The hype is real: K-beauty is usually better, especially when it comes to skin care. “Traditionally, we think of moisturizers as doing two things keeping skin hydrated and fixing the barrier,” says Kseniya Kobets, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. “Korean skincare adds to that framework.” Along with humectants and ceramides, it has hanbang, which are plant-based ingredients from traditional Asian medicine that help calm inflammation and speed up skin healing. Korean moisturizers are different because of the Korean philosophy of hydration plus barrier repair plus anti-inflammatory support. They also use newer sunscreen ingredients and PDRN technology in their active topicals.
Our top choices:
- Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream is the best overall.
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel Moisturizer is the best deal.
- Aestura A-CICA 365 Soothing Repair Cream pH 4.5 is the best for redness.
- Dr. Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream is the best for skin barrier.
Sabina Wizemann the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab, agrees with that. “The philosophy stresses a gentle long-term approach to deep hydration and calming, which can be summed up as prevention over correction,” she says. “Formulations mix traditional ingredients like Centella asiatica, ginseng, rice, and snail mucin with advanced delivery systems, active encapsulation, and fermentation technologies.” Korean formulas are usually made as gels or jelly creams and have a light texture absorb quickly, and can be layered.
We have gathered the best Korean face moisturizers to bring new ideas in K-beauty right to your medicine cabinet.
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Best Deal
Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream (50ml / 1.7 Fl. Oz.)
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream is now $37, down from $50.
Best Deal tag JUMP TO REVIEW
Rejuvenating Cream with Concentrated Ginseng
1 BEST OVERALL
Sephora Pros
- Very hydrating
- Helps make fine lines look less noticeable
- Plumping Pros and Cons
Cons
- Costs a lot
Sulwhasoo is one of Korea’s oldest and most famous skincare brands. It is almost like the poster child for OG K-beauty. Ginseng, one of the country’s most famous and powerful skincare ingredients, has been a focus of the brand for a long time. This cream is full of it. Ginseng actives, ginseng peptide, and a vitamin C derivative are all in the anti-aging formula. These ingredients help make wrinkles look better and skin look fuller. I have always been impressed by how soft and hydrating it is, which makes it worth the money.
Red Bean Water Gel Moisturizer
2 BEST VALUE
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Keeps oil from getting too thick
- Calming for skin that is sensitive
Cons
- Some people may find the texture sticky
One great thing about K-beauty is that it brings you the newest products at low prices, like this great moisturizer. Beauty of Joseon is known for combining new ideas with traditional Korean herbal medicine. In this case, they used red bean, which is full of antioxidants and helps control extra oil. The light formula helps keep skin balanced while also giving it moisture. There is also a triple peptide complex that makes skin more elastic and smooth.
“It is very light and feels good on the skin,” said one Amazon reviewer. “At first, it feels a little sticky, but it sinks into my skin and dries quickly, leaving my face feeling very smooth.” It doesn’t clog my pores and does a great job of controlling the oily parts of my skin while also moisturizing the dry parts. It goes on well under sunscreen and doesn’t pill.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Best cream for skin barrier
Pros
- Makes the skin barrier stronger
- Water
- Makes things more flexible
Cons
- Fragrance divides people
This moisturizer is made to keep your skin barrier healthy, which is important for keeping your skin happy and hydrated. It has five kinds of ceramides and panthenol that make the skin barrier stronger and keep it hydrated. It also makes the skin more elastic. It doesn’t have any real fragrance, but it does have botanical oils like Pelargonium graveolens, olive, bergamot, and sage that give it a very faint soothing scent that some reviewers loved and others hated.
“This cream is always in my makeup bag my medicine cabinet, and on my nightstand. It’s the first thing I pack when I go on a trip.” Wizemann says, “I love how light and easy to glide it is. It calms and comforts my skin right away, and it makes my makeup feel and look better on my face.”
A-CICA 365 Soothing Repair Cream pH 4.5
Best for redness
Pros
- No smell for skin that is sensitive
- Lessens redness
- Make skin tone even
Cons
- It can be hard to twist off the cap
This soothing cream can help if your skin is red. It’s safe for sensitive skin. The main ingredient is pH4.5CICA, a special mix of centella asiatica zinc, and PHA that calms and soothes skin. Panthenol helps keep the moisture barrier strong, and hyaluronic acid and glycerin deeply moisturize. Keep in mind that one reviewer said it can be hard to twist off the cap.
Wizemann says, “I really like this facial moisturizer.” “It’s light and soothing, and after using it for a few weeks, my skin is much less sensitive, with less redness and dryness. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, and you don’t need much to cover your whole face.
Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream
Best for hyperpigmentatio
Pros
- Light gel-like feel
- Contains turmeric and kojic acid to make skin brighter
Cons
- Some people who reviewed it said the texture was sticky
I have a lot of problems with pigmentation, so I use this cream all the time to get rid of uneven patches and make my skin look brighter overall. Turmeric and kojic acid are the two main ingredients that help to even out skin tone and make dark spots less noticeable. I also love how the cream feels like gel and is as light as a feather. It sinks right into the skin, which makes it perfect for use with one of my favorite skincare tools, the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro. Some reviewers, on the other hand, thought the texture was sticky.
Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
6 BEST WITH SPF
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
Pros
- Glowy finish
- Saves a step with SPF
- Wears well under makeup
Cons
- Some people who wrote reviews thought the finish was too shiny
Wizemann says that this great K-beauty sunscreen, which won a GH Beauty Award, feels “lightweight and hydrating” on the skin. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 36. The water-based formula leaves a shiny finish with no white cast, but some reviewers thought it was too shiny. It has green tea extract, sunflower seed oil, and cica in it to hydrate, nourish, and calm the skin.
An Amazon reviewer said, “This sunscreen is now a must-have part of my daily face routine.” “It feels so light, soaks in quickly, and makes my skin look beautiful without looking oily or greasy.” Best of all, there is no white cast, which is very hard to find in an SPF. It looks great under makeup or on its own for a natural dewy finish.
Calming Cream for Glass Skin Tanghulu Pudding
7 BEST FOR GLASS SKIN
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Pros
- Helps promote glass skin
- Makes the skin barrier stronger
- Aloe vera calms down
Cons
- It might not be enough to keep very dry skin hydrated
K-beauty is almost the same as glass skin and this moisturizer is meant to give you that glow. A ceramide complex makes the skin barrier stronger, and aloe vera and Centella asiatica calm and soothe the skin. But a reviewer with very dry skin said it didn’t moisturize enough.
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An Amazon reviewer said, “This is my favorite moisturizer.” “I live in the desert, and my skin is always dry. But after using this for a few months, my skin is much better. “It’s soft and super and stays plump!”
Rose Sleeping Mask
8 The Best Overnight Mask
Pros
- Nice smell of roses
- 95% damask rosewater goes into this
- Helps smooth out small lines
Cons
- More like a moisturizer than a real mask
The brand calls it a “chiffon cream” and that’s exactly what it is. Its gel-like texture is very light and fluffy, but the natural rose scent makes it feel luxurious. I wake up with glowing plump skin when I put it on before bed.
Damask rosewater which is full of vitamins, helps your skin stay healthy. Hyaluronic acid adds moisture, and Centella asiatica calms. Because it feels light, it works better as a daily moisturizer than a mask.
Moisturizer with Peptide Pro Firming
9 FIRMING AT ITS BEST
Pros
- Helps make wrinkles less noticeable
- Plumps Firms Cons
Cons
- Some people who wrote reviews said it didn’t hydrate enough
Alicia Yoon an esthetician, started this Korean-American skincare line. Its formulas work well and are gentle enough for sensitive skin. This moisturizer has 12 peptides in it that firm, hydrate, plump, and strengthen the skin barrier. It does this with four amino acids, vegan collagen, and a hyaluronic acid complex. “I really like how this moisturizer feels on my skin! “It’s so moisturizing and makes my skin look fresh full and glowing,” a reviewer wrote on Peach & Lily’s site. Some reviewers said it wasn’t hydrating enough, so keep that in mind.
Aqua Bomb
10 is the best for hydration
Pros
- Gives you instant hydration
- Plumps Light texture
Cons
- Not the best choice for skin that is prone to acne
This lightweight gel is a hydration bomb that shows you don’t need a thick texture to get a lot of moisture. The brand says that it only takes 10 seconds for your skin to feel more moisturized and that it instantly smoothes and plumps. Squalane makes the skin barrier stronger, niacinamide gently scrubs the skin, and hyaluronic acid keeps it moist.
One Amazon reviewer said, “Belif Aqua Bomb is one of the most refreshing moisturizers I have tried.” “It feels very moisturizing without being too heavy or greasy.” The texture is light and gel-like, and it soaks in quickly, leaving the skin soft and plump. I think it works well for daily use and is a good value for the quality you get. Overall, it’s a great moisturizer that works for all skin types and is a great deal. But it might not be good for skin that is prone to acne because some reviewers said it didn’t work for that type of skin.
How we picked the best Korean face creams
We chose these products based on Beauty Lab expertise, dermatologist and editor recommendations, and reviews from retailers, even though they weren’t part of a formal Lab test. We looked at the lists of ingredients and thought about comments about how the product felt how well it hydrated, and how well it worked.
When shopping for a Korean face moisturizer, look for these things:
“Korean face moisturizers are trending because we haven’t seen this type of formulation at this scale.” Wizemann says that texture is an important part of skin care, but it’s also important to look for ingredients that are good for your age and skin type. When caring for your skin, remember these things for every type:
Wizemann says that for dry and aging skin types, you should look for ceramides, squalane, and fermented extract. Dr. Kobets says, “Put glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide-rich formulas at the top of your list.”
- Sensitive Look for products that say they are made and optimized for sensitive skin.
Dr. Kobets says, “Choose lighter textures and avoid too much layering” if you have acne-prone skin.
What are the good things about Korean face creams?
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Dr. Kobets says, “The main benefit is better barrier integrity and less transepidermal water loss. Many formulas also add antioxidant and anti-inflammatory botanicals like centella, which may help reduce redness and make skin more resilient.” “When the barrier is strong and inflammation is under control, skin can handle actives like vitamin C and retinoids much better and works more reliably.”
How should you best use a Korean beauty face moisturizer?
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Dr. Kobets says, “Just like with any other moisturizer, I would recommend putting it on skin that is a little damp to help the humectant stick better and pressing it gently into the skin.” “If you’re layering, start with the thinnest texture and work your way up to the thickest. Always put on sunscreen after your morning routine.
Why should you trust Good Housekeeping?
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Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts helped us make this list. In particular, Sabina Wizemann, the director of the GH Beauty Lab, has looked into, tested, and rated thousands of beauty products.
This story was written by Celia Shatzman. She has been researching, writing, and editing skincare journalism for 20 years. She also talked to Dr. Kseniya Kobets, who is in charge of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.
