3 hours Ago By Deanna Pai
Nowhere was the rise of K-beauty more apparent than in the skin-care realm. The best Korean moisturizers and sunscreens introduced an American audience to the possibilities beyond staid formulations and inelegant sun protection , offering brand-new active ingredients, playful packaging, and innovative technology. While perfectly good moisturizers in the U.
S. do exist ( if you know where to find them ), “Korean moisturizers are so innovative and thoughtful,” says Michelle Park, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. What’s unique is that in addition to providing great hydration, “many incorporate natural and holistic ingredients to boost skin benefits and address skin concerns,” she says.
“Additionally, I think the texture of Korean moisturizers stands out. They feel lightweight and nongreasy while doing an excellent job of hydrating the skin.” Vogue ’s Favorite Korean Moisturizers A newfound focus on the skin’s moisture barrier has also led to the constant presence of Korean skin-care staples.
“Korean skin-care focuses on hydration and strengthening the skin barrier, so you can trust that you’re getting a product really designed to do that,” says Dr. Park. Ahead, discover the best Korean moisturizers for your skin type and concerns.
In This Story Best Overall: O Hui Miracle Moisture Ceramide Boosting Cream Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream Best Fragrance-Free: Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Best for Glass Skin: Rovectin Calming Lotus Water Cream Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream Best for Sensitive Skin: CosRx Snail 92 All In One Cream Best Rich: Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer Best for Oily Skin: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel Best for Redness: Purito Oat-in Intense Cream Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Rael Miracle Clear Barrier Cream Best for Combination Skin: Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream Best for Mature Skin: Iope Stem III Cream Best Lightweight: Innisfree Cherry Blossom Dewy Glow Jelly Moisturizer Best for Stressed Skin: Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream Best for Dull Skin: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Best Splurge: AmorePacific Time Response Skin Reserve Cream Best for Barrier Repair: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream Best for Face and Body: Illiyoon Ceramide ATO Cream In general, Korean moisturizers tend to emphasize gentle, skin barrier–supporting ingredients—as well as extracts commonly used in Asian herbal medicine. Two mainstays you may already recognize are hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which are humectants that draw water into skin.
“You’ll also find products with ceramides, which is a lipid whose function is to ‘hold it all together’ as the glue between skin cells, creating a healthy skin barrier that is able to retain moisture,” says Dr. Park. As far as soothing skin, she points to allantoin, which is not only hydrating “but also has anti-inflammatory effects and promotes skin turnover,” she says.
The same goes for centella asiatica, which similarly addresses inflammation and may encourage collagen production. Dr. Chang also recommends looking for ginseng, green tea, and licorice root extract, which are botanicals with an array of skin-care benefits.
“Snail mucin and fermented yeast extracts are popular ingredients known for their hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and reparative properties,” she says. For one, Korean moisturizers tend to offer more options for people with reactive skin types. “Those with sensitive skin will find K-beauty to be a haven for finding products that work very well for them,” says Dr.
Park. “There are a wealth of options for gentle moisturizers that are formulated to soothe and decrease inflammation, which people who have sensitive skin or suffer from an inflammatory skin condition like eczema or rosacea will be happy to discover.” Because they’re well tolerated by the majority of people, Korean moisturizers are suited to fit an array of skin types—so while they help for those with inflamed and irritated skin, anyone can benefit from them.
You might also find alternative ingredients to target individual concerns and conditions, such as acne. For instance, some “are “formulated with ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, such as tea tree oil, propolis, and snail mucin,” says Dr. Chang; that makes them a worthwhile option to replace or supplement ingredients commonly used stateside, like salicylic acid.
Finally, Korean moisturizers may have formulations that differ in terms of cosmetic elegance (like fast absorption) as well as sheer delight (like airy, cloudlike textures). While these may hold appeal for certain skin types—for instance, those with oily skin might prefer that weightless texture—they’re more intended for enjoyment during application. Ultimately, though, “I do not believe Korean moisturizers are superior to US moisturizers, or vice versa,” says Dr.
Chang. “The choice of moisturizers is personal and subjective, and may also change with time, age, and season.” And, as with many skin-care formulas, Korean moisturizers are not infallible—so while their unique ingredients and formulations may suit you now, they may not be worth eschewing a product that already works for you, no matter where it’s from.
.
