8 Best Korean Skincare Products For Oily Skin of 2024 Tried And Tested

Author: Veruska Anconitano, Korean Beauty Lover And Korean Beauty JournalistAuthor information
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Veruska Anconitano
Veruska Anconitano is a Korean beauty expert, combining her expertise as a seasoned journalist with a deeply personal passion for K-beauty.
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Navigating the world with oily skin can feel like an endless battle against shine, enlarged pores, and the relentless threat of breakouts. From the frustration of makeup that doesn’t last to the unpredictability of mid-day greasiness, oily skin presents challenges many products fail to address.

Korean skincare products can help when dealing with oily skin, offering transformative solutions for those grappling with oily skin. In this guide, I’ll highlight the best Korean skincare products for oily skin. Starting from my experience dealing with the infamous T-zone, I’ve tested countless skincare products from Korea to find the ones that work for my skin.

For this reason, all the products mentioned here have been chosen because they are helpful. The goal is to ensure that your journey towards balanced, radiant skin is based on real experiences.

Oily skin type: a definition

Every person’s skin has its unique composition, with natural oils playing a pivotal role in maintaining hydration and ensuring suppleness. These oils are produced by sebaceous glands, which are integral to our skin’s health. However, when these glands kick into high gear, they can produce oil in excess, leading to the characteristic sheen and feel of oily skin. An oily skin type isn’t merely about having some oil on the face; it’s about the overactive sebaceous glands, causing the skin to produce and retain more oil than what’s deemed normal.

This overproduction can be attributed to many factors, from genetics to hormonal fluctuations and external environmental conditions. Understanding this balance, or imbalance, is the first step towards effectively managing and caring for oily skin.

8 Best Korean Skin Care Products For Oily Skin

Managing oily skin can often feel daunting, but the world of Korean beauty offers many promising solutions that can genuinely transform your skin. The secret? Delving deep into the world of ingredients.

Korean skincare, revered for its innovation and efficacy, often harnesses the natural power of ingredients like green tea, volcanic clay, egg whites, and rice. These are not just traditional beauty secrets but potent components known to regulate oil production effectively. By naturally controlling excess sebum, they help maintain a fresh, matte finish without compromising the skin’s inherent vitality. As you embark on your K-beauty journey, it’s essential to prioritize products that prominently feature these ingredients, ensuring they take center stage in your regimen.

Furthermore, to minimize the risk of breakouts and ensure the maintenance of clear skin, always opt for products labeled ‘non-comedogenic’. This designation means they’ve been formulated to avoid clogging pores, a crucial factor for those battling oily skin. By focusing on these elements, you position yourself to combat oiliness and celebrate radiant, balanced skin.

That said, let’s delve into the best Korean skincare products for oily skin.

COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

COSRX - Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser is my favorite product to treat oily skin. Salicylic acid not only cleans the skin and removes impurities but also levigates and makes it smoother.

COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser is specially crafted to combat breakouts and purify the skin from deep within. Infused with salicylic acid, a proven acne-fighting ingredient, it effectively exfoliates and clears away dead skin cells while keeping the pores unclogged. Despite its powerful properties, its balanced blend ensures a gentle cleanse, ensuring the skin remains refreshed without feeling tight or dry. With each wash, the skin feels revitalized, clear, and ready to face the day.

Who is this for: It is ideal for individuals prone to acne and breakouts or those wanting a deep cleanse to prevent potential skin issues.

Why it’s good: It not only targets current breakouts but also aids in preventing future ones, ensuring skin remains clear and balanced. Its unique formulation guarantees a thorough cleanse without stripping away natural oils.

Main strengths:

  1. Salicylic acid acts as an effective exfoliant, promoting clearer skin.
  2. Gentle enough for daily use, ensuring consistent skin purification.
  3. Deep-cleanses and minimizes pores without over-drying.

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil
Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is perfect for people looking for a gentle cleanser that not only reduces the oil on the skin, but it also hydrates the skin.

Formulated with a blend of nature’s finest ingredients, this lightweight oil effortlessly melts away even the most stubborn makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of its essential moisture. Enriched with antioxidants and nourishing elements, it cleanses and rejuvenates the skin, leaving it soft, supple, and radiant. Its gentle formulation ensures it’s suitable for all skin types, making every cleansing routine a therapeutic experience.

Who is this for: Those seeking a deep yet gentle cleanse, especially individuals who wear makeup or are exposed to daily environmental pollutants.

Why it’s good: It offers an effective cleanse without causing dryness or irritation, ensuring the skin retains its natural moisture and glow. Its antioxidant-rich composition also fights against daily environmental stressors.

Main strengths:

  1. Efficiently removes even long-wear makeup and deep-seated impurities.
  2. Nourishing ingredients protect and rejuvenate the skin.
  3. The gentle formula ensures suitability for all skin types.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity

Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity
Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity is perfect for people wearing makeup and wanting to get rid of impurities and oily skin while also cleaning their skin at the end of the day.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity is an advanced balm-to-oil cleanser is meticulously formulated to dissolve even the most tenacious makeup, dirt, and impurities while ensuring the skin’s delicate balance is maintained. Infused with a harmonious blend of botanical extracts, it cleanses, soothes, and nourishes the skin, offering a radiant, velvety finish. Its gentle texture melts upon contact, ensuring an effortless cleanse that leaves skin feeling pristine and rejuvenated.

Who is this for: Suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or those looking for a gentle yet effective makeup remover and cleanser in one.

Why it’s good: Its unique balm-to-oil transformation ensures a deep cleanse without any harsh tugging, and the botanical-infused formula nurtures the skin while removing impurities, providing dual benefits in one application.

Main strengths:

  1. Efficiently dissolves stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and dirt.
  2. Enriched with soothing botanical extracts to calm and nourish.
  3. Innovative balm texture ensures a seamless and non-stripping cleansing experience.

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon
Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon is perfect as a weekly treatment to sweep away dead cells and impurities. It can be quite aggressive; hence, it must be used carefully.

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon is an innovative peeling solution that combines the brightness of fresh lemons with the effectiveness of a triple-layer gauze pad. It is designed to lift away dead skin cells and infuse the skin with a vibrant lemon extract replete with vitamin C and antioxidants. With each use, dullness is banished, revealing a more radiant and even-toned complexion. The gentle yet effective action ensures that the skin feels renewed without harsh abrasion, capturing the essence of modern skincare innovation.

Who is this for: Perfect for those seeking a brighter, more luminous complexion and individuals who want to tackle dullness, uneven skin tone, and textural irregularities.

Why it’s good: Harnesses lemon’s natural brightness and vitamin C’s power to rejuvenate the skin. Its unique gauze design aids in physically and chemically exfoliating the skin without irritating.

Main strengths:

  1. Dual-action exfoliation – both chemical and physical – ensures comprehensive results.
  2. Lemon extracts loaded with Vitamin C work to brighten and clarify.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner enhances the skin texture while removing impurities, combining physical and chemical exfoliation.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner seamlessly marries the exfoliating prowess of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) to offer a treatment that not only refines the skin’s surface but also dives deep into pores to eliminate impurities. The result? A smoother complexion looks visibly clearer and is primed to absorb the subsequent steps in your skincare routine. Presented in a lightweight, refreshing format, this toner is set to become an indispensable ally in your pursuit of skin perfection.

Who is this for: It is ideal for those grappling with textured skin, enlarged pores, or recurring breakouts and anyone aiming for a more polished, even complexion.

Why it’s good: It efficiently combines the exfoliating capabilities of AHAs and BHAs, ensuring that both surface-level and deeper impurities are addressed, leading to an overall skin refinement.

Main strengths:

  1. Dual exfoliation action targets both surface skin cells and pore-clogging debris.
  2. Prepares skin for optimal absorption of subsequent skincare products.
  3. Its lightweight and non-irritating formula makes it suitable for daily use.

The Face Shop Facial Foaming Cleanser

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam
The Face Shop Facial Foaming Cleanser has a lightweight formula enriched with rice water, which is known for its astringent properties.

The Face Shop Facial Foaming Cleanser is luxurious cleanser that transforms from a silky texture into a rich foam, effortlessly lifting away daily grime, excess oils, and impurities. Its blend of botanical extracts ensures that the skin is not only impeccably clean but also nourished and balanced. Gentle on the skin yet mighty against dirt, this cleanser promises a refreshed, soft, and rejuvenated complexion, setting the perfect foundation for the rest of your skincare ritual.

Who is this for: Those in search of a deep-cleansing solution that is gentle enough for daily use, making it perfect for all skin types from sensitive to oily.

Why it’s good: It provides a thorough cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, thanks to its botanical-infused formula. The transformative texture ensures a sensorial experience with effective results.

Main strengths:

  1. Delivers a deep cleanse while maintaining the skin’s natural hydration levels.
  2. Enriched with botanical extracts for added nourishment and skin balance.
  3. Luxurious foaming action ensures a thorough and invigorating cleanse without any residue.

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is a must-have product to have at home. Use it once a week for optimal results.

Derived from the heart of Jeju Island’s volcanic landscapes, Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask harnesses the power of super volcanic clusters to provide a deep cleanse, effectively drawing out impurities, toxins, and excess oils. Its rich, creamy texture glides smoothly on the skin, offering a cooling sensation and delivering minerals that tighten pores and rejuvenate the complexion. Dive deep into purification and emerge with refreshingly clean, smooth, refined skin.

Who is this for: Individuals who want to combat enlarged pores, excessive oiliness, or those seeking deep detoxification for their skin.

Why it’s good: Taps into the natural purifying properties of volcanic clusters, ensuring a thorough cleanse that revitalizes the skin without feeling dry or tight.

Main strengths:

  1. Efficiently draws out deep-seated impurities and controls sebum production.
  2. Infuses skin with essential minerals, promoting a tighter and smoother complexion.
  3. Creamy, easy-to-apply texture provides a spa-like experience right at home.

Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam

Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam is one of the best cleansing foams for oily skin as it respects the skin’s natural PH without being aggressive.

Specially formulated to respect the skin’s natural barrier, Pyunkang Yul’s Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam boasts a pH level that mirrors the skin’s own, ensuring a gentle yet effective cleanse. It delves deep into pores, sweeping away daily impurities, excess oil, and stubborn residues. Infused with traditional herbal ingredients, the cleansing foam purifies, calms, and nourishes the skin. With every wash, bask in the sensation of deeply cleansed skin that’s balanced, hydrated, and primed for the day ahead.

Who is this for: Ideal for individuals seeking a thorough cleanse without disturbing the skin’s natural pH balance, making it suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive ones.

Why it’s good: Its low pH formula aligns with the skin’s natural acidity, ensuring minimal disruption while offering a deep cleanse. The herbal infusions provide additional nourishment and calming effects.

Main strengths:

  1. Maintains and respects the skin’s natural pH balance during cleansing.
  2. Herbal ingredients soothe and nourish while effectively clearing impurities.
  3. Delivers a deep, pore-focused cleanse without causing dryness or tightness.

Korean skincare routine for oily skin

Mastering the Korean skincare routine for oily skin means harmonizing with nature to achieve a radiant, matte finish without stifling the skin’s vitality.

The process begins with the double cleanse, using an oil cleanser to dissolve sebum and water-based impurities, followed by a foaming cleanser to ensure a deep, refreshing cleanse. An exfoliant, used sparingly, helps manage excess oil and refines pores. Layers of lightweight hydration come next, starting with a balancing toner that preps the skin, followed by an essence that delivers concentrated hydration. Serums and ampoules targeting oil control and pore minimization are then applied. A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer seals all the benefits without feeling heavy. The routine culminates with a mattifying sunscreen during the day, protecting oily skin from harmful UV rays and external pollutants, ensuring the skin remains fresh and luminous, the K-beauty way.

To summarize:

  • Double Cleanse: Start with an oil cleanser and a foaming cleanser.
  • Exfoliation: Use sparingly to manage excess oil and refine pores.
  • Hydration Layers: Begin with a balancing toner, then apply an essence for concentrated hydration.
  • Targeted Treatments: Utilize serums and ampoules for oil control and pore minimization.
  • Moisturizing: Seal with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
  • Sun Protection: Finish with a mattifying sunscreen during the day.

How to pick the right Korean products for oily skin

When navigating the vast world of K-beauty for oily skin solutions, making informed choices is imperative. Start by opting for a lightweight Korean face moisturizer with non-comedogenic active ingredients. Key components to look for include glycerine, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.

These powerhouse ingredients help regulate the sebaceous glands’ activity and effectively reduce inflammation, and provide the essential hydration that oily skin requires. It’s a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisture; by choosing the right product with these ingredients, you ensure that your skin is nourished without being burdened by excessive oils or potential breakouts.

What are the causes of oily skin?

The causes of oily skin are multifaceted, with factors ranging from intrinsic genetics to external environmental shifts and skincare choices. Our genes play a foundational role: if family members have historically grappled with oily complexions, you may probably inherit a similar skin type. Age also dictates our skin’s oil profile; typically, youthful skin is more prone to vigorous sebum production, while as the years progress, this production often diminishes.

Seasonality further modulates our skin’s oil balance; for many, summer’s heat intensifies skin’s oiliness, making those already inclined to an oily skin type even more susceptible during these months. Our choice of skincare products can either mitigate or amplify the issue. Selecting heavy creams for combination skin, for instance, might congest pores and trigger heightened oil production.

A counterintuitive cause is an overzealous skincare: excessive washing or scrubbing can deprive the skin of its inherent oils, prompting the sebaceous glands to produce oil aggressively in a bid to restore equilibrium.

Understanding oily skin requires a comprehensive lens, recognizing that it’s a confluence of factors – from genetic predisposition to personal skincare practices – that shapes our skin’s sebum narrative.

How to get rid of oily skin?

To effectively manage oily skin, consider these refined steps:

  • Cleanse your face morning and night using a gentle cleanser that maintains your skin’s pH balance.
  • Opt for skincare products enriched with active ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, and green tea.
  • Hydrate using lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers to maintain skin’s health without clogging pores.
  • Engage in stress-relieving practices such as yoga and meditation to balance skin from within.
  • Prioritize a diet rich in low-glycemic foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
  • Always ensure makeup is thoroughly removed before heading to bed.
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