For many of us, having dry skin is the bane of our existence. People who don’t experience dry skin don’t realize that it’s not only painful to live through (especially in winter!), but it’s also difficult to select products that don’t aggravate it.
With many products being for generic skin types and not containing enough moisture or hydration for dry skin types, there is often a fine line between wanting to try new skincare and beauty products and being afraid that it’s not suitable for your skin.
Korean skincare has been the turning point for many people with dry skin. Many factors have influenced the quality and standard of Korean skincare, including the harsh weather conditions that people live in (think: winter in negative degrees), and their incredibly high standards of beauty.
Of course, this is the same with their moisturizers. There are thousands of Korean moisturizer products out there that target various skin concerns, with dry skin being a major one.
If you’ve been burned before by moisturizers that hardly hydrate your face, don’t lock in the moisture, or contain harsh ingredients that don’t agree with your skin, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
However, don’t let that prevent you from trying new and superior Korean skincare products!
We’ve curated a fantastic list of the best Korean moisturizers for dry skin, so if you’re one of those people, get on it, stat!
1. Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream
With a super collagen water count of 63.4%, you can bet that the Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream is directly targeted at those with dry, sensitive skin.
Collagen water is an ingredient that injects your skin with intense moisture and as a result, you will achieve a glass, gelatinous-looking skin surface.
The cream has a rather gel-like texture that absorbs into the skin fairly quickly, and its baobab water ingredient means that you only need a little amount.
It’s lightweight, doesn’t leave a greasy residue, and hydrates and locks in moisture immediately.
Summary:
- Contains 63.4% super collagen water
- Contains baobab oil for intense hydration
- Lightweight and absorbs quickly
2. Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream
The famous Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream is on the recommended list for anyone interested in addressing their dry skin problem. This cult-favorite product is one of the most popular in the market due to its effectiveness in moisturizing, suitability for skin all year round, and calming sensation.
When applied, you will immediately feel it restore hydration to your skin whilst reducing redness and calming down skin irritation.
It’s fast-absorbing, comes in a hygienic squeeze tube, and contains ingredients such as shea butter, ceramide 3, and lipidure.
Summary:
- Restores hydration, calms skin irritation
- Contains shea butter, ceramide 3, jojoba oil, and lipidure
- Cruelty-free
- Fast-absorbing
- Suitable for sensitive skin
3. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream
You simply can’t talk about Korean dry skin products without the one and only CORSRX Advanced Snail All in one Cream. This classic dry-skin moisturizer is formulated with the unique ingredient snail secretion, which is meant to soothe irritated skin and even out your complexion.
It’s also formulated with 92% of snail secretion!
It’s a rich gel-type cream that applies smoothly on the face and nourishes almost immediately. It then locks in the moisture with a protective layer for long-lasting hydration.
The special snail mucin ingredient is also meant to target and slow down any signs of aging as well. With its fragrance-free and cruelty-free composition, it’s recommended for all skin types.
Summary:
- Lightweight for a smooth application
- Fast-absorbing
- Nourishes and locks in moisture
- Fragrance and cruelty-free
- Soothes irritated skin
4. Seoul Ceuticals Korean Skin Care Snail Repair Cream
This snail repair cream from Seoul Ceuticals is considered one of the best snail creams in the market (its popularity is similar to COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream). However, it’s formulated with even more snail mucin extract – 97.5%!
Those who use this product swear by its ability to give you an overall brighter, healthier, and more youthful complexion. With its high concentration of snail mucin, shea butter, organic green tea, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, it delivers results such as reduction in wrinkles, lacklustre skin, and dark spots.
It is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog your pores, and it is ethically produced in a cruelty-free environment.
Summary:
- Non-comedogenic
- Contains 97.5% snail mucin extract
- Gives you a brighter, healthier, and more youthful complexion
- Contains ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E for moisture
5. Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream
Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream is definitely one of the best Korean moisturizers for dry skin on the market!
This specially formulated moisturizing cream is targeted at those with sensitive and dry skin. It’s scientifically produced to mimic natural skin lipids that help to replenish the lost lipids in your skin over time.
This moisturizing cream adds a protective layer to your skin to shield it against natural elements and lock in your skin’s natural moisture levels to prevent evaporation. It is formulated without any parabens, mineral oils, ethanol, and propylene glycol.
Summary:
- Suitable for sensitive and dry skin
- Replenishes skin’s natural lipids
- Provides a protective barrier against natural elements
- Free from any harsh chemicals
For more beauty tips, you can also read this post about the 6 reasons why Koreans have clear skin!
6. Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream
The Pyunkang Yul is a hassle-free daily moisturizer for all skin types, but especially for dry skin. It’s formulated with safe and gentle ingredients, in line with the philosophy of the brand to produce effective cruelty-free products using minimal ingredients.
This cream fragrance-free dries without leaving any sticky residue and quickly absorbs into the skin. It’s also effective in calming down irritated or inflamed skin, producing an even skin tone.
Summary:
- Fast-absorbing and dries without stick residue
- Safe and gentle ingredients only
- Fragrance-free
- Calms down irritated or inflamed skin
7. I’m From Honey Glow Cream
I’m From is a brand that doesn’t skimp on its production value. It’s a brand well-known for using only high-quality ingredients in its products.
The Honey Glow Cream is no exception. It contains 30.63% Honey Complex (a balanced mixture of bee-related ingredients) that provides intense levels of hydration and repair of distressed skin.
It also has a brightening effect whilst improving skin elasticity and strengthening the skin barrier to protect it against natural elements.
It’s a leader Korean moisturizer for dry skin and you won’t regret giving it a go.
Summary:
- Contains 30.63% Honey Complex
- Hydrates, repairs, brightens the skin
- Improves elasticity and strengthens the skin barrier
8. BENTON Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream
By now you should know that snail secretion filtrate is a wonderful ingredient for dry skin moisturizers, which is why this BENTON Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream is a wonderful choice.
Its ingredients list includes snail secretion filtrate, bee venom, hyaluronic acid, and botanical oils. All of these ingredients work together to hydrate your face, brighten your skin tone and reduce wrinkles, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, and light scarring.
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One of its biggest pluses is that it’s fragrance-free, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin or who are sensitive to smells.
Summary:
- Contains snail secretion filtrate, bee venom, hyaluronic acid, and botanic oils
- Moisturises, hydrates, brightens
- Reduces wrinkles, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, scarring
- Fragrance-free
9. Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Klairs is a well-known Korean brand for its effective moisturizers, and its Midnight Blue Calming Cream is especially popular amongst those with dry, dehydrated skin.
It contains a good amount of argan oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter to nourish skin and inject a ton of moisture into it, all whilst the ceramides help to lock the moisture within the skin’s protective barrier.
As its name suggests, it also has a wonderful calming effect which is great for those with generally sensitive skin who want something more soothing. Guaiazulene, which is an extract from chamomile oil, combined with Centella Asiatica helps to soothe irritation and calm down inflammation.
Summary:
- Moisturizes and soothes the skin
- Contains argan oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter to nourish skin with moisture
- Contains ceramides to lock in moisture under a strengthened protective barrier
- Contains guaiazulene and Centella Asiatica to soothe irritation and inflammation
10. YEOUTH Day Night Moisturizer
YEOUTH Day Night Moisturizer is one of the most lightweight, airy-feeling moisturizers on this list. If you’re looking for a moisturizer that doesn’t feel like a thick layer of cream, this is the perfect option.
It is a refreshing, revitalizing moisturizer that contains snail extract, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and peptides. These all-natural ingredients work wonders for the face, including boosting elastin and collagen production, which in turn, slows down aging.
Summary:
- Contains the super ingredient hyaluronic acid which hydrates the face
- Anti-aging effects
- Contains snail extract, green tea, and peptides
I hope this list of the best Korean moisturizers for dry skin was useful!
When it comes to taking care of dry skin, multiple steps can and should be taken to provide your skin with the best form and type of moisture that it needs. However, there’s no arguing that a proper moisturizer that works well for your skin will make one of the biggest differences.
If you combine a suitable dry skin moisturizer with a gentle cleanser, toner, and serum, and finish off your daily routine with a protective SPF+ sunscreen, you’ll almost immediately feel the difference.
Are you the type with dry skin? If so, which one of these moisturizers stands out the most to you? Let’s discuss it in the comments section below!
If you skin is actually oily, then check out our selection of the best Korean moisturizers for oily skin!
For more products recommendations, make sure you also check out our 10 best Korean whitening creams, our 10 best Korean exfoliators, our top 10 Korean eye patches and our 10 best Korean eyeliners.