Are you disappointed with how foundation accentuates the flaky spots on your face?

Unfortunately, makeup can make a complexion look more dehydrated. Worse, it can suck out the moisture, too.

On the other hand, BB cream rehydrates because it’s a hybrid of moisturizer and makeup.

The best Korean BB cream for dry skin doesn’t just hide imperfections, but it also corrects them. After all, “BB” stands for “blemish balm”. It’s a multi-purpose solution that enhances natural beauty.

Why is Korean BB cream good for dry skin?

Why is Korean BB cream suitable for dry skin?

A better question might be “When?” It’s because instead of layering moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation, you only need a single product.

Therefore, a BB cream or beauty balm could significantly shorten your prep time in the morning.

Moreover, Korean BB and CC creams offer additional benefits like anti-aging, acne control, skin tone, and texture improvements. (In case you’re wondering, CC creams are the “color correctors”).

Of course, if you have very dry skin, you may require more than a BB cream can offer. You might need to switch to a mild cleanser and a richer face cream. But you could still use BB cream after moisturizing.

Why choose a Korean BB cream over Western products?

Korean beauty products have overtaken French and Japanese cosmetics. The Korean industry is worth billions, and it’s still growing (1).

Not only do the products have cute packaging, but they are reasonably priced. Most importantly, they are effective.

Korean consumers are knowledgeable and picky. This fact alone forces the Korean beauty manufacturers to stay on the cutting edge.

What’s also interesting is that their cosmetics are considered “functional”. They go beyond the basics with therapeutic benefits to heal, protect, and improve the skin. Take the innovative use of snail slime to erase wrinkles and acne, for example.

Finally, Korean cosmetics typically avoid harsh chemicals, preferring gentle formulas with high-quality natural ingredients instead (2). As a result, they are pleasant to use and easy to blend. The only downside is that it’s hard to find dark shades.

If you’re searching for something that will give you a dewy, no-makeup look, you need to try Korean BB cream.

Best Korean BB Cream for Dry Skin in 2023

Mizon Snail Repair Blemish Balm

One of the best BB creams for dry skin uses snail mucin to rejuvenate the skin. Yes, this is the slime that snails leave behind them in little trails on the ground. But if you can get over the gag factor, let’s take a closer look.

Snails produce this goop as a moisturizer for their delicate skin. Therefore, it makes an excellent barrier for human skin, too. It improves the skin’s elasticity and raises moisture levels. When combined with peptides and vitamins, the snail mucin is excellent for reviving dry skin.

Happily, the texture is smooth, never sticky. It’s fragrance-free and does not contain parabens.

This BB balm also offers SPF 32 sunscreen to prevent sunburn and wrinkles.

Lastly, it offers light coverage that blurs blemishes. It’s buildable without looking cakey. It’s available in light to medium-dark shades with various undertones.

MISSHA M Magic Cushion SPF50+/PA+++

This is not your average dry powder compact – not even close. This is a BB cream with a moist magic cushion applicator.

Cushion compacts like this one are overtaking traditional tubes and jars of makeup. They are far more popular as they come with the perfect tool for blending. The compact format makes application and touch-ups a snap.

What’s more, this BB cream comes in four light to medium shades that won’t oxidize during the day. It’s fortified with hyaluronic acid, birch sap, raffinose, and Aqua ceramide to refresh dry skin.

It forms a protective layer that smooths and softens while SPF 50 defends against the elements.

IOPE AIR CUSHION COVER

IOPE’s 4^th-gen air cushion uses an advanced technology called Air Prism Water. It boosts the skin’s moisture retention while it firms and brightens the skin. It keeps the complexion hydrated throughout the day.

Plus, it offers light coverage with SPF 50 sunscreen. The subtle color won’t be enough to hide dark circles or significant discoloration, but it is enough to act as a beauty filter.

There are five shades available, from Cool Ivory to Warm Sand.

[SKIN79] Golden Snail Intensive BB Cream (SPF50+/PA+++)

This BB cream has more snail secretion filtrate than most. But that’s not all it draws from nature.

It also contains bird’s nest and red ginseng that’s been aged carefully for six years.

These intriguing ingredients promise to calm and protect delicate skin, leaving it hydrated, smooth, and radiant.

The shades available range from pink beige through dark beige.

BANILA CO IT Radiant CC Cream with SPF 30 PA++

The lines are blurred between BB and CC creams. Generally, CC creams offer color correction. For example, they may cancel out redness from rosacea or neutralize dark circles.

Here’s a CC cream that’s incredibly moisturizing with an Eco-Herb Water Complex. It contains white flower water, and your guess is as good as mine as to what that means. All I can say is that it’s won multiple awards.

It promises to moisturize, protect against the sun, and serve as a primer underneath foundation if desired. It’s also excellent as standalone makeup because it blurs imperfections with Micro-Baby Pixel Powder. Users say it makes their complexions glow with health.

Erborian BB Creme Nude Total Sheer 5-In-1 SPF20

Here’s a BB cream you want if you prefer makeup that looks like it’s barely there. It’s like your own skin, only better.

It has sheer coverage with a velvety finish. If you have combination skin, it’s perfect because it mattifies the T-zone without dehydrating the cheeks.

The magic comes from ginseng, ginger, and licorice.

MISSHA M BB Boomer

Turn back time with BB cream that leaves the skin dewy fresh. Although you can wear it by itself, it’s made to boost your foundation’s performance.

First, it has tiny pink pearl particles for light diffusion. These blur blemishes and make the skin luminous.

Next, it attracts and seals in moisture with squalane, moringa, and mannan. These plump out and fade fine lines and wrinkles.

With regular use, arbutin and adenosine brighten skin tone, too.

Like all Korean BB creams, the instructions recommend patting it into place until it’s fully absorbed.

TROIAREUKE H+ Cushion, SPF50+ PA++++

We’re not sure how to pronounce the brand name, but this cushion makeup is fantastic. It provides better coverage than the average BB cream and sets to an airbrushed finish. It doesn’t cake or get greasy. Plus, the coverage can last all day.

In fact, it fights acne breakouts with a hypoallergenic formula. It contains Centella asiatica, Portulaca, and chamomile to heal irritated skin.

The package comes with a cushion, two Mochi sponges, and a refill. They anticipate that the compact will last about two months.

The main con is the lack of available colors, although there are different undertones available.

purlisse BB Tinted Moisturizer Cream SPF 30

Did you know that this brand offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee? They also have a wide range of shades available.

The BB cream is made for all skin types, whether dry, combination, or oily. What’s more, it’s hypoallergenic and suitable for rosacea-prone skin.

The vegan formula is based on natural ingredients like chamomile, Artemisia, and sugar maple.

ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Cushion Glow

A couple of years ago, this makeup was tested on Korean women age 20 to 40. They discovered that 90% of the users were pleased with how comfortable they felt using it. It covered redness and significantly brightened the complexion for more than six hours.

The light coverage provided a moist finish for “glowy skin”. It didn’t cake even with multiple layers. That’s not surprising as it features panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides for well-hydrated skin.

The cushion is available in colors ranging from light vanilla to sand. Just be sure to choose the correct color based on your undertone.

Dr.Jart Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45

Have you heard about hydroquinone? It’s a skin whitening ingredient used to fade acne scars and age spots. Arbutin provides similar results, and it’s one of the main ingredients in this BB cream.

There are also biopeptides and adenosine that increase collagen levels for better elasticity and firmness.

What’s nice is that there are no sulfates or phthalates. Moreover, the sunscreen is mineral-based, using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

IPKN Moist and Firm BB Cream SPF 45

Are you looking for a full coverage BB cream? This one is as close to foundation as it gets. It comes in five shades, from fair to medium tan.

It has a moisture gel matrix with ceramide and collagen that revive dehydrated, aging skin. It also has vitamin E to heal damaged tissue.

Even better, it doesn’t require powder to keep the skin fresh-looking. The silicone-based formula locks in moisture but leaves the skin naturally smooth, not sticky or greasy.

Nature Republic SPF 30 PA++ 02 Snail Solution BB Cream

What could be better for reviving dehydrated skin than the African Resurrection Plant? It has excellent water management skills to survive in extreme desert conditions.

Then, there’s snail mucin that’s rich in nutrients for skin repair. It has proteoglycans, glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and peptides for a healthier complexion.

Not only will this BB cream disguise temporary blemishes, but it also speeds up the cellular regeneration cycle for permanent solutions.

Dr.G Gowoonsesang Hydra Intensive Blemish Balm

What if you could blend your makeup without it caking on flaky skin or acne? The smooth, fluidic texture of this makeup provides flawless, lightweight coverage.

Since it has Portulaca and green tea, it calms redness and improves skin tone. Happily, it also provides SPF 30 PA++ protection from the sun.

(When you see a rating like “SPF 30”, it’s only measuring protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. It’s the “PA++” that lets you know how effective the sunscreen is against UVA, which causes premature aging).

IASO Triple Protection BB Cream SPF30 PA++

This brand won first place in the 2016 Korean Consumer Satisfaction Index. That’s one of the reasons why it’s worth considering their BB cream.

It promises triple protection as it reduces wrinkles, brightens skin tone, and cures damaged skin. That latter bit comes from Centella asiatica and Madecassoside, proven to stimulate healing.

They work alongside green tea, rich in antioxidants that neutralize damage caused by pollution and sunlight.

And finally, there’s plenty of moisture from aloe, almond oil, and birch sap water.

Expect light coverage and a gorgeous natural finish.

CLIO Kill Cover Glow Cushion

The lightest shade here is called “Lingerie”, and the darkest is “Sand”. Each cushion has a weightless texture with a radiant finish that offers plenty of hydration.

How does it make your complexion glow? It has the 7-Jewelry Complex. It’s a blend of pearl, coral, amethyst, amber, nephrite, ruby, and tourmaline powders.

Since this is a popular cosmetic that’s often imitated, be sure to look for the anti-counterfeit label.

The Korean skincare routine for dry skin

Using the best BB cream for dry skin will help, but it also matters what steps you take before applying makeup.

Use a foaming cleanser in the morning to balance the complexion and remove excess oil.

At nighttime, use an oil cleanser to dissolve makeup and pollutants from the day.

At least once a week, but not more than three times, exfoliate. Use a puff to massage your face with a foaming cleanser in the morning.

Follow cleansing with toner. It prepares the skin for serum or essence. Allow it to absorb before the next step.

Now, it’s time for essence. Pat it into the skin, don’t rub it. Do the same with eye cream.

Extra-dry skin can benefit from moisturizer at this point. But don’t forget the sunscreen if you’ll be spending more than a short time outdoors. The sunscreen in BB cream may not be enough protection for intense exposure.

For extra hydration, apply a sheet mask once or twice per week.

Conclusion

Take a break from foundation and let your skin breathe with a Korean BB cream. You’ll soon discover that these Asian cosmetics take a long-term view of the skin’s health.

BB creams are formulated for more than blemish coverage. They moisturize and rejuvenate with natural nutrients, too.

If we helped you find your new favorite makeup today, come back and tell us about it in the comments below.

Sources:

1. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/11/health/korean-makeup-beauty-health-benefits/index.html by Marian Liu, published April 12, 2018, accessed February 5, 2021

2. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin accessed February 4, 2021