The Best Korean Moisturizer for Normal, Dry, Oily, and Combination Skin

The Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream is our pick for the top Korean moisturizer for sensitive skin that leans normal or dry. It’s a “steam cream,” which means Benton mixed the formula with hot water vapor, a technique that is said to result in a more effective moisturizer. That’s an interesting process, and one that we haven’t seen too many other moisturizers use.

Benton formulated this cream with some of our favorite Korean skincare ingredients, with the star being snail secretion filtrate, which is said to have skin-soothing and hydrating properties. It also contains niacinamide, which is a powerhouse antioxidant that can help with acne, pigmentation, and fine lines, and it’s also got a few ingredients prized for their potential anti-aging effects, like adenosine and a variety of peptides.  

The ingredient list doesn’t include any essential oils or fragrances, which is why we think it could be a fitting choice for those with sensitive skin—very often, it’s the chemicals used for scent that irritate the skin, so that’s a nice omission. That said, the lack of those compounds means it may not have a “perfume-y,” smell, which some people come to expect.

May be a good option for: those with normal or dry skin who would like a protective anti-aging boost in addition to moisture, as well as for those with sensitive skin.

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Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream

This doesn’t have much to do with our review, but we want to mention it anyway: “Moistfull” is such a great name for a moisturizer. It sounds a little weird, but it kind of gets stuck in your mind, and you know exactly what it does. Pretty clever!

Anyway. We chose to include the Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream because it’s designed specifically with hydration in mind. Etude House relied on fairly simple, gentle ingredients to make this cream, and they included collagen, which is believed to have moisture-binding effects on the skin, by pulling microscopic water molecules into the skin to help plump it up and make it appear more firm and dewy. It’s worth nothing that these are not long-term effects and the collagen in the product doesn’t replace or mimic collagen in the skin, but it’s still nice to see.

The other key ingredients they include in the Collagen Cream are the extract and oil from the baobab tree, which have moisturizing and antioxidant effects that may benefit the skin.

As for consistency, the product is designed as a gel-cream hybrid, so it’s designed to be more lightweight than the average moisturizer, and it can be a good match for skin types across the spectrum (though those with dry skin might want to layer it under a balm for added occlusion).

We think it could be a great choice for those who are in need of simple hydration and moisture. We do have a minor issue with the jar packaging that this moisturizer comes in, because it means you have to scoop it out with a spatula to keep things clean, but that’s a small complaint (and it can be a lot of fun to use makeup spatulas!)

May be a good option for: those with all skin types dealing with dehydration, and anyone who prefer simple moisturizers.

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COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap

The COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap is our pick for the best Korean moisturizer for oily or acne-prone skin. It was formulated to be lightweight, with a texture that almost borders on liquid, so it’s meant to sink into the skin without leaving any grease or residue—a property that can be very beneficial to those with oily skin.

COSRX replaced the water in this formula with birch sap, a liquid naturally rich in a variety of antioxidants, proteins, and sugars that can help moisturize and protect the skin. They also added quite a few humectants (like glycerol), a class of ingredients capable of enriching the skin with water, but they left out the heavy occlusives (that is, molecules that sit on top of the skin, instead of penetrating it), which those with oily skin don’t need, because their skin offers that effect naturally.

The other important ingredient COSRX added is tea tree oil, an essential oil that research suggests has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that make it a potential treatment for acne (and note, we say “potential”—as with everything, your results may vary). The only drawback is that tea tree oil has a strong, earthy scent that some people don’t care for. If you suffer from acne but don’t have severely oily skin, you may want to apply this lotion along with a slightly heavier cream for extra occlusion.

May be a good option for: those with acne-prone, oily, or combination skin.

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Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

The Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream gets our vote as the top Korean moisturizer for those with severely dry skin. This moisturizer was formulated to be extremely moisturizing with the purpose of restoring a plump and hydrated look to dry, rough skin. As with many other Korean moisturizers, Dr. Jart+ manufactured this cream to be fairly lightweight, especially when compared to the heavy and greasy moisturizers manufactured for dry skin in the West, so it might also work for those with normal or combination skin.

We’re going to a little science-y on you for a moment, so hang tight: Dr. Jart+ crafted this moisturizer with the three key ingredients that mimic the skin’s natural moisture barrier: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids (like stearic acid—and you can find all these ingredients in the ingredient list here). These ingredients are considered “barrier repairing” in the sense that when the composition of the sebum at the top layers of the skin is a little off, they can help restore it in order to prevent transepidermal water loss and keep the skin strong. Those effects can make this cream especially nice as a post-peel moisturizer or for anyone whose skin is compromised because of over-exfoliation or certain drying treatments.

There’s a lot going on here, but we’re big fans. The only potential drawback is the addition of essential oils, which smell lovely but may irritate some. All in all, this is one of our favorite Korean moisturizers, and we love it especially for dry skin and winters.

May be a good option for: those with dry skin or damaged skin barriers, and those who live in cold, wintery environments where dry skin is an issue.

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Sidmool Madagascar Real Moisture Cream

The Sidmool Madagascar Real Moisture Cream is a lesser-known pick, and as a “lighter” cream, it may be a good option for those with sensitive skin that’s combination or oily. It was formulated to be soothing and anti-aging with a very watery, lotion-like texture, designed to avoid that greasy or heavy feeling.

When it comes to moisturizers, ingredients are important, and Sidmool manufactured this moisturizer with a very impressive collection of natural elements. First and foremost is a personal favorite of ours, centella asiatica, an herb known for its robust anti-inflammatory and anti-aging capabilities, which can be beneficial for soothing both sensitive and acne-prone skin. Then, they’ve added a few skin brighteners that might be useful to those dealing with hyperpigmentation or post-acne scars, like licorice root extract, as well as anti-wrinkle ingredients like polypeptides. All of these ingredients are quite well-researched, but they are also considered very mild, which we appreciate.

Lastly, this moisturizer is fragrance-free, which can make it a good pick for those with sensitive skin—very often, it’s the fragrance chemicals that irritate people with sensitive skin or allergies—and it comes in a tube, which we find to be clean and user-friendly.

May be a good option for: all skin types, but especially those with sensitive skin, and those looking for anti-aging effects.

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Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb gets our vote as the top Korean moisturizer for dehydration in the “high-end” category. This is a light gel formula intended to give intense hydration to all skin types, without commonly maligned ingredients like parabens and phthalates.

It looks like Belif crafted this moisturizer to be simple and gentle, with a serious focus on loading the skin up with water. The main ingredient they used is glycerin, in combination with water and a lot of natural plant extracts, designed to help the gel sink into the skin so that it can saturate it and make it feel plump and hydrated. They’ve also added a touch of silicone to the mix (in the form of dimethicone), to seal everything in at the end.

Beyond that, Belif used a lot of botanical extracts like oat and Lady’s Mantle, to potentially give this moisturizer soothing and antioxidant effects that may calm redness and ward off skin-aging caused by environmental damage.

The only minor issue we have with this moisturizer is that it’s not fragrance-free, so while the formula is very simple, it still might not be tolerated by those with sensitivity to scents. It’s not an overbearing scent—it’s… very mildly lemon-y, maybe? it’s kind of hard to describe—but if you’re looking for something that’s totally scent-free, this isn’t it.

Other than that, though… high marks!

May be a good option for: those dealing with dehydration, no matter their skin type, and anyone who prefers natural products.

What Makes Korean Moisturizers Special?

What is about Korean beauty products? From "buzzy" BB/CC creams to specially-formulated eye creams, there’s a LOT of talk about them over the last few years, but why are they so special? And in particular, what’s so special about Korean moisturizers? Let’s take a closer look.

The first stand-out feature of Korean moisturizers is a high focus on humectants, a category of ingredients like glycerin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. These are ingredients that are non-greasy and can absorb water from the air and bring it into the skin, both to fortify it and plump it up. Humectants are popular in Korean moisturizers because the climate on the Korean peninsula is very humid and the humectants utilize the moisture in the air to hydrate the skin. That capability to hydrate the skin makes them popular on a global scale, because skin dehydration is an issue that happens to people all over planet.

Korean moisturizers are also usually formulated to have a very light texture, with gel-creams and thin lotions being particularly popular. This is, once again, because of the heavy and humid weather—people in Korea seem to prefer lightweight products that sink in readily and keep the skin feeling moist but not oily. There is usually some silicone added in order to keep that moisture in the skin without the greasy texture of an oil. They can be hydrating enough for those with dry skin, but without being overly heavy for those with oily skin. This texture also makes them great for layering with other products, including hydrating essences or active-based serums. The built-up layers sink into the skin nicely, rather than sitting on top on the epidermis.

Finally, Korean moisturizers are special because they often feature some very unique ingredients. First, there are the weird-sounding ingredients like snail secretions and ferments, which have surprising skin-fortifying benefits. Korean moisturizers are also often made with plant extracts that have a history in traditional Korean medicine, and that further research shows that they have various beneficial effects on the skin. Lastly, synthesized compounds and vitamins with powerful soothing, brightening, and repairing effects are also very popular in Korean moisturizers. Korean formulators usually avoid stronger actives that have the potential to irritate the skin (like retinol), and instead include gentler ingredients that are still effective like peptides, adenosine, and niacinamide.

How to Choose the Best Korean Moisturizer for Your Skin Type and Concerns

In general, Korean moisturizers tend to work across a wide range of skin types, but we still have some tailored advice that will make it easier for you to choose the right Korean moisturizer for your skin’s unique needs:

Oily Skin

If you have oily skin that produces a lot of sebum throughout the day and often looks shiny, then you may want to choose a Korean moisturizer with a light texture that won’t feel greasy on your skin, especially for the daytime. In the night time, a heavy feeling moisturizer might be okay, as long as it doesn’t cause other issues. If you like, you can avoid creams altogether, and instead choose moisturizers described as gel, gel-cream, or lotion.

One ingredient that is really worth looking out for in Korean moisturizers is niacinamide, which has tons of different skin benefits, though the one most relevant to those with oily skin is its ability to reduce oil production without causing transepidermal water loss.

Silicones might also be valuable, since they have a slightly mattifying finish, though in general Korean moisturizers, even with silicones, are still designed to leave the skin looking a little dewy. This dewiness comes from water, not oils, but you still may want to blot your skin throughout the day to get rid of the shine.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that those with oily skin are more prone to acne (so keep reading to learn what to look for in a Korean moisturizer for acne-prone skin!).

Dry Skin

Dry skin is a skin type that produces less oil and as a result, tends to look dry and dull, and is more prone to dehydration, irritation, and flakiness. Moisturizers are very important when you have dry skin because they make up for the lack of sebum by helping to fill in the gaps between the top cells of the skin to prevent moisture loss and strengthen the skin.

All Korean moisturizers work to load the skin up with moisture, thanks to hydrating humectants like glycerin, butylene glycol, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid. However, it’s important to also look for ingredients that will prevent transepidermal water loss. These can come in the form of occlusives (that is, large compounds that sit on the surface of the skin, instead of penetrating into it) like silicones or lanolin, or in the form of skin mimicking ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, and botanical oils that are naturally rich in fatty acids. Usually, the best Korean moisturizers for those with dry skin will have slightly thicker textures, like steam creams or barrier creams. It’s also a great idea for those with dry skin to rely on multiple layers of thinner and thicker essences, serums, and moisturizers in order to build up the layers of moisture in the skin.

Normal and Combination Skin

Korean moisturizers can be really phenomenal for those with normal and combination skin because they are thoroughly nourishing without being too heavy. They often hit the sweet spot for those with normal oil production or those with combination skin that has both dry and oily sections, so you can actually try nearly any of them. You may want to stick to a lighter gel-cream in the summer and then opt for a heavier moisturizer in the winter when the air becomes drier. You can also experiment with layering essences and serums all over your skin, and then only applying moisturizer to the drier parts of it. In general, it’s usually a good strategy to focus on choosing moisturizers that will target any of your other skin concerns, but if you don’t have any specific concerns, then you can focus on antioxidants to prevent premature aging.

Sensitive Skin

Those with reactive skin that can become red, inflamed, and irritated within seconds should keep two things in mind when choosing the right moisturizer for them: first, it’s very important to stick to moisturizers that are free of irritants such as fragrances, alcohol, and powerful actives like retinol or glycolic acid; and secondly, it’s useful to choose moisturizers that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that will help to soothe the skin and keep it calm.

One of the best soothing ingredients used in Korean skincare is centella asiatica, an extract that has anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-aging and brightening effects. You can also find other skin-calming extracts that come from oats, calendula, chamomile, green tea (which is also anti-aging), and willow bark (which is especially good for sensitive oily or acne-prone skin).

Other ingredients you can consider are honey, propolis, probiotic ferments (assuming you don’t have seborrheic dermatitis), and snail secretions. All of these ingredients are quite popular in Korean beauty, and they have shown some promise in treating redness and irritation.

Acne-Prone Skin

Korean moisturizers can be fantastic for acne-prone skin since they can hydrate without overwhelming, and they are usually free of acne-causing ingredients (with the caveat that comedogenicity can be individualized, so something that is fine for one person can break out someone else, and you should talk to your doctor or dermatologist for acne or any related skin conditions). In addition to looking for a moisturizer with the right texture for your skin type, also look for a Korean moisturizer rich in ingredients that can help reduce inflammation or target the acne bacteria. For the inflammation, niacinamide (which also suppresses oil production), centella asiatica, and willow bark extract are all excellent choices. Willow bark extract, in particular, is rich in salicin which is the precursor to salicylic acid so it is particularly useful for soothing acne-prone skin.

On the anti-bacterial front, Korean moisturizers will usually rely on tea tree oil, which is a popular natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide that may (may! not a sure thing!) help clear acne with regular use.  

In general, Korean moisturizers won’t include actual anti-acne medications like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, so you may want to have a different spot treatment or toner that includes those.

Maturing Skin

As we age, our skin slows down its production of collagen, which is the protein that keeps the skin looking firm, smooth, and free of wrinkles. Anti-aging ingredients can be broadly divided into two categories: rejuvenators meant to encourage collagen production in the skin, and antioxidants that neutralize free radicals to prevent premature aging.

Korean moisturizers are very frequently made with at least a few antioxidant ingredients that usually come in the form of natural plant extracts or botanical oils. Centella asiatica extract, licorice root extract, and green tea extract are only a few of the plant extracts we’ve already mentioned that are known for having potent antioxidant properties. Niacinamide is another compound that is commonly used that has antioxidant effects, in addition to its many other benefits.

Beyond that, look for Korean moisturizers that will also include ingredients meant to smooth wrinkles by encouraging collagen production, like adenosine, oligo- and polypeptides, and retinyl palmitate.

Hyperpigmentation

Dark spots, melasma, and post-acne marks are all types of hyperpigmentation, which is the darkening that happens when the skin overproduces melanin in an irregular manner. A moisturizer is usually not the best product for treating hyperpigmentation since it doesn't penetrate into the skin as deeply as an essence or serum, but you may still be able to benefit from using a Korean moisturizer that will include some skin brightening ingredients (and if not, you can always opt for an effective Korean foundation).

In general, vitamin C, arbutin, tranexamic acid, and chemical exfoliants are going to have the best effects when it comes to targeting hyperpigmentation, but they are more commonly found in serums than they are in moisturizers.

However, Korean moisturizers often include some more gentle ingredients that have been shown to have skin brightening effects, that can be used in conjunction with other, more powerful actives. These include licorice root extract, mulberry extract, niacinamide, and centella asiatica.