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My skin is combination. Oily T-zone, big pores, the usual.
And still, every winter in Seoul, my face gets so dry it hurts. Tight and stinging, like it could crack if I smiled too hard.
I’m a licensed esthetician, and here’s what I’ve learned, on my own face: in winter, more products is not the answer. One good barrier cream, layered and patted in, beats a 10-step routine.
This is the exact two-cream routine I use, and why it works.
If you only read one part
Short answer: for very dry winter skin, I layer AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream and then ILLIYOON MD Red Itch Care Cream (gray label) on top.
Step 1. AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream as the last step of your skincare.
Step 2. Right away, ILLIYOON MD Red Itch Care Cream (gray label) on top. Pat it in, then add another thin layer. Keep going until your skin stops feeling dry.
That’s it. You wake up glowy, not tight.
- Only a little dry, or it’s spring/fall? AESTURA alone is enough.
- Want something more watery for mild weather? ZEROID Intensive Lotion.
- Want a rich cream with a fresh finish, for face or body? Dr.G Barrier.D Intense Cream.
Why one cream isn’t enough in a Korean winter (an esthetician’s take)
Winter air here is seriously dry. When your skin is that thirsty, piling on toner, essence, serum and ampoule doesn’t fix it. What helps is one cream that’s good for your barrier, applied in several thin layers, each one patted until it sinks in.
Patting matters. Don’t just smear a thick layer and go to bed. Tap it in with your fingertips, let it absorb, then add more. When your skin has really taken it in, you won’t wake up with that tight feeling.
So my rule is simple: keep layering until the dryness feels gone.
Step 1: AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream
In Korea, AESTURA Atobarrier is the barrier cream everyone knows. It’s moist but not sticky, and it suits almost every skin type I’ve seen.
See those tiny dots? It has capsules in it. They don’t sit on your face as bumps. They melt in really softly as you spread.
For most of the year, this is the last step of my skincare, and it’s enough on its own. But when the seasons change and all through winter, it’s not enough for me. That’s where step 2 comes in.
Who it’s for: almost anyone who wants one reliable everyday barrier cream.
Who should skip it (as your only cream): very dry skin in winter. Use it as a base layer instead.
AESTURA
Atobarrier 365 Cream
Step 1. Moist, not sticky, suits almost any skin.
Step 2: ILLIYOON MD Red Itch Care Cream (gray label)
This is the cream I’ve used the longest and the one I recommend most.
It’s sold as a body cream. But the formula is so gentle that I’ve always used it on my face. The bottle says it’s for very sensitive skin, with ceramide and panthenol, and it’s fragrance-free.
Right after AESTURA, I put this on top like a protective seal. Then I keep patting in thin layers until my face stops feeling dry. The next morning my skin is glowy and bouncy, not tight.
Who it’s for: very dry, tight, easily irritated skin in winter.
Who should skip it: if you just want something light for summer, it’s more than you need.
ILLIYOON
MD Red Itch Care Cream (gray label)
Step 2. My most recommended. The rich top layer for winter.
Shopping at Olive Young? Don’t grab the wrong ILLIYOON
You’ll see two ILLIYOON looks on the shelf, and they’re easy to mix up:
- Gray/silver label, “MD”: for very dry, very sensitive skin. This is the face one.
- Blue label: the lighter everyday line. I use blue on my body, because I don’t like my body feeling sticky.
For your face in winter, look for the gray label with “MD” on it.
Swaps for different seasons and skin
The two-step routine is my winter answer. When the weather or your skin is different, these are good swaps. From lightest to richest:
| Product | Feel | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| ZEROID Intensive Lotion | Watery, hydrating | You’re slightly dry, spring or fall |
| AESTURA Atobarrier 365 | Moist, not sticky | Everyday, almost any skin |
| Dr.G Barrier.D Intense Cream | Rich, fresh finish | You want extra care for face or body |
| ILLIYOON MD (gray) | Richest | Winter, as the top layer |
ZEROID Intensive Lotion: the spring and fall pick
ZEROID is famous in Korea, so I had to try it. The texture is close to AESTURA, but it leans more watery. Not my choice for a freezing January, but a lovely, water-packed option if you’re a little dry in spring or fall.
ZEROID
Intensive Lotion
Watery and hydrating. My pick for slightly dry skin in spring and fall.
Dr.G Dermoisture Barrier.D Intense Cream: rich but fresh
This is what I use when I want to take better care of my body. It sits between ILLIYOON’s gray and blue labels in richness. It’s actually made for the face, but the tube is big enough that I don’t feel bad using it all over, and the finish is fresh, not greasy.
Dr.G
Dermoisture Barrier.D Intense Cream
Rich but fresh. Big tube, good for face and body.
Frequently asked questions
Which Korean barrier cream is best for very dry, eczema-prone skin in winter?
My answer is two: AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream, then ILLIYOON MD Red Itch Care Cream (gray label) on top, patted in layers. If you actually have eczema, see a dermatologist first. A cream can’t replace treatment.
Is AESTURA Atobarrier 365 enough on its own?
For most of the year, yes, it’s my last skincare step. In winter and when the seasons change, I need a richer layer on top.
How many layers of cream should I use in winter?
There’s no fixed number. Pat in thin layers until your skin stops feeling dry. If you wake up tight, you needed one more.
Can I use ILLIYOON MD on my face if it’s sold as a body cream?
I’ve used it on my face for a long time. Patch test on your jawline for a few days first, like with any new product.
Does this work for combination skin?
It’s what I do, and my skin is combination. Outside winter and the change of seasons, I stop at step 1.
This post is based on my own experience and is not medical advice. If you have eczema or another skin condition, talk to a licensed dermatologist.