The AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream has been a staple in Korea for years, but has only recently gained international attention, especially on social media, where it is often touted as “Korea’s No. 1 moisturiser.”
Korea’s Long-time Bestseller
Many long-standing K-beauty favorites are often "discovered" by global influencers years after their initial success in Korea. The Atobarrier 365 Cream is one such classic. It has been a constant award-winner and bestseller in Korea since the mid-2010s. Its popularity surged during the pandemic, driven by increased demand for products that repair the skin barrier, often compromised by mask-wearing and stress.
While the cream consistently tops charts, calling it the single "No. 1" is challenging, as the top spot is often shared by several moisturisers catering to different skin needs. The Atobarrier 365 Cream is specifically recognized as being best suited for dry to very dry skin types.
The Secret Behind Its Success: DermaON Technology
AESTURA is an Amore Pacific brand marketed as a derma or "clinical" brand, often placed alongside European pharmacy brands in Korean stores. The company, which started as a clinical skincare brand in the 1980s, was acquired by Amore Pacific to utilize its patented "dermaON" technology.
The Atobarrier 365 line is dedicated to people with a damaged or compromised skin barrier, focusing on intense repair, nourishment, and protection. The dermaON technology is a special type of encapsulation technology used in the cream, which creates tiny, oil-rich capsules within the formula to enhance richness and protection.
Key Ingredients
The cream's formulation features a thick texture derived mainly from fatty alcohols, emollient oils, and waxes. Key functional ingredients include:
- Glycerin and Squalane: Help to deeply moisturize the skin.
- Allantoin: Provides soothing benefits.
- Sappan Wood Powder: A folk remedy rich in antioxidants, which is said to speed up wound healing and potentially help with blemishes.
- The formula is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and essential oil-free.
Performance Review: For Combo Skin
Although advertised as a rich cream ideal for dry skin, this moisturizer was tested on combination skin and performed surprisingly well.
- Texture & Absorption: It has a rich, thick texture that initially feels heavy. However, upon application, the creamy formula melts in quickly. When rubbed onto the skin, tiny beads appear—these are the DermON oil capsules—which rapidly dissolve without leaving any residue, providing extra richness and emollient, skin-protecting properties.
- Skin Barrier Support: The cream is highly effective as an "emergency product" to use when the skin's moisture barrier is compromised (e.g., from overuse of actives). It is also recommended as a fantastic moisturizer to pair with a retinol journey to combat dryness and shedding.
- Overall Verdict: It leaves the skin feeling velvety soft and supple. While its richness makes it ideal as a nighttime moisturizer, it works exceptionally well for dry, very sensitive, extremely dehydrated, and/or barrier-compromised skin, even if you have combination skin that requires extra care.
