If you are trying to step up your skincare routine, Korean beauty products are a great place to start. While a basic skincare routine is an excellent jumping-off point, the Korean 10-step routine is legendary for its completeness and effectiveness.
If you aren’t looking to invest in a full Korean dry skin care routine, you can start by adding a few Korean products to your normal routine. Korean skincare is known for its focus on hydration, so today, we will be featuring some Korean moisturizers that are best for dry skin types. (See our post on the best overall Korean moisturizers here.)
I have a dehydrated and dry skin type, so I usually use a heavier moisturizer in winter and a lightweight one in summer. The moisturizers on this list offer hydrating and emollient ingredients to help parched, dry skin any time of year.
Here are the best Korean skincare products for dry skin.
Table of Contents
5 Best Korean Moisturizers for Dry Skin
- Best Overall: Yeouth Day Night Moisturizer With Snail Extract
- Best Splurge: Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer
- Best for Sensitive Skin: COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
- Best Hydration: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream
- Best for Whole Body: DearKlairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream
1. Yeouth Day Night Moisturizer With Snail Extract
This moisturizer from the brand Yeouth is the best overall moisturizer for hydrating dry skin. In addition to being effective, their products are cruelty-free, made in the United States, and free from harmful ingredients.
Their Day/Night Cream has key ingredients like anti-aging for wrinkles and fine lines. Hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin and helps hydrate dry skin. The snail extract in the moisturizer also makes it nourishing for the dry skin.
The Yeouth website claims their moisturizer is free from the toxic twelve ingredients commonly found in formulas to avoid, like parabens, fragrances, and mineral oil.
- Skin Type: All Skin Types
- Product Size: 2 fl oz, 4 fl oz, and 5 ml
- Key Ingredients: green tea, peptides, snail extract, hyaluronic acid
- Cruelty-free? Yes
Recommended For: Yeouth’s Day/Night Cream is suitable for softening dry skin texture and has key ingredients that help with wrinkles and fine lines so it’s not only hydrating, but it has anti-aging benefits.
The 4 fl oz jar is not the most affordable at around $25, but right now, you can click a coupon on Amazon to add to checkout for $4 off. Also, if you want to try a small size first, you can get the 5 ml bottle, which is the most affordable on the list at ($9.99)
The main drawback is the price for the larger size, and though it says it is cruelty-free, it is not vegan since it uses snail extract.
Pros:
- Key ingredients that help with wrinkles and fine lines
- Very hydrating, anti-aging, and nourishing
- Works for all skin types, particularly dry skin
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Not vegan since it contains snail extract
- Can only be used on the face
2. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer
The Korean brand Laneige has become famous in recent years, especially for its skincare products like the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer. Its key ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, help to keep your skin hydrated, while squalane and ceramide offer nourishing benefits. It is also free of parabens and mineral oils.
Related reading: 5 Best Korean Cushion Foundations for All Skin Types
Since this cream is lightweight, it’s an ideal choice for summer. Also, note that this is a splurge since the biggest size is the most expensive on the list, but it’s well worth the extra cost for a beloved high-end skincare brand.
- Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combo, and Oily
- Product Size: .67 fl oz, 1.6 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: squalane, ceramide, and blue hyaluronic acid
- Cruelty-free? No
Recommended For: The Water Bank Cream is my favorite product for firming and strengthening the skin barrier, and it claims hydration for up to 100 hours. It also addresses skin concerns such as dullness, dryness, and uneven texture.
Even though the cream says it is suitable for sensitive skin and oily skin, it has a fragrance, so keep that in mind if you tend to react to fragrances. Also, Laneige products are unfortunately not cruelty-free.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the 1.6 fl oz jar is pricey ($40.00) and the most expensive on the list. If you are willing to splurge, I say give it a try, but maybe the smaller size first to see if you like the moisturizer.
Pros:
- Hydrating – good for dryness
- Strengthens skin barrier
- Good if you are looking for a lightweight cream moisturizer for the summer
Cons:
- Not cruelty-free or vegan
- Expensive at $40.00 for 1.6 fl oz
- Can only be used on the face
- It is a lightweight cream moisturizer, skip if you want something heavier.
- Not fragrance-free
3. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
COSRX is another Korean brand that is growing in popularity. I have the COSRX acne patches that I use when I have some occasional breakouts, and their Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream comes just as highly rated.
The term all-in-one cream refers to the many benefits it offers. Using its key ingredient of snail secretion filtrate, this cream helps to provide moisture to replenish skin and help sensitive and irritated skin. It is recommended for dehydrated skin and damaged skin, too.
This Korean moisturizer has a lightweight and gel-type consistency that would also be good for summer.
- Skin Type: All Skin Types
- Product Size: 3.52 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: snail secretion filtrate, hyaluronic acid, betaine
- Cruelty-free? Yes
Recommended For: I recommend this if you want an all-in-one cream with multiple benefits, especially if you have skin that is sensitive. It is suitable for plumping, hydrating, and soothing irritated, dry skin. It doesn’t break the bank at around $20, though it is also not the most affordable product on the list.
A concern to mention is though it says it is cruelty-free, it is not vegan since it uses snail extract. It can also only be used on the face, and there is only one jar size if you want to get it in various sizes.
Pros:
- Key ingredients that help sensitive and irritated skin
- Hyaluronic acid and betaine to the strength skin barrier
- Moisturizing
- A lightweight, gel-type cream
- Works for all skin types
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Not vegan
- Only can be used on the face
- It only comes in one jar size
4. Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream
Etude House is another well-known Korean brand famous for its cosmetics and skincare products. Their Moistfull Collagen Cream has lupinus albus protein and collagen to help make the skin moisturized, hydrated and bouncy.
If you struggle with dry skin, dehydrated skin, or uneven texture, this moisturizer for dry skin is a great option. There is also a special set you can get with the matching foam cleanser for more benefits.
- Skin Type: Dry Skin with Uneven Texture
- Product Size: 2.53 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: white lupin, collagen
- Cruelty-free? No
Recommended For: This product is great for dry skin in need of extra hydration. It claims to provide up to 100 hours of moisture, so the skin becomes bouncy and dewy. It also contains lupinus albus protein, which helps moisturize skin. It is recommended for people with dry skin and rough or uneven skin texture.
There is also an option for a special set that includes the moisturizer and collagen cleansing foam for a few extra dollars. Otherwise, the regular price for the moisturizer is right around $25.
Pros:
- Free of additives like synthetic perfume
- Available as part of a set including a cleanser
- Good for skin needing a lot of extra moisture like dry, dehydrated, or irritated skin
Cons:
- Not cruelty-free
- Can only be used on the face
5. DearKlairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream
To finish off the list, we have the Rich Moist Soothing Cream from the brand DearKlairs. This product can be used on both the face and body, which can save you from needing to buy a separate body moisturizer. That said, you will want to get the larger size if you go that route.
I like that this cream contains shea butter and other key ingredients like aloe leaf extract to help soothe irritated skin. It’s also good for sensitive skin types.
- Skin Type: All Skin Types Including Sensitive
- Product Size: .67 fl oz, 2.7 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: shea butter, ceramide 3, lipidure, aloe leaf extract
- Cruelty-free? Yes
Recommended For: This is a great all-purpose moisturizer for dry skin that can be used year-round on the face and body. On dry skin, it helps restore hydration balance. For red or irritated skin, it contains soothing ingredients.
The biggest benefit is that it can be used on the whole body, not just the face. It is also cruelty-free and vegan!
The .67 fl oz is affordable at just around $10. If you’re going to be using it on your full body, you’ll want the 2.7 fl oz, which is not as affordable at around $25.
Pros:
- Key ingredients that help with hydration and moisture
- Helps skin affected by specific skin concerns as well as irritated or rough skin
- Good for dry skin
- Good for sensitive skin
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- In a tube instead of a jar — can be hard to get all of the product out.
- It is a whole-body product; may not be for you if you are only looking for a face moisturizer.
- The large size is expensive.
What Do You Think of Our Picks for the Best Korean Moisturizers for Dry Skin?
For more Korean beauty, see our post on the best Korean BB creams for every skin type.
Have you tried any of these moisturizers before? Have you been considering trying a Korean moisturizer for your daily dry skin routine? Do you have a moisturizer that you like but is not on the list?
Let us know in the comments down below!
There’s a fantastic and affordable Korean brand called Elizavecca that has amazing skincare products on Amazon and several other sites. I’d highly recommend their moisturizers.
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for commenting and the recommendation! I’ll check it out too!