As a devoted beauty enthusiast, I'm no stranger to the best Korean skincare brands. My vanity is stocked with Korean cleansing oils and sunscreens that are internet-famous for good reason. But today, I'm spotlighting another K-beauty must-have that has transformed my routine: Korean moisturizers. With so many options out there, finding the perfect one can feel overwhelming, so trust me—you're in the right place for some expert guidance.
The best Korean face moisturizers are formulated to repair the skin barrier, soothe irritation, and leave your skin looking plumper and dewier than ever. Some revive dry, flaky skin, while others are holy grails for hydrating oily skin without causing excess shine. From cult-favorite brands like Laneige and Sulwhasoo to up-and-coming names in the USA like Hanacure and Round Lab, there are countless editor-approved options we're excited to put on your radar.
Keep scrolling for my guide to the 15 best Korean moisturizers of 2024, tried, tested, and loved by yours truly and Marie Claire editors. We also consulted two board-certified dermatologists and a K-beauty brand founder—Hadley King, M.D., Trisha Khanna, M.D., and Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon—to break down the main differences between Western and Korean moisturizers. (Spoiler: it's all about texture and ingredients.) In the meantime, get ready to explore, shop, and find your new Korean moisturizer obsession ahead.
The Best Korean Moisturizers
- Best Korean Moisturizer Overall: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide
- Best Tinted Korean Moisturizer: Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream With Centella Asiatica
- Best Korean Moisturizer for Fine Lines: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
- Best Korean Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
- Best Firming Korean Moisturizer: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream for Anti-Aging
There’s no name more fitting for this Korean moisturizer than “Aqua Bomb”—and, trust us, it lives up to the hype. This cult-fave is water-based, meaning it feels featherlight on your skin. Normally, we'd skip analogies for fear of exaggerating, but calling this a tall glass of water for your face is honestly spot-on. It’s fast-absorbing, refreshingly cool on application, and stacked with skin-loving ingredients: hydrating hyaluronic acid, gently exfoliating niacinamide, and a lineup of botanical extracts that not only soothe but also pack antioxidant power to defend against environmental stressors.
Texture: Gel-cream
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and squalene (hydrating), niacinamide (anti-acne, brightening, and firming)
Benefits: Hydrates, improves skin tone and texture, strengthens skin barrier
What We Love: Extremely lightweight texture, fast-absorbing, great for oily, combo, and dry skin
What We Don't: Contains added fragrance, some say it feels a little tacky
Review for MC: “As someone whose skin turns dull and dry the moment temperatures drop, this Korean moisturizer is my cold-weather savior. It drenches my skin in moisture, and the texture feels super refreshing and soothing. The jelly-like, water-gel formula applies to a rich layer that my skin somehow drinks up instantly, and doesn't leave any greasy or sticky residue—just my normal skin, rehydrated, and back to life." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
Marisa loves using the Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb when her skin needs a serious moisture boost.
We couldn't leave this CC cream out because it's a solid option for anyone after the best of both makeup and a moisturizer. Not only does it even out your complexion, blur imperfections like a social media filter, and give you a lit-from-within glow, but it's packed with long-term benefits, too. It uses soothing centella asiatica, antioxidants to guard against skin-damaging free radicals, and broad-spectrum UV protection to protect your skin from the sun. The TL;DR? It’s no-makeup-makeup goals in a tube.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica (antioxidant and soothing), vitamin E (antioxidant), glycerin (hydrating), octinoxate and octisalate (chemical UV filters), titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (physical UV filters)
Benefits: Color-corrects, leaves a radiant finish, hydrates and soothes, offers broad-spectrum SPF
What We Love: Easy to blend, evens out skin tone and delivers a radiant finish, offers broad-spectrum UV protection and antioxidant protection
What We Don't: Limited shade range
Review for MC: "As you can see by the destroyed bottle below, this moisturizer-meets-tinted-foundation has been with me for quite some time. It's easily one of my favorite products of all time (that's saying something). Not only does it hydrate my sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, but it also evens out any redness and gives a dewy, plumping effect to my skin. The coverage is light to medium, but no matter how much product I massage into my skin it never looks cakey." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha uses the Erborian CC Cream when she needs to even out her skin tone.
This pretty pink, jelly-like moisturizer from the ever-aesthetic Glow Recipe doesn’t just deliver an instant plumping effect (though those quick results are definitely worth swooning over). Thanks to its blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and moisture-locking ingredients, your skin will stay deeply hydrated for longer. It also provides long-term results with consistent use courtesy of firming niacinamide and antioxidants that defend your skin from free radicals (the sneaky culprits behind accelerated skin-aging).
Texture: Gel-cream
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, and polyglutamic acid (hydrating); niacinamide (anti-acne, brightening, and firming), plum seed oil (antioxidant, moisturizing, and brightening)
Benefits: Hydrates, plumps fine lines, brightens
What We Love: Refillable, visibly (and temporarily) plumps fine fines, comes in recyclable packaging
What We Don't: The jar packaging means you’ll need to dip your fingers in, unless you purchase an applicator separately, fragrance and preservatives may not be suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin
Review for MC: “Glow Recipe’s eye-catching packaging never fails to put me in a good mood, and that's honestly one of the reasons I reach for this moisturizer so often. But it’s not just about looks; this lightweight formula also smooths my fine lines, gives me a dewy glow, and preps my skin for a tinted moisturizer or foundation in the morning. As a bonus, the cooling, gel-like texture is the perfect skin refresh to wake me up before my coffee." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
Marisa reaches for the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer on mornings when she wants a dewy, hydrated base before applying makeup.
When finding a Korean moisturizer that plays nice with sensitive skin, some ingredients are absolute no-gos (like fragrance, essential oils, and harsh exfoliants). In contrast, some are skin-care superheroes, such as calming centella asiatica, hydrating glycerin, and niacinamide (a multitasker that keeps redness and inflammation in check). Enter this lightweight gel cream from Dr. G; it’s got all the soothing, skin-loving ingredients sensitive skin needs and works overtime to keep irritation at bay when you need it most.
Texture: Gel-cream
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (anti-acne and anti-inflammatory), Centella Asiatica (antioxidant and soothing), glycerin (hydrating), Pro-Vitamin B5 and beta-glucan (moisturizing and anti-inflammatory)
Benefits: Soothes and calms, hydrates
What We Love: Gentle, fragrance and essential oil-free, contains lots of anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients
What We Don't: May not be ideal for oily skin, as emollients could increase shine
Review for MC: "I recently found myself in Seoul doing a $200+ haul of Korean beauty products from Olive Young (their version of Sephora). My favorite discovery was easily this Dr. G cream. I have rosacea and acne, which can be a pain to manage. I need something to calm redness and inflammation, without harsh actives. This gel-like cream has truly been my savior. It soothes pimples and redness overnight while still delivering sufficient hydration during the colder months." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha found that the Dr. G moisturizer balances both acne and redness.
Sulwhasoo didn’t cut corners when developing this moisturizer; it’s formulated to live up to its promise of tackling visible signs of aging. The star ingredient is ginseng, of course. (It’s right there in the name, after all.) The brand uses not one but multiple forms of ginseng extracts in this formula, which stand out among antioxidants because they can boost collagen production and, therefore smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Paired with skin-firming peptides, this moisturizer gives you both immediate and long-lasting results, leaving your complexion looking plumper, firmer, and overall revitalized.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Key Ingredients: Peptides (skin-firming), glycerin, squalene, and hyaluronic acid (hydrating and plumping), ginseng extracts (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, collagen-boosting)
Benefits: Firms fine lines and wrinkles, hydrates, provides antioxidant protection
What We Love: Great for anti-aging, uses skin-firming peptides, contains collagen-boosting ginseng extracts
What We Don't: Some find the herbal scent a bit strong
Review for MC: "Before visiting Sulwhasoo HQ last month, the only thing I knew about ginseng was that it had quite the interesting smell. Now, I'm well aware that it's a super-powered ingredient with longevity, health, and resilience benefits. That's precisely why I want it all over my face. Since incorporating this cream into my skincare routine, I've noticed that my skin is firmer, plumper, and softer." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha loves this luxe cream because of its firming and rejuvenating ginseng properties.
Other Korean Moisturizers We Love
Dry skin doesn't stand a chance against this Korean moisturizer. It's loaded with multiple forms of hyaluronic acid (HA), glycerin, and squalene to give your skin a major hydration boost, plus moisture-locking ingredients, including cholesterol and ceramides. Translation: the hydrating ingredients draw in moisture, while the moisture-retaining ones keep it there, so your skin stays dewy and hydrated all day.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalene (hydrating), allantoin, green tea extract, ceramide NP and cholesterol (moisture-retaining)
Benefits: Hydrates, strengthens skin barrier, soothes skin
What We Love: Contains multiple types of hyaluronic acid, clean at Sephora-approved, wears well under makeup
What We Don't: Contains essential oils (which may be irritating to some), only comes in one size (1.69 fl oz)
If you're searching for a multitasking moisturizer that works for both face and body (and frees up some space on your vanity), this is one of our top picks for a slew of reasons. It's a no-fuss, fragrance-free option perfect for gentle daily hydration that everyone in the family can use. It comes in three sizes—including a giant 6.8 fl oz option that lasts ages—it absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling silky smooth without any greasy residue.
Texture: Gel-cream
Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, collagen-boosting), ceramides (moisture-retaining and barrier-supporting), glycerin (hydrating)
Benefits: Hydrates, strengthens skin barrier, soothes and calms
What We Love: Unscented, can be used on the face and body, gentle enough to hydrate even a baby’s skin, a little goes a long way
What We Don't: Doesn't contain stronger actives that you might want in a facial product
Hyaluronic acid, squalene, and ceramides are the star ingredients in this popular moisturizer (Sydney Sweeney is a fan!), which comes in a small (1.6 fl oz) container you can easily stash in your carry-on bag while traveling. But don't let the "cream" label on this option fool you—it has a lightweight consistency that absorbs into the skin like water or an essence, making it ideal for those with oily or combination skin.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalene, and ceramides (hydrating), allantoin and beta-glucan (soothing), vitamin E (antioxidant)
Benefits: Hydrates, strengthens skin barrier
What We Love: Contains lightweight hydrators, refillable, mini size available (0.67 fl oz)
What We Don't: Some find the packaging overly bulky
If you’re a fan of Korean sunscreens (and, honestly, who isn’t?), you’ve probably heard of Beauty of Joseon’s cult-favorite SPF. But let’s not overlook its equally obsession-worthy sister: this moisturizer. It's often called a "holy grail" for oily skin, packed with red bean extract, skin-firming peptides, and lightweight hydrators, all in a refreshing, matte-finish gel texture.
Texture: Water-gel
Key Ingredients: Red bean extract (antioxidant and soothing), glycerin, butylene glycol, and betaine (hydrating), peptides (skin-firming), allantoin and panthenol (soothing)
Benefits: Controls excess sebum, hydrates, firms
What We Love: Non-greasy texture, loved by those with oily skin, dries down to a matte finish
What We Don't: Some say it feels slightly sticky at first, but absorbs quickly
Snail mucin is the hero star ingredient in this TikTok-famous Korean moisturizer, and it's about time it's on your radar. Sure, it might sound a bit unconventional, but its benefits are impossible to ignore. If you can get past its unique texture (don't be scared; thousands love it!), you'll likely join the ranks of those who find their skin looking plumper, smoother, and glowier in no time.
Texture: Gel-cream
Key Ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate (hydrating and repairing), hyaluronic acid and arginine (hydrating), allantoin and panthenol (soothing), adenosine (smoothing, firming, anti-inflammatory)
Benefits: Hydrates, soothes and calms, firms
What We Love: Targets multiple concerns, from redness and irritation to dark spots and dullness, has thousands of five-star ratings, also comes in a tube version
What We Don't: May not be hydrating enough for those with dry or dehydrated skin, texture isn't for everyone
Dealing with uneven skin tone, dark spots, or rough patches from breakouts or dryness? Hanacure’s moisturizer is here to make your skin look smoother and more even-toned with consistent use. Instead of using potentially irritating exfoliants, it goes to work with hydrating, nourishing, and barrier-strengthening ingredients that improve your skin’s appearance gently. Botanical antioxidants like purslane extract and peptides like copper tripeptide-1 support natural cell renewal, giving you a brighter, more refined complexion over time—no acids or scrubs needed.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Key Ingredients: Peptides (skin-firming), glycerin, butylene glycol, and sodium hyaluronate (hydrating), portulaca oleracea extract (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), antrodia cinnamomea (antioxidant and anti-bacterial), adenosine (smoothing, firming, anti-inflammatory)
Benefits: Firms, strengthens skin barrier, offers antioxidant protection, hydrates
What We Love: Lightweight, non-greasy feel, gentle alternative to exfoliating skin-evening products
What We Don't: May take longer to see visible results compared to exfoliant-based products
Sensitivity, irritation, and acne? Not on this cream's watch. Klairs' iconic blue cream taps into powerhouse botanicals like centella asiatica, purslane, Roman chamomile flower, and guaiazulene (the ingredient behind its blue hue) to ease redness and calm irritation. Add in barrier-boosting ingredients and skin-fortifying peptides, and you've got a gentle yet effective shield ready to defend your skin. It's free of direct acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which might be a godsend for those needing a break from aggressive, drying treatments.
Texture: Gel-cream
Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, purslane, Roman chamomile flower, guaiazulene (soothing), butylene glycol, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate (hydrating), ceramides (moisture-retaining and barrier-supporting), peptides (skin-strengthening and repairing), vitamin E, argan oil, shea butter (antioxidants and healing)
Benefits: Reduces redness and irritation, calms breakouts, strengthens skin barrier
What We Love: pH balanced to keep skin acid mantle happy, great for sensitive, acne-prone skin, great for post-sun use
What We Don't: May feel a bit rich for some due to the shea butter and jojoba oil, doesn't use any direct acne-fighting ingredients
Redness and sensitive skin have nothing on Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Sensitive Skin Moisturizer. Those with eczema, rosacea, or plain-old dryness and sensitivity swear by how it transforms their skin, toning down redness. It works thanks to a blend of soothing, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-strengthening ingredients, plus color-correcting pigments that give you both instant and long-term results with regular use.
Texture: Thick cream
Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica (antioxidant and soothing), allantoin (soothing), niacinamide (anti-acne and anti-inflammatory), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8 (a specific type of peptide that targets inflammation and redness), vitamin E and adenosine (smoothing, firming, anti-inflammatory)
Benefits: Soothes redness and irritation, hydrates, strengthens skin barrier
What We Love: Soothing, visibly reduces redness, you only need to use a pea-size amount
What We Don't: Some users find it a bit too thick
If you’re up for a high-end skincare investment, this one’s worth the splurge. It tackles multiple skin concerns—like dullness, signs of aging, and dry or sensitive skin—with a luxuriously silky balm-to-crème texture that feels like a treat every morning and evening. Not to mention, the gold packaging itself is pure vanity eye candy, and when paired with the brand’s complementary Time Response Skin Reserve Cream, you and your skin will feel like a million bucks.
Texture: Balm-like cream
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (anti-acne, brightening, and firming), green tea extract (antioxidant), caffeine (reduces puffiness), dipotassium glycyrrhizate (soothing and anti-inflammatory), adenosine (smoothing, firming, anti-inflammatory), vitamin E (antioxidant), ginseng extracts (antioxidant and hydrating)
Benefits: Firms, brightens, hydrates,
What We Love: Brightens dull skin and reduces the appearance of skin damage (like dark spots) over time, luxurious balm-to-crème texture, can be used morning and evening
What We Don't: It's the priciest option on our list, contains fragrance
If you get your hands on the right sunscreen-moisturizer hybrid, you can finally say goodbye to layering two separate products. Case in point: this one from Round Lab packs SPF 50 (thanks to chemical filters), hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing birch juice, and the multitasking powerhouse niacinamide. It’s lightweight, blends effortlessly, sits beautifully under makeup, and, arguably most importantly, it feels and wears like a moisturizer, not like the sticky or uncomfortable SPFs of your past.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Key Ingredients: Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (chemical filters), hyaluronic acid (hydrating), birch juice (hydrating and soothing), niacinamide (anti-acne, brightening, and firming), adenosine (smoothing, firming, anti-inflammatory)
Benefits: Hydrates, provides broad-spectrum sun protection, brightens, firms
What We Love: Takes the place of moisturizer and SPF in one, doesn't leave a white cast, wears well under makeup
What We Don't: Often sold out
What Makes Korean Moisturizers Different?
There's no hard-and-fast rule that separates Western moisturizers from K-beauty moisturizers, but according to top dermatologists, it mainly comes down to texture and ingredients. "K-beauty moisturizers are often water creams, water gels, or gel creams rather than a standard cream or lotion," explains Dr. King. "These provide a more 'glass skin' effect because they feature multiple different humectants with different molecular weights so they penetrate and hydrate at different levels, providing optimal plumping, hydrating, and smoothing."
When it comes to ingredients, Korean moisturizers tend to be rich in botanical ingredients, like green tea, rice, and ginseng, which support the skin barrier, along with calming components like centella asiatica and snail mucin," says Dr. Khanna. Standout ingredients she recommends looking for when shopping for a Korean moisturizer are "glycerin, skin barrier supporting ceramides, and then soothing ingredients such as green tea." The good news? Plenty of the options on our list are packed with them.
What to Look For in a Korean Moisturizer
- Hydrating Ingredients
“Korean beauty moisturizers strive to ensure deep hydration regardless of texture or if the formula is oil-based or oil-free,” says Yoon. So, if you're looking for a lightweight Korean moisturizer for oily skin or a rich, peptide-packed cream for dryness, rest assured that it’ll be loaded with skin-loving hydrators. A quick tip from Dr. King, though: "You still need the combination of humectants to hydrate the skin, emollients to support the skin barrier, and occlusives to lock in moisture. Keep an eye out for formulas that tick all those boxes for comprehensive hydration.
- Texture
Texture is largerly up to personal preference, but it's a major factor when selecting the best Korean moisturizer for you. Marie Claire's edit includes gel and water creams, ideal for summer months or those with oilier skin types, and rich creams and emollients, which are best for dry skin. If you have combination skin, assess your current needs (if you're going to the gym a lot, for instance, you might want a more lightweight option), or layer a lightweight moisturizer with a moisture-packed face serum.
- Ingredients Unique to Your Skin Type
As you've probably noticed, we've broken down our favorite Korean sunscreens by skin type, concern, and personal preference to make it easier to find your perfect match. You'll also spot some superstar ingredients that pop up frequently, like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, alongside unique additions tailored to different needs. For instance, calming formulas often feature centella asiatica for its soothing powers, anti-aging options highlight skin-strengthening peptides, and moisturizers for dry skin strike the perfect balance of humectants, emollients, and occlusives for hydration.
Why Trust Marie Claire
Marie Claire is an expert in skin care, having covered topics ranging from the best products to fight rosacea and de-puffing eye creams that actually work, to deep dives into what to know before getting filler and reviews of innovative aesthetic treatments (yes, even salmon sperm injections). Beauty Writer Marisa Petrarca brings nearly a decade of expertise to this story and has tested countless K-beauty products, including a wide range of Korean moisturizers. For this story, she consulted two board-certified dermatologists and Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon.
How We Tested
For this story, we sourced editor favorites (Beauty Editor Samantha Holender recently traveled to South Korea to evaluate the best innovations) and tested over 15 Korean Moisturizers available stateside. We evaluated each moisturizer based on texture, ingredients, and performance, both immediately and over two weeks of use.
Meet the Experts
Hadley King, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. King graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in biochemistry. She received her MD from Columbia University. She trained in medicine at Greenwich Hospital, affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine, and completed her dermatology residency at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. After residency, Dr. King worked as an attending physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, during which time she specialized in cutaneous oncology and photodynamic therapy.
Dr. Trisha Khanna, a board-certified dermatologist based in Orlando, Florida, trained at Columbia University and completed her residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and Orlando Dermatology Residency. She focuses on integrative dermatology, combining Eastern and Western medicine to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions.
Alicia Yoon is a Korean skincare expert and the founder of Peach & Lily, a leading source and retailer for all things Korean beauty. Her acclaimed Peach & Lily skincare collection is 100% worry-free, non-toxic, and cruelty-free, using clinically-proven ingredients. Alicia travels regularly between New York City and Seoul to find the best products and most innovative skincare, and she has helped make Korean beauty the phenomenon it is in the U.S. today. An esthetician certified by spas in Korea and licensed in New York, Alicia is also a Harvard Business School graduate and an avid sheet-masker. She is on WWD's 25 Most Innovative Beauty Executives list and serves on the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Board of Governors.
