If you're a K-beauty fanatic, you know that ingredients in Korean skincare can do a body good. When it comes to your nighttime routine, night creams are the perfect tool for ensuring a great beauty rest! That's why we went out of our way to research and compile a list of our absolute favorite Korean night creams.
Check out what Korean night creams are a good addition to your night skincare routine! And if you're still full of questions, check out our buying guide with tips from aesthetician Devan Jesmer.
Quick List - Top Korean Night Creams
LANEIGE
Revolutionize Your Skincare Routine with the New Water Sleeping Mask
As a beauty content creator & licensed aesthetician, I create content around all things beauty, with my main focus being skincare. Through my industry insight, honest reviews and educational content, my goal is to help my clients and others navigate the constant influx of products and information in the beauty industry, and achieve their skin goals.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
Here, we'll be introducing the three important points to check when you choose a Korean night cream. Make sure to pay attention to the ingredients going into the creams, find one that matches your skin type, and choose one that is more effective for your age category!
Devan Jesmer says that "When looking at night cream ingredients, a good place to start is making sure the cream has hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. Some hydrating ingredients to look for include glycerin, aloe, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, propylene glycol, allantoin, and panthenol.
You don't want to use just any cream without checking ingredients and later on suffer from allergies and irritation. Some skincare products may contain ingredients that can be harmful to your skin as well.
The more active ingredients your night cream has, the better. Active ingredients are the ones that are proven to be effective in addressing skin irregularities.
Aloe vera is one of the greatest active ingredients that a skincare product can contain. It is fully packed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition, argan oil, coffee extract, and honey boast anti-aging and moisturizing effects. Considering how night creams are focused on moisturizing and regenerating the skin, it is common to see one or more of these three in the list of ingredients.
Ginseng, green tea, tea tree oil, vitamin C, and vitamin E are known for boosting one's youthful glow. Aside from these listed ingredients, there are still others that are good for your skin. And don't forget that some active ingredients may only target a specific skin type (more on that later).
When looking at night cream ingredients, a good place to start is making sure the cream has hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. Some hydrating ingredients to look for include glycerin, aloe, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, propylene glycol, allantoin, and panthenol.
Moisturizing ingredients to look for include plant oils such as rosehip oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, marula oil, and shea butter, and hydrolyzed collagen. Next, the addition of antioxidants such as ginseng, green tea extract, vitamin C, and E, as well as peptides are great if you have aging concerns.
If there are ingredients you should look for in a night cream, there are also some ingredients that you should avoid. One of these is urea or imidazolidinyl. It is intended to be used as a medication for skin dryness and itching for those who have dermatitis, ichthyosis, and psoriasis.
However, for night creams, urea is not an important ingredient. Also, it can cause skin irritation especially to users under age 30. Try to avoid night creams with this ingredient unless you badly need it for your skin condition.
Another ingredient to be aware of is aluminum, which may affect endocrine function. Also, watch out for parabens and SLS. Parabens are added to cosmetics in order to kill bacteria and prolong storage life. Some studies show that parabens and SLS can cause health issues and skin irritation in some people.
As there is conflicting information about whether these ingredients are truly bad or not, please avoid them if you are extra worried about potential irritation.
If you are acne-prone, you'll want to avoid anything that could clog pores, such as lanolin, beeswax, mineral oil, and petroleum. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid anything that contains fragrance, as this can often be irritating. If you have dry skin, you'd want to avoid anything with denatured alcohol, as this ingredient tends to be quite drying, but typically isn't an issue for oily skin.
People have different skin types and each skin type requires different things. While a lot of natural oils can be good for individuals with dry skin, they can cause problems for those who have oily and acne-prone skin.
Gel-based skincare products are recommended for those who have oily skin as it provides the hydration that your skin needs without making it feel and look greasy.
While cream-based is also good, gel-based products are just more suitable for this skin type. On the other hand, using oil-based products is discouraged.
When a part of your face is greasy and the other is dry, then you have a combination of dry and oily skin. This is quite a tricky situation as you have to combat both dryness and oiliness in the skin. Gel-based products are the safest choice for those who have this skin type.
Oily and combination skin types should look for gels or gel-creams. Typically, oily and combination skin types are lacking water in their skin, but not lacking oil. Gels and gel-creams are loaded with humectants, which draw moisture from the air into the skin and draw water from the dermis into the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). Adding hydration (water) to the skin helps balance oil production.
Night creams with aloe vera, argan oil, green tea, and plant butters such as cocoa butter and shea butter as key ingredients are recommended for people who have dry skin. These ingredients possess superb hydrating and moisturizing effects.
On the other hand, creams with synthetic fragrance should be avoided as it can cause skin irritation, making your skin much drier and itchier.
Cream-based and oil-based products are recommended for those who have a dry skin type. They are heavier and greasier in texture, which is just perfect for this certain skin type.
Dry skin types should look for creams and oils, as dry skin is typically lacking oil. Dry skin needs humectants just like oily and combination skin types!
But just as important is that moisture is sealed in with emollients, which help replace missing lipids in the skin, and occlusives, which create a protective layer on top of the skin and prevent moisture loss. Emollients and occlusives are typically plant oils, shea butter, and fatty acids which are found in creams and oils.
Having sensitive skin means your skin is very dry and easily gets irritated. Cream-based products might be thick and heavy, however, it is the best texture for super dry skin especially if it has light ingredients.
The most important thing to remember is to double-check that your night cream does not have any potentially irritating ingredients like mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, and urea, as they can trigger and worsen your skin irritation.
If you have sensitive skin, it is always best to check ingredients lists before you make a purchase. Avoid ingredients that you know you're sensitive to. Even then, I always recommend patch testing under the jaw, by the ear to see if you're sensitive to a product before applying it all over the face and neck.
Most of the time, those who are between 18 and 30 years old do not have many skin issues to deal with. Considering this factor, it is best for this age bracket to stick with night skincare products that have lightweight ingredients. The more natural the product is, the better.
For those who are in their thirties and forties, products with more antioxidants are the best choice to keep their skin healthy. Night creams with amino acids, antioxidants, glycerin, and vitamin C are recommended.
People who are in their fifties or older usually have more skin insecurities compared to other age groups. Many also want to look younger. Thus, they need night creams that possess strong anti-aging and nourishing agents like ginseng to cater to their beauty goals.
As we age, our skin creates fewer oils, has slower cell turnover, and, combined with sun damage, can result in drier, rougher skin. You want products that properly moisturize the skin, as well as help to produce new collagen and elastin. Look for moisturizers with collagen and peptides, as well as ones that contain emollients like fatty acids and shea butter, and occlusives which usually appear as plant oils.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active Ingredients | Amount | Type | Skin Type | Vegan | Cruelty-Free | |||||
1 | LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask|B09HN8JBFP | ![]() | Revolutionize Your Skincare Routine with the New Water Sleeping Mask | Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid | 2.3 fl oz | Cream | Normal、Dry | |||
2 | SeoulCeuticals Snail Repair Cream Moisturizer | ![]() | Best Anti-Aging Cream to Brighten Your Complexion | Snail Mucin | 2 fl oz | Cream | All | |||
3 | Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream | ![]() | Hydration, balance, and radiance in one | Niacinamide, Squalane | 3.38 fl oz | Cream | All | |||
4 | mixsoon Bean Cream | ![]() | Pure hydration, powered by nature | Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin | 1.69 fl oz | Cream | unknown | |||
5 | COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask | ![]() | A 3-in-1 Mask for Every Occasion | Rice Extract, Niacinamide | 2.02 fl oz | Mask | All | |||
6 | COSRX Propolis Light Cream | ![]() | Glow, nourish, and hydrate—naturally | Propolis Extract, Honey Extract | 2.19 fl oz | Cream | All | |||
7 | Pyunkang Yul [PKY] Calming Moisture Repair Balm | ![]() | Best to Sooth Irritated Skin | Cica, Tea Tree, and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract | 1.01 fl oz | Balm | Combination | unknown | ||
8 | COSRX COSRX|Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream | ![]() | Deep Hydration and Moisture Lock | Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Hyaluronic Acid | 3.52 fl oz | Cream | All | |||
9 | Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream | ![]() | Best for Mature Skin | Hyaluronic Acid | 7.05 fl oz | Cream | All | |||
10 | Azure Cosmetics 4K Gold & Collagen | ![]() | Gold-Infused Cream | Hyaluronic Acid | 1.69 fl oz | Cream、Moisturizer | All |
Active Ingredients | Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid |
---|---|
Skin Type | Normal、Dry |
Discover the enhanced Water Sleeping Mask, now enriched with groundbreaking ingredients to elevate your nighttime skincare. This hypoallergenic mask features a probiotic-derived complex, including lactobacillus ferment lysate from 23.8 billion green tea probiotics and trehalose. This potent combination adds a dewy glow and fosters an optimal skin environment while reducing dead skin cells for a smoother complexion.
Infused with hydrating squalane, a skin-friendly ingredient derived from sugar cane, this mask mimics the natural lipids of your skin. Experience unparalleled hydration and wake up to refreshed, glowing skin with this innovative overnight treatment.
Amount | 2.3 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Snail Mucin |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
SeoulCeuticals offers a lightweight cream that helps effectively smooth out, hydrate, and soften the skin. It can be used daily in the morning and night and works to immediately treat dry spots, too.
Make sure to check the ingredient list carefully to make sure the ingredients are safe for you, but it's said that this moisturizer really works to keep skin hydrated and soft to the touch but also treats hyperpigmentation effectively.
Amount | 2 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Niacinamide, Squalane |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
Experience all-day hydration with Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream, a luxuriously rich Korean moisturizer infused with 2% niacinamide and 2% squalane. Designed to balance oil and moisture, it deeply nourishes dry and acne-prone skin while delivering a radiant, dewy finish.
More than just a moisturizer, this all-in-one cream protects, repairs, and even cares for the delicate eye area. With its dense yet silky texture, it simplifies your skincare routine while enhancing your natural glow—making it the perfect daily essential or thoughtful gift for any skincare lover.
Amount | 3.38 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin |
---|---|
Skin Type | unknown |
mixsoon Bean Cream delivers deep, long-lasting moisture with a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture. Formulated with fermented soybean extract, this cream helps strengthen the skin barrier, balance oil and moisture, and promote a healthy glow.
Perfect for all skin types, its non-greasy, nourishing formula leaves skin feeling soft, supple, and refreshed. Whether used as a daily moisturizer or part of a layered skincare routine, this cream provides hydration and radiance with every application.
Amount | 1.69 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Rice Extract, Niacinamide |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
Enriched with rice extract and niacinamide, this mask nourishes your skin overnight and helps your skin feel much softer, suppler, and brighter in the morning! Furthermore, this product can be used as an overnight mask, a cream, or a wash-off mask.
Reviewers mentioned that the product felt a bit sticky and tacky. Therefore, it might not be suitable for those with oily skin.
On the other hand, many complimented that the product made their skin supple and bouncy in the morning. Some said that the cream was pretty rich and might feel heavy, so you shouldn't apply it too often.
Amount | 2.02 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Mask |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Propolis Extract, Honey Extract |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
Experience deep hydration and radiant skin with COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Cream, enriched with 64.5% Propolis Extract, Honey Extract, and Royal Jelly. This luxurious cream nourishes dry, rough skin, plumps fine lines, and restores a healthy glow without a sticky finish.
Formulated to be gentle and skin-friendly, it absorbs smoothly and effortlessly, leaving skin soft, supple, and refreshed. Hypoallergenic and free from parabens, sulfates, and animal testing, this cream is perfect for achieving a hydrated, luminous complexion—day or night.
Amount | 2.19 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Cica, Tea Tree, and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract |
---|---|
Skin Type | Combination |
Pyunkang Yul combines over 50 years of expertise from the Pyunkang Yul Eastern Medicine Clinic with a carefully curated formula designed to soothe and support sensitive skin. Crafted with nature's finest ingredients and backed by rigorous testing, this toner is specifically formulated to calm irritated skin and offer gentle care. It boasts a low pH balance that mimics healthy skin, ensuring a mild, irritation-free experience. The formula excludes 20 harmful ingredients and all components are rated for safety by EWG.
Ideal for sensitive and irritated skin, this toner incorporates Centella Asiatica (Cica), Tea Tree, and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extracts to soothe and balance skin while controlling excess sebum. Enhanced with two types of peptides, Panthenol, five forms of Hyaluronic Acid, and Squalene, it provides deep hydration and revitalization without clogging pores. Free from artificial scents and colors, Pyunkang Yul delivers a nurturing and effective solution for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin.
Amount | 1.01 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Balm |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free | unknown |
Active Ingredients | Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Hyaluronic Acid |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
Achieve deeply hydrated, plump skin with COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream. This cream penetrates deeply to lock in moisture, providing long-lasting nourishment without any oily residue. It’s perfect for rehydrating parched skin, leaving it smooth, supple, and refreshed.
Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, a natural moisture-retaining ingredient, this cream offers antioxidizing benefits and is suitable for all skin types. It’s designed to reduce fine lines and enhance radiance, promoting a youthful glow. With a commitment to clean beauty, COSRX products are hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Amount | 3.52 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
Unveil a youthful, dewy complexion with Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer. This innovative gel-cream formula delivers intense hydration with a quick-absorbing, non-greasy texture, ensuring every layer of skin receives a plump, juicy boost. Enriched with polyglutamic acid, it provides long-lasting moisture while visibly firming and reducing wrinkles by enhancing the skin's natural hyaluronic acid levels.
Packed with antioxidants from Kakadu, Illawarra, and Burdekin plums, this face cream nourishes and rejuvenates dry skin. Apply a dime-sized amount as the final step in your skincare routine and enjoy the added benefit of cooling hydration if kept in the fridge. Free from parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes, and vegan and cruelty-free, this moisturizer ensures a sensorial, guilt-free self-care experience.
Amount | 7.05 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
Active Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid |
---|---|
Skin Type | All |
Rejuvenate your skin with AZURE 24K Gold & Collagen Moisturizer, a hydrating, skin-tightening cream designed to lift, firm, and restore radiance. Infused with 24K Gold for a healthy glow, Collagen to smooth fine lines, and Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture, this formula delivers long-lasting hydration while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free, this lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and combination skin. Use daily for a youthful, refreshed complexion—because your skin deserves the best.
Amount | 1.69 fl oz |
---|---|
Type | Cream、Moisturizer |
Vegan | |
Cruelty-Free |
While the top three night creams are great all around, these seven other choices are great for when you're looking for a more specific formula or for creams that target specific worries.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Night creams are typically much heavier [than day creams], and contain more occlusive ingredients, that really seal in your skincare, so your skin can benefit while you sleep. Sometimes, a night cream isn't completely necessary, as you could use a hydrating serum underneath a facial oil and get the same desired effect.
When it comes to a night cream, select one that is best for your skin type and current climate. You'll know it's working for you when you wake up and your skin feels hydrated and balanced, not overly oily, and not dry or tight.
The perfect Korean skincare routine includes the application of different varieties of products. Just because you got the perfect night cream for your age and skin type does not mean that you already have the ideal skincare practice. To complete your beauty regime, check out the recommended skincare products listed below.
No. 1: LANEIGE|Water Sleeping Mask|B09HN8JBFP
No. 2: SeoulCeuticals |Snail Repair Cream Moisturizer
No. 3: Beauty of Joseon|Dynasty Cream
No. 4: mixsoon|Bean Cream
No. 5: COSRX |Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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