Korean Moisturisers

How to choose your Korean face cream

Choose a Korean face cream on two criteria: your skin type, which decides the texture, and your main concern, which decides the actives. A good moisturiser leaves skin supple, with no tightness and no greasy film.

By skin type

• Dry skin: a rich ceramide cream that rebuilds the lipid barrier. Examples: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream.
• Combination to oily skin: a light gel cream, often with niacinamide, that hydrates without shine. Examples: Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream, SKIN1004 Poremizing Light Gel Cream.
• Sensitive skin: a short, fragrance-free soothing cream with centella or panthenol. Examples: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream, Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream.
• Dull or mature skin: a cream with rice, collagen or retinol. Examples: I'm From Rice Cream, Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream, COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream.

Key ingredients in Korean moisturisers

• Ceramides: strengthen the skin barrier and reduce water loss.
• Centella asiatica and madecassoside: calm redness, the basis of soothing creams.
• Hyaluronic acid: holds water in the upper layers of the skin.
• Snail mucin: hydrates and smooths texture, as in the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream.
• Niacinamide: regulates sebum and evens out skin tone.
• Vitamin C and rice: bring back radiance to dull skin.

How to apply a Korean moisturiser

1. Cleanser, toner, essence, then serum.
2. A pea-sized amount on slightly damp skin, patting rather than rubbing.
3. In the morning, a light texture followed by sunscreen. In the evening, a richer texture if your skin feels tight.

A day cream and a night cream?

One cream is enough if it suits your skin morning and night. Two textures become useful when your needs differ: a light gel cream in the morning, under sunscreen and makeup, and a richer or repairing cream at night, while your skin regenerates. A 50 ml jar lasts about two months with two applications a day.

To prep your skin before moisturiser, see our Korean serums and ampoules, and to protect it in the morning, our Korean sunscreens.

Skin losing firmness or showing fine lines? Our guide to Korean anti-ageing products for mature skin helps you choose your cream.

Why buy your Korean moisturisers at SKINOREA

• Authentic products, bought in South Korea directly from the brands or their authorised distributors, then selected by our team, including Nahla, chemical engineer and co-founder, who reviews every formula.
• Stock in France: same-day dispatch from the Paris region for orders placed before 1 pm, with no customs fees within the European Union.
• Free pickup-point delivery in France from €75.

FAQ

What is the best Korean face cream?

It depends on your skin type: a ceramide cream for dry skin, a niacinamide gel cream for combination to oily skin, a centella cream for sensitive skin. Our guide to the best Korean moisturiser compares the key products.

Which Korean moisturiser for oily or combination skin?

Choose a gel cream or light, non-comedogenic cream with niacinamide or centella. These textures hydrate without a greasy film and help control shine. Oily skin still needs hydration: skipping it often pushes the skin to produce more sebum.

Which Korean moisturiser for sensitive skin?

Look for a short formula, with no fragrance or denatured alcohol, based on centella asiatica, panthenol or ceramides. Introduce it on its own, with nothing else new, to check how your skin tolerates it over a few days.

Does snail mucin cream really work?

Yes, to hydrate and smooth the skin. Snail mucin contains hyaluronic acid and glycoproteins that help skin hold water and recover after irritation or blemish marks. It suits most skin types, including combination skin.