I’ve accumulated more Korean skincare products than I can count, and it all started with this cream. I first tried the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream when my best friend gave it to me over two years ago.
It seems she knows me better than I know myself, because it’s the only thing that keeps my extremely dry skin feeling hydrated for over 24 hours at a time.
I use it daily, and I swear more people should know about this stuff.
The finish of the moisturizer almost feels like a wax seal, locking moisture in and keeping my face hydrated even when I’m outside in cold, dry wind. It’s not great under heavy makeup, but when I’m going barefaced, this moisturizer is all my skin needs.
Another product from the Aestura line I like to keep at my desk is this fine Cream Mist — it feels like hitting refresh on your face.
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider, Aestura
I first tested it out after I spent an hour in a 102-degree Pilates studio. It’s lightweight, cooling, and helps my face feel less flushed. The bottle conveniently fits in my gym bag, so I keep it there for those moments where my dry skin could use a quick spritz of hydration.
The Atobarrier moisturizer is a rich cream that helps my dry and flaky skin look and feel hydrated.
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
The newest version of the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream is a heavyweight formula that takes some massaging to evenly distribute. It contains ceramide capsules that feel like little beads, and they melt onto your skin as you rub the moisturizer in. I put it on after I cleanse my face with Tatcha’s Rice Wash, and it feels like my skin is absorbing a silky layer of cream. It’s almost unscented (there’s a bit of a plasticky smell, but it’s not a heavy fragrance), and the texture is a little dense. I recommend it more so for those with noticeably dry, flaky skin because its intense hydration effect is likely too rich for oily skin.
A key ingredient in the reformulated Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream is its high-density ceramides, which boost your skin’s ability to retain moisture and protect the skin barrier. “Skin barrier protection” is a buzzy term in the skincare sphere that I hadn’t paid much attention to when shopping for the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin, but it’s not just a marketing term. The skin barrier shields your skin from pollutants while maintaining healthy moisture levels, making it an important aspect to consider when treating dry skin.
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
If you’re like me and prone to hormonal acne flare-ups, I’ve found this cream is safe and comfortable to wear even when breaking out. For those with chronic acne, Aestura also has a Theracne moisturizer infused with hyaluronic acid and zinc. I like that the squeeze-bottle makes it portable and helps avoid cross-contamination. I take it with me whenever I travel, and it gives my face the coveted “glass skin” look.
What is “glass skin?”
Teen Vogue, Aestura
Glass skin is a well-established trend within K-beauty, though the term was more recently popularized after the viral Pat McGrath makeup artistry from Maison Margiela’s Spring 2024 Couture show. McGrath revealed in a live masterclass a wide range of makeup products used to create the porcelain glaze, but in Korean skincare, “glass skin” instead refers to a naturally dewy and smooth complexion. This is achieved via a routine that emphasizes hydration, beginning with cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and finally, moisturizing. The Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream tends to be among many recommended lists of skincare products for achieving the look.
The bottom line
This cream has been a crucial part of my skincare routine for two years. The recent reformulation has more texture and scent than the original, so I don’t recommend it if you wear foundation and need something buildable. Still, I’m really satisfied with how the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream works for me.
