Vector illustration of a girl applying skincare products, highlighting steps in a Korean skincare for oily skin, featuring budget-friendly products from popular brands like COSRX, SKIN1004, and TIRTIR.

Best Korean Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: A Fun, Expert-Approved Guide

Are you a part of the oily-skin squad?

Tired of blotting papers, midday shine attacks, and the eternal battle against clogged pores?

Buckle up because today, we’re diving into the world of Korean skincare for oily skin, your ultimate weapon in this glossy-faced war. I promise this won’t feel like your typical boring skincare lecture. Instead, it’s like your BFF-meets-beauty-expert spilling all the juicy deets. 

Spoiler alert: Your skin is about to become the main character of this drama!

Why Korean Skincare is the MVP for Oily Skin

Ever watched a K-drama and wondered why every character’s skin glows like they’ve got their own lighting crew? That’s the magic of Korean skincare, an art form that combines science, tradition, and a sprinkle of skincare wizardry. Oily skin? No problem. Korean products are designed to balance sebum, hydrate without clogging pores, and leave you with a shine that’s dewy, not greasy. It’s like having your cake and eating it too (only in this case, the cake’s calorie-free and pore-friendly).

Now, let’s get into the good stuff: a step-by-step Korean skincare routine tailored just for you.

Your Must-Have Korean Skincare for Oily Skin

Nothing sits right when you have oily skin. Whether it’s a serum or any sunscreen, nothing can combat the flood of oil. But everyone knows that when it comes to skincare science, Korea is living 5 decades ahead than the rest of the world.

Step 1: Double Cleanse — Close that Oil Machine from Roots

The real villain of your skin is leftover makeup and sebum. Oily skin means you have large pores where make up or dirt take shelter like an owl hiding in a tree trunk. Even after cleansing with the strongest cleanser, your skin feels deceivingly clean. But the pores are not clean yet. In fact, the makeup and dirt hiding inside starts building up and gives you the worst acne.  Double cleansing:

  • Oil-Based Cleanser: Yes, oily skin needs oil to fight oil. It’s like using Loki to outsmart Loki. Products like SKIN1004’s Centella Light Cleansing Oil gently dissolve stubborn makeup and excess sebum. Start with gently rubbing the oil on the face and when you see the build ups are coming out, emulsify with water and rinse it off.
  • Water-Based Cleanser: Follow up with something like COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser to sweep away the grime. This will take out the oiliness left from the oil cleanser and any excess oil and product.

Step 2: Exfoliation — Bye Bye, Dead Skin with Korean Skincare Routine

Exfoliation is the ultimate answer to combat dead skin, black heads and white heads. Although we’re way out of the old trends of exfoliating our skin with coarse grains, the importance of exfoliation never fades from the pages of skincare history. Exfoliation clears out the clutter. 

However, this is the age of chemical exfoliation, which has ingredients that gently wear off the dead layer of the skin. Thus, you no more rip off your skin and take all the Go for chemical exfoliants with BHA, like COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, 2-3 times a week. It’s gentle but powerful—like a rom-com hero with a hidden six-pack.

Step 3: Toner — The Peacekeeper of Korean Skincare for Oily Skin

Once the pores are done being rigorously cleaned, they need to cool down. A toner can calm down and tighten the pores that have been exposed in the cleansing process. And when it comes to tightening the pores. Try TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner, a lightweight gem that hydrates without adding grease. It’s like a glass of water for your face after a long day of gossiping about your favorite K-drama twists.

Step 4: Essence — Your Skin’s Power Boost with Korean Skincare for Oily Skin

Essence is the unsung hero of Korean skincare routines. It is literally “essential” to bring back the hydration to the face. Generally essence is a water-based formula that contains high concentration of active ingredients that are hydrators, exfoliants, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and probiotics. 

So, it is an all-in-one solution for your face that fights with pigmentations, lock in moisture and repairs the damaged barrier of your skin. Products like Mixsoon Bean Essence hydrate and repair your skin barrier while keeping that oil production in check. It’s your secret weapon for a smooth, glassy finish.

Step 5: Serum — The Targeted Treatment

Now we’re getting specific. Serum is almost the same as an essence but with specific active ingredients. For example, niacinamide is a great active ingredient for pore tightening and sebum control along with fighting with the dark spots that acne leaves behind. So, it is a two-in-one solution for most oily skin people.

Meet Anua Niacinamide Serum range. Anua has an extensive range of niacinamide like Anua Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum and Anua Niacinamide 10% + Txa 4% Serum. These actively work on melanin control that fights with the pigmentation and prevents oil control so the damage is never done again.

Step 6: Sheet Mask — The Spa Night Treat

Not very often but once in a while, give your skin that extra boost. A sheet mask can make any skincare routine 10x effective. Opt for a collagen mask from brands like Medicube or Biodance once or twice a week. It’s the perfect excuse to binge-watch Crash Landing on You while your skin soaks up all the goodness.

Step 7: Moisturizer — Hydrate Without the Shine

Contrary to popular belief, oily skin needs moisture too! The reason for excessive oil production is to not have oil at all. Simply put, when we have oily skin, we tend to use harsh facewash that takes off all the oil. But that generally strips off the natural oil from the top layer of the skin, making the skin want to release more oil for the hydration.

Therefore, moisturizer is required to indicate to your skin that it doesn’t need to produce any kind of oil. Kinda like machine learning right? So, look for lightweight, gel-based options like TIRTIR’s Milk Skin Moisturizer or COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion. These products hydrate while keeping your face matte.

Step 8: Sunscreen — The Non-Negotiable Hero

If you’re wondering how the K-drama actors still look like 25 when they already hit their 40’s, no doubt that they have been saving their skin from the almighty Sun. The damage happening from UV rays doesn’t show up immediately, or it’s not just limited to tanning. If you keep ignoring the potential sun damage, you may be fast forwarding your aging signs and even skin cancers.

Many people with oily skiing will skip sunscreen because of the greasy feeling or white cast. But Korean sunscreens are here for you babe! Use non-greasy, lightweight formulas like Anua Skincare Set’s SPF or the Beauty of Joseon SPF Relief Sun Set to protect against UV damage without clogging pores.

Budget-Friendly Korean Skincare Brands You’ll Love

Let’s talk money, honey. You don’t need to break the bank to glow like a K-pop star. Here are some budget-friendly Korean skincare brands that deliver results:

  1. COSRX: Affordable and effective, their products are a staple for oily skin warriors.
  2. SKIN1004: Known for their Centella line, perfect for calming inflammation and delaying aging.
  3. TIRTIR: Their Milk Skin line is a game-changer for moisture and hydration boost.
  4. Medicube: Ideal for acne-prone skin with medical-grade formulations.
  5. Biodance: Amazing sheet masks for that extra glow.
  6. Mixsoon: Minimalist and effective, their essence is a cult favorite.
  7. Anua: Their niacinamide serum and skincare sets are skincare royalty.
  8. Beauty of Joseon: Their sunscreens have been breaking through the internet for being lightweight.

Fun Tips to Maximize Your Routine

  1. Don’t Overdo It: Your skin isn’t a . Keep it simple and consistent.
  2. Patch Test Like a Pro: Test new products on your wrist to avoid surprising breakouts.
  3. Layer Light to Heavy: Think of your routine like dressing for winter; start with light layers and build up.
  4. Hydrate Inside Out: Drink water like you’re in a desert scene from Mad Max. Hydrated skin starts from within.

Your Korean Skincare Routine Awaits

By incorporating these steps and products from top Korean skincare brands and this step-by-step Korean skincare for oily skin, you’re bound to achieve that enviable, glass-skin glow. 

Got questions or product recs to share? Drop them in the comments — let’s turn this blog into a skincare party!

Maitry Biswas
Maitry Biswas

Maitry is a seasoned marketing expert with a wealth of industry knowledge and a passion for exploring the world. From travel and food to lifestyle and fashion, Maitry blends creativity and strategy to craft engaging content that resonates. When not brainstorming the next big marketing move, you'll find Maitry savoring global cuisines, discovering new destinations, and staying ahead of the latest trends.

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