When it comes to sensitive skin types, every part of your (Korean) skincare becomes more challenging. Adapting your skincare routine to reduce risk of skin irritation is a must.
If most of the regular moisturizers make your skin irritated, you may be looking for non-irritating Korean moisturizers – but how to choose the best one?
Doing all that research may be so overwhelming, and when you read those names on the ingredients list, you may think “Gosh, I need a chemistry degree to understand this”.
So, in order to save some of your time (you would spend on googling the ingredients), money (on buying the wrong products), and nerves (no need to explain, right?), I prepared you the list of the safest and best Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin types, that will strengthen the skin barrier and make your skin hydrated.
8 Korean Facial Creams & Moisturizers To Soothe Your Sensitive Skin
So, you decided to get a Korean moisturizer. Good for you! But, where to start, which one is THE one?
All these moisturizers for sensitive skin seem to be pretty similar, but they all have their unique features, that can be beneficial not only for reactive skin, but also for acne-prone skin, oily skin, dry skin, and combination skin, and improve skin elasticity (and skin texture).
Here’s my list of the best Korean face creams for sensitive skin type:
1. Purito Panthenol Cream
My verdict: My favorite & overall best moisturizer for sensitive skin
This creamy moisturizer for sensitive skin helps you restore its moisture balance and helps strengthen the skin barrier.
All thanks to 10% panthenol, that has a protective role and soothing and hydrating properties for dry and sensitive skin.
With not a single harsh ingredient, and only soothing ingredients, it quickly became my favorite Korean moisturizer. It never fails to soothe my reactive skin and calm down my rosacea!
It is very gentle and scentless, which is great for sensitive skin.
Why You Will Love It?
- Reactive skin savior
My skin sometimes easily gets triggered and reacts with redness. This cream always brings needed soothing and quickly reduces redness.
- Compromised skin barrier best friend
If you’re struggling with broken skin barrier, this is the moisturizer for you. 10% panthenol has amazing healing properties.
- Silky K-beauty
Many women find this moisturizer silky, claiming it doesn’t leave any kind of weird waxy, or greasy residue on their skin.
Plus, it soaks in super fast, so you are ready for sunscreen without having to wait for few minutes! It will make your dry, sensitive skin feel silky and smooth.
Keep In Mind
I use this cream throughout the whole year, whether it’s hot summer or freezing winter, it provides me with just enough amount of hydration and soothing.
However, I know for some girlies with extra dry skin in colder months it may feel not enough.
2. Kaine Green Calm Aqua Cream
My verdict: Amazing soothing cream for summer
Kaine moisturizer is full of calming ingredients like 5% D-panthenol, squalane and artemisia and camellia extract.
It is a repair cream and it can restore (and repair) your skin’s natural barrier.
It works wonders for sensitive skin issues and brings immediate soothing.
Why You Will Love It?
- Sensitive & reactive skin BFF
This Korean cream soothes skin and repairs damaged skin barrier which is pretty common with sensitive skin types.
- Super lightweight – perfect for summer
It is my favorite summer moisturizer for my moody skin. It has very lightweight water-based formula.
It doesn’t feel heavy on skin and doesn’t make it “suffocate”.
If you live in hot climate, this might be an amazing option.
- No clogged pores
If your pores clog easily (as mine do), you should be happy with this aqua cream, because it doesn’t block pores.
It never gave me any red bumps and never triggered breakouts!
- Normal/Oily skin type choice
I use it mostly during summer when my skin acts more normal and I find it sufficient, but I think during winter when I struggle with dry patches it could be a bit “too lightweight”.
I believe normal and oily skin type would be most happy with it throughout the whole year!
Keep In Mind
This repair cream comes in a glass jar. While it looks beautiful, I find it less travel-friendly!
3. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Moisturizer
My verdict: Fantastic lightweight moisturizer for sensitive skin
Round Lab’s Mugwort calming moisturizer is really what its name implies – it does calm your irritated skin, helps reduce inflammation, and instantly repairs your dehydrated skin.
Artemisia vulgaris extract contained in this moisturizer has very potent anti-inflammatory properties, which represent a key feature for your sensitive skin.
Furthermore, it contains panthenol, which is also an excellent ingredient for sensitive skin – you are probably familiar with this one, right?
It is also packed with vitamins and beta-carotene that restore balance to your skin.
And – of course, free from harmful chemicals, so you can rest assured your skin is taken care of nicely.
Why You Will Love It?
- SOOOO soft skin
Keeping skin soft while having sensitive skin can be really difficult. However, women who used this moisturizer claim it soothes – and smooths their skin.
Madecassoside smooths your skin over, while also reducing inflammation, redness, and dryness you are probably dealing with. This is a great moisturizer for dry skin – you will just love it!
- Perfect texture
According to women who use it, it has a perfect, lightweight texture that soaks into the skin perfectly and without completely “disappearing” and hydrates it without feeling greasy.
Plus, its texture has a cooling effect on irritated skin and actually heals your skin barrier.
Keep In Mind
While this moisturizer will work great on most skin types – dry in the first place, it is not the happiest choice for acne-prone skin.
Why? It contains cocoa (to be precise – cacao seed extract) that is very comedogenic.
It can clog your pores easily if you have acne-prone skin, and you may end up with new acne breakouts. You probably don’t want it, right?
PRO TIP: If you’re battling with sensitive skin or have compromised skin barrier, you should opt only for gentle products for your skincare routine. Start with an alcohol-free cream cleanser, followed by one of the best Korean toners that are safe for sensitive skin.
4. Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream
My verdict: Safest cream for oily and acne prone skin
This lightweight moisturizer contains – among other hydrating ingredients – oat extract, which helps soothe irritated skin, while also improving skin tone, diminishing pores, and lightening hyperpigmentation.
What is really great about this moisturizer is – it has a very short list of ingredients, with a total of nine, including oat extract, water, four different moisturizers, two skin emollients, and a formula stabilizer.
Of course, none of these nine ingredients is harsh. Therefore, the name said it all – so simple.
It also has a very lightweight texture, making it easy to apply it – and for your skin to soak it in and lock the moisture.
Why You Will Love It?
- (Fungal) acne-safe
Due to very mild, non-comedogenic ingredients, this moisturizer triggers no skin sensitivity – and no acne, including fungal acne. It means that this lightweight moisturizer will not cause or exacerbate acne or cause skin irritation on your sensitive skin.
This is confirmed by the women with acne-prone skin (and combination skin) that had fungal acne, too.
They state it’s hard to find a moisturizer that doesn’t contain ingredients their skin is sensitive to or will not cause breakouts.
And they find this product as a life-saver for their problematic, acne-prone skin.
- Say “bye bye” to dehydrated oily skin
According to women who struggled with oily skin due to dehydration, but other moisturizers were too greasy and/or gel never helped – this watery cream worked perfectly for their skin concerns, and improved their skin texture.
Also, combination skin types benefit from it, too!
Keep In Mind
Due to its ingredients, it is more suitable for oily and combination skin types.
Some women also complained that it’s pricey, but the good news a little goes a long way!
5. Beplain Cicaterol Face Moisturizer
My verdict: Best moisturizer fro sensitive skin, prone to acne
This gel cream moisturizer for sensitive skin contains ingredients with soothing properties that will do a great job on your dry and sensitive skin.
In the first place, that is due to phytosterol derived from Centella asiatica. Phytosterol makes your skin calm by this special cooling effect.
Plus, madecassoside has anti-inflammatory properties, that may soothe your itchy, dry, or otherwise irritated skin and panthenol is there to prevent moisture loss.
There are many things that make this gel cream one of the best Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin.
Apart from the powerful soothing agents, it also contains other ingredients that provide you with glowing skin, while also strengthening skin’s protective barrier and locking in the moisture, being free from harsh chemicals (and fragrance-free).
Why You Will Love It?
- After spa feeling
This Beplain gel cream has an interesting jelly-like texture that instantly fills your dry and sensitive skin with moisture.
Itleaves you with the feeling that you just went out of the K-beauty spa, without that greasy residue and heavy (or sticky) feeling. It is rather gentle and lightweight.
- Niacinamide to prevent acne
This moisturizer contains niacinamide, which acts like an “anti-acne” ingredient.
This may be especially helpful if you have “trouble-ish” skin that is dry, but still prone to acne, or for combined skin types.
Keep In Mind
Some women find this moisturizer a little bit overpriced, but otherwise great.
6. Bellflower Ceramide
My verdict: Troubled skin best friend
This moisturizer contains different types of ceramides which effectively instantly soothe your skin, plus repair and rebuild your skin barrier.
It also contains cholesterol and some fatty acids to boost skin’s hydration level.
All these properties put this soothing cream among the best Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin, especially for those with dehydrated/dry skin type.
It is free from harsh chemicals. It also doesn’t contain niacinamide – I’m actually happy about it, because this ingredient in in 99% of skincare products and my skin easily “overdoses” it!
Why You Will Love It?
- Soothing after exfoliation
If you’re dealing with compromised skin barrier or over-exfoliated your skin, Bellflower Ceramide is your savior. It has amazing soothing power, strengthens skin hydrolipid barrier. It also improves skin elasticity.
- Non-irritating
If your skin is sensitive, or you are currently in some sensitive period, like pregnancy you will love this gentle repair cream.
- No residue
It doesn’t leave any shiny or oily residue and doesn’t feel tacky.
Keep In Mind
It comes in a very small tube – only 30ml. I used it in about 4 weeks! But the good news is that this cream is inexpensive (I would even say it’s cheap, compared to other sensitive skin Korean moisturizers!)
7. Rovectin Lotus Water Cream
My verdict: Best Korean moisturizer for sensitive oily skin
Lotus symbolizes peace, purity, and calmness. And that is exactly what this moisturizer is. It is very gentle and helps calm your skin, being one of the best Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin.
Lotus flower extract, which makes up most of the moisturizer’s content, has ability to self-purify and cleanse.
So, what this facial cream does – it protects your skin from with its self-purifying abilities, that will leave you with a clearer and brighter complexion.
Containing only clean, natural ingredients, with zero harsh chemicals – makes it a great choice for sensitive skin.
Why You Will Love It?
- (Very) lightweight moisturizer
The texture of this moisturizer is very, very light and smooth, which makes it a perfect choice for summer days, to reduce inflammation and redness.
It also calms your skin, without any greasy finish that feels heavy on your face, especially when it’s 30 degrees outside.
- Unscented
This clean moisturizer is gentle in all ways – including scent. It is practically scentless, which is a good thing for sensitive skin, but also if you are not a fan of scents in general.
Keep In Mind
If your skin is particularly dry, this lightweight moisturizer may not be enough moisturizing due to its lightweight consistency.
So, you may probably need to apply a thicker (or an extra) layer for added moisture.
8. Isntree Aloe Soothing Gel
My verdict: Best moisturizer for sensitive skin after sunbathing & hair removal
This soothing moisturizer, packed with aloe vera provides intense hydration with a very unique refreshing finish.
Thanks to aloe vera gel, it provides cooling (Korean skincare) care to your sensitive skin.
Plus, if your skin is already irritated, aloe vera will soothe it – definitely, giving you that K-beauty results.
Although, due to its gel texture, some may think that aloe vera may clog pores – it will not. Aloe vera is non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to be afraid of breakouts.
This gel cream has a short list of non-harsh ingredients, including nourishing and hydrating ones, such as sodium hyaluronate, betaine, and – of course – panthenol, that locks in moisture.
Why You Will Love It?
- Face and body
You can use this moisturizer on both – your face and body.
Some women really like how it soothes their skin after waxing and after sun exposure during summer days, as it has that cooling effect that makes your skin calm. Plus, it may reduce redness, too.
- Fair deal
Women who purchase this moisturizer are happy with its price, while the bottle is also huge enough. And, as it’s effective too – it is not weird they buy it regularly.
Keep In Mind
Apparently, some women are not so happy about the shiny, but not greasy finish on their face.
But, this is due to its texture. Also, for extremely dry skin, this product can be inadequate.
PRO TIP: If you’re in the hunt for ultra-hydrating K-beauty moisturizers, you may also want to check out Aloe Soothing Gel Moisture Type. It’s from the same brand, but contains more ingredients and it’s also more moisturizing.
Final Decision: What Is The Best Korean Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin?
The final choice of Korean beauty products in general – and particularly moisturizers for sensitive skin – depends on your preferences and your skin needs.
From the above list, Purito Panthenol moisturizer seems to be the best option and it’s my absolute favorite. Why? It has simple ingredients and simple means clean.
It’s one of a few facial cream that gives my dry skin the moisturization it needs, without irritating it.
How To Choose The Right Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin & Damaged Skin Barrier
If you are considering Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin, you probably know they are safer and cleaner options than regular moisturizers.
And this is exactly the most important feature of any skincare product for sensitive skin – clean ingredients.
So, if you have sensitive skin, you need to be careful not to use moisturizers that contain any potentially harmful ingredients, including alcohol, SLES, SLS, parabens, synthetic perfumes, and other known irritants.
Of course, if you have some particular contact allergies, make sure you read the ingredients list carefully.
Ingredients That Help Soothe Irritated Skin
Some of the great ingredients that may help you soothe irritation caused by any reason are included on this list.
There are many other beneficial ingredients that may help your sensitive or irritated, damaged skin, but these are all-natural and widely available.
- Panthenol
This gentle ingredient is definitely good for sensitive skin, being a deeply-penetrating vitamin and humectant which attracts and locks in moisture to your skin.
Plus, if used regularly, it can have anti-inflammatory properties, relieving itchiness and soothing skin dryness.
- Aloe vera
It is one of the most popular ingredients for alleviating skin irritation. It has soothing and hydrating properties due to its polysaccharide and sterol content and possession of antioxidants.
- Calendula
Calendula extract works as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient for irritated skin, dryness and acne. It can also help regenerate your skin and help calm inflammation.
- Chamomile
Chamomile is an antioxidant-rich plant serving as a skin-soothing agent when applied topically – soothing skin irritation easily. Plus, the scent is calming, too.
- Honey
Honey is great for skin fighting skin irritation, dryness or acne, because it is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, acting antibacterial and antimicrobial, and it is also humectant, as well!
- Colloidal oats
These oats are actually used exclusively for calming irritation. Colloidal oats contain antioxidant called avenathramide which helps soothe the skin1.
Furthermore, some sugars and starches in it help give the oats water-binding properties.
- Shea butter
Shea butter can help prevent skin irritation. It contains substances can help relieve itching due to skin dryness, which is very desirable in irritated skin.
- Hyaluronic acid
While it will probably not soothe irritated skin alone, hyaluronic acid may help with wound healing by promoting skin hydration.
Irritated skin may have wounds and hyaluronic acid will not only promote skin hydration, but it will also help in wound healing.
- Green tea extract
Green tea extract is rich in antioxidants2 which help with blood circulation to your skin, making skin renewal process much easier – and faster, healing skin concerns related to sensitive and/or irritated skin more easily.
Ingredients To Avoid If You Have Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you have to be extra careful with what you put on your skin – to avoid skin irritation.
So, what ingredients you should steer away from in Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin?
- Alcohol
Alcohol is a disinfectant that delivers a quick-dry finish, but might also significantly decrease your skin’s moisture levels and disrupt skin’s protective barrier, leading to irritation and itchy, uncomfortable skin.
- Fragrance
Fragrances may cause skin reactions due to inflammation.
Furthermore, fragrances may weaken the inner layers of skin. Natural scents do not count as fragrances.
- Essential oils
Essential oils are too concentrated and may cause skin irritation even in normal skin types. When it comes to sensitive skin – it is a big no-no. If you have to use it, make sure you dilute it.
- Sulfates
Sulfates, including ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate cause skin irritation. So, sensitive skin types should definitely avoid it.
- Chemical sunscreens
There are two types of sunscreens – chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens use really “chemical” ingredients, such as avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, that reflect UV rays.
However, these ingredients may cause issues for sensitive-skinned people.
- Harsh exfoliants
Exfoliants may be too harsh even on the normal skin, as they – not only remove dead skin cells, but also (partially) the upper layer of your skin.
For sensitive skin, this can be a disaster. Make sure you use really mild exfoliants.
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.
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.
Other pictures: Pictures of Isntree Aloe Soothing Gel belong to Isntree Brand. Source: https://en.isntree.com/
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