The Key to Dewy Korean Glass Skin may be as Simple as Moisturising

As the weather cools down and dries up in this summer-autumn transitional period, a lot of us might start finding our skin plagued by signs of dryness and dehydration, including flare-ups and itchiness. Such skin troubles can lend a rough and dull appearance to our skin – and potentially affecting more than just skin tone and texture on the surface to compromise our skin health deep beneath. How do we keep our skin radiant and dewy in dry seasons, then? The answer may be as simple as moisturising.

Besides hydrating and replenishing moisture using skincare products, it's also crucial to restore our skin's innate moisture-retaining abilities. Locking moisture in can helps our skin improve recurring dryness for good.

Why should I moisturise my skin?

Moisturising isn't just about hydrating the surface of your skin; it's also vital to keeping our skin healthy. Sufficiently moisturised skin enjoys a smoother, hitch-free metabolism process. This helps to prevent the formation of fine lines, clogged pores, comedones and acne and allows skin to shine with a delicate, bright glow.

On the other hand, dehydrated skin might not be able to benefit from normal metabolism of the stratum corneum, leading to keratin (dead skin cells) buildup. Not only does this contribute to roughness and dullness, but it can also weaken the skin's natural barrier function and expose it to risks of irritation and flare-ups.

This is why moisturising is considered a core fundamental part of skincare – not only does it restore your skin to a moist, dewy state, it also ensures your skin is in good enough shape for further functional care like brightening and anti-aging.

Common Hydrating Skincare Ingredients

① Hyaluronic Acid
Naturally produced by the human body, hyaluronic acid is mainly found in tissues such as skin and joints. Its structure can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, explaining the substance's powerful moisturising abilities. Hyaluronic acid also accelerates wound healing and cell regeneration, helping repair and restore skin to a healthy state.

② Ceramides
Ceramides are the main fatty acids that make up the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Possessing both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, they form a protective barrier on the skin surface that can help retain moisture, keep you hydrated, and resist external stimuli.

③ Squalane
Squalane is a skin-friendly moisturising ingredient with a chemical structure very similar to that of squalene in human sebum. In addition to strengthening the skin's lipid barrier layer and reducing water loss, its antioxidant properties also help protect against free radicals, a type of aggressor that can contribute to skin aging.

④ Panthenol
Panthenol, a derivative of vitamin B5, is water-absorbent and increases skin surface moisture retention by attracting moisture. It also promotes fibroblast promotion in the dermis layer, which can boost the synthesis of collagen, glycans and elastin to smooth fine lines and improve skin texture and luminosity.

Moisturising Toner Recommendations

A moisturising toner hydrates and soothes the stratum corneum layer while prepping your skin and improving absorption for the rest of your skincare routine.

Moisturising Toner Recommendation｜ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Toner

ROUND LAB is a household name when it comes to moisturising skincare, and its toner is no exception. The brand's Dokdo Toner features deep sea water drawn from Ulleungdo in Korea, which contains 72 pure and highly concentrated natural minerals. In addition to providing deep, lasting moisture, it also controls excess sebum production and rebalances your skin's water-oil levels to a healthy state. With a clean and minimalist formula safe for all skin types and great value for its large volume, you can't go wrong with Korea's national toner. Wet a cotton pad with a generous amount and leave it on your face like mini mask sheets for budget-friendly, guilt-free pampering!

Moisturising Toner Recommendation｜COSRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner

High concentrations of propolis and honey extracts form the main component of this nourishing toner – and not just regular propolis extract, but luxurious French black propolis, at a generous concentration of 72.6%. Delivering endless moisture and a slew of nutrients deep into your skin, it nourishes while soothing redness and discomfort, rapidly restoring skin to a radiant state that glows with health.

Moisturising Toner Recommendation｜Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water

This toner encapsulates the essence of traditional Korean medicine. Hanbang botanical power in a bottle, it intensely hydrates with saponin-rich ginseng and instantly relieves dryness and tightness. It also works to improve moisture retention in the deeper layers of the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Improving your defence and reparative abilities from the inside out, it leaves skin quenched and clarified.

Moisturising Toner Recommendation｜Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner

A vegan toner of 95% naturally derived ingredients to nurture your skin with the utmost pure, uncontaminated and natural care. Black rice shines as the star ingredient with its powerful antioxidant benefits. It not only hydrates and improves moisture retention but also fortifies the skin barrier, leaving your complexion clarified and your skin bouncy as a boiled egg. The dewy, well-absorbing texture also promises refreshing and weightless hydration.

Moisturising Toner Recommendation｜Isntree Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Formulated with 14 ultra-low molecular hyaluronic acids, this pure hyaluronic acid toner fully moisturises every layer of your skin and keeps you hydrated throughout the day. The addition of witch-hazels and cypress leaf extract soothes dryness and discomfort and improves the skin's natural defence, in a lightweight texture that sinks in comfortably right away.

Moisturising Serum Recommendations

Moisturising serums deliver more intensive hydration through higher concentrations of humectants, quickly forming a moisture-locking barrier to banish dryness and flaking.

Moisturising Serum Recommendation｜Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Korea's No.1 moisturising serum has not only earned top spots on Olive Young rankings but stayed there. With a gentle, non-irritating formula, it sends 5 types of hyaluronic acids deep into your skin for quick hydration and soothing care – an absolute blessing for dehydrated sensitive skin.

Moisturising Serum Recommendation｜ANUA PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

At the heart of this nourishing and plumping serum is the trending ingredient PDRN. The salmon-derived component promotes collagen production and improves skin elasticity, while a whopping 11 layers of hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed collagen help to hydrate and rejuvenate. Delivering hydration in a nourishing yet thin and weightless texture, it sinks into skin instantly and alleviates dryness from the very first drop, sending moisture to every layer of your skin.

Moisturising Serum Recommendation｜SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Matrixyl 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule

Introducing SKIN1004's latest drop – a sensitive skin-friendly microneedle serum! This spicule treatment delivers high concentrations of peptides and other actives deep into skin with microneedle ingredients smaller in size than pores, fully maximising anti-wrinkle and firming effects. The moisture-rich texture is infused with moisturising ingredients like panthenol and hyaluronic acid, as well as Madagascar Centella Asiatica extract for extra calming and repairing bonuses, to protect the skin from external irritation.

Moisturising Serum Recommendation｜VT Hydrop Reedle Shot 100

VT's viral Reedle Shot, often found sold out at Olive Young stores in South Korea, with accumulative sales having surpassed 3.3 million units! It promotes your skin’s absorption of active ingredients to improve metabolism and revitalise your skin, with an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effect. The Reedle Shot comes in varying levels of intensity, from 50 to 1000, and with different functional ingredients, including collagen, cica and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to suit different needs and conditions.

Moisturising Serum Recommendation｜Anua 7 Rice Ceramide Hydrating Barrier Serum

Fusing rice bran water with rice extracts, Anua's own Rice Water complex is 3 times more effective in brightening compared to ordinary rice bran water. Working in tandem with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this rice formula mends compromised skin barriers and keeps your skin hydrated and sebum production balanced. The natural and mild formula is free of artificial fragrances so that damaged and sensitive skin types can use it with confidence.

Moisturising Lotion/Cream Recommendations

To prolong the moisturising effect of your routine, wrap it up with a lotion or cream! The oil in the cream forms a watertight barrier that can prevent moisture from evaporating.

Moisturising Lotion/Cream Recommendation｜ANUA 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream

This all-purpose moisturising and restorative cream is a must-have in your routine. 3 types of ceramides and panthenol work in tandem to moisturise and strengthen your natural barrier, building up skin defence against external irritation. The inclusion of centella asiatica also calms flare-ups and alleviates redness, caring for your skin from the inside out. Lightweight, quick to absorb and non-comedogenic, this formula is perfect on any skin type and in any season.

Moisturising Lotion/Cream Recommendation｜Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Soothing Cream

A lightweight yet watery gel cream bursting with hydration! Spreads into a dewy moisturising jelly texture and hydrates with hyaluronic acid and allantoin while repairing your damaged skin barrier. Keeps skin hydrated to ward off roughness and flaking. Torriden's soothing cream lacks the greasy consistency often found in face creams, making it a perfect partner for oily skin types.

Moisturising Lotion/Cream Recommendation｜Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion

Made with damaged and sensitive skin in mind, this golden repair formula combines ceramides and fatty acids to deeply moisturise, soothe and firm while strengthening skin's moisture barrier. The fresh yet hydrating texture spreads smoothly and absorbs effortlessly into any skin type, including fragile skin that has undergone medical aesthetics treatments, thanks to a clean and safe formula free from 7 irritating ingredients.

Moisturising Lotion/Cream Recommendation｜S.Nature Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream

Well-loved by dry skin types, this nourishing formula moisturises with high concentrations of plant-based squalane and shea butter. It visibly improves signs of dryness, such as cracking and flaking skin. In spite of its rich cream texture, the moisturiser absorbs wonderfully, and with a reassuringly mild formula free from fragrances, artificial colouring, and alcohol. Another trick is to use it as a pre-makeup lotion primer for smoother, beautifully adhesive foundation!

Moisturising Lotion/Cream Recommendation｜ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream

Birch sap has anti-inflammatory and purifying properties and is rich in amino acids, minerals and antioxidants. This all-purpose moisturising cream is free of alcohol, fragrances, preservatives and other irritating ingredients, providing only the minimal moisturisation your skin needs. It relieves dry, flaking skin and hydrates while fortifying your protective barrier, fully alleviating skin discomfort from the inside out.

Moisturising Face Mask Recommendations

A sheet mask creates an enclosed space where active ingredients and nutrients can be densely instilled into the skin for better hydration.

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Hyalu-B5 Hydrating Mask

Leading sales not just on Olive Young Global but also on Amazon, the hydrating and calming duo of panthenol and hyaluronic acid in this overnight formula fills skin richly with moisture, repairing your skin barrier and leaving you with a clarified, healthy glow. No more worrying about the perils of staying up late to your skin, because these masks will patch things up over the night and leave skin moist and bouncy by the time you wake up.

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜BIODANCE Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask

Claiming top spots on Olive Young rankings right after its launch, Biodance's collagen masks are selling out everywhere, both in Korea and globally. Each sheet is infused with an entire bottle's worth of serum to instantly boost skin elasticity and reduce fine lines. Its magic works in about 3 hours, though you can always keep it on overnight and enjoy the luxury of waking up to soft, clear and glowing skin and foundation that goes on perfectly. Hydrating with low-molecular hyaluronic acid, ceramides, pure glacial water and other skin soothing agents, Biodance's blue mask instantly moisturises and calms red, sensitised skin.

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜Rejuran Healer Skin Protection Mask Sheet

Not quite ready to try the Rejuran injection treatment? Then be sure to try Rejuran in a sheet – the Healer Skin Protection Mask! The patented high-purity PDRN formula promotes skin regeneration and repairs damage. Offering intense hydration, it strengthens skin barrier defences against external stimuli. Enjoy medical-grade cosmetic effects from the comfort of your own home!

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Mask Sheet Pack

Birch sap has anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties, which, paired with the 100% pure cotton mask sheet material, offers a seamless, non-slip fit and skin-hugging, penetrating moisture. Skin is instantly calmed and comfortable, glowing with a translucent and clear radiance. Ideal during changing seasons, this mask keeps your skin healthy and stable even when humidity and temperatures fluctuate.

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Mask

There isn't a day when the viral Torriden mask isn't on Olive Young's bestsellers section. Bursting with hydration, this holy grail for dry skin nourishes with a 5-layer hyaluronic acid formula. It delivers moisture into every layer of your skin from top to bottom with a 100% vegan sheet mask material that is soft on your skin and good for the environment. Quickly restoring glow and plumpness, it's an instant drink for dry, dehydrated skin.

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜Abib Collagen Gel Mask - Sedum Jelly

Engineered with V-Label-approved vegan collagen from Italy, each Abib collagen gel mask of 100,005ppm collagen extract promotes collagen growth and hydrates with sedum-derived hyaluronic acid. Repair each and every layer of your skin, it improves moisture-retaining abilities for hydration that lasts.

Moisturising Mask Recommendation｜Anua Birch Moisture Sheet Mask

Experience instant skin-quenching hydration, lasting moisture, and a slew of skin-loving nutrients with Anua's birch sap-infused hydrogel masks. It keeps moisture locked within your skin to prevent dryness all day long, even when sitting under air conditioning, in a light snug-fitting mask texture that allows the essence to penetrate quickly. Take it off to reveal soft, sheer skin radiant with renewed health.