If your skin is constantly in a battle with excess grease, clogged pores, and that unwanted midday shine, the best Korean skincare for oily skin might just be your new secret weapon. K-beauty is famous for turning skincare into a self-care ritual, combining lightweight layers, clever ingredients, and results you can actually see. But with so many options out there, it’s natural to wonder which skincare is best for oily skin. Should you go for the exfoliating toner or jump straight to the best Korean serum for oily skin?
We’re here to banish the stress and break down what an effective Korean skincare routine for oily skin really looks like. Scroll on for our top product picks that keep your skin fresh, smooth, and effortlessly matte, without losing that healthy glow.
What are the best ingredients for oily skin?
Oily skin isn’t the enemy, it just needs the right balance. Instead of harsh products that strip away oil and leave your skin overcompensating, look for ingredients that help control sebum, keep pores clear, and calm any irritation. Here are eight of our favourite ingredients oily skin will love:
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): A multitasker that helps regulate sebum production, tighten the appearance of pores, and even out skin tone, all while strengthening your skin barrier.
Green tea extract: Naturally rich in antioxidants, it soothes inflammation, reduces redness, and helps control oil while protecting skin from environmental stressors.
Centella Asiatica (Cica): A calming botanical that reduces irritation, supports healing, and keeps skin balanced, perfect if you’re oily and prone to sensitivity.
Tea tree oil: Known for its antibacterial powers, it helps keep breakouts at bay, clears pores, and reduces excess oil without harshness.
Salicylic acid (BHA): A pore-penetrating exfoliant that dissolves oil and debris inside the pores, helping to prevent blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
AHA (glycolic or lactic acid): Gently exfoliates the skin’s surface, keeping texture smooth and bright while preventing congestion.
Kaolin clay: A gentle, natural ingredient that helps absorb excess oil and impurities without over-drying the skin, while preventing breakouts.
Snail mucin: Oily skin types need hydration too, and snail mucin provides lightweight, calming moisture that won’t clog the pores or leave a greasy feeling.
What should you avoid for oily skin?
The wrong ingredients or habits can actually make oiliness worse. Here are some common skincare mistakes and ingredients to steer clear of if you want to keep your skin balanced:
Harsh, drying cleansers: These can strip your skin of natural oils, triggering more oil production as your skin tries to compensate.
Heavy, comedogenic moisturisers: Thick creams and oils that clog pores can worsen shine and lead to breakouts.
Over-exfoliating: Using too many acids or scrubs can irritate skin and cause inflammation, which often leads to more oil production.
Skipping sunscreen: Sun damage can increase oil production and worsen breakouts, so never skip your SPF, even if you have oily skin.
Touching your face frequently: This transfers dirt and bacteria to your skin, increasing the chance of clogged pores and acne.
Using alcohol-based toners: While they might feel refreshing, they often dry out the skin and cause your glands to overproduce oil.
The best Korean cleansers for oily skin
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, citric acid, tea tree leaf oil
The COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser is a must-have for oily, acne-prone skin. Formulated with salicylic acid, it gently dissolves excess sebum and unclogs pores to help reduce breakouts and prevent new blemishes from forming. Citric acid adds a light exfoliating boost, refining skin texture without irritation, while tea tree leaf oil provides natural antibacterial benefits to calm and soothe inflamed skin. Skin is left clean, smooth, and feeling fresh, never stripped or dry. It’s even gentle enough to use on other acne-prone areas of the body, too.
SOME BY MI Bye Bye Blackhead 30 Days Miracle Green Tea Tox Bubble Cleanser
Key ingredients: BHA, green tea extract, konjac granules, blend of 16 Korean teas
Put a stop to excess oil with the 30 Days Miracle Green Tea Tox Bubble Cleanser from acne experts, SOME BY MI. This unique cleanser starts as a vibrant green tea gel that transforms into a rich, bubbly foam – no lathering needed. Formulated with exfoliating BHA and konjac granules, it melts away stubborn sebum and exfoliates dead skin cells to deeply cleanse pores and leave skin brighter and softer. The antioxidant-rich blend of 16 Korean teas helps soothe irritation and balance oily skin, and also doubles up as a targeted five-minute blackhead treatment on problem areas.
The best Korean toners for oily skin
Anua Rice Glow Milky Toner
Key ingredients: Rice water, niacinamide, ceramide AP & NP, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, betaine
ANUA’s Rice Glow Milky Toner is a game-changer for oily skin that still wants a radiant, fresh finish. Packed with 70% rice water, it brightens and smooths skin texture while calming irritation and delivering deep, lasting hydration without heaviness. Niacinamide works to balance excess oil production, helping to reduce shine and keep your complexion clear and matte, while ceramides strengthen the skin barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental stressors that can trigger oiliness. With added hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and betaine, this lightweight toner keeps skin soft and supple without clogging pores or adding greasiness, perfect for oily skin types seeking brightening and hydration in one step.
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Key ingredients: BHA, AHA, panthenol
If you’re struggling with oily skin, clogged pores, blackheads, and rough texture, the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 needs pride of place on your skincare shelf. Powered by exfoliating acids BHA and AHA, these pads gently remove dead skin cells and deeply cleanse pores to control excess oil and prevent breakouts. Panthenol helps soothe irritation and keep skin hydrated, so your skin feels calm and refreshed. The double-sided pads offer both gentle physical exfoliation with an embossed side and soothing hydration with a smooth side, making them ideal for oily and combination skin types that need balanced cleansing without harshness.
The best Korean serums and essences for oily skin
Numbuzin No.5 Goodbye Blemish Serum
Key ingredients: Vitamin extract (75%), ascorbic acid, panthenol
Expect clear, balanced, radiant results every time you use the Numbuzin’s No.5 Goodbye Blemish Serum, a daily must-have for oily skin. Packed with 75% vitamin extract and ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C) this serum helps fade acne scars, brighten dull skin, and even out skin tone. Panthenol supports the skin barrier, soothing inflammation and locking in moisture without any greasy residue. Its lightweight, gel-like texture absorbs quickly, leaving your skin dewy and fresh. But it doesn’t stop there – this multitasking must-have also boosts collagen production, helping to reduce signs of ageing while keeping skin clear and healthy.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Key ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate (96%), betaine
Oily skin still needs hydration, and COSRX’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a lightweight, fast-absorbing option. With 96% snail secretion filtrate, it helps repair skin damage, fade acne scars, and improve texture for a smoother, more even complexion. Rich in antioxidants, it also protects against environmental stressors that can trigger excess oil production and premature ageing. Betaine draws in and locks down moisture, keeping skin soft and supple while preventing dehydration that can lead to overactive oil glands. Perfect for oily skin in need of hydration, repair, and scar-fading power, this essence leaves your skin healthy, radiant, and never greasy.
The best Korean face masks for oily skin
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Key ingredients: Kaolin, red bean extract
Beauty of Joseon’s Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask is a gentle yet effective way to keep oily skin clear, smooth, and balanced. Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil from the skin’s surface, helping to minimise the look of pores and control shine, while red bean extract gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells and maintain a healthy oil-moisture balance. The soft, mud-like texture feels cooling on application, leaving skin refreshed and calm while refining texture. Unlike many clay masks, it stays comfortably moist, so it won’t dry out your skin, making it ideal for oily and combination skin in need of a deep yet gentle detox.
innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Key ingredients: Volcanic clusters from Jeju, lactic acid
innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is a powerhouse treatment for oily skin prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and excess shine. Infused with volcanic clusters from Jeju, it absorbs excess oil and deeply cleanses pores, helping to prevent congestion. Lactic acid (AHA) also provides gentle exfoliation, smoothing skin texture while brightening the complexion. The creamy, non-stripping formula delivers a refreshing cooling sensation as it works, leaving skin clean, balanced, and shine-free. Alcohol and fragrance-free, this mask tackles oil control, pore care, and gentle resurfacing all in one simple step.
The best Korean moisturisers for oily skin
COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion
Key ingredients: birch sap (70%+)
Craving hydration without the heaviness? COSRX’s Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion is the perfect solution. Formulated with over 70% birch sap, this lightweight lotion delivers amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins to deeply nourish and soothe the skin while calming inflammation. Its oil-free formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin smooth, refreshed, and never greasy, making it ideal for daily use under sunscreen or makeup. Gentle enough for even sensitive or irritated skin, this moisturiser keeps oily skin balanced, hydrated, and comfortable without clogging pores or adding shine.
Dr. Jart+ Teatreement™ Moisturiser
Key ingredients: Australian tea tree leaf, niacinamide (2%), glycerin
Dr. Jart+ Teatreement™ Moisturiser is a lightweight gel formula designed to hydrate oily, blemish-prone skin without adding excess shine. Infused with Australian tea tree leaf, it helps purify the skin and keep breakouts under control, while 2% niacinamide works to regulate oil production and brighten the complexion. Glycerin delivers lasting hydration and supports the skin’s moisture barrier, preventing dryness that can trigger more oiliness. The result is skin that feels fresh, balanced, and calm, with a refreshing tea tree scent for an extra boost.
The best Korean SPFs for oily skin
Purito Seoul Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Key ingredients: Panthenol, ceramides (five types), centella asiatica
Stay sun-kissed and shine-free with Purito Seoul’s Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen, delivering high UVA and UVB protection in a silky, lightweight formula. Enriched with panthenol and five types of ceramides, it helps lock in moisture while strengthening the skin barrier, while Centella Asiatica soothes redness and irritation from sun exposure. The light, milky texture sinks in quickly and leaves a semi-matte, white-cast-free finish that sits comfortably under makeup without adding shine. Whatever your plans, it keeps skin protected, balanced, and calm all day long.
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia
Key ingredients: Mugwort, green tea extract, silica
Beauty of Joseon’s Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia is a travel-friendly SPF that goes beyond sun protection to keep oily skin calm, balanced, and shine-free. Mugwort and green tea extract work together to soothe irritation and redness, while silica absorbs excess oil for a smooth, matte finish that lasts all day. The lightweight formula glides on effortlessly, and can be used as a quick top-up, or even worn over makeup. Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin but especially ideal for oily and combination types who want powerful SPF without the greasy feel.
