9 Korean Skincare Products For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, you'll know how frustrating it is trying to find skincare that keeps your skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy.
As someone with naturally dry, dehydrated skin, I'm a bit obsessed with Korean skincare. I love trying new K-beauty products, and over the years I've tested hundreds of them in search of the perfect routine.
While I enjoy discovering new favourites, there are a handful that I always come back to. In this post, you'll find the K-beauty products I recommend most for dry and dehydrated skin, based on the ones I've personally had the best results with.
Disclosure: I get all my Korean skincare products from Stylevana and am an affiliate for the brand. This post is NOT sponsored but some of the items were gifted to me.
💗 Stylevana Discount Code: SHOPUKBEAUTY
Jump to:
My Korean Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
I've included my full nine step Korean skincare routine below, but don't feel you need to buy all nine products! I know some people like to follow a complete routine, but you can easily pick and choose the products that suit your skin and budget. I still swap products in and out myself depending on how my skin is feeling that day.
Step 1: Oil Cleanser
haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil
An oil cleanser gently dissolves sunscreen, makeup, excess sebum and overnight skincare without disrupting your skin barrier. That means your second cleanser doesn't have to work as hard, so you can use something much gentler afterwards.
I've tried lots of cleansing oils over the years, but I always come back to the haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil. It removes everything quickly, rinses away easily and leaves my skin feeling soft instead of tight.
How to use it: Massage onto dry skin for 30–60 seconds. Wet your hands to emulsify the oil until it turns milky, then rinse thoroughly before following with a gentle water-based cleanser.
My tip: Don't rush the emulsifying step. This is where many people go wrong, and it's often why cleansing oils get blamed for leaving a film or causing breakouts.
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
After your oil cleanser has removed makeup, sunscreen and excess oil, it's time for a gentle water-based cleanser. This second cleanse removes any remaining impurities without stripping your skin, helping to keep your skin barrier healthy and your complexion comfortable.
I've tried plenty of gel cleansers over the years, but many leave my skin feeling tight afterwards. The haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel is different. It has a skin-friendly pH of 5.5, creates a soft lather and leaves my skin feeling clean, fresh and hydrated rather than dry.
How to use it: Massage a small amount onto damp skin for around 30 seconds before rinsing with lukewarm water. If you've already used an oil cleanser, you only need a small amount.
My tip: Avoid hot water when cleansing. Lukewarm water is much kinder to dry skin and helps protect your skin barrier.
Step 3: Serum Mist
haruharu wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist
I discovered this by accident, and it's quickly become one of my favourite Korean skincare products. It's such a light mist that you can barely feel it, but it instantly gives my dry skin a boost of hydration.
I use it after cleansing to add an extra layer of moisture before the rest of my routine. I love that it's packed with ceramides and probiotics to help support the skin barrier.
How to use it: Mist over your face after cleansing before applying your toner.
My tip: You only need a small amount as a little goes a long way.
Step 4: Toner
TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner
This is one product I never skip. Whenever my skin is feeling tight or dehydrated, a layer of TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner instantly makes it feel more comfortable.
I love the milky texture because it gives my skin an extra hit of hydration without feeling sticky or heavy. It sinks in quickly and leaves my skin looking fresh and dewy, making it the perfect base for the rest of my routine.
How to use it: Pat a small amount onto your face and neck after cleansing before applying your essence or serum.
My tip: I always apply it with my hands rather than a cotton pad so every drop goes onto my skin instead of being absorbed by the pad.
Step 5: Essence
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This is probably the most iconic Korean skincare product of all time, and after using it for years, I can see why. It gives my dry skin an extra layer of hydration while leaving it feeling noticeably softer and smoother.
Don't let the word snail put you off! The texture is surprisingly lightweight and absorbs quickly without feeling sticky. I find it layers beautifully with the rest of my routine and helps lock in hydration.
How to use it: Apply one or two pumps after your toner and gently pat it into your skin before your serum or moisturiser.
My tip: A little goes a long way. One pump is usually enough for my whole face, so a bottle lasts me for months.
Step 6: Ampoule
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
Whenever my skin is feeling irritated, sensitive or just needs a little extra TLC, this is the product I reach for. It contains just a handful of ingredients, with centella asiatica taking centre stage to help calm and hydrate the skin.
The lightweight formula absorbs in seconds and layers beautifully with the rest of my routine. I especially love using it during winter, when my skin tends to become drier and more reactive.
How to use it: Apply a few drops after your essence and gently pat into your face and neck.
My tip: This is a great product to use if you've overdone it with exfoliating acids or retinol and your skin needs a few days to recover.
Step 7: Moisturiser
Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
This is my absolute favourite Korean moisturiser - it leaves my skin noticeably moisturised and dewy. It has a rich, nourishing texture that feels sort of gooey.
I particularly like that it's packed with 10% panthenol to help strengthen the skin barrier. When my skin is feeling dry or compromised, this cream always helps it feel softer and more comfortable.
How to use it: Apply a generous layer as the final moisturising step in your routine, gently massaging it into your face and neck.
My tip: Don't forget your neck and décolletage. They're often the first areas to show signs of dryness and ageing, so I always apply my moisturiser there too.
Step 8: Sunscreen
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
If there's one skincare step you should never skip, it's sunscreen. UV exposure is one of the biggest causes of premature skin ageing, so protecting your skin every day is just as important as keeping it hydrated.
I've tried a lot of Korean sunscreens over the years, but I like this one the most. It sits beautifully under makeup and doesn't leave the skin looking shiny or greasy.
How to use it: Apply generously as the last step of your morning skincare routine, around 15 minutes before going outside.
My tip: Most people don't apply enough sunscreen. I use the two-finger rule for my face and neck and reapply every two hours if I'm spending time outdoors.
Step 9: Lip Mask
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (Vanilla)
Dry lips need just as much care as the rest of your skin, especially during the colder months. I apply this every evening before bed, and by morning my lips feel noticeably softer and smoother.
I think the Berry version is the most popular, but I actually love the Vanilla one (I love all vanilla-scented products)!
How to use it: Apply a generous layer to your lips as the final step of your evening skincare routine and leave it on overnight.
My tip: Don't stop at your lip line. I like to apply a little just around the edges of my lips too, as that's often where dryness shows up first.
