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.
Behind most Korean skin care routines is not just clear skin, but truly healthy skin. Other cosmetics might use harsh, drying chemicals that result in dry skin or damage to your skin barrier in the process.
If you have acne-prone skin or sensitive skin that has had reactions to other products in the past, Korean moisturizers may be what you need.
What’s important, K-beauty products don’t just handle dry skin, either, 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.
The best creams used in Korean skin care routines are full of nourishing ingredients that promote hydration and repair damaged skin with herbs and extracts, instead of chemicals.
However, some of the top-promoted Korean beauty products also include harmful ingredients and loads of chemicals, added fragrances or mineral oils that could be unhealthy, especially when used over time.
The difficult part is, so many of the nourishing ingredients found in the best Korean moisturizers have strange, scientific-sounding names that contain “acid” or “glycol” – how can you know what is really safe and what isn’t?
No more worries: I’ve done the research for you. I looked into the ingredients of my favorite Korean skincare products and found the ones with the healthiest and safest ingredients, so you don’t have to.
This post is a list of amazing Korean facial moisturizers and creams, that are full of (healthy and natural) ingredients that will improve your skin tone, keep skin hydrated and improve its elasticity.
They will help you achieve that radiant skin Korean skincare has become famous for, without the risk of putting nasty chemicals on your face and experiencing skin irritation.
9 Best Korean Facial Creams & Moisturizers – Ranking
Here come the best Korean moisturizers that are safe and healthy for your skin.
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. [ROVECTIN] Clean Lotus Water Cream
The power of lotus water is what makes this one of the best Korean moisturizers for combination skin and everyone who is dealing with T-zone issues.
The formula is 75% lotus water extract, for a simple, but effective moisturizing cream. It’s also gentle enough for sensitive and reactive skin.
Lotus flower has the natural power of self-purifying, which is exactly why it helps balance out combination skin.
Why You’ll Love It
- Kaempferol, niacinamide and allantoin
Besides the incredible lotus flower water, there are other key ingredients that stand out in this Korean moisturizer: Kaempferol is a rich antioxidant, niacinamide helps in collagen production and allantoin is great for evening out skin, all while offering moisturizing benefits.
- Natural source of vitamin E
Sweet almond oil is naturally high in Vitamin E, which is great for preventing wrinkles and hydrating skin.
- 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
It’s frequently sold out, so stock up on it when you have the chance!
2. COSRX Pure Fit Cica Cream Intense
The best Korean moisturizer for mature skin or to tackle premature aging is this COSRX Cica Cream, containing 7 types of Centella extract and over 60% pure Cica-7 complex.
What does these fancy names mean? This combination helps to heal the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving skin hydrated and encouraging production of collagen, too.
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 ingredient: Centella
this moisturizer contains Centella in many forms (including leaf extracts and root extracts) that work together as a collagen booster for skin cell regeneration and have soothing properties for dry, inflamed skin too.
Centella helps to protect the skin and is one of the ingredients Korean moisturizers have become famous for.
Other powerful ingredients in this cream that are great for skin health include allantoin (helps to deal with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation, plus it makes the skin softer), and pine bark extract (full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits).
Keep In Mind
It is a very thick cream, offering intense hydration for even the most sensitive skin.
Because it is so thick, I recommend to use this Korean facial cream as part of your nighttime skincare routine or wait a few minutes until it fully absorbs before putting your makeup on.
3. Skin1004 Centella Cream
Please allow me to highlight a few of the key ingredients in this fabulous Korean beauty cream: Centella, Shea Butter, Squalane, and Niacinamide.
These ingredients are known for their anti-aging benefits and ability to smooth out uneven skin texture. If you’re looking to improve your overall skin tone, this Skin1004 Centella Cream is a great choice.
Why You’ll Love It
- Powerful anti-aging properties
With over 9% Centella in the formula, this facial cream is wonderful for reducing fine lines and wrinkles for all around smoother, younger-looking skin.
- Provide intense hydration
If you need something for skin hydration, this is it. This moisturizing cream is ideal for very dry skin, or flaky skin as it is very thick (you see that shea butter, macadamia nut oil and olive oil in the ingredients list, so you know it’s going to be THICK!).
Keep In Mind
Because this cream is so thick, it can feel like a greasy residue is left after application. You should apply this 15-20 minutes before other creams, (like sunscreen) or make-up to ensure it has fully absorbed.
4. COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
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 oil-free moisturizer from COSRX really shines.
Why You’ll Love It
- Birch sap
Also known as Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, birch sap is great for retaining moisture, while being oil-free! This product is formulated with 70% of this powerful ingredient to ensure your face doesn’t dry out – but also doesn’t break out, either.
- Sodium hyaluronate
This ingredient is related to hyaluronic acid but is made up of smaller molecules – which means it can penetrate into deeper skin layers and has a longer shelf life, too.
This helps to prevent dry skin hidden under oily skin (which is a common problem!).
Keep In Mind
Users repeatedly raved about how effective this product is, the only common concern was the unpleasant smell. If you can bear with the scent, you’ll probably love this cream, too.
5. COSRX Centella Blemish Cream
If you’ve struggled with acne and have acne scars, then you should try COSRX Centella Blemish Cream. It will reduce the appearance of red spots or marks of acne on your face and leave you with healthy, glowing skin.
How? It contains a whopping 50% Centella and 7% zinc oxide, which works to prevent irritation.
Why You’ll Love It
- So good for acne prone skin
If you’re currently dealing with acne, or have troublesome acne scars, this cream is for you. It reduces redness and irritation, while also healing your skin and preventing future breakouts with tea tree oil and zinc. It can be used as a “spot treatment” for blemishes, or as a general facial moisturizer.
- Reduces appearance of acne scars
It not only treats current breakouts, but it also helps reduce the appearance of scars over time.
- Strong concentration of anti-aging centella
This is one of the strongest concentration of centella available in a Korean facial cream. Centella promotes collagen production, which keeps your skin smooth and leads to firmer skin with less wrinkles.
Keep In Mind
The zinc oxide present in the cream will leave a white cast. This isn’t a big deal if you use this moisturizing K-beauty cream as a night cream, but if you do use it in the morning, try using a tinted moisturizer to balance out the white cast.
6. Haruharu Black Rice Hyaluronic Cream
This incredible cream with fermented black rice is suitable for various skin types (that means combination skin and oily skin, too!).
What’s inside? It uses hyaluronic acid to strengthen the protective barrier of the skin and make your skin well moisturized and looking healthy.
Ginseng root and rice extract are deeply moisturizing natural ingredients that help skin retain moisture and soothe irritated skin.
Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract is a chemical name for “bamboo extract” and is a source of antioxidants and amino acids that help to keep skin looking young and fresh.
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.
If you aren’t ready to go completely on-board with a 10-step Korean skincare routine, then add this moisturizer to your beauty regimen as your first baby step in that direction. Your skin will thank you for it.
- Improves skin tone
This cream does more than just keeping your skin moisturized, it also helps improve your skin barrier, which leads to overall healthier skin when used as part of your regular skin care routine.
- 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 Haruharu cream (if you have extremely dry skin, check my other recommendations).
- Anti-aging benefits
The naturally occurring antioxidants from the fermented black rice and bamboo extract are wonderful for treating fine lines and wrinkles in mature skin to help you achieve firmer, smoother skin with continued use.
Keep In Mind
The biggest complain about this Korean moisturizer isn’t the cream itself, but rather the packaging. Several customers who were happy with the cream complained that the packaging was annoying and impractical.
Second thing is that Haruharu is not alcohol-free, therefore I don’t recommend this Korean moisturizer for dry skin (although alcohol is at the end of ingredients list).
7. Good Skin Day On The Bright Side Moisturizer
They say good things take time, and that is certainly true with some of the best Korean moisturizers: you should create your own skin care routine and stick to it. Overtime, your skin will improve from the inside out.
That being said, if combination skin is your issue, then this Bright Side Moisturizer is a great choice, using fermented rice to get a healthy balance to your skin and ceramides.
Why You’ll Love It
- Very light moisturizer
This cream has a lightweight texture and is perfect for applying as part of your morning beauty routine. Because it absorbs quickly, you can layer it with sunscreen and then make-up, without waiting a long time.
- Soothing cream
The fermented rice helps to soothe irritated skin and leaves your face feeling fresh.
Keep In Mind
This is not a thick, rich cream, and it is not ultra-moisturizing. It’s not a great choice for dry skin types (choose one of the other best Korean moisturizers for dry skin that I reviewed in this article), but could work for oily skin.
8. IUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream
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
- The smell
So many women stated they loved the light, sweet scent of this gel cream. Perhaps it’s the natural extracts, Bergamot, or the myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract). Whatever the reason is, it does smell wonderful.
- 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
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.
9. COSRX Refresh AHA/BHA Vitamin C Daily Cream
If you’re struggling with rough skin or dull skin, this COSRX Refresh Vitamin C cream is a great option. Its AHA and BHA ingredients gently exfoliate away dead skin cells to leave your skin looking refreshed.
Why You’ll Love It
- Daily skincare routine winner
The kiwi fruit extract and dragon fruit extracts (listed on the ingredients as Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract) are full of natural antioxidants and refreshing vitamin C to give you a brighter complexion, and reduce dark spots, when used as part of your every day beauty regimen.
This means this moisturizer can help you with hyperpigmentation.
- Naturally exfoliating
Formulated with glycolic acid, this cream is naturally exfoliating and helps remove dead cells and excess oil to leave you with fresh, bright skin.
Just as it removes dead skin cells, it also works to grow new, healthy skin. The steam of sea buckthorn (listed on the ingredients as Hippophae Rhamnoides Water) helps with the development of new skin cells.
Keep In Mind
It’s not advised to use glycolic acid daily on dry skin. Start slowly with this cream, to see how your skin handles the exfoliating glycolic acid. If you do use it daily, try once a day instead of twice.
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!).
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: one with 5 steps and another with 10 to the skincare routine. While it can seem daunting at first, you probably already do a few of the steps as part of your morning routine.
If you are able to spend a few more minutes every day caring for you skin and following these steps, you’re skin is sure to improve: less blemishes, clean pores, and smoother, firmer-looking skin for an overall healthier look.
Basic Routine With 5 Steps
When following 5-step Korean skincare routine, you’ll apply moisturizer one, maybe two times; in steps 4 and 5 (if your sunscreen is also moisturizing).
1. Wash
Always wash your entire face before applying any products, to ensure that you’re not putting dirt or pollutants from the air into your pores.
2. Tone
Use a gentle toner to help reduce the appearance of pores and prepare your skin.
3. Apply Serum
If you use any anti-aging serums or products to reduce irritation or redness, apply them at this step.
4. Moisturize
It’s best to apply moisturizer to skin that is slightly damp, so your skin will absorb it best and leave you with that beautiful dewy finish.
5. Apply Sunscreen
Use a safe sunscreen with at least SPF 15, even if you don’t intend to spend much time in the sun. UV rays can penetrate even office windows and lead to premature aging skin.
Longer Routine With 10 Steps
If you have more time, try out K-beauty 10 steps (especially for nighttime skincare routine).
1. Makeup remover or oil-based cleanser – powerful enough to wash away oils.
2. Water-based cleanser – to remove any left residue.
3. Exfoliator – use it 2-3 time per week.
4. Toner – prepares your skin, so you start with a “clean palette” so to speak.
5. Essence – like rice water, birch sap and hyaluronic acid.
6. Treatment (ampoule or serum) – use it for spot treatment for blemishes or hyperpigmentation.
7. Sheet mask – use it in nighttime routine, leave the nutrient-rich mask for 15-20 minutes.
8. Eye cream – it prevents dark circles and reduces puffiness (check out my ranking of the best Korean eye creams in 2023).
9. Moisturizer – remember to choose a facial cream that suits your skin type and concerns.
10. Night cream (sleeping pack) or sunscreen – in day-time skincare routines, finish up with mineral sunscreen, in nighttime Korean skincare routine finish with a highly nourishing and moisturizing sleep pack or night cream.
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. This article contains affiliate links.
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 COSRX Pure Fit Cica Cream Instense & AHA BHA Vitamin C Cream belong to COSRX Brand. Source: https://www.cosrx.com/
- Pictures of Skin1004 Centella Cream belong to Skin1004 Brand. Source: https://skin1004.com/
- Pictures of Haruharu Hyaluronic Cream belong to Haruharu brand. Source: https://haruharuusa.com/
- Pictures of On The Bright Side Moisturizer belong to Good Skin Day Brand. Source: https://www.instagram.com/goodskinday.co/
- Pictures of IUNIK Centella Cream belong to IUNIK Brand. Source: https://www.iunikcos.com/