Yeppo Glow Guide: the right moisturizer for your skin type

Face cream – a product found in almost everyone's bathroom. Face cream is one of the cornerstones of the skincare routine because the skin needs moisture to feel good 💦

In this text, we go through:

What does a face cream contain?

Does the skin need face cream?

How do you choose the perfect face cream?

Tips for the perfect face cream for your skin type and skin concerns.

What does a face cream contain?

To help you find the perfect face cream it is good to first know what it consists of. Face cream is a combination of water- and oil-based ingredients. They usually contain three main types of ingredients:

• occlusive ingredients
• humectant ingredients
• emollients

Occlusive ingredients prevent the skin's moisture from evaporating, humectant ingredients increase the skin's moisture, and emollients soften and smooth the skin. The balance between these three determines which skin type the face cream is suitable for. It is also good to know that some ingredients can belong to multiple categories, meaning they can be both humectants and emollients at the same time.

• Examples of occlusive ingredients are... various waxes, such as beeswax, and thicker oils, like petrolatum or squalene, as well as certain silicones, like dimethicone. 

• Examples of humectant ingredients are...hyaluronic acid, glycerin, collagen and trehalose. 

• Examples of well-known emollients are... various oils and waxes, fatty acids like isopropyl palmitate and glyceryl stearate as well as volatile silicones like cyclomethicone

Most face creams also contain other ingredients, such as soothing, strengthening, repairing, brightening, and enhancing agents. 

Does the skin need a face cream?

The skin needs moisture to stay healthy and strong! For many, face cream is the best and easiest solution for this. But regardless of which product form you choose, the most important thing is that the skin is hydrated. 

Most face creams are very good products as part of a skincare routine, but not all skin types need them and may instead benefit more from toner or serum. But especially in the Nordics, when it is cold and indoor air is dry, face cream is more important than ever.

There are face creams for every occasion and skin type, and we will explore this topic further next!

Face cream by skin type

Face creams exist for every skin type and need, and some face creams don’t look like creams at all! Here are different face creams and which skin types and needs they suit best:

Gel creams

Gel creams are a popular category and are lighter and fresher than traditional creams. Some gel creams are pure gels, meaning transparent and light, while others are a hybrid between gel and cream.

These are excellent options for all skin types – the lightest versions are perfect for oily and blemished skin, while the richer versions also suit dry and superficially dry skin.

Emulsions and lotions

Emulsions and lotions are lighter versions of face cream and have a more fluid consistency. They can still contain many skin-strengthening and nourishing ingredients, so there are variants for all skin types. Emulsions and lotions also work excellently as extra moisture for very dry skin!

Creamy

A cream, meaning thick and rich face creams, contains more occlusive and skin-softening ingredients such as fatty acids, oils, and waxes. These are excellent choices as winter creams to protect the skin or strengthen flaky dry skin. Such fats work especially well to prevent moisture loss and create a protective layer on the skin. 

How do you choose the perfect face cream?

Now that you know what a face cream consists of and the different creams available on the market, you also need to know your own skin type and skin concerns.

Examples of different skin types include: dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin. 

Examples of different skin concerns include: skin sensitivity, lack of moisture, fine lines, or hyperpigmentation.

If your skin is dry...

choose a face cream that contains enough occlusive ingredients as well as emollients. 

For dry and sensitive skin: [hwarang'] Bellflower Moisturizing Barrier Cream

Doftfri Bellflower Cream, which contains skin-strengthening and soothing ingredients, is one of Yeppon's most popular face creams for good reason! Ceramides and panthenol strengthen dry skin, while squalane and shea butter nourish and soften the skin. 

For dry and aging skin: [Centellian24] Madeca Cream Time Reverse

Rightfully a viral success both in Korea and the West, Madeca Cream treats aging skin with retinol, peptides, and centella asiatica while hydrating with a combination of oils and fatty acids.

For dry skin: [[ETUDE] SoonJung Hydro Barrier Cream

If your skin is both flaky dry and needs humectants, one of Korea's most popular moisturizers is worth trying. Etude's cream suits all skin types, especially dry and irritated skin. It also contains humectants like glycerin, panthenol, and trehalose.

For dry and radiant skin: [Cosnori] Panthenol Barrier Cream

Lots of hydration and brightening ingredients in the same package? Yes, please! Cosnori's cream contains antioxidant cacao flower extract, niacinamide, and vitamin C that brighten and protect the skin from free radicals. 

If your skin is oily...

it may still need humectants! Therefore, choose a face cream, lotion, or gel that contains plenty of humectants. Oily skin may also need products that even out sebum production, which is also found in face cream. 

For oily and sensitive skin: [[Purito Seoul] Oat-in Calming Gel Cream

Purito's gel-like face cream contains soothing oat water and panthenol as well as many different humectants. Skin-identical squalene softens the skin and helps strengthen the skin barrier. 

For oily and aging skin: [K-SECRET] SEOUL 1988 Cream : Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice

The upside of oily skin is that signs of aging may appear later, but wrinkles and sagging skin will eventually show up sooner or later. 

For oily and dry skin: [VT Cosmetics] Cica Cream

Cica Cream is a choice for dry, irritated, and stressed skin. The gel cream contains plenty of ingredients that soothe, hydrate, and strengthen the skin, such as ceramide that strengthens the skin barrier and beta-glucan that hydrates the skin. 

For oily and radiant skin: [medicube] Zero Pore Cream 2.0

Medicube's face cream combines the benefits of chemical peeling and hydration. The cream contains glycolic acid, panthenol, and camellia flower extract, which both brighten and help even out skin irregularities and impurities. Remember to use sunscreen during the day with this! 

If you have combination skin...

it can be challenging to find the perfect cream, but not impossible ☝🏼 Tip! For combination skin, it can work to combine two different creams or apply the cream only to the driest areas. 

For sensitive combination skin: [Axis-Y] Cera-Heart My Type Duo Cream

The two-part face cream provides relief for combination skin! Mix the creams together or apply the gel-like cream to the oily areas of the face and the richer cream to the drier areas. This face cream is like tailored for your skin’s needs!

For aging combination skin: [Dr.Reju-All] Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream

One of the most appreciated PDRN products from Korean pharmacies is Dr-Reju-All PDRN cream, whose gel-like texture is quickly absorbed by the skin but still provides rich hydration despite its light formula. PDRN supports the skin’s natural wellbeing.

For dehydrated combination skin: [Purito Seoul] Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream

Yeppo&Soonsoon’s most popular face cream has long been Purito’s Mighty Bamboo cream, which suits all skin types but is especially suitable for combination skin thanks to its properties. It soothes and deeply hydrates the skin and strengthens the skin barrier.

For combination skin that needs radiance: [medicube] Deep Vita C Capsule Cream

Medicube’s capsule creams are the perfect choice for combination skin! The product contains a gel base and creamy capsules, and the texture can be adjusted according to skin type by regulating the amount of capsules and gel. Contains, among other things, brightening vitamin C, ferulic acid, alpha-arbutin, and sea buckthorn water. 

Want even more detailed skincare tips?

Ask Yeppon cosmetologist for advice or visit Yeppo&Soonsoon store and get tailored tips and product recommendations just for your skin! 

 

 

Wong M. How to Choose a Moisturizer: The Science. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. December 5, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2026. https://labmuffin.com/fact-check-feature-how-to-choose-a-moisturiser/