Reviewing the Top 3 Bestselling Korean Moisturizers from YesStyle – THE Sugarblossomdiary

While we all enjoy trying out extravagant new serums, face masks, and eye patches, it’s vital to incorporate facial moisturizers into your skincare regimen. Face creams not only provide immediate hydration and a plumpy appearance to the skin, but consistent use can also assist in preserving skin elasticity, improving barrier function, enhancing texture, and delaying signs of aging.

As temperatures and humidity levels drop, replenishing and sealing in moisture becomes even more essential to protect the skin from harsh environmental factors with a robust moisturizer. This month, I’ve chosen to try three of YesStyle’s top-selling Korean moisturizers: Beauty of Joseon’s Dynasty Cream, ETUDE’s Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream, and SOME BY MI’s AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream. These products, varying from Beauty of Joseon’s intense barrier cream promoting healthy and revitalized skin to SOME BY MI’s lightweight gel moisturizer loaded with popular exfoliating ingredients, are already beloved by K-Beauty enthusiasts globally.

Do these iconic Korean moisturizers meet the expectations? Continue reading to find out!

Key features:

• Rich in hanbang ingredients, including 29% rice bran water and 5% Korean ginseng root water, which hydrate and brighten the skin.
• Contains orchid extract for hydration and anti-aging benefits.
• Fortifies the skin barrier with 2% niacinamide and 2% squalane.
• Various types of hyaluronic acid lock in moisture.
• Cruelty-free.

My take:

If you have dry or mature skin that’s particularly sensitive during winter, Beauty of Joseon’s moisturizing cream is an excellent option. This gel cream features a luxurious texture that glides on effortlessly and absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy residue. Packed with hanbang ingredients and hyaluronic acid, it left my skin feeling nourished, hydrated, and revitalized. The silky formula also imparted a dewy glow without clogging pores or exacerbating shine in my oily T-zone. The Dynasty Cream presents beautifully in a frosted glass jar, complete with a small spatula for hygienic application.

Key features:

• Panthensoside™ (which includes panthenol and madecassoside) reduces irritation, strengthens the skin barrier, and guards against external aggressors.
• Low-pH formulation promotes healthy skin function and balances moisture and oil levels.
• Clinically tested vegan formula suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
• Lightweight and quick-absorbing.

My take:

Having missed the opportunity to try the highly praised original Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream previously, I was eager to test this new version with updated packaging and a formulation suitable for all skin types. While I can’t compare this with its predecessor, my first impression of the new formulation is that it has a lightweight, thin consistency. The gel cream absorbs quickly, leaving a refreshing finish, and the gentle formula is soothing on the skin. After experiencing an allergic reaction from a makeup product while testing this moisturizer, the ETUDE cream helped alleviate the irritation and speed up recovery. However, I wish it offered a more substantial hydrating and ‘intensive’ experience, as it left my dehydrated skin feeling a bit dry shortly after application.

Key features:

• Contains AHA, BHA, and PHA to exfoliate dead skin cells and excess sebum from pores.
• 70% centella asiatica extract to soothe the skin and fortify the skin barrier.
• Brightens dull skin and revitalizes it with niacinamide and turmeric root extract.
• Non-comedogenic, suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin.

My take:

This bestselling product from SOME BY MI combines the exfoliating powers of AHA, BHA, and PHA with a soothing 70% centella asiatica extract, making it perfect for achieving flawless skin while being gentle on sensitive skin. Though I don’t have acne-prone skin, my battle with enlarged pores and sebaceous filaments on my nose is ongoing. I applied this moisturizer every other night to minimize irritation and saw encouraging results within just a few applications. My pores appeared clearer and smaller, my skin texture felt softer, and my “strawberry nose” showed significant improvement.

Despite my initial concerns about the potential harshness of the three exfoliators on my easily irritated skin, I experienced no adverse reactions or discomfort during the ten-day trial. On the contrary, the cica-packed formula was comforting and refreshing. Although the lightweight texture might be too light for my nighttime use, requiring me to layer another moisturizer for added hydration, I appreciated its effects.

My only caveat about the AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream is its potent minty scent, which I found quite strong. 

Final Verdict

In summary, I was quite satisfied with the three K-Beauty moisturizers, each of which integrated well into my skincare routine. I’ve been applying the Dynasty Cream every morning, and its hydrating, nourishing formula keeps my skin feeling comfortable and moisturized all day.

Of these three beloved Korean moisturizers, I was most impressed by the AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream. Its exfoliating and pore-refining formulation proved gentle on my sensitive skin, making it a rare find. I highly recommend it to individuals with acne-prone and oily skin.

For my nighttime skincare routine, particularly during harsh winter conditions, I prefer thicker, more occlusive moisturizers over the Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream. While the upgraded lightweight formula seems better for normal skin, it doesn’t provide enough hydration for my dehydrated skin. However, when used in conjunction with the AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream at night, this pairing does fulfill my hydration needs effectively.

	Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream	ETUDE Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream	SOME BY MI AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream
Benefits	Moisturizing, anti-aging, brightening	Moisturizing, barrier repair	Acne care, pore care, soothing
Texture	Gel cream	Gel cream	Lightweight gel
Moisturizing Power
Suitable Skin Types	Combination and dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin	All skin types	Combination and oily skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin
Scent	None	None	Minty

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