"What to buy in Korea for dry, sensitive skin?" 97 answers from Japan
In February 2026, a Japanese traveller in Korea posted on the @cosme Q&A board: "Dry, sensitive skin that breaks out easily, and makeup that slides off once things get dry. Please recommend Korean skincare, from moisturizing pads and masks to cleanser, toner, lotion and cream." It drew 97 answers.
What the replies said
- The most-named brand was Anua (toners and serums)
- Next came Torriden's Dive-In line
- AESTURA Atobarrier 365 was suggested again and again as made for sensitive, dry skin
- For masks: VT and Mediheal (tea tree, plus a PDRN mask one person had never seen in Japan)
- SKIN1004 Centella, Skinfood carrot pads, d'Alba mist and cream, and MISSHA also came up
- Most people picked item by item rather than buying one brand's full line
Brands were spread out, but nearly everyone steered toward soothing, moisture-first products.
Desk note New products bought in bulk on a trip are safer introduced one at a time once you are home. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests patch testing each new product on a spot that won't get washed off, such as the inner arm, twice a day for 7–10 days. The more sensitive or breakout-prone your skin, the more that order helps.
Which sensitive-skin product from a Korea trip did you end up repurchasing at home?
Original thread: @cosme Q&A — Skincare for dry, sensitive skin · Reference: American Academy of Dermatology
One logistics note for travellers heading back to Japan: according to Japan Customs, cosmetics for personal use, whether in your luggage or by post, are treated as ordinary personal imports up to 24 units per item (excluding jumbo sizes). If you are buying several boxes of sheet masks, count per item before you pack. Personally imported goods cannot be resold or given away. Source: Japan Customs — personal imports of medicines and cosmetics