Best K-Beauty Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin

Not every product suits every type of skin nor does every skin can use the same products. The difference lies in many aspects. Acne-prone skin is different from dry or combination skin type and needs a more concerned skincare. 

Here I have shared a list of best K-beauty moisturizers for various acne-prone skin types. I hope this post will help you a lot. 

Oily Acne-Prone Skin Korean Moisturizer

If you have oily acne-prone skin what you need to do first is to eliminate oily products from your skincare routine. I have provided you with a list for korean moisturizer for oily skin. Try one of these to get relieving effects. 

BONAJOUR – Green Tea Water Cream

Harmful ingredients free. Green tea and peptides enhance water holding capacity. Forms a barrier layer to prevent water loss. Keep skin moisturized for a longer time. 

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream

Irritating ingredients free. Containing 5 forms of hyaluronic acid. Can be used as night cream or day moisturizer. Suitable for all skins, best for oily acne-prone skin. Provides a smooth finishing to skin.  

Isntree – Onion Newpair Gel Cream

Enriched with nutrients extracted from Muan red onion grown in red clay. Heals blemishes of skin. Different molecular weight hyaluronic acid regulate time differential moisture and absorb gradually in the skin. Rich in vitamin C.

Beauty of Joseon – Red Bean Water Gel

Eliminate excess oils as Beauty of Joseon-Red Bean Water Gel contains “red bean” enriched with saponins, and control sebum providing balanced skin. Targets wrinkles resulting in a more fresh and youthful skin. 

beplain – Cicaful Calming Gel

92.6% Cica extract soothes and strengthens skin, avoiding redness and dryness. Offers refreshing hydration bursts to calm the skin. 1st place winner in Hwahae Beauty Awards for Gel. 

Combination Acne-Prone Skin Korean Moisturizer

I think combination skin types are easier to go with. Any product from dry, oily, sensitive skin categories may work on them.

Here is the list of some best korean moisturizer for combination skin.

COSRX- AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer

Formula includes 3 healing ingredients; madecassic acid, asiaticoside and asiatic acid. Treats acne and calms skin with instant actions. Retain skin glow without irritation. Oil free and very suitable for acne-prone skin. Light weight and give skin a non-sticky moisture texture. 

ETUDE – Soon Jung 10 Free Moist Emulsion

Panthenol (vitamin B5), provides hydration and works deeply in skin. Improves elasticity of the skin. Madecassoside, a cica derivative, treats skin damages. Low pH for nourishment and relief to irritation. 

Torriden – Balanceful Cica Cream

Cica enriched cream with deep hydration and long lasting moisture. Ideal for all combination skin types. Unscented, non-irritating and hypoallergenic. Maintains a balanced and glowy skin. 

ma:nyo – Our Vegan Heartleaf Cica Cream

Plant based product. Balances sebum production. Tightens pores. Seal moisture and hydration and strengthen barriers. Prevent scars and blemishes. Works deeply in the skin and avoids stickiness. 

AXIS-Y – Heartleaf My Type Calming Cream

Promotes a balanced and fresh skin complex. Light long lasting hydration. Non-oily cream with instant absorption properties. Stimulates skin immunity against external environmentsl stresses. 

ETUDE – Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream

Free of additives. pH balanced formula to maintain a more healthier skin. 92.5% formulation for moisturizing and hydration. Strengthen skin barriers. 

COSRX – Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

Best for outdoor activities or sun exposure. Treat redness, blemishes, sunburns and acne with a calming effect. Hypoallergenic and irritants free.

Thank You Farmer – Rice Pure Gel and Cream

Lightweight formula, immediately soothes sunburn skin. Mung bean extract strengthens skin barriers. Ideal for skin that gets damaged due to night skincare.  Considered as a best korean moisturizer for combination skin

beplain – Hyaluronic Aqua Moisturizer

Moisturizes parched skin with enhanced absorption. Powers skin barriers. Offers comfortable and fresh feelings. Highly concentrated formula delivers oil to skin with natural radiance. 

Best Moisturizers – Korean Skincare For Dry Acne Prone Skin

Korean moisturizers for dry acne-prone skin are difficult to find. Dry skin needs to be moisturized with essential oils but acne can also get stimulated. 

Here are some products that can fight both dry skin and acne-prone.

Isntree – Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream

Organic, ethanol free formula. Contain 10 types of hyaluronic acid. Argan oil and apricot oil keep moisture on the skin. Maintain water-oil balance. Can be applied as night cream or day moisturizer. 

COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream

Made with 92% samil mucin. Forms moisture barrier, hydrates and calms skin. Non-sticky with radiant finishing to skin. Heals skin after breakouts. Strengthen skin barriers. 

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream

Deliver intense moisture to parched skin. Seals moisture and provides longer hydration and nourishment. Non-oily and fights fine lines and wrinkles providing a youthful look. 

A nice option for the best korean face cream

PURITO – B5 Panthenol Re-Barrier Cream

Formulated with high concentration of panthenol, commonly known as vitamin B5. Retains moisture barriers and radiant glow. Minimizes water loss. Quickly absorbing sealing hydration. Delivers exceptional results when used with Defence Barrier pH Cleanser. 

COSRX – Pure Fit Cica Cream

Delivers mild soothing and calmness with instant absorption. Provides cooling relief to dry skin. Treats weak skin and strengthens it. CICA-7 Complex, a key ingredient, present in a proportion of about 61.2%.

Korean Skincare For Sensitive Acne-Prone Skin Moisturizer

Sensitive skins are most difficult to deal with. You might get irritation or some other skin problems from using different synthetic products. Perfect products are those which treat your acne without causing irritation to sensitive skin. 

Here is the list

Benton – Aloe Hyaluron Cream

A powder-packed formula, made with 7 hyaluronic acid types and aloe vera. Enhances skin elasticity and provides nutrients to skin. Deliver water and moisture to sensitive skin. Helps in cell regeneration.  

Benton – Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

Perfect for sensitive skin with oil-free formula. Contains aloe vera and propolis juice extract. Combat and protect from irritation and external stimuli. Immediately absorbs in the skin and provides a soothing and calming effect. Botanical ingredients enhance skin immunity. Forms a barrier to prevent evaporation of water. 

Isntree – Aloe Soothing Gel Moisture Type

Enriched with 80% of the aloe vera juice from California. 5 types of hyaluronic acids provide deep hydration. Instant moisture with natural ingredients. 

PURITO – Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

Non-comedogenic formula offers extra moisture and balances the skin. 77%oat seed water protects the skin barrier and fights redness and irritation. Absorbs instantly and gives non-sticky moisture. 

Krave Beauty – Oat So Simple Water Cream

Perfectly suitable for sensitive skin. Locks moisture in the skin and reduces excess water loss. Offers effective hydration without any complexities. Soothes and calm sensitive skin.

How to pick a right moisturizers to do Korean skincare for acne prone skin

When choosing a moisturizer for acne-prone skin you should first understand that there is nothing like acne safe. Comedogenic ingredients are far more complex than pore clogging ingredients. 

• Things that cause you to get clog pores can be dependent on different factors. 
• Your skin type may be more reluctant to get acne during the menstrual cycle.
• Ingredients termed as non-comedogenic may be more unique and allergic to your skin.
• Using other products paired with your skincare may cause clog pores on your skin. 

Ingredients In Korean Skincare For Acne

Korean skincare products have gained popularity because of their unique formulation. Koreans have always been sensitive towards beauty standards and that is why their products always stand exceptional. 

Some popular Korean skincare ingredients are;

• Ginseng improves skin health and provides anti-aging benefits.
• Green tea protect from skin damage
• Mugwort, an antibacterial herb
• Snail mucin extract helps in hydration and fades dark spots
• Birch sap has excellent hydrating properties
• Propolis enhances skin elasticity
• Centella asiatica, soothes and protect skin
• Rice support antioxidant activities of skin

These ingredients are the reason for this much fame and craze of Korean skincare products. They do not use artificial ingredients in excess.

These products are now used in high concentration in western skincare products as well.

Avoid these Ingredients in moisturizers for sensitive skin

When you choose Korean skincare products, you don’t have to worry much about the ingredients. These products are made from natural derivatives and do not contain such ingredients that you want to avoid.

• Glycolic acid should be avoided in a moisturiser to limit use of acid free creams
• Salicylic acid, if using for body acne
• Denatured alcohol
• Essential oils
• Natural fragrance
• Artificial fragrances

Whether they are natural or artificial, fragrances are known for their irritation to skin. They can cause redness, acne or breakouts.

Gel Moisturizer Vs creams

korean moisturizer for oily skin are easy to find. Generally moisturizers and other products for oily skin are available in light weight, gel texture. Gel moisturizers give a very sticky and odd feeling when applying to the skin. 

Although creams are more satisfying and seem gentle to use, finding a moisturizer in cream packaging is really difficult to get for acne-prone skin. But it is not impossible, it will just require tests and trials to find a better one. 

Looking for deep and longer hydration, I’ll recommend you to use serum layering with hyaluronic acid, mists and gel moisturizer. It will keep your skin moisturized for a longer time period without any irritation.

Choosing a gel or cream moisturizer really depends on one’s preference. I personally use gel moisturizers for longer hydration and moisture. 

Korean vs Western Skincare- Which One Is Better?

Korean products are definitely better than western products in terms of formulation, hygiene or benefits.

There are some criteria to use new products. Do not always use new products directly on face. Do some patch tests before.

• Try one product at times. If you really want to try something new, give atleast 2-3 weeks to a product.
• For the patch test choose some small area of your face, left cheek or chin.
• Apply a small amount of product on that area daily or thrice a week.
• In 1-2 weeks breakouts will show up, if not then the product is best or your skin.

Also Read: Best Hydrating Lotions to Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer

Conclusion

Sometimes it is not about Korean skincare products or western skincare products but our understanding of your skin leads to different results. Sometimes Korean products do not provide those results like western products do. This is because you might not be using the product the right way or the product is not suitable for you.

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