Last Updated on November 7, 2024 by Alex
When I first visited Seoul, I knew nothing about K-Beauty or skincare in general. I struggled with dry skin and could never find a foundation that would stay nicely on my face. Fast-forward to my time living in Seoul. There, I tested so many moisturizers that I finally can say that I found thebest Korean moisturizer for dry skin.
On one hand, I really wanted to find the best moisturizer for myself. On the other hand, I also had an online store selling Korean cosmetics and wanted to offer the best to my clients.
If you are also looking for a moisturizer to help your skin look better, here is my list of products you should look into.
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Table of Contents
- The best Korean moisturizer for dry skin based on my experience
- A few things worth knowing before choosing a moisturizer
- My top 10 best Korean moisturizer for dry skin
- Real Barrier
- Innisfree–Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream
- COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 All-In-One Cream
- ROUND LAB–1025 Dokdo Cream
- Isntree–Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream
- Sulwhasoo–Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX
- IOPE–Stem III Cream
- Beauty of Joseon–Dynasty Cream
- Purito SEOUL–Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
- O HUI Miracle Moisture Ceramide Boosting Cream
The best Korean moisturizer for dry skin based on my experience
A few things worth knowing before choosing a moisturizer
Before we dive into the list of moisturizers I love most, let me tell you a few other things that helped me achieve great skin.
First of all, it depends a lot on the climate you are in. For example, both Hong Kong (where I lived before Seoul) and South Korea have humid climates. That’s very different from the climate of my home country, Romania. As a result, what worked great in Korea might not work so well back in Europe.
Be mindful of the climate you live in when making your choice.
Secondly, exfoliating the skin at least once every week will help a lot. You want to eliminate the dead skin that prevents all the good ingredients from penetrating deep and nourishing your skin.
I opted for a chemical exfoliator, such as glycolic or mandelic acid, which also helps with brightness and hyperpigmentation.
Last but not least, you must understand that oils don’t hydrate. I usually use an oil in my night skincare routine and apply it on top of my moisturizer. That helps to seal the moisturizer and increase its efficacy.
If you are traveling to Seoul, see where to buy skincare.
My top 10 best Korean moisturizer for dry skin
Real Barrier
The Real Barrier products are by far my favorites for dry skin.
In South Korea, they are extremely popular, but outside of the country, I haven’t noticed people talking much about them.
I tried both moisturizers and love each in different seasons. I swear by the Extreme Cream during the cold season. Even though it is thick, this cream applies easily and absorbs super fast. Moreover, it doesn’t leave the skin looking oily, and it is great as a base under makeup.
On the other hand, during the warm season, I always reach for the Aqua Soothing Cream. It is a lightweight hyaluronic acid cream that hydrates without leaving the face greasy. This cream has seven types of hyaluronic acid with different-sized molecules and also ceramides for great results.
Main hydrating ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and all kinds of natural oils (natural oils provide lasting hydration without clogging pores)
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: both options are alcohol-free but do have some scented oils. They don’t have strong or bothering fragrances.
Price & Accessibility: $
Innisfree – Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream
While I would not use this cream in hot and humid weather, it is perfect for the cold season. When it’s hot, it can leave a greasy film on the skin. But during the colder seasons, it is great.
The Orchid Enriched cream was one of our best-sellers and many loved it because it was so rich. Additionally, it has plenty of anti-aging active ingredients and antioxidants.
It has niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane – only a few great ingredients.
However, it is worth knowing that this moisturizer has fragrance. Thus, if you don’t like that, choose something else from this list. It is not strong or disturbing, but it is there.
Main hydrating ingredients: Betaine, DL-Panthenol, Propanediol
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: it does have fragrance, but it is subtle.
Price & Accessibility: $
See more about this moisturizer here!
COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 All-In-One Cream
This moisturizer has been around for some time and is very popular on social media. Of course, I had to try it since so many people say it changed their skin forever.
The truth is, I liked it but it is not for every season or for every skin.
Because of the snail mucin extract, it has a strange, slimy texture. But it applies easily and it absorbs very fast without leaving any residue on the skin.
Many attribute the glowy, dewy Korean-style glass skin to this moisturizer. However, I did not feel it made such a huge difference to my skin.
Nonetheless, it is great for dry skin, acne-prone skin, or people with other skin issues.
Main hydrating ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: fragrance & essential oil-free
Price & Accessibility: $
ROUND LAB – 1025 Dokdo Cream
Dokdo is a small island on the east coast of Korea.
The brand is one of the so-called “clean” ones in Korea; thus, you can expect a moisturizer suitable for sensitive skin.
Round Lab uses deep sea water packed with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and more. Moreover, the product has been formulated with some humectants I like to see in moisturizers: three types of hyaluronic acid and four types of ceramides.
On top of that, you get panthenol and allantoin to soothe irritated skin.
When it comes to texture, I found this cream to be thick without feeling as such on the skin.
Main hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Sea Water, Irish Moss Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: fragrance & essential oil-free; alcohol-free
Price & Accessibility: $
Isntree – Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream
I like this brand mainly because of its famous SPF with hyaluronic acid, which leaves my skin moisturized and glowy. I’ve used it so many times and have also tried the stick option.
Truth be told, I would have never tried the aqua gel cream because I thought it would be too light for my dry skin. However, I tried it from my mother and fell in love with it.
It has indeed a light texture, but it is also very hydrating. For me, it was the perfect base for makeup and it left my skin glowy.
Additionally, it is packed with antioxidants that will help you fight the signs of aging.
Main hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Betaine, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: fragrance & essential oil-free; alcohol-free
Price & Accessibility: $
Sulwhasoo – Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX
Anyone who’s ever been to Korea or is into K-beauty knows about Sulwhasoo. After all, they also have the best facials in Seoul.
It is the most luxurious beauty brand, packed with one of the most loved anti-aging ingredients: ginseng.
I was lucky to receive a set as a gift and fell in love with this moisturizer, as well as the famous Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum. If you can afford it, I strongly encourage you to get both.
The moisturizer is rich and luxurious, leaving the skin dewy and glowy.
On the other hand, you should know that the whole range has a subtle ginseng scent. It never bothered me, and I actually liked it, but I know not everyone is a fragrance fan.
I know this product is the most expensive for K-beauty, but I assure you it is worth it. And it is for sure one of the best Korean moisturizer for dry skin.
Main hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Honey, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, Dextrin, Dimethiconol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: it has a fragrance
Price & Accessibility: $$$
IOPE – Stem III Cream
Iope is a mid-range K-beauty brand that is little known outside of Korea.
However, when we had just moved there, I asked one of my husband’s colleagues about skincare brands I should try, and she told me about Iope. I purchased a sample and fell in love with the quality of the product.
Later, I got this cream for my mother-in-law and decided to get one for myself. Needless to say, it was love at first use, and I finished it very fast.
If you want a moisturizer that absorbs instantly, this is for you.
Main hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Propanediol, Mannitol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: fragrance & essential oil-free; alcohol-free
Price & Accessibility: $$
Beauty of Joseon – Dynasty Cream
The brand went viral on social media thanks to its SPF cream and has a worldwide fandom. However, you can only find the products in a few shops in South Korea.
Just like the SPF, the Dynasty Cream is loved by many of the people who tried it. Because of its sticky consistency, it might not be easy to spread on your face. Use the spatula to take a small amount into your hands and warm it up before applying it to your skin. This should do the trick.
Main hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Honey Extract, Dextrin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: fragrance & essential oil-free; alcohol-free
Price & Accessibility: $
Purito SEOUL – Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Yes, this is an SPF, so you can use it as a morning moisturizer, as I do. At first, I thought it was a bit too oily. However, it dries quickly and absorbs nicely into the skin. I love how I can skip the moisturizing part when I use this SPF.
In my opinion, it is perfect for the cold season, and it can be used as a base for your makeup. On top of that, it is an SPF that doesn’t leave a white film and doesn’t sting the eyes.
Main hydrating ingredients: 5 types of Ceramides
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: fragrance & essential oil-free; alcohol-free
Price & Accessibility: $
O HUI Miracle Moisture Ceramide Boosting Cream
While in Korea, I tried the O Hui Prime Advancer cream and found it to be amazing. However, as I am writing this, the product has been discontinued, and the next best Korean moisturizer for dry skin is the Miracle Moisture Ceramide Boosting Cream.
The cream feels so luxurious and smooth and is packed with great ingredients for dry skin.
It has a subtle and luxurious fragrance, and it is non-irritating. It doesn’t leave the skin oily and gets the job done.
Main hydrating ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aluminum Hydroxide
Sensitive Skin-Friendly Formula: has a fragrance
Price & Accessibility: $$
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