22 of the Best Korean Moisturizers for Soft, Glowing Skin (2023)

Korean beauty products have taken the world by storm over the last few years, and for good reason! The skin care industry in Korea is incredibly advanced, and they produce some of the best moisturizers on the market. If you’re looking for a product that will give you soft, supple skin, then you should definitely check out this list of the best Korean moisturizers for 2022. In this blog post, we will give you the lowdown on 22 of our favorite options. We hope you find one that works well for you!

Be sure to also check out this article to find out which Korean vitamin C Serums will give you that glow-up!

Mizon Snail Repair Cream

Garden snails are not just pests- they’re also the secret to healthy, hydrated skin! That’s right- snail mucin is packed with nutrients that are essential for keeping your skin looking its best. Mizon Snail Repair Cream helps to replenish moisture that is lost throughout the day, and its light, easy-to-absorb texture makes it the perfect final step in your skincare routine. Not to mention, the copper peptides in snail slime can help to repair wrinkles and give your skin a youthful vitality.

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cream

This Korean moisturizer is one of the better values on this list. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that helps your cells retain moisture. It also contains antioxidants that help protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. t’s safe for all skin types so whether you have dry, sensitive, or oily skin, this cream will help you achieve the perfect balance. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, so you can be sure it won’t cause any irritation. Although it is very hydrating, it is on the heavier/greasier side so it’s best applied at night. As with any hyaluronic acid product-always apply when skin is damp in order for it to work correctly.

COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Repair Cream

Another impressive and affordable moisturizer from COSRX, this lightweight, gel-type cream is perfect for repairing and soothing irritated, sensitized skin after breakouts. The cream is formulated with 92% snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, and betaine to moisturize and fortify the skin barrier. Plus, the best part is that NO snails are harmed in the process of acquiring snail mucin – it’s obtained in a safe and snail-friendly way.

Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream

Finding the best Korean moisturizer for your acne-prone skin can be a challenge. This lightweight face moisturizer is rich in magnesium and potassium, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. Magnesium calms and re-balances acne-prone skin caused by environmental stressors and helps maintain skin barrier health. Turmeric is an ingredient that is rich in antioxidants and helps soothe and calm acne-prone skin as well as balance uneven skin tone.

Jung Saem Mool Essential Mool Cream

This luxurious cream is packed with beneficial ingredients like ceramide, panthenol, and fermented pearl extract. These ingredients work together to strengthen the skin barrier, prevent moisture loss, and provide long-term hydration. The result is a healthy, dewy glow that will have everyone asking what your secret is. Plus, the unique liquid-to-cream texture is ultra-smoothing and comforting to apply.

Be The Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Serum

In a world full of harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients, it’s refreshing to find a natural product that actually works. This all-natural serum is packed with powerful botanicals that help hydrate and improve skin health. The best part? It’s suitable for all skin types. Whether you’re struggling with dryness, redness, or sensitivity, this serum will help soothe, moisturize, and protect your skin. So if you’re feeling a little lackluster, reach for this bottle of goodness.

Check out this post to find out the importance of using a serum in your skincare routine.

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream is a moisturizing cream made for sensitive, dry, irritated skin.  Infused with yeast-derived Beta Glucan, this cream strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier, making it more resistant to damage and dryness. It also enhances the skin’s ability to repair cells, meaning that your skin will bounce back from damage more quickly. It has a smooth non-sticky feel and absorbs easily into your skin.

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream

Another amazing Klairs Moisturizer, this unassuming little cream is packed with Centella Asiatica Extract, a powerful ingredient that helps to regenerate damaged skin and prevent scarring. This cream works rapidly to soothe and regulate irritated, stressed skin. Perfect for sunburns or after shaving. So if you’re looking for the best Korean moisturizer to help calm while strengthening your skin barrier, give this one a try!

Peach Slices Citrus-Honey Aqua Glow Hydrating Moisture-Gel

This light, fast-absorbing moisturizer is infused with annatto seed and brightening grapefruit, and orange and lemon peel oils. It’s ideal for combination to oily skin types. This formula is also packed with honey extract and hydrating ingredients like glycerin and ceramides, making it perfect for giving your skin a boost of hydration and nourishment. The light, refreshing scent is an added bonus that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. Not to mention, this is one of the most affordable Korean moisturizers on the market.

Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

This moisturizer is packed with 40 antioxidant properties that can brighten dull skin for a radiantly youthful complexion. Turmeric and niacinamide are two of the key ingredients that make this product so special. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent used to rejuvenate dull skin. Niacinamide helps improve skin tone, minimize the look of pores, and fortify the skin’s barrier.

To learn more about what niacinamide can do for your skin check out this article.

Urang Rose Ceramide Cream

Made up of natural ingredients like organic damask rose floral water and rose essential oil, this cream is high in nutrients and healing properties that can help heal wounds and revitalize dry, sensitive skin. The addition of ceramide helps to protect the skin barrier and retain moisture for a long period of time, making it the perfect choice for those with dry or dehydrated skin. This moisturizer that will leave your skin feeling soft, healthy, and hydrated all day long.

Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Cream

This daily Korean moisturizer leaves skin feeling hydrated and quenched, thanks to the certified organic green tea extract. This extract is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, leading to visibly healthy and glowing skin. In addition, the green tea seed oil helps to lock in moisture and keep skin feeling smooth and soft. 

Peach & Lily Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream

This powerful antioxidant-rich formula helps to create a protective barrier against free radicals, while also brightening and firming the skin. With ingredients like Matcha, Cape Lilac Extract, Niacinamide, and Adenosine, your skin will be thanking you for this decadent creamy-textured moisturizer that delivers deep hydration without weighing it down.

Etude Moistfull Collagen Cream

This 100-hour lasting moisture cream is formulated with 6% collagen and white lupin to help skin become supple and dewy. The small-sized particles absorb quickly into skin, leaving a non-sticky finish. The collagen water delivers hydration to make your skin soft and vibrant, while the white lupin contains seed-derived protein to keep your skin moisturized. If you’re looking for a long-lasting hypoallergenic Korean moisturizer without the high price tag this is an excellent choice!

Neogen Agecure Antiager Facial Topcoat

If you are looking for a moisturizer to help fight the signs of aging, this cream might be perfect for you. Formulated with five antioxidants and an anti-glycation complex (used to decelerate skin aging), this Korean moisturizer will help to hydrate, improve skin elasticity and texture, and leave your skin feeling silky and rejuvenated. Plus, the pearl and gold ingredients will give your skin a radiant boost!

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer

Unlike other moisturizers, the hyaluronic acid in this cream is double fermented with Fucoidan, a moisturizing agent derived from deep sea algae. This unique method boosts the hydration capacity of the hyaluronic acid, making it more effective at keeping the skin hydrated.

Laneige also uses a microfiltration refining method that makes the hyaluronic acid even more absorbent and faster-acting. And best of all this Korean moisturizer promises to hydrate up to 100 hours!

Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream

Made with 70% snail slime extract, this Korean moisturizer is perfect for those with normal to dry or damaged skin. Snail cream has been shown to brighten skin, and enhance moisture retention. In addition, it can help to revitalize damaged skin and improve skin defense. So if you’re wanting to try out a snail mucin moisturizer that can help you achieve youthful, radiant skin this is a great one to check out.

SkinRx Lab MadeCera Cream

This is a unique all-in-one facial moisturizer that addresses acne, dullness, dry skin, blemishes, and fine lines. It’s enriched with a myriad of hydrating and moisturizing nutrients like fermented ceramide complex and Centella Asiatica to calm & replenish sensitive and dehydrated skin. If you’re looking for one product that will handle several skin concerns this is it!

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

If you’re looking for a summer beauty staple that will keep you cool and refreshed all season long, look no further than this ultra-lightweight, oil-free gel-cream. It instantly cools and refreshes skin while providing intensive hydration. Plus, it’s sulfate and phthalate free, so you can feel good about using it on your skin. Just be careful to avoid eye contact, and you’ll be all set to enjoy hot summer days without a care in the world.

Tony Moly Timeless Ferment Snail Cream

Packed with high-quality ingredients such as allantoin, glycolic acid, collagen, and elastin, this cream is perfect for repairing the skin barrier and soothing, hydrating, and brightening the complexion. This luxury moisturizer is enriched with 70% Gold Fermented Snail Mucus. Although pricier than most, this intensely restorative cream will nourish your skin with potent anti-aging benefits, serious hydration, and youthful radiance.

Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream

If you’re struggling to find a Holy Grail moisturizer that won’t leave your skin feeling suffocated, look no further than the Calming Tide Gel Cream. This best-selling Korean moisturizer has a lightweight gel formula that instantly hydrates and calms the skin, while also helping to repair the skin barrier with ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides. If you have particularly dry skin you can use the Calming Tide Gel Cream as a hydrating serum and then layer your usual oil or cream-based moisturizer to seal in the nutrients. 

Meebak Cica Cream

If you are looking for a Korean moisturizer that will heal your irritated skin, Meebak Cica Cream is a great way to go. Cica (aka. Centella Asiatica) soothes and rebuilds the skin barrier, while retinol, peptides, and niacinamide smooth out skin texture and correct fine lines and wrinkles. This facial cream locks in all of these nourishing ingredients with a moisture barrier, so your skin will stay soft and smooth. Plus, Meebak products are free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. So you can feel good about using them, knowing that they’re gentle on your skin and the environment.

What Are the Steps in A Korean Skincare Routine?

This is the routine that is most popular in Korean skincare.

Step 1 – Oil Based Cleanser

Because oil and water repel one another, a water-based cleanser will not effectively remove all of the oil-based contaminants on your skin. The best cleanser for removing oils, SPF, makeup, and natural sebum is one that is oil-based. It doesn’t remove the natural healthy oils from your skin. 

Step 2- Water Based Cleanser

A water-based cleanser is usually a foaming or gel-based product that will wash away any of the impurities left over.

Step 3- Use an Exfoliant

This step involves using a chemical or physical exfoliant to rid the skin of dead skin cells. This will help to keep the pores clear and increase overall skin radiance.

Don’t overdo it! Exfoliants can be irritating. Start off with incorporating this step just once per week and build on as your skin adjusts.

Step 4 – Apply a Toner

Using a toner or mist will nourish and prepare your skin to absorb your serum.  Having moist skin makes it up to 10 times more permeable than dry skin, so this is a crucial step in your routine.

If using a toner, be sure it is alcohol-free and hydrating.  Choose a water-based toner with humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or vitamin E.  Do not use an exfoliating toner with Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) if you will be applying a serum with acids or retinols.  With a cotton ball or cosmetic round, gently apply your toner all over your face and neck.   

Step 5- Apply an Essence

Essences are a unique step in Korean skincare They’re formulated with fermented ingredients to help hydrate and protect the skin. They’re sort of like a cross between a toner and a serum. Many essences also contain ingredients like antioxidants and vitamins that can help to brighten the skin.

Step 6– Apply Facial Serum

Serums often have a high concentration of active ingredients used to target specific skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, or acne. Be careful to avoid over-application.  Too much at one time will increase your chances of irritation and often cause more harm than good.  Stick to a very light layer over your face and neck. 

Some serums should not be used daily though depending on the ingredients.  If you are using retinol and glycolic acid, they should be used on alternate days.  Check out this article to find out more about how to use these serums together. 

Step 7-Apply A Sheet Mask

This is another step in Korean skincare that does not need to be done daily. A sheet mask is a paper mask soaked in active ingredients that you will lay over your face for 10-20 minutes.

Step 8- Apply an Eye Cream/Oil

These creams or oils are designed to target the delicate skin around our eyes. These products promise to help with darkness, puffiness, and those pesky fine lines. They often contain active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or caffeine which can help to hydrate, stimulate blood flow, and reduce inflammation.

Step 9– Apply Moisturizer 

This is when you will want an occlusive effect to seal in nutrients and moisture from your essences and serums. 

Step 10- Apply SPF

Many serum ingredients will make skin more sensitive to the sun, so for the morning routine, following up with a separate sunblock is key in Korean skincare.

FAQs

Why is Korean skincare so good?

Korean skincare is often lauded for its ability to deliver visible results without harsh ingredients. This is thanks in large part to the fact that Korean skincare companies heavily invest in research and development, so they are constantly coming up with new ways to improve their products. In addition, many Korean skincare products are formulated with natural ingredients that are beneficial for the skin, such as sea kelp and sake.

Is Korean or Japanese skincare better?

This is a difficult question to answer, as both Korean and Japanese skincare have their own unique benefits. However, many people tend to prefer Korean skincare because it tends to be more affordable than Japanese skincare, and it also often delivers visible results more quickly. Additionally, the packaging of Korean skincare products is often more fun and youthful than the packaging of Japanese skincare products.

Do I need a separate day and night cream?

It’s not necessary to use different creams for day and night, but some people prefer to do so. If you decide to use two different creams, make sure that the one you use during the day is lighter in texture and contains sunscreen. The one you use at night can be richer and more emollient to help your skin repair itself while you sleep.

Do I need to use a separate Korean eye cream?

It’s not necessary to use a separate eye cream, but some people prefer to do so. If you decide to use an eye cream, make sure it’s one that is designed for your specific needs, such as reducing dark circles or puffiness. 

Can I use a moisturizer if I have oily skin?

Yes, even people with oily skin need to moisturize.  In fact, often part of the reason your skin could be oily is that your skin is lacking the moisture it needs and is overproducing sebum (oil) to compensate. 

Just make sure to choose a light, oil-free, or gel-based formula that won’t clog your pores.

Is it better to apply moisturizer while my skin is still damp?

Yes, it’s best to apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp from cleansing. This will help your skin absorb the product more effectively. You should then wait until your skin has dried before applying makeup.

What kind of moisturizers work well for me?

Moisturizers come in many forms, including lotions, creams, gels, serums, oils, masks, and sprays. There are several factors to consider when choosing which type of moisturizer works best for you:

• Moisturizer thickness – A thick moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated longer, but it may leave an uncomfortable greasy feeling. A thinner moisturizer will provide immediate relief, but it may dry out your skin over time.

• Moisturizer consistency – Some moisturizers contain oils that can cause acne flare-ups. Others contain alcohol, which dries out the skin. Choose a moisturizer based on how much moisture your skin needs, rather than what type of moisturizer you like.

• Moisturizing power – Look for a moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration. It should also be able to penetrate deep into the skin to protect against environmental damage.

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