Editorial research review
Anua’s 100 mL Korean pack of the 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream. The exact ingredient declaration for the corresponding UK pack is unconfirmed.
Moisturisers
Typically used at routine step 7.
Moisturiser is the least glamorous and most load-bearing step in a routine. Its purpose is to reduce water loss from the skin surface and supply the lipids the barrier uses to hold itself together — which is why it is the step to keep when you strip a reactive routine back to basics. Texture is the main decision: gels and lotions for oily or humid conditions, richer creams for dry, mature or cold-weather skin. Ingredient family matters more than weight alone; ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, glycerin and panthenol do measurable work, while a heavy occlusive with nothing underneath it simply traps whatever state the skin is already in.
Products
Editorial research review
Dr.Althea
345 Relief Cream
A lightweight gel cream combining niacinamide, panthenol, centella-derived ingredients, ceramide NP and sodium DNA. It offers comfortable daily moisture but is not a medical treatment for acne, eczema or post-acne scarring.
Editorial research review
A bouncy snail-mucin gel cream that offers a dewy layer of hydration without the weight of a traditional rich cream. It may be sufficient for combination skin but dry skin may still need a more occlusive final layer.
Editorial research review
AESTURA
ATOBARRIER365 Cream
A dense ceramide-rich moisturiser designed for dry and sensitive-feeling skin. It provides a substantial barrier-supporting layer, but its richer emollient profile may feel excessive on very oily skin.
Editorial research review
Anua’s Azelaic Acid CICA Skin Soothing Moisturizer. The exact pack size and full ingredient declaration remain unconfirmed.
Size not verified
Editorial research review
The Daily Moisturizer in Anua’s Barrier Reboot line. Its exact pack and formula are separate from the range’s Intensive and Water Gel creams.
Size not verified
Editorial research review
Anua’s richer Barrier Reboot facial moisturiser. The 100 mL cream lists hydrogenated polydecene, glycerin and squalane, alongside panthenol, cholesterol and ceramide NP.
100ml
Editorial research review
The 100 mL gel cream in Anua’s Barrier Reboot range. The ingredient list starts with water, dimethicone and glycerin and also includes sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, ceramide NP and cholesterol.
100ml
Editorial research review
haruharu wonder
Black Bamboo Daily Smoothing Body Oil
A 200 mL milky body oil with water and glycerin first, alongside sunflower seed oil, urea and squalane. Haruharu wonder lists mandelic acid and fragrance, both relevant when comparing it with a plain body oil.
200ml
Editorial research review
haruharu wonder
Black Bamboo Nourishing Calming Hand and Nail Cream
A 50 mL hand and nail cream with murumuru seed butter, glycerin, coconut oil and panthenol. The manufacturer lists fragrance, so this differs from a fragrance-free hand cream.
Editorial research review
ILLIYOON
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
A fragrance-free rich cream for dry areas. Its listed pseudo-ceramide level (7,622 ppm, about 0.76%) is far higher than the matching lotion's, alongside cholesterol and fatty acids. It suits very dry patches, though we found no published trial of this exact cream.
Editorial research review
ILLIYOON
Ceramide Ato Lotion
A fragrance-free daily lotion that relies mainly on glycerin and emollients, with cholesterol, fatty acids and small listed amounts of ceramides in support. It is a practical everyday option for whole-body use. We found no published evidence that it outperforms ordinary fragrance-free UK emollients.
Editorial research review
A lightweight, fragranced body lotion built around hydration: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, Vaseline jelly (petrolatum) and niacinamide, plus the glutathione-based antioxidant blend Vaseline calls GlutaGlow. It is a sensible pick if you want a fast-absorbing body moisturiser with a glow-focused finish. The headline brightening and "10x vitamin C" claims are the manufacturer's own, and independent evidence for glutathione applied to skin is limited.
Editorial research review
Purito Seoul
Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
A 100 mL moisturiser with 10% panthenol according to Purito. Squalane, butylene glycol and niacinamide also appear early in the maker’s list.
Editorial research review
Purito Seoul
Oat In Calming Gel Cream
A 100 mL gel cream with oat seed water, glycerin and squalane. Purito’s declaration also includes panthenol and beta-glucan.
Editorial research review
SKIN1004
PDRN 1.5 Cream
A 30 mL moisturiser with squalane, panthenol and ceramide NP alongside Sodium DNA. Compare it as a whole cream for the moisturiser step. The formula list alone does not show how much PDRN contributes to its performance.
30ml
Editorial research review
A lightweight salmon-derived PDRN moisturiser with squalane, collagen, niacinamide and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid. It is designed to sit smoothly under makeup while leaving a natural glow.
Editorial research review
VT COSMETICS
PDRN Stick Balm
A solid moisturising balm for applying to selected areas. Oils, shea butter and waxes form the base. VT attributes its PDRN to ginseng, and the formula lists Sodium DNA alongside collagen extract. The maker does not identify the source of the collagen extract.
Editorial research review
Beauty of Joseon
Red Bean Water Gel
A 100 mL gel moisturiser with glycerin, betaine and red bean seed extract. It offers a gel option alongside the brand's cream moisturisers.
Editorial research review
Beauty of Joseon
Revive Firming Moisturizer
A 60 mL moisturiser that includes retinol, squalane and ceramide NP. Check the formula if you already use a retinoid or prefer to avoid one.
Editorial research review
A customisable dual-texture moisturiser combining a clear gel with PDRN capsules. It creates a pronounced dewy finish and can be mixed lighter or richer according to skin comfort.
Editorial research review
An 80 mL moisturiser with cholesterol, five named ceramides, panthenol and humectants. Compare it at the moisturiser step if you want those ingredients in one cream.
How the moisturisers we hold compare
Texture, size and “best for” come from our product research. Notable ingredients are matched by exact name in each verified ingredient list: presence only, which says nothing about concentration or effect. “No Parfum listed” means the list declares no added fragrance; plant extracts and waters can still carry a scent.
| Product | Texture | Size | Notable listed ingredients | Fragrance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anua 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream | Not recorded | 100ml | Ingredient list not yet verified | Ingredient list not yet verified | Not recorded |
| Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream | Light gel cream or ointment-gel texture. | 50ml | Ceramides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol, PDRN (sodium DNA), Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Light moisturisation and post-blemish care |
| COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream | Elastic, bouncy gel cream. | 100g | Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol, Snail secretion filtrate | No Parfum listed | Gel-cream hydration and a dewy finish |
| AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Cream | Dense, rich cream with visible ceramide capsules. | 80ml | Ceramides, Niacinamide, Squalane | No Parfum listed | Dry, sensitive-feeling or barrier-compromised skin |
| Anua Azelaic Acid CICA Skin Soothing Moisturizer | Not recorded | Not recorded | Ingredient list not yet verified | Ingredient list not yet verified | Not recorded |
| Anua Barrier Reboot Daily Moisturizer | Not recorded | Not recorded | Ingredient list not yet verified | Ingredient list not yet verified | Not recorded |
| Anua Barrier Reboot Intensive Cream | Not recorded | 100ml | Ceramides, Squalane, Panthenol, Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| Anua Barrier Reboot Water Gel Cream | Not recorded | 100ml | Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, Panthenol | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| haruharu wonder Black Bamboo Daily Smoothing Body Oil | Milky leave-on body oil. | 200ml | Squalane | Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| haruharu wonder Black Bamboo Nourishing Calming Hand and Nail Cream | Leave-on hand and nail cream. | 50ml | Panthenol | Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream | Rich cream with visible capsules. | 200ml | Ceramides, Squalane, Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Very dry patches such as shins, elbows and hands, and dry or sensitive-feeling skin in winter. |
| ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Lotion | Light lotion. | 350ml | Ceramides, Squalane, Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Normal to dry skin on the body, and people who want a light fragrance-free lotion for daily use. |
| Vaseline Gluta-Hya Overnight Radiance Serum Burst Lotion | Fast-absorbing serum lotion that the manufacturer says bursts into water droplets on application. | 200ml | Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Petrolatum | Parfum listed | Normal to dry skin on the body that looks dull or feels tired, and anyone who dislikes heavy, greasy body creams. |
| Purito Seoul Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream | Not recorded | 100ml | Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| Purito Seoul Oat In Calming Gel Cream | Not recorded | 100ml | Squalane, Panthenol | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| SKIN1004 PDRN 1.5 Cream | Not recorded | 30ml | Ceramides, Squalane, Panthenol, PDRN (sodium DNA), Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream | Light, smooth gel cream. | 60ml | Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, PDRN (sodium DNA), Centella / madecassoside | No Parfum listed | Daily lightweight moisturising and makeup layering |
| VT COSMETICS PDRN Stick Balm | Solid leave-on balm in a stick format. | 9.5g | Ceramides, Squalane, PDRN (sodium DNA) | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel | Gel moisturiser, as described by Beauty of Joseon. | 100ml | Panthenol | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer | Not recorded | 60ml | Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
| medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream | Transparent gel with soft coloured capsules that melt when mixed. | 55g | Ceramides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, PDRN (sodium DNA) | No Parfum listed | Glow-focused moisturising and uneven-looking tone |
| COSRX The Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizer | Not recorded | 80ml | Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, Panthenol | No Parfum listed | Not recorded |
How we research moisturisers
We currently track 22 published products here. Every entry is compiled from manufacturer ingredient disclosures, published cosmetic science literature and UK retailer listings. We do not run clinical trials, and we do not publish a product until its formulation details have been checked against a source we can cite.
- Formulation: INCI lists, key actives, fragrance and alcohol status where the brand discloses them.
- Evidence: what the published research suggests for the key ingredients, and what it does not establish.
- UK availability: retailer listings and prices, with the date each was last checked. Where a price is not recent enough to quote, we say “check latest price” instead of guessing.
Results from cosmetic products are formulation-dependent and vary between people. Read our review methodology, browse the ingredient explainers or compare options in the comparison tool.
Choosing moisturisers
- If skin is stinging or flaking, cut back to cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen until it settles.
- Apply within a minute of your hydrating steps while the surface is still damp.
- Congestion after switching usually means the texture is too heavy, not that moisturiser is the problem.
For a full step-by-step order for your skin type, see the routine guides. To narrow by skin type and concern, use the product finder, or browse every step on the product types index. Scoring is explained in our review methodology.