Finding the best Korean skincare routine for oily skin can be challenging, but with the right steps and products, you can achieve a balanced, radiant complexion. Korean skincare is globally known for its focus on hydration, gentle formulas, and natural ingredients that work wonders for oily skin types. In this post, we’ll cover the best routine, products, and tips straight from Korean beauty practices.
As someone with combination and sensitive skin, I’ve tried various routines myself. Through my experience, I’ve discovered what works best for balancing oil production while keeping my skin hydrated and irritation-free. My forehead and nose tend to get very oily, while my chin is quite dry, making it essential to find products that can balance these differences.
What Skin Types Do Korean People Have the Most?
In Korea, the most common skin types are combination skin and oily skin. Due to the country’s humid climate, many Koreans struggle with excess sebum production, especially during warmer months. This resonates with my own experience growing up in Korea, where I noticed that many people, including myself, dealt with oily T-zones and dry patches.
As a result, Korean skincare for oily skin has become a significant focus, with products specifically designed to manage shine, balance oil, and hydrate without clogging pores.
What Do Korean People Use for Oily Skin?
Korean skincare routines for oily skin prioritize hydration, lightweight textures, and oil-controlling ingredients. Koreans believe that properly hydrating the skin can help balance oil production. Here are some essential steps and products commonly used by Koreans for oily skin types, based on my own routine:
1. Double Cleansing
One of the first things I learned about skincare in Korea is the importance of double cleansing to remove excess oil, makeup, and impurities. I personally switched from an oil cleanser to a cleansing balm because it’s gentler on my sensitive skin. Plus, it’s travel-friendly and has a texture I love. When I use a cleansing balm, I like to emulsify it with warm water, and I enjoy seeing blackheads and whiteheads come out during this process. It leaves my skin feeling soft and fresh without irritation.
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Oil-Based Cleanser or Cleansing Balm: It might sound counterintuitive, but an oil cleanser helps dissolve excess sebum.
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Water-Based Cleanser: Follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt.
Our Top Pick: Melting Cleansing Balm
We recommend this cleansing balm because it melts instantly with your skin’s temperature to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil without harsh rubbing. It contains Tea Tree Oil to control acne, Centella Asiatica to soothe irritation, and Chamomile Extract to calm redness.
What makes it great is that it emulsifies with warm water, helping lift blackheads and whiteheads while leaving skin clean and refreshed. It also includes Vitamin E for antioxidant protection.
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Key Ingredient: Tea Tree Oil, Salicylic Acid (BHA), Centella Asiatica Extract (Cica)
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Skin Type: All skin type
2. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is essential for oily skin because it helps remove excess oil, dead skin cells, and unclogs pores to prevent breakouts. It also improves skin texture and boosts product absorption. I exfoliate once or twice a week to manage blackheads on my oily forehead and nose, but I avoid overdoing it to prevent irritation.
When it comes to exfoliation, scrubs and peeling gels are two popular options in Korean skincare. Both help remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture, but they work in different ways.
For oily skin, peeling gels are often the better choice because they provide gentle exfoliation without causing irritation. Scrubs can be effective for targeted areas like the nose but should be used sparingly to avoid damage. If you have sensitive, combination skin like me, a peeling gel is a safer option for maintaining a smooth, balanced complexion without over-exfoliating.
3. Toner
For oily skin, choose a hydrating toner with lightweight, water-based formulas that balance moisture without clogging pores. Look for ingredients like niacinamide to regulate oil, witch hazel to tighten pores, and green tea extract or centella asiatica to calm inflammation. Avoid heavy, alcohol-based toners that can dry out the skin and trigger more oil production.
Using a hydrating toner is one of my favorite steps. I often do a double layer method, applying toner once, letting it fully absorb, and then reapplying. This method helps with my inner dry skin and makes my makeup look better.
4. Essence
Essence is a staple in Korean skincare for oily skin. It adds a layer of hydration without being heavy. For oily skin, choose an essence that is lightweight and fast-absorbing to provide hydration without feeling greasy. Look for ingredients like snail mucin to repair and balance the skin, niacinamide to control oil, and green tea extract to soothe inflammation. Avoid essences with heavy oils or rich textures that may clog pores.
5. Serum
For oily skin, lightweight serums with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients are essential. I use a hydrating serum, especially when my skin feels dry.
Look for serums that contain:
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Niacinamide – Helps regulate oil production.
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Hyaluronic Acid – Provides hydration without clogging pores.
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Snail Mucin – A key ingredient in Korean skin care products known for its ability to hydrate, repair, and soothe the skin.
Our Top Pick: Complex Niacinamide Serum
This serum is perfect for oily skin because it helps control shine, reduce pore size, and prevent breakouts. It also contains Zinc PCA, which calms redness and controls oil without drying out your skin. Plus, Sodium Hyaluronate adds lightweight hydration to keep your skin balanced and healthy. It’s a great way to keep your skin clear and fresh!
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Key Ingredient: Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate
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Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone skin
Our Top Pick: Power Serum Duo | Glowing & Repairing
This serum duo is perfect for anyone looking to brighten their skin, reduce dark spots, and repair damaged skin. The Glowing Serum focuses on brightening and evening out skin tone with Niacinamide and Retinal, while the Repairing Serum helps with hydration and skin barrier repair using Snail Secretion Filtrate. Together, they provide a balanced approach to glow and repair for healthier, radiant skin.
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Key Ingredient: Niacinamide, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Retinal
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Skin Type: Oily, combination, dull skin
You can also use sheet masks for extra hydration when your skin feels dry or irritated. Even oily skin can experience dehydration, especially due to harsh cleansers or environmental factors. A lightweight sheet mask with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, or centella asiatica can help replenish moisture without clogging pores.
Our Top Pick: Snail Repairing Serum Mask
This mask is a perfect choice for anyone looking to repair and rejuvenate their skin while boosting hydration and protection. The combination of Snail Mucin, Ginseng, and Propolis helps calm irritated skin, promote healing, and give your complexion a healthy, radiant glow. It's especially effective for sensitive, acne-prone, or dehydrated skin that needs extra care.
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Key Ingredient: Snail Mucin, Ginseng, Propolis
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Skin Type: Acne-prone, combination, dehydrated skin
6. Moisturizer
Even oily skin needs moisturizer! The key is to use a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer that won’t clog pores. I prefer lightweight moisturizers that absorb quickly and don’t leave my skin feeling greasy. Look for Korean moisturizers that contain centella asiatica, tea tree oil, and snail mucin to calm and hydrate oily skin without making it greasy.
7. Sunscreen
No Korean skincare routine is complete without sunscreen. Sunscreen protects against UV damage, which can cause oily skin to age faster and produce more sebum. Look for lightweight, matte-finish sunscreens that don’t leave a greasy residue.
Best Ingredients for Oily Skin in Korean Skincare Products
When choosing Korean skincare products for oily skin, look for ingredients that balance oil production, reduce inflammation, and hydrate the skin without clogging pores. Here are some of the best ingredients to keep an eye out for:
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Niacinamide: Known for its ability to regulate oil production, minimize pores, and brighten the skin, niacinamide is a go-to ingredient in Korean skincare for oily skin.
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Tea Tree Oil: A natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps reduce acne and control excess sebum.
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Green Tea Extract: Packed with antioxidants, green tea extract helps calm the skin, reduce redness, and balance oil production.
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Centella Asiatica: Also known as cica, this soothing ingredient helps repair the skin barrier and reduce irritation, making it ideal for sensitive, oily skin.
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Hyaluronic Acid: Provides deep hydration without clogging pores, helping oily skin stay balanced and moisturized.
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Snail Mucin: A star ingredient in Korean skincare, snail mucin hydrates, repairs, and soothes the skin, making it perfect for oily and combination skin types.
Koreans also care about what they eat, so if you're curious about how diet impacts skin health, check out What is Korean Inner Beauty? The Impact of Dietary Practices on Skin Health.
References
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Paula’s Choice Skincare – https://www.paulaschoice.com
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COSRX Official – https://www.cosrx.com
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Healthline – https://www.healthline.com
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The Ordinary – https://www.theordinary.com
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Soko Glam – https://www.sokoglam.com
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Allure – https://www.allure.com
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Vogue Korea – https://www.vogue.co.kr
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K-Beauty Science Journal – https://www.kbeautyscience.com
