Step 9: Moisturize

A moisturizer can really make or break your skincare routine. Finding the right moisturizer is so important because it’s the difference between sealing in all your hard work, or letting it evaporate, wasting your time and money. Moisturizing is step 9 of your skincare routine during the day time, but your last step at night.

Moisturizers not only lock in moisture, but they are also made with ingredients like humectants. Humectants draw in moisture from the air as you go about your day. While all moisturizers have the same key goal, there are different types, textures, and targeted ingredients. There are also moisturizers that are better for the day time or night time. I’ve got some amazing recommendations for you today, so let’s jump in!

Emulsion

The lightest moisturizer you could use is an emulsion. Emulsion means there are two or more different types of liquids mixing together. Think of when you massage your oil cleanser into your skin with water. That milky texture is an emulsion. These types of moisturizers are very lightweight and tend to be better for those with oily or combo skin.

Lotion

Photo: sokoglam.com

$22

A lotion like the COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion is in between an emulsion and a cream. A cream like this is great for all skin types. It has a similar texture to a body lotion. I tend to use this during warmer days. It keeps my skin from getting too greasy during the day, yet very moisturized. It has incredibly hydrating ingredients like 70% birch sap, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and tea tree oil. I love the smell of this combination; it smells very clean, herbal, and almost citrusy. The ingredients are great for those with acne-prone skin too. Like most COSRX products, this lotion lasts forever. It’s $22 for 3.38 oz. on Soko Glam and it’s well worth it.

Cream

I tend to use creams more regularly. The formula of a cream is more so an oil than water. They are very rich, and luxurious feeling. Creams often work to lock in moisture, heal, and nourish the skin. Your skin repairs itself while you’re asleep, so night time is the best time to use a cream. Some oilier skin types might find that creams are too heavy for them, but there is usually a cream out there that’ll work for you. Here are some creams I’ve loved using over the past few years:

COSRX, Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream

Photo: cosrx.kr

$16-$22

This snail cream is the first Korean moisturizer I ever used. Let me tell you, the moment I woke up to velvety soft, bright, healed skin, I never looked back! I will absolutely be diving into snail mucin as an ingredient soon, just know that it has magical healing abilities. It’s great for those with acne, fine lines, uneven skin tone, you name it! This cream is 92% snail mucin, it includes hyaluronic acid, adenosine, and more. The texture is very thick and stretchy, but never sticky.

The jar lasts quite a while with 3.5 oz. I usually purchase it on Amazon for any price between $16-$22. It depends on what’s available, and how desperate I am. This is my go-to if my skin has been out of whack and I need to reset. Make sure the seller is COSRX if you purchase on Amazon. There are always fake products floating around out there that may not be safe.

SKINRX LAB, MadeCera Cream

Photo: sokoglam.com

$36

Look at this cute packaging! The MadeCera Cream is a gift to anyone who is oily and struggles with acne. It’s very moisturizing yet mattifying and anti-inflammatory with ceramides, niacinamide, adenosine, squalane, and properties of centella asiatica. All of these ingredients are a powerhouse for healing and calming redness or acne. They also help to brighten the skin.

I can’t get over how rich and creamy this product is. It’s so moisturizing but doesn’t feel greasy at all. I love using this during summer nights, but it works great year round. The only thing I might change about this is the container. It’s one of those metal-like tubes, so it’s hard to get every last bit out. It’s definitely pricey for only 1.69 fl. oz. too. I remember running through tubes of this while I was using it, but it really shows results. Check this out on Soko Glam if it’s in your price range.

SMD Cosmetics, Saromae Snail Secretion Cream

Photo: sokoglam.com

$69.95

I’ve only tried a sample of this cream but it has me wanting more! It’s reminds me of the COSRX snail cream, but on steroids. It’s jam packed with 62% snail mucin extract, licorice root, hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, thyme, rosemary, lavender, and so many other natural oils and extracts.

I can see this working for all skin types. It’s so incredibly moisturizing, it absorbs in instantly, and has great healing properties for pretty much all skin concerns. This cream is very pricey, but after using it once or twice, you’ll realize that a little goes a long way. Keep this splurge item in mind! Find it on Soko Glam.

Here are some other creams I hope to try soon:

Klairs, Midnight Blue Calming Cream

Photo: sokoglam.com

$24.50

Dewytree, Ultra Vitalizing Snail Cream

Photo: sokoglam.com

$43

COSRX, Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream

Photo: sokoglam.com

$26

Gel Creams

I’ve grown to really love gel creams. They are great for people with oily and combo skin. These creams absorb into the skin very fast, they aren’t heavy, and they are water based. Gel creams are great for avoiding clogged pores, so if you are prone to breakouts, be sure to check out the following products:

Neogen, Vita Duo Cream: Joan Day and Joan Night 

$32

This duo is killer! I wrote a full blog post on this so I won’t go into too much detail here. Joan Night is the gel moisturizer in this duo. It contains lavender, which is extremely calming for the skin. Both of these creams kept me hydrated and didn’t break me out, but Joan Night was definitely my favorite. The lavender scent is very soothing and therapeutic. For two creams at $32, this is a great deal. I purchased it on Amazon, but you can now find it on Soko Glam too!

Benton, Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

$19

I finally tried this cult favorite moisturizer. There is aloe leaf juice, propolis extract, cucumber extract, green tea extract, and more. I received a sample size of this in the Soko Glam gym set, but the full size is $19 for 3.38 oz. That sounds like an average price to me.

This gel cream is great for hydrating and calming the skin. It’s great for acne-prone, sunburnt, sensitive, or scarred skin. I love using this at the end of my gym routine. It really calms down that post-workout inflammation. I highly recommend trying this out if you want something simple and soothing!

Thank You Farmer, Back to Relax Gel Mask

$38

I’ve yet to try this gel mask, but I’ve only heard great things about it. It is a sleeping mask, but can be used as a moisturizer when light handed. Find it on Soko Glam.

Sleeping Packs

Sleeping packs are very popular in Korean Skincare. Think night cream, times infinity! Sleeping packs, or sleeping masks, take your skin to that next level of moisturization. They are meant to be used one to two times a week at night.

Sleeping packs are unique because you aren’t meant to pat them into the skin. You are supposed to spread a slightly thick, even layer, let it slowly absorb overnight, and wash it off in the morning. These masks are often very brightening to the skin. You’ll see the results with dewy, bright, and firm skin that is still moisturized.

Check out some sleeping packs that I’ve enjoyed:

Klairs, Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask

Photo: sokoglam.com

$27

The Klairs sleeping pack is innovative and versatile. It’s made with vitamin E, niacinamide, adenosine, hyaluronic acid, carrageenan, ceramides, centella asiatica, natural oils, and more. This mask has a unique texture that reminds me of creamy jello, but it melts into the skin so nicely upon contact. It’s very bouncy, and lovely to use.

This mask is great because it can be used as a daily moisturizer, a sleeping pack, or a wash off mask. I loved using this in the morning as a moisturizer. It left my skin very hydrated, absorbed in quickly, and gave me a dewy yet mattified, bouncy finish. When used as a sleeping pack, my skin was always so juicy and plump the next morning. It’s slightly pricey but a little goes a long way, and the results come through. This mask works well with a serum like the COSRX x Charlotte Cho Triple C Lightning liquid, because vitamin E and vitamin C boost each other’s benefits. I purchased this sleeping pack on Soko Glam.

COSRX, Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask

$18

I mentioned this sleeping pack in my All Eyes on Rice post. It’s perfect for brightening an uneven complexion and wrapping the skin in ultra moisture. This was the first sleeping pack I tried and I still love it. The product contains 65% rice extract, sunflower seed oil, and niacinamide. This rice mask is extremely hydrating. I always wake up with moisturized skin the morning after using it, without any breakouts. This mask is light enough to be used as a daytime moisturizer too.

These are a couple of sleeping packs that I’m eager to try:

Youth to the People, Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask

Photo: thezoereport.com

$48

Beauty of Joseon, Revitalize Sleeping Mask

Photo: us.althea.kr

$34

Moisturizing is all about sealing in all those layers of moisture you worked so hard for. What is your ride or die moisturizer that goes the extra mile? Let me know below!