Welcome back to our Best of K-Beauty in 2025 blog series, where we break down the most-loved products of the year based on real customer purchases and repurchase data at Skin Cupid.

In Part 5, we’re focusing on moisturisers – the step that seals in hydration, protects the skin barrier, and ultimately determines how healthy and balanced your skin feels throughout the day.

Here are the top three best-selling Korean moisturisers of 2025, plus one notable standout that deserves special recognition.

No.3 – PURITO Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

Taking third place is PURITO’s Oat-In Calming Gel Cream, a long-time favourite for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. The texture is instantly cooling and refreshing on application, making it ideal for those who dislike heavy or greasy creams.

Despite its lightweight gel-cream consistency, the formula is packed with deeply hydrating and soothing ingredients, including Oat extract, which helps calm irritation while supporting the skin barrier. It delivers lasting hydration without clogging pores, making it a reliable daily moisturiser for warm climates or oilier skin types.

Best for: Oily, combination, acne-prone skin
Why it stands out: Lightweight hydration without heaviness

No.2 – Dr. ALTHEA 345 Relief Cream

Second place goes to Dr. ALTHEA’s 345 Relief Cream, a cult favourite for skin recovery and repair. This moisturiser sits firmly in the barrier-healing category, making it especially popular for those recovering from breakouts, over-exfoliation, or compromised skin.

The texture is a cream-gel hybrid – richer and more cushioning than a gel, yet still lightweight enough to layer comfortably in both morning and evening routines. It delivers soothing relief while reinforcing the skin barrier, which explains its rapid rise to viral status and consistent repurchase rate.

Best for: Compromised barriers, post-acne recovery, sensitive skin
Texture: Lightweight but comforting

No.1 – S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Moisturising Cream

Taking the number one spot is S.NATURE’s Aqua Squalane Cream, our best-selling moisturiser of the entire year and one of Korea’s most iconic creams. Its success comes down to a perfectly balanced formula that delivers deep hydration, elasticity support, and barrier care in one product.

The cream contains a high concentration of Squalane, alongside multiple forms of Hyaluronic Acid and peptides, helping to replenish moisture while improving skin suppleness over time. What truly sets it apart is the buttery-soft texture that melts into the skin without feeling heavy, making it suitable for almost all skin types.

It layers beautifully under makeup during the day and provides lasting comfort overnight – a rare combination that explains its long-standing popularity.

Best for: All skin types, dehydration, elasticity
Why it dominated: Universal texture and long-term hydration

Notable Mention – Dr. DIFFERENT Retinal Creams

We couldn’t end this category without highlighting Dr. DIFFERENT’s Retinal creams, available in 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 concentrations. While technically treatment moisturisers, they’ve been standout performers since launching at Skin Cupid.

Dr. DIFFERENT is a Korean derma brand specialising in high-performance Retinal formulas, and these creams are among the few concentrated Retinal products that remain gentle and well-tolerated. Thanks to advanced delivery technology and barrier-supporting ingredients, they’ve been consistently selling out and earning loyal repeat users.

That wraps up Part 5 of our Best of K-Beauty in 2025 blog series. In our last and final post, we’ll be rounding up the sunscreens that defined your skincare routines this year!