I recently wrote a blog post about the best Korean moisturizers for dry skin types. But dry skin isn’t the only type that can benefit from Korean skincare. So today, we’ll focus on the best Korean moisturizers of all.

As I mentioned last time, Korean skincare has exploded in popularity over the past few years. I have not been immune to the hype and have tried many Korean products. While some did not live up to my expectations, others were pleasant surprises for me. You have to find what works for you!

The great thing about Korean moisturizers is that they provide high-level hydration for every skin type. Plus, you can choose from different ones to add to your routine. For example, if you prefer lightweight gel moisturizers or want to add a thick cream to your routine, you can find something that fits. Also, if you want more skincare benefits like anti-aging and collagen, you can find those benefits too!

Although some Korean moisturizers can get expensive, the good news is that you can find more affordable options too.

Below, I’ll share the five best Korean moisturizer options on the market. These picks don’t cost a fortune and are just as effective as high-end versions.

5 Best Korean Moisturizers

1. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

If you have been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen influencers and content creators sponsored by Belif. (We aren’t among them, FYI.) They are a well-known Korean brand, and their True Cream is famous for being lightweight yet hydrating.

This product is formulated without parabens and sulfates and has skin-nurturing properties to help your skin. It is also ultra-moisturizing, maintains skin moisture levels, and helps your skin retain water.

The moisturizer is suitable for dryness but also helps with dullness and uneven texture. It works for all skin types but has a fragrance, so it is likely not for sensitive skin.

• Skin Type: All skin types 
• Product Size: .84 oz, 1.68 oz, 3.37 oz
• Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Dullness, and Uneven Texture 
• Formulation: Lightweight Gel
• Highlighted Ingredients: Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris), Ceramide 3 and Glycerin
• Cruelty-free? No

Recommended For: If you want to try a Korean moisturizer that is hydrating, has skin nurturing properties, and helps retain water, but is relatively affordable at its smallest size ($22.00 for .82 oz), this is our pick for the best Korean moisturizer overall.

It has a lightweight gel consistency, yet is still moisturizing and helps the skin retain water. It is suitable for all skin types too.

There are drawbacks, however. First, the product isn’t cruelty-free, so if you are conscious of that in the products you buy, skip this. Also, it contains fragrance. If you don’t like scents, you should avoid this. Also, the largest size is expensive ($62.00 for 3.37 fl oz).

Finally, though this product is great at increasing hydration and helping retain water in the skin, it doesn’t note other skincare benefits. So it might be better for someone who isn’t looking for a bunch of skincare benefits and just wants a moisturizer to get the job done.

2. Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream

Dear Klairs is a well-known Korean brand, and this Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream is famous for its sensitive skin benefits. So if your skin is easily irritated, this can help address the problem.

It is suitable for all skin types and is cruelty-free and vegan.

One note: This moisturizer is more of a spot treatment than a product for allover use, so it should be used with another moisturizing cream. However, if your skin tends to get dry and irritated in certain areas, this can be your go-to.

• Skin Type: All Skin Types
• Product Size: 1.01 fl oz, 2 fl oz
• Skincare Concerns: Scars and Redness
• Formulation: Cream
• Highlighted Ingredients: Guaiazulene and Centella Asiatica Extract
• Cruelty-free? Yes

Recommended For: When it comes to calming sensitive or irritated skin, this Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream will do the trick!

This moisturizer helps soothe skin suffering from irritation or sunburn and helps with redness as well. Thanks to the Centella Asiatica Extract that helps regenerate damaged skin, it’s also good for scarring. Plus, it is cruelty-free and vegan!

Some cons to this product are it is meant more as a spot treatment to be applied to the areas where you are having problems, rather than the whole face. I recommend investing in an additional all-over moisturizer to apply to the rest of your face.

3. Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Cream with Green Tea Seed

Innisfree is another popular Korean brand that’s beloved in K-beauty circles. Their Intensive Hydrating Cream is packed full of benefits.

The product contains amino acids and antioxidants to help shield the skin from environmental stressors. It also has hyaluronic acid for hydrating skin. Plus, it’s free of parabens and mineral oils.

This hydrating cream has the most skin benefits of any product on this list. However, some cons are that it isn’t fragrance-free, and if you like a lightweight consistency, this is cream. And if you wish to have various size options, this won’t work for you as this product only comes in one size (1.69 oz). Also, it is not cruelty-free.

• Skin Type: Combination and Oily 
• Product Size: 1.69 oz
• Skincare Concerns: Dryness
• Formulation: Cream
• Highlighted Ingredients: Jeju Green Tea Extract, Jeju Green Tea Seed Oil and Panthenol
• Cruelty-free? No

Recommended For: If you have combination and oily skin, this is our pick for best Korean moisturizer for those skin types. It has a cream consistency yet does not add excess shine to the skin.

In terms of skincare benefits, this Korean moisturizer is a powerhouse. It contains amino acids and antioxidants, which help shield the skin from environmental stressors. And it has hyaluronic acid to help moisturize and hydrate your skin as you go about your day.

The cons of this product are it’s not cruelty-free and only has one jar size ($24.00 for 1.69 fl oz). Also, if you don’t like scents in your moisturizers, you may want to avoid this.

4. Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask

Sulwhasoo is a Korean holistic skincare brand focused on finding and addressing the causes of skin problems and treating signs of aging.

Their Overnight Vitalizing Mask adds hydration and helps protect skin from moisture loss while you sleep. The brand claims skin will be more radiant in the morning.

It’s more of a nighttime product than a daily moisturizer but it helps with skin concerns like dryness, dullness, and uneven texture. This moisturizer is also in a tube instead of a jar, so it is more hygenic if that’s a concern.

• Skin Type: All skin types 
• Product Size: 4.05 fl oz
• Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Dullness, and Uneven Texture 
• Formulation: Cream
• Highlighted Ingredients: Nutritive RED Elixir and Herbs
• Cruelty-free? No

Recommended For: If you are looking for a hydrating overnight mask, this is our pick for the best Korean moisturizer for overnight use!

Though this is one of the least affordable products on the list ($54.00), it comes in a large size that’ll last a while. It also comes in a non-sticky texture, and is paraben- and phthalate-free.

A caveat is the product is not a daytime moisturizer. It is meant to be applied at night. So if you are looking for a general moisturizer, you may want to skip this. Also, this specific product doesn’t mention other skin benefits besides hydration and moisturizing. Also, it only comes in one size and is not cruelty-free.

5. Laneige Lavender Water Sleeping Mask

When most people think of Korean skincare brands, they probably think of the brand Laneige. They’re one of the best-known K-beauty brands around, famous for their sleeping masks for the face and lips. One of their bestsellers is their Water Sleeping Mask in this lavender scent.

As well as being free of paragons, phthalates, and mineral oils, the Laneige lavender sleeping mask includes hyaluronic acid for a deeply hydrating experience. Like the Sulwhasoo overnight vitalizing mask, this Laneige sleeping mask is for nighttime, not daytime use.

Scent-wise, this product is fantastic: The lovely lavender fragrance will help lull you to sleep and make you feel like you’re at a high-end spa.

• Skin Type: All skin types
• Product Size: 2.3 oz
• Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dullness and Uneven Texture 
• Formulation: Lightweight Gel
• Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid
• Cruelty-free? No

Recommended For: If you, right off the bat, have sensitive skin and can’t handle fragrances or prefer that your moisturizers or skincare products don’t have scents, skip this product. I am also sensitive to scents, so I avoid fragrances — they give me headaches or cause sneezing fits.

But if you don’t mind fragrance or love scented products, this is the best Korean moisturizer on the market, as far as scent goes. The product smells wonderful, and Laneige is known for its calming, hydrating products. (Their lip mask is also a cult favorite!)

Some things to note, if you are looking for a creamy consistency in a moisturizer, this isn’t a good option as it has a gel formulation. And beside hyaluronic acid, it doesn’t mention other main ingredients. Also, it is only one size (2.3 oz) and is not cruelty-free, so keep that in mind.

What do you think of our picks for the best Korean moisturizers?

Which Korean moisturizers from the list would you want to try? Do you have any favorite Korean moisturizers, and if not, what is your go-to moisturizer? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.