Our Favorite Korean Moisturizers Are Like Tall Glasses of Water for Our Skin

The best Korean moisturizers are the crème de la crème of Korean skin care, thanks to their advanced, effective, and surprisingly gentle formulas. Unlike many Western creams, K-beauty moisturizers often feature unique ingredients that set them apart—think rice water to tone, mugwort to calm inflammation, Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) to soothe, PDRN (a regenerative compound derived from salmon DNA), and hydrating yuzu. The result? Creams that deliver serious hydration without ever feeling heavy, leaving glass skin glassy and dewy skin dewy. Even better: Most of these top-tier picks come in under $40. That budget-friendly price point allows for more consistent use, which can make a world of difference in your skin, whether you’re dealing with breakouts or dryness.

Our Top Korean Moisturizers

To make finding your perfect match easy, we chatted with editors and experts to round up our favorite Korean moisturizers for your slathering pleasure all year round.

Best Overall: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

Why it’s worth it: At the intersection of lightweight feel and heavy-duty hydration sits the Best of Beauty-winning Aestura Atobarrier 365. Loaded with hydrating ceramides and squalane as well as juicy lipids, this formula tackles all kinds of dryness while keeping your moisture barrier strong—no matter your skin type. “It also has this frosting-like texture that just melts on your skin,” David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City previously told Allure, who likes to use it as hand cream. Since it’s formulated for both face and body, you can slather it anywhere that needs an extra dose of hydration.

Best for Dry Skin: Etude Soonjung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream

Why it’s worth it: Oftentimes, the less fussy a formula is, the better—especially when you’re dealing with sensitive skin that flares at the first sign of actives. Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, is the key player in Etude’s Soonjung 2X Barrier Intensive Cream, which improves skin barrier function by moisturizing, reducing redness, and healing breakouts. Sunflower seed oil and shea butter are also to thank for this silky moisturizer’s ability to keep skin smooth as glass. Apply a generous coat of this cream at night after cleansing and toning to wake up with plump, juicy skin. During the day, try applying a bit less to avoid heaviness.

Best for Dull Skin: Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream

Why it’s worth it: Like many sensorial Korean skin-care gems, Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream has a bouncy, jelly-like texture that leaves skin glowing—think the effect of a wrapping mask, but without the fuss of peeling it off! The application is unique, too: You scoop out tiny capsules, which are packed with salmon DNA extracted from sperm, working to firm, hydrate, and give skin that coveted glass-like glow.

And before you gag at the thought—no, you’re not rubbing straight-up salmon semen across your face. As Allure previously reported, PDRN is a purified chemical compound extracted from salmon sperm, not the raw stuff. Here, it’s blended with a gel base of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and niacinamide to create an incredibly moisturizing, airy, and weightless formula.

Best for Redness: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream

Why it’s worth it: The doctor is in, thanks to Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream. Soothing, repairing, and packed with hydration, this formula puts K-beauty staple Centella asiatica, also known as cica, front and center, while allantoin steps in to repair the skin barrier. The moment it touches your skin, the green tint gets to work, instantly soothing and neutralizing redness (a hallmark of irritation). Smooth it on whenever your complexion is acting up, and watch it settle into a calmer, more even state within minutes.

Best for Oily Skin: Torriden Dive-In Low-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Cream

Why it’s worth it: Why it’s worth it: You can find the sky-blue formula of Torriden’s Dive-In Low-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Cream all over social media, and even on the vanity of New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist Hee Jin Koh, MD. She loves that it has five types of hyaluronic acid of various molecular weights, all of which are joined by panthenol, a.k.a. vitamin B5, to boost skin’s moisture. And, it works on all skin types with its featherlight gel-cream texture that layers beautifully with sunscreen and makeup.

Best Cooling: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Why it’s worth it: Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb is packed with the most hydrating ingredients on the block, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a ton of herbal goodies (like lady’s mantle) to soothe and cool your skin. It absorbs fast and is the perfect follow-up to your cleanser and toner. Former beauty editor Devon Abelman wrote, “Imagine someone lobbing a water balloon at your face—minus the pain and shock of it popping—that’s how slathering on The True Cream Aqua Bomb feels. It gives skin that kind of rush of hydration.” Enough said.

Best for Combination Skin: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel

Why it’s worth it: Beauty of Joseon is one of the best Korean skin-care brands for honoring (and reimagining) the traditional skin-care ingredients used in K-beauty, like red bean, ginseng root water, and rice bran water—and the Red Bean Water Gel is evidence of just that. The formula is ideal for skin producing excess sebum, which the body does when it overcompensates for a weakened barrier. The red bean kicks into gear to reduce the feeling of oiliness, and the peptide complex helps maintain the skin’s natural amount of growth factors, minimizing the effects of fine lines and crepiness.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

Why it’s worth it: Is your skin sending out an SOS? Reach for Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, which pairs plant-derived ceramides with fatty acids and cholesterol—the lipids in your skin barrier—in a formula with a low pH, matching the skin’s acidic nature. It’s got the numbers to back up the claims, with clinical testing showing that it increases moisture levels by 328% immediately after application and reduces signs of irritation, including redness and itchiness. Plus, the brand says it’s gentle enough to use on babies.

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Best for Mature Skin: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

Why it’s worth it: Drawing from decades of research, Sulwhasoo’s Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream is infused with ginseng saponin and peptides to boost circulation in your skin’s tiniest blood vessels. In turn, your body revs up collagen production and improves elasticity with consistent use. Among its legions of fans is Ju Rhyu, cofounder of Hero Cosmetics, who says that she loves using the cream on drier days when her skin craves more moisture.. P.S. Allure Korea has its own Best of Beauty Awards, and this cream was declared a winner in 2022.

Best for Face and Body: Atopalm MLE Eczema Cream

Why it’s worth it: Looking for a moisturizer that feels like butter…if butter wasn’t greasy? It’s possible. Allure Korea editors love how this ultra-rich Atopalm MLE Cream melts into the skin, absorbing quickly to deliver instant, intense moisture. You can also use it on your body, especially on rough areas like elbows and knees. A medley of nourishing plant-based oils and five types of amino acids—the “building blocks for collagen production,” according to Dr. Kim—helps make it happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Korean moisturizers and other moisturizers?

“Korean moisturizers tend to be light in texture and focus on barrier repair more than other benefits such as brightening or anti-aging,” says Dr. Kim. Hydration and gentle formulas are critical to this philosophy, and for good reason. “Sensitive skin is a very common skin type in Korea due to high pollution levels,” Charlotte Cho, aesthetician and co-founder of K-beauty e-retailer Soko Glam, previously told Allure. “As a result, sensitive-skin friendly ingredients such as cica are frequently seen in Korean beauty products to calm inflammation, redness, and irritated skin.”

While American moisturizers can include ingredients common in Korean moisturizers and vice versa, trends in Korean skin care tend to be less harsh than their stateside counterparts. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Union Square Dermatology, previously told Allure that active ingredients sought after by Americans—like retinol, salicylic acid, and more—are more scarce in Korean products because Koreans are wary of their drying properties.

How should I choose a Korean moisturizer?

When picking a new Korean moisturizer, consider the skin concerns you want to address and what you tend to like in the moisturizers you already own. “I would focus on the texture more than anything else,” says Dr. Kim. “If you have oily skin, look for a lightweight gel texture; if you have dry skin, look for a thicker, richer texture.” Looking for extra hydration? Ingredients like cica and hyaluronic acid are Korean skin-care staples. Or, if you’re trying to go easy on breakout-prone skin, a moisturizer with ingredients like allantoin and niacinamide can be a big help, Shin Hae Won, a dermatologist at Korean dermatology clinic Oracle, previously vouched.

Meet the experts

• Charlotte Cho, an aesthetician and co-founder of K-beauty e-retailer Soko Glam
• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Union Square Dermatology
• Hee Jin Koh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Clifton, New Jersey
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Shin Hae Won, a dermatologist at Korean dermatology clinic Oracle

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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best Korean moisturizers, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from editors, dermatologists, and aestheticians. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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