Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Korean moisturizers and other moisturizers?
“Korean moisturizers tend to be light in texture and focus on barrier repair more than other benefits such as brightening or anti-aging,” says Dr. Kim. Hydration and gentle formulas are critical to this philosophy, and for good reason. “Sensitive skin is a very common skin type in Korea due to high pollution levels,” Charlotte Cho, aesthetician and co-founder of K-beauty e-retailer Soko Glam, told Allure. “As a result, sensitive-skin friendly ingredients such as cica are frequently seen in Korean beauty products to calm inflammation, redness, and irritated skin.”
While American moisturizers can include ingredients common in Korean moisturizers and vice versa, trends in Korean skin care tend to be less harsh than their stateside counterparts. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, told Allure that active ingredients sought after by Americans—like retinol, salicylic acid, and others—are scarcer in Korean products because Koreans are wary of their drying properties.
How should I choose a Korean moisturizer?
When choosing Korean skin-care products, consider the skin concerns you want to address and what you like in the moisturizers you already own. “I would focus on the texture more than anything else,” says Dr. Kim. “If you have oily skin, look for a lightweight gel texture; if you have dry skin, look for a thicker, richer texture.” Looking for extra hydration? Ingredients like cica and hyaluronic acid are Korean skin-care staples. Or, if you’re trying to go easy on breakout-prone skin, a moisturizer with ingredients like allantoin and niacinamide can be a big help, Shin Hae Won, a dermatologist at Korean dermatology clinic Oracle, vouched.
Meet the experts
- Charlotte Cho, an aesthetician and co-founder of K-beauty e-retailer Soko Glam
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Union Square Dermatology
- Marie Jhin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Premier Dermatology, adjunct clinical instructor at Stanford University, and author of Asian Beauty Secrets and K-Beauty Secrets based in San Carlos, California
- Hee Jin Koh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Clifton, New Jersey
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Shin Hae Won, a dermatologist at Korean dermatology clinic Oracle
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean moisturizers, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from editors, dermatologists, and aestheticians. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Now, watch K-pop group Stray Kids break down their best music video beauty moments:
