5 Best Korean Moisturizers for Maximum Hydration in 2022
Moisturization is an important part of a good skincare routine. It supports skin barrier function and makes your skin smooth and more plump. However, finding the right moisturizer can be a bit tricky.
Some leave your skin feeling heavy (and oily) while others feel so lightweight that they don’t provide any moisturization benefits. That’s where Korean moisturizers come into play. Their innovative formulas deliver intense hydration without leaving your skin feeling greasy.
That said, not all Korean moisturizers are created equal. Luckily, we did all the hard work and put together a list of the best Korean moisturizers that money can buy. No matter your skin type, there’s something for everyone. Read on to learn more about our top picks!
The Best Korean Moisturizers
1. Best Overall: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Featuring a gel-based formula, this moisturizer from belif is a godsend for those with oily skin. It delivers a burst of hydration without leaving behind a greasy residue. The texture feels like a plush serum and gives you an instant cooling effect upon application.
The formula contains squalene, which has excellent emollient properties to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. What’s more, it’s loaded with many other skin-loving ingredients like lady’s mantle, calendula, and glycerin. These not only plump up your skin but also protect it from environmental damage.
We liked that it’s quick-absorbing and works well under makeup. It does have a little bit of scent, but it’s minimal and shouldn’t cause any irritation. Plus, there are so many soothing ingredients to keep your skin calm.
It’s best suited for oily, combination, and normal skin types. If you have dry skin, there’s belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, which is just as good. It has slightly thicker consistency than Aqua Bomb and is perfect whose skin is on the drier side.
Key ingredients: Lady’s mantle, squalene, oat extracts | Skin type: Oily, Normal, Combination | Cruelty-free: No
Pros:
- Lightweight and absorbs quickly
- Non-greasy
- Lasts all day
Cons:
- Contains alcohol denat, which may be a bit drying from some
2. Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
It also features 5-Cera Complex (a unique blend of 5 ceramides) that seals in moisture and keeps your skin plumped all day long. Plus, the inclusion of shea butter makes your skin extra soft and smooth.
It has a thick consistency, but it glides on effortlessly. Plus, it doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue despite its thick consistency. Your skin will feel soft, hydrated, and bouncy within seconds post-application.
Key ingredients: Ceramidin complex, hyaluronic acid, shea butter | Skin type: Dry, Normal | Cruelty-free: No
Pros:
- Supports skin barrier function
- Increases moisture retention
- Makes skin plump and bouncy
Cons:
3. Best for Sensitive Skin: Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream
It’s not always easy to find the right product when your skin freaks out easily. But this moisturizer from Klairs fits the bill.
It’s fortified with the powers of yeast-dervied Beta Glucan, which increases hydration levels and boosts barrier function. Your skin will stay plumped all day long. Plus, it’s also lauded for its anti-aging benefits, like reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
It also balances oil production while calming your skin. Plus, you’ll appreciate that it spreads evenly and absorbs quickly into the skin.
Finally, Klairs is 100% cruelty-free, which not many skincare brands can boast.
Key ingredients: Yeast-derived Beta Glucan, jojoba oil, glycerin | Skin type: Sensitive | Cruelty-free: Yes
Pros:
- Skin-soothing formula
- Anti-aging benefits
- Long-lasting moisturization
Cons:
4. Best for Combination Skin: PYUNKANG YUL Nutrition Cream
For those with dry or combination skin, this moisturizer from Pyunkang is exactly what you need. It’s luxurious and thick but glides onto the skin flawlessly — no greasy residue left behind.
It’s formulated with gentle and skin-friendly ingredients like shea butter and macadamia seed oil that deeply moisturize your skin. Shea butter also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so this cream will also help repair skin damage.
This moisturizer also contains Astragalus Root, which delivers intense hydration and calms redness and irritation of skin.
We also tested its pH level and found it to be 4.6, which is ideal for skin. Plus, it doesn’t contain any artificial scents, so you don’t have to worry about irritation.
On the downside, the glass jar is not travel-friendly, And while it does absorbs quickly without leaving a residue, it might feel a little bit heavy if you have overly oily areas on your skin.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, astragalus root, butylene glycol | Skin type: Dry, Combination | Cruelty-free: Yes
Pros:
- Fragrance-free
- Absorbs quickly
Cons:
5. Best Budget: Frozen Cream
You don’t always have to break the bank to get quality K-beauty products, and this moisturizer is the proof.
It’s infused with the goodness of healing plant extracts (like bamboo and birch) that hydrate your skin from within. And it also contains sodium hyaluronate (type of HA), which attracts moisture and keeps your skin hydrated for longer.
You can use it as a regular moisturizer when kept at room temperature. But what’s interesting is you can put it in a freezer for 4 hours to treat your damaged sun-burned skin.
I also liked that it contain white cedar extracts, which can soothe your skin and give it a cooling effect, So, if your skin is easily irritation, you’ll appreciate this moisturizer.
Key ingredients: Bamboo, sodium hyaluronate, white cedar | Skin type: Dry, Normal | Cruelty-free: Yes
Conclusion
With so many products to choose from, finding the right Korean moisturizer can be sometimes tricky. However, we’ve done all the research for you. You can choose a product from this list based on your skin type.
If you have any questions about any of these products or are looking for alternatives, please leave a comment below.
