Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, says, “Traditionally, we think of moisturisers as serving two functions: hydration and barrier repair.” “Korean skincare adds to that framework.” It has hanbang, which are plant-based ingredients from traditional Asian medicine that help calm inflammation and speed up skin healing, in addition to humectants and ceramides. The Korean philosophy of hydration plus barrier repair plus anti-inflammatory support is what makes Korean moisturisers different. They use newer sunscreen ingredients and PDRN technology in their active topicals, but this is what sets them apart.
Our favourite picks:
- Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream is the best overall.
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel Moisturiser is the best value.
- Aestura A-CICA 365 Soothing Repair Cream pH 4.5 is the best for redness.
- Dr. Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream is the best for your skin barrier.
Sabina Wizemann, who is in charge of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab, agrees with that. She says, “The philosophy stresses a gentle, long-term approach to deep hydration and soothing, which can be summed up in ‘prevention over correction.'” “Formulations mix traditional ingredients like Centella asiatica, ginseng, rice, and snail mucin with advanced delivery systems, active encapsulation, and fermentation technologies. Korean formulas are usually made as gels or jelly creams, and they have a light texture, absorb quickly, and can be layered.
Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream 1 is the best overall.
$55 for Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream on Amazon
Also think about Nordstrom for $160 and $55.
Macy’s
- Pros: Very moisturising
- Helps make fine lines look less noticeable
- Plumping
Cons: Costs a lot
Sulwhasoo is one of Korea’s oldest and most famous skincare brands. It is like the poster child for OG K-beauty. For a long time, the brand has focused on ginseng, one of the country’s most famous and powerful skin care ingredients. This cream is full of it. Ginseng actives, ginseng peptide, and a vitamin C derivative are all in the anti-aging formula. These help make wrinkles look better and skin look fuller. I have always liked how soft and hydrating it is, which makes it worth the money.
Red Bean Water Gel Moisturiser 2: BEST VALUE
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel Moisturiser $18 on Amazon
- Pros: Lightweight formula
- Keeps oil from getting too thick
- Calming for skin that is sensitive
Cons: Some people may find the texture sticky.
One of the best things about K-beauty is that it brings you the newest products at prices that won’t break the bank. This moisturiser is a great example. People know Beauty of Joseon for combining modern ideas with traditional Korean herbal medicine. In this case, they used red bean, which is full of antioxidants and helps keep extra oil in check. The lightweight formula helps keep skin balanced while also adding moisture. There is also a triple peptide complex that makes skin more elastic and smooth.
An Amazon reviewer said,
“It’s very light and feels good on the skin.” “It feels a little sticky at first, but it sinks into my skin and dries quickly, leaving my face feeling very smooth. It doesn’t clog my pores and does a great job of controlling the oily parts of my skin while also moisturising the dry parts. It goes on well under sunscreen and doesn’t pill.
3 BEST FOR SKIN BARRIER: Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream
Amazon sells Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream for $50.
Also think about $50 at Sephora and $36 at dodoskin.com.
- Pros: Makes the skin barrier stronger
- Water
- Makes things more flexible
Cons: Fragrance divides people
This moisturiser is made to keep your skin barrier healthy, which is the key to happy, hydrated skin. It has five kinds of ceramides and panthenol that make the skin barrier stronger and add moisture. It also makes the skin more elastic. It is technically fragrance-free, but it does have botanical oils like Pelargonium graveolens, olive, bergamot, and sage, which give the formula a very faint, soothing scent that some reviewers liked and others didn’t.
“This cream is always with me. It’s in my makeup bag, my medicine cabinet, and on my nightstand. It’s the first thing I pack when I go away.” Wizemann says, “I love how light and smooth it is, and how it calms and comforts my skin right away. It also makes my makeup feel softer and look better on my face.”
A-CICA 365 Soothing Repair Cream pH 4.5 4 is the best for redness.
Aestura A-CICA 365 Soothing Repair Cream pH 4.5$32
- Pros: No smell for people with sensitive skin
- Lessens redness
- Helps your skin tone look even
Cons: It can be hard to twist off the cap.
This soothing cream can help if your skin is red. It’s safe for sensitive skin. The main ingredient is pH4.5CICA, a unique mix of centella asiatica, zinc, and PHA that calms and soothes skin. Panthenol helps the moisture barrier, and hyaluronic acid and glycerin deeply moisturise. One reviewer said that the cap can be hard to twist off, so keep that in mind.
Wizemann says, “I really like this facial moisturiser.” “It is light and soothing, and my skin has become much less sensitive over the weeks I’ve used it. It is less red and painful from dryness.” It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, and you don’t need a lot to cover your whole face.
Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream is the best for hyperpigmentation.
Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream costs $20 Amazon
- Pro: A light, gel-like feel
- Has turmeric and kojic acid in it to make it brighter
Cons: Some reviewers said the texture was sticky.
This cream is my go-to for getting rid of uneven patches and making my skin brighter because I have a lot of pigmentation problems. Kojic acid and turmeric are the main ingredients that help even out skin tone and make dark spots less noticeable. I also like how the cream feels like a light gel and sinks right into the skin. This makes it perfect for use with one of my favourite skincare tools, the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro. Some reviewers, on the other hand, thought the texture was sticky.
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Daily UV Defence Sunscreen 6 BEST WITH SPF
Innisfree Daily UV Defence Sunscreen costs $18 Amazon
$18 at Sephora and $10 at innisfree.com are also good options.
- Pro: Shiny finish
- SPF saves a step
- Looks good under makeup
Cons: Some reviewers thought the finish was too shiny.
Wizemann says that this great K-beauty sunscreen, which won a GH Beauty Award, feels “lightweight and hydrating” on the skin. It protects against UVA and UVB rays with broad-spectrum SPF 36. Some reviewers thought it was a little too shiny, but the water-based formula leaves a glowy finish with no white cast. It has green tea extract, sunflower seed oil, and cica in it to hydrate, nourish, and calm the skin.
One Amazon reviewer said, “This sunscreen has become a daily part of my face routine.” “It’s very light, soaks in quickly, and makes my skin look beautiful without looking oily or greasy.” The best part is that it doesn’t leave a white cast, which is hard to find in an SPF. It looks great on its own or under makeup for a natural, dewy finish.
Glass Skin Tanghulu Pudding Calming Cream 7 is the best for glass skin.
$48 for Olivia Umma Glass Skin Tanghulu Pudding Calming Cream on Amazon
Also think about $48
Anthropologie: $48
Revolve
- Helps skin look like glass
- Makes the skin barrier stronger
- Aloe vera calms
Cons: Not enough moisture for very dry skin
This moisturiser is meant to give you the glow that K-beauty is known for, which is almost the same as glass skin. A ceramide complex makes the skin barrier stronger, and aloe vera and Centella asiatica calm and soothe the skin. But a reviewer with very dry skin said it didn’t moisturise enough.
An Amazon reviewer said, “This is my favourite moisturiser.” “I live in the desert, and my skin is always dry.” But after using this for a few months, my skin is so much better. “It’s soft and super and stays plump!”
Rose Sleeping Mask 8: Best Overnight
The FEMMUE Rose Sleeping Mask costs $42.
Amazon
- Nice smell of roses
- Contains 95% damask rosewater
- Helps get rid of fine lines
Cons: Not really a mask, more of a moisturiser
The brand calls it a “chiffon cream,” and that’s exactly what it is. The gel texture is very light and fluffy, but the natural rose scent makes it feel luxurious. I put it on before bed and wake up with skin that looks bright and full.
Damask rosewater is full of vitamins that are good for your skin. Hyaluronic acid keeps your skin moist, and Centella asiatica calms it down. Because it is light and airy, it works better as a daily moisturiser than as a mask.
Peptide Pro Firming Moisturiser 9
BEST TIGHTENING
Peach & Lily Peptide Pro Firming Moisturiser $$45 Ulta Beauty Also Think About $45
Target
- Helps wrinkles look less obvious
- Plumps
- Firms
Cons: Some reviewers said it didn’t hydrate their skin enough.
This Korean-American skincare brand was started by aesthetician Alicia Yoon. Its products are known for being effective and gentle on sensitive skin. This moisturiser has 12 peptides in it that help firm, hydrate, plump, and strengthen the skin barrier. It also has four amino acids, vegan collagen, and a hyaluronic acid complex. “I really like how this moisturiser feels!” A reviewer on Peach & Lily’s site said, “It’s so hydrating and makes my skin look fresh, plump, and glowing.” Some reviewers said it didn’t hydrate their skin enough, so keep that in mind.
Aqua Bomb 10: The Best for Hydration
$67 for Belif Aqua Bomb on Amazon
Also think about $32 at Bloomingdale’s and $38 at Macy’s
- Instantly gives you water
- Plumps
- Light texture
Cons: Not the best choice for skin that is prone to acne
This lightweight gel is a hydration bomb, showing that you don’t need a thick texture to get a lot of moisture. The brand says that in just 10 seconds, you’ll feel a surge of moisture in your skin and that it instantly smooths and plumps. Squalane makes the skin barrier stronger, niacinamide gently removes dead skin cells, and hyaluronic acid adds moisture.
A reviewer on Amazon said, “Belif Aqua Bomb is one of the most refreshing moisturisers I have tried.” “It feels very moisturising but not heavy or greasy. The texture is light and gel-like, and it sinks into the skin quickly, leaving it soft and full. I think it gives great moisture for everyday use and is a good price for the quality you get. In general, it’s a great moisturiser that works for all skin types and is a great deal. Some reviewers said it didn’t work for acne-prone skin, so it might not be the best choice for that type of skin.
How we picked the best Korean face creams
We chose these products based on Beauty Lab expertise, dermatologist and editor recommendations, and reviews from retailers, even though they weren’t part of a formal Lab test. We looked at the lists of ingredients and thought about what people said about the texture, hydration, and visible results.
What to look for when shopping for a Korean face moisturiser:
“Korean face moisturisers are trending because we haven’t seen this type of formulation at this scale.” Wizemann says that while texture is important in skincare, it’s also important to look for ingredients that are good for your skin type and age. For each type of skin, keep these things in mind:
- Wizemann says that ceramides, squalane, and fermented extract are good for dry and ageing skin. Dr. Kobets says, “Put glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide-rich formulas at the top of your list.”
- Sensitive: Look for products that say they are made and improved for sensitive skin.
- Dr. Kobets says, “Choose lighter textures and avoid too much layering” if you have acne-prone skin.
What are the pros of Korean face creams?
Dr. Kobets says, “The main benefit is better barrier integrity and less transepidermal water loss.” Many formulas also include botanicals like centella that are good for the skin and may help reduce redness and support skin resilience. “When the barrier is strong and inflammation is under control, the skin can handle actives like retinoids and vitamin C better and works more predictably.”
How do you best use a Korean beauty face moisturiser?
Dr. Kobets says, “Just like with any other moisturiser, I would recommend putting it on skin that is slightly damp to help the humectant bind and pressing it into the skin.” “If you’re layering, start with the thinnest texture and work your way up to the thickest. Always put on sunscreen after this in the morning.
