If you have dry skin, you already know the feeling. That tight, uncomfortable sensation after cleansing. The flakiness that clings to makeup. The dullness that moisturiser helps with for about two hours before your skin goes right back to looking parched.

The good news? Korean skincare has some of the most effective hydrating ingredients in the world, and once you know what to look for on a label, shopping for dry skin becomes a whole lot easier.

Here are the 3 ingredients you need on your radar. Spot these on an ingredient list and you know that product is working hard for dry skin.

1. Beta glucan — the underrated ingredient doing double duty

Beta glucan doesn't get nearly enough attention, and honestly? That needs to change.

Derived from oats or yeast, beta glucan is often described as a better hyaluronic acid, and there's a real reason for that. It hydrates AND calms, which makes it a standout for skin that's dry and reactive.

Why dry skin loves it:

• Deep hydration: works as a humectant to draw and hold moisture, just like glycerin
• Calming effect: reduces redness and irritation, ideal if your dry skin also runs sensitive or reactive
• Barrier support: helps your skin retain moisture better over time
• Often found alongside glycerin in well-formulated K-beauty products. Seeing both is always a good sign

What to look for on the label: 'Beta-Glucan' or 'Oat Beta Glucan'.

Best for: Dry skin that's also sensitive, reactive, or prone to redness.

✨ SUL picks for this ingredient

→ iUNIK Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum — lightweight, fast-absorbing, and packed with 98% beta glucan. One of our best sellers for good reason.

→ iUNIK Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream — a lightweight daily moisturiser built specifically for dry, sensitive skin. Use it after the serum for a full beta glucan routine.

→ Dear Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum — a cult-favourite hydrating serum that deeply calms and soothes dry, sensitive skin.

→ SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Gentle Cleansing Milk — beta glucan + centella + ceramides in a cleanser that hydrates while it cleans. Really hard to find a cleanser with all 3 of these ingredients.

2. Glycerin — the OG humectant your skin loves

Let's talk about the one that's been quietly doing the heavy lifting in skincare for decades: glycerin.

Glycerin is a humectant. Its job is to draw moisture from the environment (and from the deeper layers of your skin) up to the surface. Think of it like a little magnet for water molecules.

Why dry skin loves it:

• Pulls moisture into the surface layer of skin and helps hold it there
• Non-irritating and compatible with all skin types, great if your dry skin is also sensitive
• Shows up across toners, essences, serums, and moisturisers. It plays nicely with everything
• Look for it near the top of the ingredient list. If it's buried at the bottom, it's a minor addition, not a hero ingredient

What to look for on the label: 'Glycerin' or 'Glycerol'.

Best for: All dry skin types. A great starting point if you're new to hydration-focused K-beauty.

✨ SUL picks for this ingredient

→ Mixsoon Bean Essence — fermented soybean + glycerin for a hydrating essence that doubles as a gentle exfoliant.

→ EQQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Serum — glycerin + ceramides + bakuchiol for dry skin that also wants anti-ageing benefits.

3. Hyaluronic acid — but only the low molecular weight kind

You've definitely heard of hyaluronic acid. It's probably on half the products in your bathroom already. But here's the thing most people don't know: not all hyaluronic acid actually penetrates your skin, and for dry skin, that distinction really matters.

Why molecular weight matters:

• High molecular weight HA sits on the surface, slowing moisture loss. Good, but surface-level.
• Low molecular weight HA absorbs deeper, delivering hydration where dry skin needs it most
• For dry skin, low molecular weight is what you want. Or ideally a product that contains both, for hydration at multiple levels
• This is why two products can both say 'hyaluronic acid' and feel completely different on your skin

What to look for on the label: 'Sodium Hyaluronate' (often low molecular weight), 'Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid', or products that specifically call out low molecular weight HA.

A note on vague labelling: products that just say 'Hyaluronic Acid' without further detail may be using high molecular weight only. When in doubt, ask us.

Best for: All dry skin types. Most effective on slightly damp skin, then sealed with a moisturiser on top.

✨ SUL picks for this ingredient

→ Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Serum — the gold standard. A 5D complex of 5 molecular weights of HA, including hydrolysed HA and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, for multi-depth hydration.

→ Isntree Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum — 14 types of hyaluronic acid in a formula built on Ulleung Island deep seawater. Ultra-low molecular weight, exceptional penetration.

→ EQQUALBERRY Swimming Pool Daily Facial Toner — 8 types of HA with gentle enzyme exfoliation, a brilliant option if you want hydration and smoother texture in one step.

How to use these three together

The good news: beta glucan, glycerin, and low molecular hyaluronic acid all play nicely with each other. Many of the best K-beauty products for dry skin combine two or even all three.

A simple routine tip:

• Apply hydrating toners, essences, and serums while your skin is still slightly damp
• Humectants work best when there's a little water around to attract. Damp skin gives them more to work with
• Seal everything in with a moisturiser to lock the hydration in and stop it evaporating
• Products that stack these ingredients together are doing smart layering, not overkill

If you're ever unsure whether a product is right for your dry skin, flip it over, scan the ingredient list, and look for these three. Spot them near the top and you're in good hands.

Shop K-beauty for dry skin at SUL

Not sure where to start? We've done the hard work of curating the best Korean skincare for dry skin — from lightweight hydrating toners to rich barrier-repair creams, all stocked right here at SUL.

Browse our full range for dry skin— and if you're ever stuck, our team is always here to help you find the right products for your skin type.