This post shares the 25 best Korean moisturizer for acne prone skin and skin that’s prone to clogged pores.
I’ve arranged the list into best Korean moisturizer by skin type, such as dry acne prone skin, combination, sensitive and more.
Table of Contents
- Korean moisturizer for oily acne prone skin
- Korean moisturizer for sensitive acne prone skin
- Korean moisturizers for dry acne prone skin
- Korean moisturizer for combination acne prone skin
- How to choose an acne safe Korean moisturizer
- Korean skincare ingredients for acne
- Ingredients to avoid in moisturizers for sensitive skin
- Choosing Korean skincare for cystic acne
- Korean moisturisers for hormonal acne
- Is Korean skincare better than western?
Korean moisturizer for oily acne prone skin
If you’ve tried a lot of rich creams without much luck, consider trying one of these for some relief from the breakouts.
1. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream
Isntree is a brand I think you can’t go too far wrong with in general. Shop the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream.
2. beplain – Cicaful Calming Gel
I think every can get something out of cica (centella asiatica extract), it’s one of my favourite ingredients for acne, dry and combination skin types. Shop the beplain – Cicaful Calming Gel.
3. Beauty of Joseon – Red Bean Water Gel
This product has potential for oily skin types as it contains red bean, another alternative to niacinamide if you’re looking to reduce oil production. Shop the Beauty of Joseon – Red Bean Water Gel.
4. BONAJOUR – Green Tea Water Cream
Green tea and niacinamide combined are a powerful combination to reduce sebum production.
A great option for best korean moisturizer for oily acne prone skin.
Shop the BONAJOUR – Green Tea Water Cream.
5. Isntree – Onion Newpair Gel Cream
An interesting formula! Does contain Vitamin C which isn’t my usual style, but is obviously not quite as concentrated as a serum etc.
This is kind of like an acne treatment gel and moisturiser in-one. This should help with uneven skin tone as an added bonus. Shop the Isntree – Onion Newpair Gel Cream.
Gel moisturizer vs creams
It’s a little easier to find Korean moisturizer for acne prone and oily skin in general, IMO.
This is because most oily skin moisturizers have a lightweight, gel texture.
I know the satisfying feeling of applying a super rich cream, and I find it harder to find these for acne-prone skin.
It doesn’t mean it’s impossible, it’s just a bit more difficult and will require more trial and error.
I also don’t believe it’s really necessary for most people with dry skin.
Layering serums with hyaluronic acid, facial mists and a gel moisturiser can genuinely provide deep hydration.
Korean moisturizer for sensitive acne prone skin
Why do people always assume acne prone skin can’t be sensitive, too?
The best moisturizer for acne prone skin is one you can use multiple times per day without sensitive skin reacting to it.
Try these moisturizers for skin that’s both acne prone and fussy.
6. Krave Beauty – Oat So Simple Water Cream
This is a very well known k beauty moisturizer for acne prone skin.
A really nice all-rounder for most skin types. Shop the Krave Beauty – Oat So Simple Water Cream.
7. Benton – Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Contains aloe vera extract, great on a sunburn too!
Some may not find aloe products moisturising enough, for others it’s the perfect oil-free formula. Shop the Benton – Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel.
8. Benton – Aloe Hyaluron Cream
This combines aloe with hyaluronic acid for a plumping and soothing effect. Shop the Benton – Aloe Hyaluron Cream.
9. PURITO – Oat-In Calming Gel Cream
A fan-favourite of mine, Purito has a special place in my heart. Shop the PURITO – Oat-In Calming Gel Cream.
10. Isntree – Aloe Soothing Gel Moisture Type
Another aloe option for the aloe fans out there. Shop the Isntree – Aloe Soothing Gel Moisture Type.
Korean moisturizers for dry acne prone skin
Korean moisturizer for dry acne prone skin can be tougher to find.
In general it can be hard to find a rich moisturizer for acne prone skin, but they definitely do exist.
It’s a common misconception that a cream will clog pores just because it’s thick.
However, there are more thick creams out there that aren’t suited for acne prone skin.
Watch out for shea butter, as some do contain it.
Not everyone is sensitive to shea butter but I personally believe I am. If you want to be extra safe, it may be best to avoid it.
11. COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream
Should provide intense hydration for most acne prone skins. Shop the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream.
12. PURITO – B5 Panthenol Re-Barrier Cream
I’ve added this to both Korean moisturizers for dry skin and combination, since it’s slightly richer and acts as a barrier cream
This one does contain niacinamide – in case you’re someone who prefers to avoid it! Personally I love niacinamide. Shop the PURITO – B5 Panthenol Re-Barrier Cream.
13. Isntree – Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream
Hyaluronic acid is a good choice if you also want to improve the look of fine lines. Shop the Isntree – Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream.
14. COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
This is a 50/50 product as not everyone gets along with snail secretion filtrate, the key ingredient in CosRX snail repair cream.
There appears to be a link between snail mucin and dust mite allergies, as well as crustacean allergies. Shop the COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream.
15. COSRX – Pure Fit Cica Cream
Seems to be very popular in the comedone-prone community. A nice option for the best korean cream for acne prone skin.
Shop the COSRX – Pure Fit Cica Cream.
Korean moisturizer for combination acne prone skin
If your skin’s a mix of oily and dry, try this Korean moisturizer for combination acne prone skin list.
16. PURITO – B5 Panthenol Re-Barrier Cream
If you didn’t get on with La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Baume, you can think of this as the acne-prone skin care version. Shop the PURITO – B5 Panthenol Re-Barrier Cream.
17. Torriden – Balanceful Cica Cream
Lots of really nice barrier health ingredients in this if you are a heavy retinoid or acid user. Shop the Torriden – Balanceful Cica Cream.
18. ma:nyo – Our Vegan Heartleaf Cica Cream
A nice short, simple formula. Sometimes korean moisturisers can be overcomplicated, so this INCI list is refreshingly short. Shop the ma:nyo – Our Vegan Heartleaf Cica Cream.
19. COSRX- AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer
A nice lightweight option for dehydrated skin. Shop the COSRX- AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer.
20. ETUDE – Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream
I always get asked about the Soon Jung Intensive cream, and personally I’m not sure I’d recommend it to people with acne.
This lighter version might work well though. Shop the ETUDE – Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream.
21. Thank You Farmer – Rice Pure Gel and Cream
Not the most minimal ingredients list ever BUT still a nice, gentle rice formula with niacinamide. Shop the Thank You Farmer – Rice Pure Gel and Cream.
22. COSRX – Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream
Another of my favourites! I don’t see anyone disagreeing with this (but of course there will be, no guarantees with fussy skin). Shop the COSRX Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream.
23. AXIS-Y – Heartleaf My Type Calming Cream
Contains liquorice root extract that’ll help to fade acne scars and PIH. Shop the AXIS-Y – Heartleaf My Type Calming Cream.
24. beplain – Hyaluronic Aqua Moisturizer
A really nice simple formula, beplain makes very simplistic formulas to go at the end of your skincare routine to lock everything in. Shop the beplain – Hyaluronic Aqua Moisturizer.
25. ETUDE – Soon Jung 10 Free Moist Emulsions
Another by Etude, I am often asked about the 2x barrier intensive cream, but I feel this is a safer bet for acne-prone skin. Shop the ETUDE – Soon Jung 10 Free Moist Emulsions.
How to choose an acne safe Korean moisturizer
Finding an acne safe Korean moisturizer starts by understanding there’s no such thing as ‘acne safe’.
Sadly there is a lot of misleading information out there on ‘moisturisers without pore clogging ingredients’.
Comedogenicity is much more complex than simply avoiding ‘pore clogging ingredients’.
Read my full article on pore clogging ingredients in moisturisers here.
Things that impact whether something will clog your pores include:
- Which other products you’re using alongside the new product (some ingredients combined from other products might cause clogs or a reaction, whereas the product used alone may not cause clogs)
- Your skin type might be more or less prone to clogging at different times throughout your menstrual cycle
- Your skin is likely to be sensitive to ingredients that are not known to rate as comedogenic at all, but your skin just doesn’t like these ingredients and it is unique to you
Korean skincare ingredients for acne
In the past few years Korean skincare for acne has soared in popularity due the unique formulations.
Whilst there is a lot of crossover, Korean skincare definitely has unique ingredients and formulas.
Popular Korean moisturizer ingredients:
- Mugwort, an antibacterial herb
- Snail mucin extract, the secretion from snails that can help with hydration and dark spots
- Rice
- Ginseng, another herbal ingredient
- Propolis, derived from bees
- Centella asiatica, a herb known for its soothing properties and skin barrier benefits
- Green tea extract
- Birch sap
These are mostly natural ingredients that are slowly finding their way in western formulas more and more.
That said, you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a good Korean moisturizer for acne prone skin.
Ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, allantoin and panthenol are common in Koreand and Western skincare.
Ingredients to avoid in moisturizers for sensitive skin
When it comes to korean moisturizer for sensitive acne prone skin, it is easier to identify ingredients to avoid.
Personally I avoid all of these 99% of the time because it just makes life easier. Less irritated skin, less problems.
- Artificial fragrances
- Natural fragrance – this is just fragrance in disguise, it is no better or worse than added synthetic fragrance
- Essential oils – an easy route to skin irritation
- Denatured alcohol
- Glycolic acid – best to avoid in a moisturiser, so you don’t have to buy a separate acid-free cream
- Salicylic acid – as above unless you’re treating body acne
Lots of people think fragrance doesn’t bother their skin.
But fragrance is a known allergen that, with repeated use, can make your skin sensitive to it.
It can also cause problems such as redness, peri oral dermatitis and breakouts.
Choosing Korean skincare for cystic acne
It can be especially difficult to find a moisturiser if you’re dealing with cystic or hormonal acne.
I’m not a regular sufferer of cystic acne, so when I get it I know that a new product has caused it.
This shows us that cystic acne can be both hormonal (internally driven) and cosmetic (driven by external factors like products).
This means that making a change to your moisturiser (or whole skin-care routine) might improve your cystic acne.
Other products that could be causing you cystic acne are:
- Oil cleansers – check out my post on oil cleansers for acne prone skin.
- Sun cream – you probably already know this but sunscreen unfortunately causes breakouts all the time. Check out my sunscreens for acne prone skin post.
Korean moisturisers for hormonal acne
Unlike cystic acne, hormonal acne can’t be caused by products.
You can recognise hormonal acne by its signature appearance on the cheeks and chin.
Sometimes the breakouts appear worse before your period, then clear up shortly after and the cycle begins again.
Even if you found the most perfect best korean moisturizer for acne prone skin, it sadly can’t reduce hormonal acne by itself.
Hormonal acne is caused by many things such as:
- Genetics and age – things you can’t control
- Diet – some foods can increase sebum production by affecting your hormones in an unfavourable way
- Lifestyle – sleep, rest and stress all impact your hormones and therefore your skin
Is Korean skincare better than western?
When looking for the best korean moisturizer for acne prone skin, it’s going to be a lot of trial and error.
BUT you can save yourself a lot of heartache by patch testing new products, one at a time.
When you patch test a product, you can see whether it’ll break you out without sacrificing your whole face.
Here’s how I patch test products to lessen acne breakouts:
- Only try one new product at a time, one per month for example (requires patience!)
- Choose one small area of your face. It could be your left cheek, your forehead or your chin, for example
- Apply the product to that area of your face either daily or every other day
- Do this for 1-2 weeks. Usually breakouts will show up in that time frame.
- Continue using the rest of your usual routine on the rest of your face, and the patch testing area (except for the new product of course)
- After a couple of weeks and no breakouts, consider using it on the whole of your face
