingredients: Centella + panthenol
This moisturizer contains Centella that has soothing properties for dry, inflamed skin.
Cica helps to protect the skin and is one of the ingredients Korean moisturizers have become famous for.
Other powerful ingredient in this cream is panthenol – which helps heal wounds and inflammatory acne.
Keep In Mind
Because it is so thick, I recommend to wait a few minutes until it fully absorbs before putting your sunscreen and makeup on.
4. Beauty Of Joseon Dynasty Cream
My verdict: Super moisturizing cream for well-aging
This cream has 3 main functions. It provides intense hydration with rice bran water, squalane and ceramide – which makes it a great choice for dry skin.
It brightens uneven skin tone and reduces visibility of pores thanks to niacinamide.
And on top of that it has helps to reduce visibility of signs of aging (like fine lines) thanks to panax ginseng and hyaluronic acid.
Why You’ll Love It
- Helps with dry patches
I’ve gone through many reviews of this cream and found out that it effectively brings relief to dry patches and rough skin.
It leaves occlusive film on skin that provides protective barrier.
- Great choice for dry and combination skin
It has fairly lightweight texture and leaves gentle dewy finish. It’s not matte, but it’s not too shiny either.
It could also work for oily skin, but in that case I would recommend it for winter.
- Super soft skin
It makes skin silky soft and gives you radiant look with more even tone.
I love applying it before bedtime and waking up with supple and well-hydrated skin!
Keep In Mind
Even when it’s absorbed you feel this occlusive layer on your skin. It’s not greasy or heavy, but you can feel it when you touch your skin. I don’t mind it in my PM routine at all.
5. Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Berry Lifting Cream
My verdict: Amazing cream for mature skin
This incredible cream with Resveratrol – innovative anti-aging ingredient, is suitable for various skin types (that means combination skin and oily skin, too!), but it will benefits mostly mature skin.
What’s inside? It contains Resveratrol capsules, sourced from French grapes (do you see those tiny lilac bubbles?), which help to slow down signs of aging and make the skin look rejuvenated.
This moisturizer also contain Cranbetinol – it’s a peptide sources from cranberries which has firming and toning effect on skin. Apparently it has similar effects to retinol – hence its name.
It’s my number 1 pick for the best Korean moisturizer for aging skin that needs life breathed back into it.
Why You’ll Love It
- Lightweight texture
It provides intense hydration, in a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into skin. This cream is not heavy, but it packs a powerful (healthy) punch of moisture and absorbs within a few seconds.
When you are massaging it onto skin, those capsules with Resveratrol gently pop and the cream quickly sinks in.
- Improves skin tone
This cream does more than just keeping your skin moisturized, it also brightens your complexion, reduces redness – making your skin tone more even, and reduces visibility of fine lines.
- Good choice even if you’re unsure what your skin needs
Remember, it’s suitable for (almost) all skin types, so if you aren’t sure exactly what your skin needs, reach for this Dr. Ceuracle cream (if you have extremely dry or extremely sensitive skin, check my other recommendations).
- Anti-aging benefits
The naturally occurring antioxidants in Resveratrol for treating fine lines and wrinkles in mature skin to help you achieve firmer, smoother skin with continued use.
Studies show that Resveratrol is effective in preventing photoaging1.
Keep In Mind
This cream has longer inci, with lots of oils and extracts which are always a bit tricky for sensitive skin. Patch test it first and start slowly!
6. IUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream
My verdict: Best gel moisturizer for calming breakouts
If you have acne-prone skin and have tried several different products without effective results, try using this gel cream, instead.
I think this is one of the best Korean moisturizers because of the interesting (but also, powerful) ingredients used in the formula.
Why You’ll Love It
- Lightweight moisturizer
This cream is light enough to apply as part of your regular daily routine, without needing to wait for it to slowly absorb.
- Awesome ingredients for oily skin and acne-prone skin types
Tea tree oil and centella are two powerhouses that work together to give you clear skin.
There is also a host of natural extracts and oils included in the formula, things I haven’t seen in many other products (not even in Korean skin care products!). They are:
- Licorice extract
- Radish Extract
- Wheat germ extract
- Broccoli Extract
- Alfalfa Extract
- Cabbage Leaf Extract
- Yucca Root Extract
Personally, I’ve been loving using this moisturizer when I’m breaking out before period and it always calms down my skin and helps to clear pimples faster.
Keep In Mind
This cream also is advertised as a “whitening cream” (because it evens out skin tone and reduces hyperpigmentation). However, I am not a fan of products that promote whitening skin, I prefer to say “brighten skin”, instead.
Friends: diversity is beautiful! Love the skin you’re in. Don’t choose this product to lighten your skin, but choose it because it can help you get clearer skin.
7. SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
My verdict: Amazing comforting cream for irritated skin
If you’ve struggled with angry, inflamed skin or often have broken skin barrier – this cream from SKIN1004 will bring you relief!
How? It contains lots of probiotics – fermented ingredients – work magic for compromised skin barrier, irritated skin, and dry skin.
Why You’ll Love It
- So good for thirsty skin
This cream is rich, but not too heavy. It moisturizes skin for many hours and keeps it plump & firm. It boosts skin’s hydration and elasticity – and this way it reduces fine lines caused by dehydration.
- Calms down angry skin
If your skin often gets irritated and angry, Probio-Cica cream (and actually the whole line, together with toner and ampoule) will be such like a cozy, warm hug to your skin!
It has anti-inflammatory benefits and strengthens skin barrier.
Keep In Mind
This cream is formulated with fermented ingredients which are not fungal acne safe!
8. Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream
My verdict: Awesome brightening cream with most fancy texture
Have you even seen moisturizer with more unique texture than this Golden Boba cream?!
It has capsules with vitamin C, plus niacinamide and alpha arbutin – super powerful trio to tackle dark spots.
Why You’ll Love It
- Hyperpigmentation banisher
It’s infused with effective ingredients that help to reduce dark spots, PIH, post-acne marks, red spots and all other skin discolorations.
- Hydration – not too little, not too much
It provides just the right amount of hydration and leaves the skin feeling rejuvenated and firmer.
- Unique experience
You cannot tell me, that using cream with these golden capsules is not a fun experience! This moisturizer is definitely something else and its fancy texture levels up the whole routine!
Keep In Mind
This cream has one major disadvantage – it contains Ethylhexyl Palmitate. This ingredient in many skin types leads to clogged pores.
Therefore I wouldn’t recommend this cream if you have acne-prone skin or you often struggle with blocked pores.
9. Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream
My verdict: Wonderful cream that does it all (hydrating, brightening and anti-aging)
Please allow me to highlight a few of the key ingredients in this fabulous Korean beauty cream: niacinamide, panthenol, adenosine, calendula extract, propolis, heartleaf, resveratrol, vitamin E and ceramide NP.
These ingredients are known for their soothing and anti-aging benefits, and ability to smooth out uneven skin texture. If you want to improve your overall skin tone and are you’re looking for gentle moisturizer, the 345 cream is a fantastic choice.
Why You’ll Love It
- Great anti-aging properties
With propolis, Resveratrol and adenosine this cream helps to improve fine lines, boosts skin elasticity, and prevents photo-aging.
- Gentle brightening
Thanks to added niacinamide, this cream smoothes out skin tone and makes skin complexion more even. Plus, this ingredient works wonders for regulating sebum production (in case you’re struggling with skin oiliness).
Keep In Mind
If your skin needs even more hydration and soothing – choose different cream from Dr. Althea – 147 Barrier Cream.
It’s perfect for strengthening skin barrier.
How To Choose The Best Korean Moisturizer For Your Skin Type
To begin, you have to identify your specific skin type, and choose ingredients that will address your skin concerns.
1. Best Korean Moisturizers For Dry Skin And Dehydrated Skin
Look for hydrating ingredients in Korean products, focusing on rich, thick creams that improve the protective barrier of your skin. Shea butter, olive oil, beeswax and jojoba oil are all moisturizing and hydrating.
Vitamin E is a must-have, too. This is naturally present in safflower oil, sunflower oil and almond oil.
2. Best Korean Facial Cream For Acne Prone Skin Or Oily Skin
Avoid products that leave skin feeling greasy, and reach for lightweight moisturizers, instead.
Oil free lotions are good option for oily skin.
3. Best K-Beauty Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin
Choose beauty products that are fragrance-free and without harsh alcohols that can irritate skin or cause dryness.
4. Which Ingredients Should You Look In Korean Moisturizers?
Look for skin-friendly ingredients like healthy fatty acids, natural antioxidants and ingredients that reduce redness and irritation while they hydrate skin. A few specific ingredients to pay attention to are:
- Centella asiatica
- Mugwort
- Niacinamide
- Ceramide
- Green tea
- Hyaluronic acid
5. Which Ingredients To Avoid
Avoid using ingredients that are heavily synthetic or use many types of alcohol or vinyls. Other words to look out for are butylenes, polymers, or any form of silicone.
It might be impossible to avoid all these ingredients, completely (there are a few included in the listed creams here, too, but I made sure it wasn’t one of the main or active ingredients in the product).
The most important thing is: if the majority of the ingredients are vinyls or polymers, or you see PEGs or alcohol at the beginning of the ingredients list, look for something more natural, instead.
Keep in mind that if you choose moisturizer or lotion that is not suitable to your skin type or contains irritants you may experience stinging or burning sensation after applying it! It can compromise your natural skin barrier.
That’s why you need to be careful when choosing your face cream (and all other skincare products to be fair!).
PRO TIP: Remember to add to your routine special cream for the sensitive area around your eyes. Check out my ranking of the best Korean eye creams in 2023 here.
How To Incorporate Korean Moisturizer Into Your Skincare Routine
Using a Korean moisturizer on your skin is only part of the Korean skincare routine (yes, there is a system).
There are two approaches: you can follow 5-step Korean skincare routine or if you have more time, you can go for the full K-beauty 10-steps routine.
In the shorter version you will apply moisturizer as 4th step, and finish up with sunscreen.
n the longer version moisturizer will be the 9th step, after eye cream, and before sunscreen (or sleeping pack in nighttime routine).
How To Apply Korean Moisturizer To Your Face
- Ensure your face and neck are clean. Hopefully you washed with a facial cleanser and applied toner first, too.
- Wash your hands (especially if you were just using another product, get it of of your hands before proceeding).
- Squeeze small amount of product – dime-sized is usually a sufficient amount – into the palm on your hand and apply gently to your face using your fingertips.
- Make soft, massaging, up-wards turning circles around your cheeks and long, gentle taps around your forehead. Do not vigorously rub (even if the cream is thick- the best Korean Moisturizers for dry skin are usually very thick). Just give time for a moisturizer to absorb into the skin.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
Sources of information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
All pictures in this article with YouAreBeautie logo belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the owner of this website. All these images are copyright-protected. Sources of other pictures:
- Pictures of Skin1004 Centella Cream belong to Skin1004 Brand. Source: https://skin1004.com/
- Pictures of Medicube cream belong to Medicube Brand. Source: https://medicube.us/
- Pictures of Dr. Althea 345 Cream belong to Dr. Althea Brand. Source: https://doctoraltheaglobal.com/
