Loyal readers of the Glowie Blog know how much we at Glowie Co value fine-tuning skincare routines to the different seasons (see our Summer and Colder Weather articles)! Each season brings about new conditions and sensitivities that can be tricky to navigate. For winter, it goes without saying that the coldest months of the year can wreak havoc on skin, leaving it flaky, dry, and dull.
If you’re unsatisfied with your current moisturizer, consider our favorite options from our Asian Beauty selection for winter!
AM+PM Triple HA Hydrating Souffle
The AM+PM Triple HA Hydrating Souffle is dessert for a desert. Apply this fluffy, whipped concoction on dehydrated, soulless skin to replenish water content! It’s got three types of concentrated hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights to penetrate the skin and draw moisture to the epidermis. Vitamin E fights off free radicals to prevent oxidative damage to skin cells, and shea butter also works to neutralize free radical damage! The result? Plump, nourished, and protected skin.
We’re in love with the light, creamy consistency of this moisturizer. Despite being highly hydrating and moisturizing, it remains weightless on the skin. The Triple HA Hydrating Souffle feels silky on the skin, but promotes strong skin by improving the skin’s defense against dryness and external irritants.
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Much to the relief of KBeauty lovers, the Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is finally back in stock. This hypoallergenic, skin-loving moisturizer is the perfect blend of traditional Asian ingredients and Illiyoon’s patented Ceramide Skin Complex™. The lactobacillus/soybean ferment extract is particularly noteworthy, with studies suggesting that it delivers skin-soothing properties while also regulating a healthy skin microbiome. Couple these benefits with highly concentrated ceramide soft capsules, and you get a formula that immediately sinks into the skin to hydrate and strengthen its barrier.
Another ingredient we just have to highlight in this moisturizer is panax ginseng root extract, which contains antioxidants and Vitamin B for anti-aging and smoothing benefits. It evens out skin tone, firms skin, and even provides a hydration boost! In other words, it’s the all-rounder that fulfills all of your skincare needs.
This intensely moisturizing and strengthening cream can also be used on the body. Talk about a win-win!
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream
If the oil and water imbalance of your skin is causing your skin to freak out, we recommend Pyunkang Yul’s Moisture Cream to get your skin back on track! This moisturizer is especially effective for oily or combination skin that is also dehydrated and sensitive. While it’s good for virtually any season or weather, we especially love it in winter when our skin is feeling extra dehydrated, but we don’t want to overload our skin with layers and layers of product. The creamy but light and non sticky formula envelops dehydrated skin with the bare minimum—and we mean this in the best way possible! Pyunkang Yul’s philosophy of using minimal ingredients to remove unnecessary chemicals from damaging the skin results in a fantastic line of zero irritation products.
Instead of using purified water as many other moisturizers on the market do, Pyunkang Yul uses barberry root extract as their natural moisturizing ingredient. In doing so, Pyunkang Yul’s Moisture Cream delivers multiple benefits as barberry root extract’s alkaloids protect the skin from external irritants and rapidly quenches thirsty skin. Moreover, barberry root extract promotes long-lasting hydration, which is aided by other moisturizing ingredients such as the emollient jojoba seed oil and the occlusive shea butter!
Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream
Like Pyunkang Yul, Etude House’s Soon Jung line operates under the idea that less is more. Soon Jung has long been a KBeauty cult fave, with their moisturizer being one of the best in their collection! The Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream is composed of 92.2% hydrating ingredients, and soothes irritated skin immediately. Upon application, the gentle and mild gel cream feels extremely cooling on the skin. It’s suitable for any skin type and condition for comfortable hydration, but stressed and sensitive skin will absolutely love the Hydro Barrier Cream.
Panthenol and madecassoside are Soon Jung’s key ingredients. Think of them like overly strict parents who never let you go to a sleepover no matter how hard you begged. In other words, panthenol and madecassoside are extremely protective. Panthenol can “restore the function of the skin barrier,” while madecassoside “offers antioxidant protection” in the form of reducing free radicals.
Final Thoughts
Winter can be a stressful time for your skin! Look for moisturizers more hydrating and moisturizing than you would use in the summer, as well as moisturizers with skin barrier-strengthening ingredients to protect your extra sensitive skin against environmental stressors.