7 Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin (2023)

Discover the best Korean moisturizer for dry skin. Say goodbye to your dehydrated skin for good.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. These are products I’ve personally used, as well as are recommended by other skincare experts.

If you struggle with dry skin, you know how challenging it can be to find a moisturizer that really works.

Korean skincare products are known for their innovative ingredients and advanced formulations, and Korean moisturizers are no exception.

They’re specifically designed to deeply hydrate the skin, making them a great choice for anyone who suffers from dry, dehydrated skin.

In this post, I’ll be sharing my favorite 7 best Korean moisturizers for dry skin that I’ve personally tried and tested.

These moisturizers have made a significant difference in the hydration and overall appearance of my skin.

I’m confident they’ll do the same for you.

Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin

We’ve put together a selection of the best Korean moisturizers out there.

These skincare treasures are packed with nourishing ingredients and cutting-edge formulas, carefully designed to deeply hydrate, soothe, and repair dry skin.

Key Ingredients I Love:

• Panthenol: Known for its ability to help strengthen the skin barrier and improve moisture retention
  
• Madecassoside: Derived from Centella asiatica, repairs skin damage.
  
• Sunflower seed oil and shea butter also combine to nourish skin from within, keeping skin smooth and soft.

Key Ingredients I Love:

• Ceramides: Essential lipids that help to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture
  
• Centella asiatica: Potent antioxidant that helps to calm inflammation and redness. Note: This cream contains Centella Asiatica Extract, which is less effective than other Centella Asiatica compounds.
  
• Panthenol: Also known as vitamin B5, is a humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin.

The texture of this balm is what makes it stand out. It applies evenly without any tugging, and a little goes a long way.

I use it as a hydrating overnight mask for extra hydration.

Despite being heavier than most Korean moisturizers, it feels weightless and refreshing. It also has a matte finish that’s not oily or slidey.

Ingredients I Love:

• Squalane and sunflower oil: These lightweight emollients help to soften and smooth the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
  
• Shea butter: A nourishing ingredient that is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter helps to moisturize and protect the skin.
  
• Glycerin, betaine, and trehalose: These humectants attract and hold moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated for longer.
  
• Hyaluronic acid: The balm contains different sizes of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate the skin at different depths to provide hydration at different levels.

Key Ingredients I Love

• Colloidal oatmeal: Skin protectant that relieves itching and minor irritation caused by eczema, rashes, and other skin conditions.

• Shea Butter: An emollient rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, helps moisturize and protect the skin barrier.

• Allantoin: Derived from the comfrey plant, is a gentle and non-irritating ingredient that soothes and calms the skin.

Key Ingredients I love:

• Guaiazulene: Naturally occurring compound extracted from chamomile oil that has soothing properties, reduces inflammation, and helps to calm irritated skin.
  
• Centella Asiatica: A herbal extract that has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes skin healing. It also helps to soothe and calm the skin while reducing redness and irritation. Note: This cream contains Centella Asiatica Extract, which is less effective than other Centella Asiatica compounds.

Ingredients I Love:

• Ceramides: A lipid molecule naturally found in the skin that helps to maintain the skin’s barrier and retain moisture.
  
• Hyaluronic Acid: An ingredient naturally found in the body that can hold 1000x its weight in water, making it incredibly hydrating for dry skin. It also helps to improve texture and elasticity.
  
• Shea butter: Provides intense hydration and helps to soothe and soften the skin.
  
• Adenosine: a natural compound found in the body, is also included in the formula to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ingredients I Love:

• Comfrey leaf: Helps to soothe and heal the skin
  
• Oat extract: Anti-inflammatory properties and helps to relieve skin irritation.
  
• Panthenol: Humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
  
• Glycerin: Natural moisturizer that helps to improve skin hydration.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin can be a total pain in the butt, but don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to help hydrate and nourish your skin back to its former glory.

Whether it’s because of genetics, environmental factors, or even some harsh skincare products, dryness can affect anyone, at any age.

Causes of Dry Skin:

1. Environmental factors: Dry climates, air conditioning, and cold, windy weather can all contribute to a decrease in skin hydration.
   
2. Inadequate sebum production: Those with dry skin often have lower levels of sebum, which can lead to decreased hydration levels and weaker natural antioxidant defense.
   
3. Skin barrier damage: If your skin barrier is compromised, such as with eczema, it becomes less effective at retaining moisture, leading to issues such as flakiness, redness, irritation, and dryness.
   
4. Low cell turnover: When skin is dehydrated, cell turnover slows down, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells that can cause rough, dull skin and a weakened skin barrier function, ultimately resulting in further dehydration.
   
5. Aging: As we age, our skin produces less oil (sebum), leading to drier skin over time.
   
6. Skincare Products: Harsh face washes or too much exfoliating can take away the oils that naturally protect your skin, resulting in dryness.

So, how can you tell if you have dry skin? Here are some common signs to look out for:

• Frequent tightness, especially after washing your face.

• You are prone to powdery, flaky patches of skin, redness, and loss of elasticity.

• Your skin is frequently dull, lacking a healthy glow.

• Premature fine lines are starting to show.

• You have no visible pores and a rough texture.

• You feel the need to apply moisturizer at least once a day to keep your skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.

• Powder foundation doesn’t work well on your skin, emphasizing dry patches and flakes.

If any of these ring a bell, then chances are you’ve got dry skin.

One of the best ways to tackle dry skin is to layer your skincare products.

Start with a hydrating toner and serum. Then lock in all that moisture with an occlusive moisturizer.

If you need more hydration, add a few drops of face oil to your moisturize.

What Are the Benefits of Korean Moisturizers for Dry Skin?

Korean moisturizers are a go-to for those with dry skin because they’re packed with natural ingredients like snail mucin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.

These awesome formulas give you intense hydration without any irritation or clogged pores.

Plus, they can even brighten dark spots and smooth out fine lines.

How to Choose the Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin

When you’re looking for the best Korean moisturizer for dry skin, it’s important to take several factors into account.

Understanding your skin type and concerns, as well as the ingredients in the product, can help you choose the perfect moisturizer.

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

What Ingredients Should I Look For?

To find the perfect moisturizer for your skin type and concerns, it’s crucial to know what ingredients to look for.

Here are the three basic types of moisturizing ingredients:

1. Occlusives: These ingredients create a barrier that seals in moisture, preventing it from evaporating from the skin’s surface. Some examples of occlusive ingredients include petrolatum, beeswax, and mineral oil.
   
2. Humectants: Humectants are substances that attract water molecules from the environment and hold them to the skin. Some common humectants include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea.
   
3. Emollients: These ingredients work by filling in the gaps between skin cells and smoothing out the skin’s surface. This makes the skin more supple and plump. Some examples of emollients include shea butter, jojoba oil, and squalene.

In addition to the basic moisturizing ingredients, some active ingredients can further improve your skin’s health and resilience.

Some of these include:

• Niacinamide: This vitamin B3 derivative has anti-inflammatory properties and helps even out skin tone while strengthening the skin’s barrier function.

• Plant oils rich in linoleic acid: These oils can help improve the skin’s natural moisture barrier and reduce inflammation, making them a great choice for those with dry or sensitive skin.

• Hyaluronic Acid: A potent humectant that attracts moisture to your skin and keeps it locked in for lasting hydration.

• Ceramides: Naturally occurring lipids in our skin’s barrier that help retain moisture and protect against environmental irritants.

• Glycerin: Another humectant that draws water into your skin cells to keep them hydrated.

Plant Extracts: Many plant extracts, such as green tea, aloe vera, and Centella Asiatica, have antioxidant and soothing properties that can help calm irritated or sensitive skin.

Understanding Your Skin Type and Concerns

Here are some tips to help you choose the right Korean moisturizer:

• Dry and Sensitive Skin: Look for ingredients that support the skin barrier. Lipid-mimicking ingredients such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids can help enhance your skin’s moisture levels and overall health.

• Dry Acne Prone Skin: Consider non-comedogenic moisturizers that won’t clog pores. Keep in mind that skin issues like hyperpigmentation, acne, etc. is better addressed with active ingredients vs. general moisturizers.

• Dehydrated Skin: Dehydrated skin can exist for all skin types and is often mistaken for dry skin. In fact, your skin can be both dry and dehydrated. Even oily skin can experience dehydration, causing a weird mix of feeling dry, but oily at the same time.

How to Use a Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Follow these step-by-step instructions and tips to get the most out of your product:

Cleanse Your Face

Start with an oil cleanser to remove dirt, oil and make up. Then, double cleanse with a gentle Korean cleanser.

The goal is to remove all the impurities from your skin without stripping away your natural oils.

Apply Toner (Optional)

After cleansing, toner can be applied to help adjust the pH of your skin and improve its receptivity for serums or essences.

Layer on Serums or Essences

Use serums or essences to treat specific skincare concerns like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and fine lines and wrinkles.

My favorite go-to serums include vitamin c, retinol or bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, and azelaic acid.

Apply Your Chosen Korean Moisturizer

Next, it’s time to apply your chosen Korean moisturizer to the skin.

For best results, use a gentle tapping motion and make sure you cover your entire face.

Pay special attention to any particularly dry areas of your skin that could benefit from added hydration.

Seal in Moisture with an Occlusive (Optional)

If you have extremely dry skin or live in a harsh climate, consider adding a few drops of a facial oil or sleeping pack.

These products help lock in moisture by creating a protective barrier on top of the skin’s surface.

Don’t Forget Sun Protection

No skincare routine is complete without sun protection. Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 during daytime hours to protect against harmful UV rays.

Frequently Asked Questions Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin

What do Koreans use for moisturizer?

Koreans often opt for cream-based moisturizers that are formulated with nourishing and hydrating ingredients, such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, or propolis.

Which moisturizer is very best for dry skin?

The best moisturizer for dry skin will depend on your individual needs.

Opt for a product that contains hydrating and nourishing ingredients, such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, propolis, or shea butter.

How do Koreans deal with dry skin?

Koreans tackle dry skin by following a comprehensive skincare routine that focuses on layering multiple hydrating products.

They typically use gentle cleansers, toners, essences or serums containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides, followed by a rich moisturizing cream or sleeping mask at night.