Understanding skincare terminology is essential when discussing beauty or shopping for products in Korea, a country renowned for its focus on skincare. This guide covers the core Korean word for “moisturizing” and related expressions you’ll need to talk about keeping your skin hydrated, shop for products, and understand common skincare concepts.
Table Of Content
Core Word: Moisturizing
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Expression: 보습
Pronunciation: bo-seup
Meaning: Moisturizing / Hydration (noun)
Basic Skincare Vocabulary
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Expression: 피부
Pronunciation: pi-bu
Meaning: Skin -
Expression: 건성 피부
Pronunciation: geon-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Dry skin -
Expression: 지성 피부
Pronunciation: ji-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Oily skin -
Expression: 복합성 피부
Pronunciation: bok-hap-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Combination skin -
Expression: 민감성 피부
Pronunciation: min-gam-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Sensitive skin -
Expression: 로션
Pronunciation: ro-syeon
Meaning: Lotion -
Expression: 크림
Pronunciation: keu-rim
Meaning: Cream -
Expression: 수분 크림
Pronunciation: su-bun keu-rim
Meaning: Moisturizing cream (lit. moisture cream) -
Expression: 보습제
Pronunciation: bo-seup-je
Meaning: Moisturizer -
Expression: 에센스
Pronunciation: e-sen-seu
Meaning: Essence -
Expression: 세럼
Pronunciation: se-reom
Meaning: Serum -
Expression: 스킨케어
Pronunciation: seu-kin-ke-eo
Meaning: Skincare
Phrases for Talking About Moisturizing
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Expression: 피부가 건조해요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-ga geon-jo-hae-yo.
Meaning: My skin is dry. -
Expression: 보습이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: bo-seup-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need moisturizing. / My skin needs hydration. -
Expression: 보습 크림을 발라야 해요.
Pronunciation: bo-seup keu-rim-eul bal-la-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to apply moisturizing cream. -
Expression: 이 로션은 보습력이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: i ro-syeon-eun bo-seum-nyeok-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: This lotion has good moisturizing power. -
Expression: 겨울에는 보습이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: gyeo-ul-e-neun bo-seup-i jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Moisturizing is important in winter. -
Expression: 피부를 촉촉하게 유지하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-reul chok-chok-ha-ge yu-ji-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to keep my skin moist/hydrated. -
Expression: 어떤 보습 제품을 사용하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bo-seup je-pum-eul sa-yong-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of moisturizing product do you use? -
Expression: 보습 효과가 뛰어난 제품을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: bo-seup hyo-gwa-ga ttwi-eo-nan je-pum-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a product with excellent moisturizing effects. -
Expression: 세안 후에는 꼭 보습을 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: se-an hu-e-neun kkok bo-seup-eul hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make sure to moisturize after washing your face. -
Expression: 이 마스크팩은 보습에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: i ma-seu-keu-paeg-eun bo-seup-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: This sheet mask is good for moisturizing. -
Expression: 충분한 보습은 피부 건강에 필수적입니다.
Pronunciation: chung-bun-han bo-seup-eun pi-bu geon-gang-e pil-su-jeok-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Sufficient moisturizing is essential for skin health. -
Expression: 수분 공급과 보습은 달라요.
Pronunciation: su-bun gong-geup-gwa bo-seup-eun dal-la-yo.
Meaning: Hydration (supplying water) and moisturizing (locking in moisture) are different.
Shopping for Moisturizers
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Expression: 보습제는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: bo-seup-je-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the moisturizers? -
Expression: 건성 피부용 보습 크림을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: geon-seong pi-bu-yong bo-seup keu-rim-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a moisturizing cream for dry skin. -
Expression: 지성 피부에 맞는 보습 로션 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ji-seong pi-bu-e mat-neun bo-seup ro-syeon chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a moisturizing lotion suitable for oily skin. -
Expression: 이 제품은 보습력이 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: i je-pum-eun bo-seum-nyeok-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How is the moisturizing power of this product? -
Expression: 끈적이지 않는 보습제를 원해요.
Pronunciation: kkeun-jeok-i-ji an-neun bo-seup-je-reul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a non-sticky moisturizer. -
Expression: 민감성 피부도 사용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: min-gam-seong pi-bu-do sa-yong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can sensitive skin use this too? -
Expression: 테스터 사용해 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: te-seu-teo sa-yong-hae bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I try the tester? -
Expression: 가장 인기 있는 보습 크림은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun bo-seup keu-rim-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular moisturizing cream? -
Expression: 이거 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one of these. -
Expression: 밤에 바르는 보습 크림 있나요?
Pronunciation: bam-e ba-reu-neun bo-seup keu-rim it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a moisturizing cream for nighttime use? -
Expression: 가벼운 타입의 보습제를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ga-byeo-un ta-ib-ui bo-seup-je-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a lightweight type of moisturizer. -
Expression: 이 성분은 보습에 도움이 되나요?
Pronunciation: i seong-bun-eun bo-seup-e do-um-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this ingredient help with moisturizing?
Korean Culture Notes
Skincare (스킨케어 – seu-kin-ke-eo) is a significant part of daily life for many Koreans, regardless of gender. Achieving ‘chok chok’ (촉촉 – chok-chok) skin, meaning moist and dewy, is often a primary goal.
Moisturizing (보습 – bo-seup) is considered a fundamental step in any Korean skincare routine, often involving multiple products like essences, serums, lotions, and creams layered to maximize hydration.
Understanding your skin type (dry 건성 – geon-seong, oily 지성 – ji-seong, combination 복합성 – bok-hap-seong, sensitive 민감성 – min-gam-seong) is crucial when selecting products, and store staff are usually knowledgeable and helpful in recommending items based on skin concerns.
Seasonal changes heavily influence skincare choices. In dry winters (겨울 – gyeo-ul), richer, more intensive moisturizers are popular, while lighter, gel-based formulas are preferred during humid summers (여름 – yeo-reum).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is asking a store employee (B) for help finding a suitable moisturizer.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 보습 크림 좀 추천해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, bo-seup keu-rim jom chu-cheon-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, could you recommend a moisturizing cream? -
Expression: B: 네, 고객님. 어떤 피부 타입이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, go-gaeng-nim. eo-tteon pi-bu ta-ib-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, customer. What is your skin type? -
Expression: A: 저는 건성 피부예요. 겨울이라서 특히 더 건조해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun geon-seong pi-bu-ye-yo. gyeo-ul-i-ra-seo teuk-hi deo geon-jo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I have dry skin. It’s especially dry because it’s winter. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 그럼 보습력이 아주 좋은 이 크림은 어떠세요? 건성 피부용으로 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. geu-reom bo-seum-nyeok-i a-ju jo-eun i keu-rim-eun eo-tteo-se-yo? geon-seong pi-bu-yong-eu-ro in-gi-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. Then how about this cream with very good moisturizing power? It’s very popular for dry skin. -
Expression: A: 이거 끈적이지는 않나요?
Pronunciation: i-geo kkeun-jeok-i-ji-neun an-na-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t this one sticky? -
Expression: B: 네, 흡수가 빨라서 끈적임 없이 촉촉하게 마무리돼요. 테스터 한번 사용해 보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, heup-su-ga ppal-la-seo kkeun-jeok-im eop-si chok-chok-ha-ge ma-mu-ri-dwae-yo. te-seu-teo han-beon sa-yong-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: No, it absorbs quickly and finishes moist without stickiness. Please try the tester once. -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 이걸로 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. i-geol-lo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, great. Please give me one of this.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect! Try describing your own skin type using the vocabulary learned today~ For example, say “저는 [skin type] 피부예요” (jeo-neun [skin type] pi-bu-ye-yo). You can fill in the blank with 건성, 지성, 복합성, or 민감성!
Next time you use a skincare product, try saying “보습이 잘 돼요” (bo-seup-i jal dwae-yo – It moisturizes well) or “피부가 촉촉해졌어요” (pi-bu-ga chok-chok-hae-jyeo-sseo-yo – My skin became moist/hydrated). Even simple sentences help reinforce the words!
If you visit a Korean cosmetics store, try using the shopping phrases! Asking “보습제 추천해 주세요” (bo-seup-je chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo – Please recommend a moisturizer) is great real-world practice. Don’t be shy! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
