Best Korean Moisturizer of 2023!

You probably already know that Korean moisturizers are damn popular, especially among skincare fanatics! But you are here because you don’t know which one to buy. Between January and March 2023, I tried 29 Korean moisturizers to find the best ones for you. I also ran a survey on Facebook on 12,890 Korean moisturizer lovers to find the best Korean moisturizer for every skin type. So here is my guide to the best Korean Moisturizers. Get your hands on these spectacular Korean moisturizers and don’t forget to tell me how good your skin feels

Why are Korean Moisturizers so good?

So lets get started with a bit of history. Korean skincare has a long history dating back over 1500 years. Korea’s royal physican, Heo Jun, wrote a book Donguibogam in 17th century which covers traditional skincare practices and use of natural ingredients to treat skin conditions. The records from the period of Silla dynasty (57 BCE – 935 CE) mention beauty treatments using plants and herbs like ginseng and green tea. The Annals of Joseon Dynasty (15th to 19th century) also contains references to skincare and beauty practices.

Today’s Korean beauty lines perfected these centuries old secrets and made revolutionary moisturizers from exclusive ingredients. And from the survey I did, I learnt that these Korean moisturizers are suitable for all skin types from oily skin to dry skin to combination skin. These Korean beauty products are mostly vegan and are known for their purity and natural ingredients. Now you know why Korean moisturizers are driving people crazy.

I read several ancient and modern Korean Skincare books and discovered the ingredients recommended for making moisturizers. The key ones are: Fermented rice water, Snail mucin, Propolis (a red substance collected by honeybees), Ginseng, Comfrey leaf, Bulgarian rose oil, Olive leaf extract, Sunflower seed oil, Chrysanthemum Indium Flower Extract, Tea tree oil, Centella Asiatica, Shea butter, Licorice root, Bamboo extract, Pearl powder, Birch sap, Green tea seed, Matcha, Turmeric, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Ginger, Jeju oil and Chamomile. As natural and familiar as these ingredients sound, it isn’t easy to incorporate them raw every day in skincare routine for obvious reasons. That’s where this article comes in handy. Ha-ha. So now, I am going to give you a list of the best Korean moisturizers.

Let’s go.

Best Korean Face Moisturizer for my skin

I am blessed with a balanced skin which is neither too dry, neither too oily. And amongst all of the korean moisturizers I tried, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream was absolutely the best for my skin. After hearing about this from several friends, I bought this moisturizer from Amazon. Arrived quickly in 2 days. One surprise for me was it’s texture which was a bit gel like, but overall I loved this moisturizer. It got absorbed into my skin quickly without leaving any dry leftover or greasiness. Tons of other reviewers on Amazon also recommend this as a great product for damaged and irritated skin. Some of our readers also say that it cured their skin redness and sunburns.

The brand Klairs which manufactured this is a fantastic vegan and eco-friendly Korean company started in 2010. They market this moisturizer as extremely soothing. Guaiazulene and Centella Asiatica Extract are the key active ingredients of this moisturizer. Guaiazulene is extracted from chamomile oil and is a blue colored ingredient. It’s anti-inflamatory and is an antioxidant. Centella Asiatica Extract is another plant based ingredient. It’s rich in antioxidants and has been used in traditional korean skincare for centuries.

If you need more proof, here are some Amazon reviews for this amazing cream:

This moisturizer is one of the best moisturizers I’ve ever used. I always recommend it to friends who have dry skin because it’s so hydrating. On top of that, I buy loads and loads of this to not only use for the night but for the daytime especially in the unpredictable California weather nowadays. I recommend usually all of the Dear Klairs catalogue because of how consistent, durable, reliable and effective their products are.

Well this moisturizer cleared my skin up the first use!!! I was amazed at how much better my skin liked it than the rich moist cream!! My skin gets oily so this one is also better for that as it isn’t so thick and shiny as the rich moist cream. I highly recommend this

Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Based on my research, COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream is the best Korean moisturizer for dry skin. Of 850 survey participants with dry skin, slightly more than 50% picked this as their first choice amongst 5 Korean Moisturizers. This cream also has overwhelmingly positively reviews on Amazon from people with dry skin. The active ingredients in this moisturizer are Snail mucin, Hyaluronic acid and Beta-glucan. Snail mucin is a natural substance that is known for its moisturizing, healing, and anti-aging properties. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that helps to keep the skin hydrated. Beta-glucan is a type of polysaccharide that is found in the cell walls of yeast and fungi. It has several beneficial properties for the skin, including soothing, protecting, and anti-inflammatory effects. When I used this cream, I found it to be versatile and suitable for layering with all other products I use. Some people find this a bit expensive but according to me this korean moisturizer is worth every penny.

Product photograph of COSRX Advanced Snail 92

Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin. Can’t beat this!

Here is what a survey respondent said about this cream:

Yes, buy it. Yes, it’s worth it! It’s made my skin look so much better – my fine lines are way less noticeable now because my skin is actually hydrated and protected.

Best Korean Moisturizer for Combination Skin

Based on my research, Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream EX is the best Korean moisturizer for combination skin. As you know, combination skin means your skin has both dry and oily areas. And you need a well rounded moisturizer for this skin type. In our survey to find best Korean Moisturizers, of the 1128 survey participants who had combination skin, 70% recommended this as their first choice. This product also has great reviews on Reddit as well as Amazon. This moisturizer is made with a unique blend of green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter, which work together to deeply hydrate the skin without making it feel heavy or greasy. Green tea extract is a traditional Korean ingredient rich in antioxidants which help to protect the skin from free radical damage. It also helps reduce inflammation and redness. When I used this cream, i found it light weight, fragrance free and long lasting. Although for my skin type, Klairs Midnight Blue works better than this.

Trying Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream

Hands down the best Korean moisturizer for Combination Skin

One of our respondent says:

As the cream contains hyaluronic acid and a triple amino acid complex, it is deeply hydrating and nourishing without being too heavy

Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin

As we all know, getting the right moisturizer for oily skin is tricky. Oily skin tends to produce more sebum which clogs the pores. So we need a moisturizer which has hydrating but non comedogenic ingredients (ie they wont clog the pores), something which the moisturizer should be light-weight. Centella asiatica and Snail mucin are two of the traditional Korean ingredients which are very hydrating and non comedogenic. COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion is an excellent moisturizer which has both of these as its primary active ingredients. We weren’t surprised at all when this moisturizer was voted the best by 960 participants with oily skin. In addition to Centella asiatica and Snail mucin, the other active ingredients are Hyaluronic acid, Betane and Panthenol. Together they will keep your oily skin moisturized without clogging your pores.

Opening COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion

Voted as Best Moisturizer for oily skin

Best Korean Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin

Acne prone skin is often either sensitive or dehydrated. This makes it a bit tricky to build a great moisturizer for this skin type. While there are several Korean Moisturizers available in the market, according to our 1380 survey participants IUNIK’s Centella Calming Gel Cream is the best korean moisturizer out there for this skin type. This Korean moisturizer has rave reviews on ecommerce websites. Here are some reviews from Amazon and other ecommerce sites:

“I have sensitive, acne-prone skin and this moisturizer is a lifesaver. It’s lightweight and doesn’t clog my pores, but it still hydrates my skin without making it greasy. I love the way it makes my skin feel soft and smooth.” – Amazon reviewer

“This moisturizer is amazing! It’s helped to calm my acne and reduce inflammation. I also love that it’s fragrance-free and doesn’t clog my pores.” – EBay reviewer

“I’ve been using this moisturizer for a few weeks now and I’m really impressed. It’s helped to clear up my acne and make my skin feel softer and smoother.” – Walmart reviewer

Works like magic for Acne prone skin

Centella Calming Gel Cream has Centella asiatica, Green tea extract and Niacinamide amongst its key active ingredients. Centella has skin-soothing and healing properties, Green tea extract has antioxidants tha help protect the skin from free radical damage and Niacinamide helps to reduce inflammation and redness.

Best Korean Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is easily irritated by ingredients and is prone to dryness or clogged pores. So a great moisturizer for this skin must be made with gentle & noncomedogenic ingredients which hydrate your skin effectively. 2760 survey participants voted the The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream as the best moisturizer for Sensitive Skin from a list of 5 Korean Moisturizers. Made by the amazing k-beauty brand TONYMOLY, this moisturizer has an impressive ingredient list including Green tea extract, Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Rosehip oil, Shea butter and Aloe Vera.

Together, these ingredients protect skin from free radical damage and hydrate, sooth and and heal the skin. And if you want more proof, here are some reviews from amazon users with Sensitive Skin:

No breakouts or irritation on my sensitive skin, makes my skin feel great, and I love the way it smells.

Very moisturized, light, and pleasant on my sensitive skin. It left no grease. There is no scent, which is ideal for my skin and my nose. Overall it’s a great watery cream/gel.
However, I wish it could be a bit cheaper.

I received a sample of this cream in my Ipsy bag and fell in love! It’s such a soothing moisturizer that’s not too thick and pasty. It absorbs efficiently and leaves you with a fresh dewy glow. Highly recommend for sensitive skin. Will be reordering!

Voted the best moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

Although my skin isn’t very sensitive, I love this moisturizer because green tea is the first ingredient (it’s the Camellia Sineses extract) and not water which most products usually have. And I found this Korean moisturizer very moisturizing and refreshing.

Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Sensitive Skin

So you have dry sensitive skin. You probably already know that finding a great moisturizer for Dry which works well for your skin is hard. Dry skin needs to be hydrated, while sensitive skin needs to be soothed and protected. Finding a great moisturizer which can do both is obviously going to be challenging. But don’t worry, our 590 survey respondents have chosen the best moisturizer amongst several Korean moisturizers made for this skin type. SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream made by the South Korean Company Etude House is our winner amongst 5 Korean Moisturizers. This cream contains five traditional Korean ingredients: panthenol, ceramides, madecassoside, glycerin, and beta-glucan. Panthenol is a traditional k-beauty ingredient which will help to soothe and moisturize your skin. Madecassoside is derived from Centella asiatica, a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine for its skin-soothing and healing properties. Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide that will help strengthen your skin’s barrier. It is a type of sugar found in oats and other grains.

Soon Jungs 2x Intensive Cream near my vanity mirror

Your Skin will love this moisturizer

Here are some amazon reviews of this products:

This moisturizer is truly worth all the hype. i have dry/sensitive skin and it just drinks this stuff. a little goes a long way and it sits nice under makeup

Super great for dry sensitive skin

This stuff is so amazing, I have chronically dry sensitive acne prone skin and it has helped kept my skin so much more hydrated and soothed without breaking me out at all. I feel like my skin barrier is stronger and less sensitive and my skin is so much more soft and supple. I was using the ELF holy hydration but I feel this is a step up. Would definitely buy again.

Best Korean Moisturizer for a Glass Skin Look

As you probably know, Glass skin refers to a skin which is clear, radiant and smooth, like Glass. This is a difficult skin to achieve but don’t worry, I am here to help you with this. I have found the perfect Korean moisturizer which is not too heavy & not too light. It provides the perfect balance of hydration and oil control. Our 2289 survey respondents also nominated this as the best k-beauty moisturizer to get that perfect Glass skin look. Use COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Repair Cream to get that perfect Glass Skin Look. This moisturizer features Snail mucin, Betaine, Panthenol and Hyaluronic acid amongst its top ingredients. Together these ingredients attract and retain moisture in the skin, protect the skin barrier and sooth and calm the skin. I tried this moisturizer and it instant gave me the perfect Glass Skin Look. Here are some reviews from other Amazon users:

Perfect nighttime moisturizer, the consistency is a little weird.. slimey if you will but it does leave your skin looking like glass

This moisturizer made my skin so glass looking and clear! I love it, definitely a must have for dryer months out of the year. It makes you skin extremely hydrated without being greasy.

This is a life saver! It makes my face feel soft and gives me the glass skin effect that I’ve been looking for! I use it at the end of my skincare routine in the morning and a night and my skin has never felt better. It has almost no scent whatsoever so that’s also a bonus!

Voted the best Moisturizer to get the Korean Glass Skin Look. Go get this!

Best Anti Aging Korean Moisturizer

Making a great anti aging moisturizer which works for most skin types is a difficult. Aging is an extremely complex process and could happen because of several reasons like environmental factors, genetics or lifestyle. And Ingredients effective against aging are expensive. Despite these challenges, a few Korean Brands have mastered the art of making anti aging moisturizers.

Our survey respondents picked Meebak’s Cica Face Moisturizer as the best anti aging korean face moisturizer from a list of 5 Anti Aging Korean Moisturizers . When I tried it, I found it to be extremely lightweight and non-greasy. It hydrated and soothed my skin pretty quickly. Ingredient list revealed a blend of natural ingredients including centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Centella asiatica aka tiger grass is a plant that has been used for centuries in Korean medicine to treat a variety of skin conditions. It helps to reduce redness, irritation, and dryness. Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin hydrated. It also helps plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to improve the skin’s texture and radiance. It also helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and dark spots. Overall a great product which works for most skin types and is fragrance-free and alcohol-free. Here are some reviews from other Amazon users:

Anti Aging Miracle. I liked that it made my face look 10 years younger in a week and my hands 20 years younger. I bought this cream for anti aging, I can’t say enough about it.

I really enjoy using it for daily purpose and my skin texture has improved in a softer way even after the long flight or bad weather condition and staying in dry area! I strongly recommend using it especially for in late 30s and early 40s whom need desperate age-repair product!

Meebaks Cica Moisturizer! Anti Aging Miracle from Korea.

That was my personal recommendation guys, with absolutely zero sponsorship. I hope the list of the best Korean moisturizers helps you pick the most apt one according to your skin type. Lastly, be adamant with your skin care regimen to see surprising skin transformations.

Love~ Beauty Stroll

References

K-Beauty WIKI