By this point, you've probably know by heart the best Korean skincare brands and have stocked up on all the best Korean face and sheet masks and Korean sunscreens. Still, amid all of the K-beauty products out there, one of the best remains the tried-and-true Korean moisturizer.
Why? “The Korean philosophy for skincare is very hydration focused,” explains Alicia Yoon, founder of K-beauty brand Peach & Lily. “Korean beauty moisturizers strive to ensure deep hydration regardless of texture or if the formula is oil-based or oil-free.” So, whether you need a lightweight Korean moisturizer for oily skin or have dry skin and require a rich, peptide-packed formula, your favorite Korean moisturizer will have you covered.
Each and every moisturizer on this list is designed to repair the skin barrier, soothe skin, and provide a plumped-up appearance. From cult-favorite K-beauty brands like Lineage and Sulwhasoo to up-and-coming lines like Schwanen Garten, allow us to present the best Korean moisturizers available Stateside to quench your skin with.
For a glow that could very easily be mistaken for highlighter, lather on this K-beauty-inspired moisturizer every morning and night. It’s packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and plum, as well as plumping polyglutamic acid. And don’t even get us started on the texture—it’s a whipped consistency that’s out of this world.
Belif heard one too many cries of exhaust from the oily skin community who have been using countless greasy creams for way too long. A water-based moisturizer you can believe in, the Aqua Bomb is a cult favorite for a reason due to its cooling effect and lightweight feel that absorbs into the skin as quickly as it's applied.
Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides are the star ingredients in this newly-launched moisturizer. But don't let the "cream" label fool you—this product seeps into your skin like water and is great for even the oilist skin types.
While you can purchase each of these products solo, the combo ensures some unbelievable skin brightening results. The former is going to gently exfoliate, while the latter will replenish your face with antioxidants and moisture. The star ingredient? Ginseng, a K-Beauty-loved ingredient that boosts hydration, plumps fine lines, and restores bounce.
Moisturizer is the key to celebrity Korean makeup artist Jung Saem Mool's signature "natural glowing skin" looks. So it's no wonder she's formulated an intensely hydrating moisturizer featuring fermented pearl extract. It features increased absorption and a long-lasting, dewy finish, not unlike the lustrous crystalline gem.
A proprietary antioxidant complex is the signature of Seoul-born skincare brand Schwanen Garten's power formulas. This lightweight daytime moisturizer, which is particularly excellent in hot weather, brightens and hydrates skin, leaving it smooth and plumped with a healthy glow.
Dry skin needs all the moisture it can get—not just a thick formula that slides off in the middle of the night, but one that locks in all the good pore-loving hydration. "I love the Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Cream," says Yoon. "It's an award-winning icon as it hydrates deeply without irritating skin and delivers beautiful, time-tested Asian herbal extracts to nourish skin."
This cream is the definition of a skin pick-me-up—it’s going to plump you up and give you a youthful glow without the harsh exfoliating effects of a traditional anti-aging moisturizer. And we highly recommend staring right in the mirror when you apply this; you’ll be amazed by the skin-smoothing, texture-blurring effects.
Sensitivity, irritation, and acne are no match for Klairs' magical blue cream. The not-so-secret ingredient is centella asiatica, an extract that calms skin and helps repair newly picked or popped pimples. It can also be used as an all-over sleep mask for when your acne needs some extra TLC.
Universal skincare products might seem far-fetched, but this water-based moisturizer from Peach Slices sets a pretty high bar. This formula is a lightweight gel that doesn't leave your face sticky or overly oily and is full of epidermis-softening goodness.
This oil-free moisturizer reduces the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scarring. The gel formula is a favorite amongst oily and acne-prone skin, but it's also hydrating enough to soften skin with eczema, rosacea, or severe dryness. Ginger, vitamin C, aloe water, and turmeric are just a few of the natural ingredients that help brighten skin and even texture, proving that non-toxic beauty is the best beauty.
Step one: Buy this eye cream. Step two: Prepare for your under eye bags to disappear. Dark circles—whether genetic or from lack of sleep—soften with the barrier protection from the avocado, while peptides brighten and plump skin.
We're convinced that this mask actually contains tiny estheticians that give your pores thousands of mini facials overnight. True to its name, this is an overnight formula that's a perfect blanket for dry skin during cooler nights.
The health benefits of green tea are endless, so it's no wonder it's also a hero ingredient in Korean skincare. The Jeju green tea extract repairs any and all dryness while locking in its precious nutrients.
Sometimes our skin can freak out despite our best preventative efforts. Whenever you're having a really sensitive skin day, opt for this pudding cream from Peach & Lily. The matcha helps with any inflammation and doesn't add to the distress on my skin. Yoon says the matcha is "a rich antioxidant, that helps combat external stressors as well as visibly calms skin."
