10 Best Korean Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Korean skincare is popular because it prioritize barrier repair and soothing ingredients rather that the harsh active ingredients that are common the West.

If you have dry skin, you can definitely benefit from these types of products. Here are 10 of the best Korean moisturizers for your skin type:

This article will include the best Korean moisturizers for dry skin and cover everything you need to know about Korean beauty.

Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Repair Cream

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you need to check out this cult favorite from Soon Jung. This moisturizer is incredible for skin barrier support thanks to its formula which includes:

• Hydrating ingredients like panthenol

• Anti-redness ingredients like madecassoside

• Nourishing ingredients like shea butter

Not only will it keep it skin hydrated, but it will also reduce water loss from your skin’s moisture barrier.

Plus, it has no fragrance or alcohol and is super soothing.

CosRx Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion

If you lean more towards the side of combination skin and deal with acne breakouts, you may benefit from this lighter Korean moisturizer.

It has tons of hydrating ingredients to help repair damaged skin, including allantoin and panthenol (one of my favorite humectants!).

Tocobo Multi Ceramide Cream

This might be the best Korean moisturizer if you need extra barrier support thanks to the inclusion of:

• 10% hyaluronic acid

• Glycerin

• Squalane

• 5 different ceramides

This formula nicely mimics your natural skin lipids and will help prevent water loss from your moisture barrier. Plus, it’s light enough for even oily skin types and will help maintain skin elasticity.

Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cream

If you have irritated skin, this is the moisturizer for you.

Thanks to the inclusion of mugwort and plant extracts like sea breeze artemisia extract and madecassoside, this cream is a dream come true for dry and dehydrated skin. The plant extracts will help soothe irritated skin and calm any redness you’re experiencing.

Plus, it includes panthenol and allantoin to help your skin retain moisture and prevent prematurely aging skin.

Laneige Special Care Cica Sleeping Mask

This is a great Korean moisturizer for dry skin from Laneige.

Formulated with a fermented yeast extract and tons of nourishing skincare ingredients, this overnight cream helps soothe redness and skin irritation.

Plus, it doesn’t contain any parabens or mineral oils.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation or scarring, this is definitely the moisturizer for you.

The ingredient list is incredible, including great ingredients for even very dry skin and dull skin:

• Snail secretion filtrate

• Bee venom

• Peptides

• Hyaluronic acid

• Different botanical extracts

This moisturizer in an awesome addition to your Korean skincare routine and helps calm irritation, leaving you with a healthy skin barrier.

Illiyoo Ceramide Concentrate Cream

This is the perfect moisturizer for people with sensitive and dry skin. It is deeply hydrating and soothing.

The texture is thicker than others which is ideal to help keep skin moisturized, especially if you’re using active ingredients like tretinoin which can dry your skin out.

Purito Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

Oats are some of the best skincare ingredients to include in a routine for sensitive skin.

This ingredient calms skin irritation and inflamed skin, and this moisturizer has a lovely gel like texture. Plus it includes licorice root to help get rid of dark spots and lovely hydrating ingredients.

Innisfree Jelly Cream

If you’re looking for a lightweight gel cream that leaves your skin glowing, look no further.

This cream from Innisfree has a quick absorbing texture and works great on dry and dull skin to leave you with a healthy, radiant appearance.

Just be careful if you have particularly sensitive skin as this Korean moisturizer does include some fragrance.

Aestura Atobarrier Cream

This is the perfect Korean moisturizer for dry, acne prone skin and for those dealing with skin texture.

There are great skin-loving ingredients such as:

• Phytosphingosine: fights acne

• Niacinamide: controls oil products and supports skin barrier function

• Green tea extract: reduces acne

Plus, it has a nice rich texture that will help reduce flaky skin.

Why do I have dry skin?

There are a many reasons why you might have dry skin, including:

• Age

• Sex

• Genetics

• Lifestyle

• Environment

• Skin barrier disruption

Dry skin is characterized by relatively less sebum production than other skin types. Because your skin produces less natural oil, you may also be prone to increased rates of water loss and premature aging.

Age

As you age, your body will naturally produce less oil than you did when you were younger.

This is nothing to be concerned about as it is common, but as it occurs, you will want to add more hydrating and nourishing products into your skincare routine.

Sex

Because sebum production is yoked to androgens, the male sex hormone, men tend to produce more oil than women.

This is a general rule of thumb but definitely not absolute. Many women experience oily skin and acne.

Genetics

Some people are genetically predisposed to having drier than others. This could be due to your race or ethnic heritage or it could be dependent on what skin types your parents have.

Lifestyle

Taking hot showers and using harsh chemicals in skincare can absolutely exacerbate a dry skin problem.

Make sure that you’re washing your face with lukewarm water and providing adequate barrier protection in the form of moisturizers and hydrating serums if you’re experiencing lifestyle-induced dry skin.

Environment

Dry skin is more common to experience in the winter or if you like in dry climates. Harsh winds and cold temperatures encourage transepidermal water loss (TEWL) which can disrupt your skin barrier and leave you with dry, irritated skin.

The best way to get around this is to layer products like moisturizers, facial oils, and occlusives to reduce TEWL and protect your skin.

Skin Barrier Disruption

Overdoing it with active ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid can cause skin barrier disruption. When your barrier is disrupted, it causes moisture loss and can lead to dryness, irritation, and flaking skin.

To avoid this, make sure to use active ingredients in moderation and give your skin ample time to recover.

Popular Korean Skincare Ingredients for Dry Skin

Korean skincare is known for its use of hydrating and soothing ingredients. While you’re likely to see ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid in the West, you’re less likely to see them included in Korean skincare products.

Instead, here are some of the most popular Korean skincare ingredients for dry skin:

• Snail mucin

• Centella asiatica

• Galactomyces ferment filtrate

• Propolis

You’ll commonly find this ingredients in Korean moisturizers and hydrating serums.

Snail Mucin

While hyaluronic acid and glycerin are popular in America, snail mucin is popular in Korea for its similar hydrating and soothing properties.

Centella Asiatica

Also known as gotu kola, centella asiatica has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it can help:

• Reduce uneven skin tone

• Clear up dark spots

• Stimulate wound healing

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

First discovered in a Japanese sake factory, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate has incredible anti-aging properties.

It is rich in enzymes and amino acids that help stimulate skin regeneration and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Propolis

Propolis is a unique bee byproduct that has antioxidant properties and exhibits antimicrobial activity. It can help fight free radicals that cause premature aging and potentially reduce the impact of acne causing bacteria.

Summary: Korean Moisturizers for Dry Skin

In conclusion, there are many incredible moisturizers out there using popular Korean skincare ingredients that are ideal for dry skin.

If you are dealing with specific skin concerns like dryness, dehydrated skin, and irritation, I definitely recommend checking out some of these products.