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Although I filter through a lot of different skincare products as a beauty writer to test and review, anyone who truly knows me knows I rarely stray from a carefully curated line-up of holy-grail Korean products.

But a few months ago, during one of my usual K-beauty hauls (purely for research, of course), I stumbled across a cream that has since replaced products I'd sworn by for years.

WATCH: Find out the $72 lip balm that Leigh loves. Post continues below.

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The $72 lip balm Leigh loves

My new favourite K-beauty cream is…

The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream, which typically retails between $29.05 on YesStyle to $43 at Sephora.

Here's the product in all its glory.

This tube contains absolute skincare magic. Image: Supplied.

Anua is one of the most globally recognised K-beauty brands right now, and as someone who has tried more products than I can count, I can confidently say their formulas rarely miss.

As someone with hyper-sensitive skin, I'm incredibly picky with what I put on my face. I want products that feel gentle and non-irritating, but still deliver visible results. They also have to be formulated without harsh chemicals, and a plus if they don't have a heavy fragrance. That balance is hard to find, but Anua consistently nails it.

So when I saw this moisturiser trending on Hwahae (Korea's leading beauty ranking app), I knew I had to try it — and I was left incredibly impressed.

The formula is powered by low-molecular PDRN (a skin-repairing ingredient derived from salmon DNA) alongside hyaluronic acid, working together to support hydration, barrier repair and overall skin recovery.

Yes, I know PDRN is one of those ingredients that has recently sparked a lot of debate (is it truly effective, or just clever marketing?). But when it comes to this cream, I don't even care, because whatever is happening inside this tube, my skin is very into it.

In fact, my family has actually commented that my skin looks like "baby skin" lately, which is something they've never told me before. 

Texture-wise, it sits somewhere between a thick essence and a lightweight cream, which is perfect because if you have oilier skin, you could easily use this as your final moisturiser. Or, if you're on the drier side, it layers beautifully underneath a richer cream without feeling heavy.

This is what the cream looks like as you begin to rub it in. Image: Supplied.

What really sold me, though, was how it performed when my skin was having a severe reaction to another product. 

Within a few days of using the Anua cream, the redness decreased, and the texture smoothed out.

I absolutely love how it's lightweight but deeply hydrating, absorbs quickly without any stickiness, and leaves my skin feeling plump and smooth throughout the day. It also layers seamlessly under makeup, which makes it a perfect everyday staple.

Another major plus: there's zero overpowering fragrance, which is a huge win in my book.

And I'm clearly not the only one impressed. Countless reviewers have said it works especially well alongside actives like tretinoin, helping to hydrate and calm skin that might otherwise feel dry or irritated.

At this point, it's earned a permanent spot in my routine, and judging by the fact I've already repurchased three tubes, I don't see that changing anytime soon.

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Feature image: Supplied.