Oily skin can be tricky; too much sebum, frequent shine, enlarged pores, and breakouts can make finding the right products feel impossible. Instead of harsh, drying formulas that strip your skin (and cause rebound oiliness), the best Korean skincare for oily skin focuses on balancing hydration, controlling sebum, and calming irritation. Korean beauty formulas often use gentle yet powerful ingredients like green tea, niacinamide, BHA (betaine salicylate), centella, and clay to refresh your complexion without heaviness.
Below are the 10 standout Korean skincare products that dermatologists, beauty editors, and K‑beauty lovers are raving about this year, all excellent choices for oily skin.
1. innisfree Green Tea Amino Acid Cleansing Foam
A strong foundation for oily skin care is an effective cleanser that removes excess oil without stripping the skin. The innisfree Green Tea Amino Acid Cleansing Foam combines antioxidant‑rich green tea extract with amino acids to cleanse deeply while balancing hydration. Its foam texture lifts away impurities and sebum, leaving your skin clean but not tight or dry.
Because green tea extract naturally helps calm inflammation and control oil production, this cleanser works beautifully for morning and evening routines. For oily or combination skin, it’s ideal as the second step of a double cleanse after an oil cleanser, or on its own in simpler regimens.
2. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Although we don’t have a product entity here, the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is often featured on lists of the best Korean skincare for oily skin due to its skin‑friendly pH of ~5.5 that matches your natural acid mantle. At this pH, the cleanser removes oil and grime without disrupting your skin’s protective barrier, crucial for oily skin that can overproduce sebum when it’s too dry.
Enriched with tea tree oil for antibacterial benefits and BHA (betaine salicylate) for gently unclogging pores, this gel cleanser preps your skin for the rest of your routine. Use twice daily for a refreshed, shine‑controlled complexion.
3. Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
The Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner is a lightweight toner that quietly multitasks: it hydrates with aloe vera while exfoliating gently with BHA. Betaine salicylate (a gentler form of BHA) helps dissolve excess oil and clear out clogged pores, key for oily, acne‑prone skin, without over‑drying. Aloe’s soothing properties calm redness and irritation, making this toner a great choice even for sensitive oily skin.
Applied after cleansing, it sets the tone for better absorption of serums and essences down the line. Think of this toner as your balance booster, hydrating without heaviness and prepping skin for sebum control.
4. COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Without a product entity but widely recommended in expert and community lists, the COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum delivers a powerful punch for oily skin. With 15% niacinamide, this serum works to minimize oil production, tighten enlarged pores, improve uneven skin tone, and fade blemish marks, all without greasiness.
Niacinamide is beloved in Korean skincare for oily skin because it regulates sebum, strengthens the skin barrier, and enhances clarity, making it ideal for anyone who experiences shine and congestion throughout the day. After toner, apply a few drops of this serum to damp skin to boost absorption.
5. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Another beloved Kore an classic (again without a linked entity), COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence proves that oily skin still needs hydration. It uses 96% snail secretion filtrate to deliver deep yet lightweight hydration that supports skin repair and texture improvement, while calming inflammation and helping fade acne scars.
Despite misconceptions, hydrated skin produces less excess oil because the skin doesn’t attempt to compensate for dryness. This slime‑textured essence absorbs quickly, leaving skin soft and balanced, not greasy. Use this after your serum or toner for a hydrated base before moisturizer.
6. Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner
The Green Plum Refreshing Toner is ideal if your oily skin tends toward visible shine and enlarged pores. Green plum extract provides mild astringent action that helps tighten pores and refine skin texture, while hydrating boosters keep your complexion from flaking or feeling toyed with by oil strippers.
Use this toner in the morning to refresh oil‑prone T‑zones, or layer it before serums in your evening routine to support ongoing oil balance. Its refreshing feel makes it a favorite for warm, humid climates or for anyone whose skin frequently looks shiny by midday.
7. Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
For weekly care that targets deep sebum and congestion, the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask stands out as a must‑try. Packed with volcanic clusters (kaolin/bentonite clay), it draws out excess oil and impurities from deep within pores, making skin feel smoother and less shiny.
Rather than daily use, apply this mask once or twice a week after cleansing. Leave on for 10-15 minutes then rinse; your complexion will feel refreshed, matte, and visibly clearer. Clay masks are especially useful before important events or during seasonal breakouts.
8. Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Another fan‑favorite Korean product for oily skin (even though no entity), the Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner offers gentle chemical exfoliation. Its combination of AHA, BHA, and PHA works to clear dead skin cells, dissolve excess sebum, and smooth uneven texture, all while being calming enough for regular use.
This exfoliating toner is particularly helpful if you struggle with blackheads, dullness, or congested pores, common concerns for oily complexions. After cleansing, apply this toner with a cotton pad or your palms for exfoliation and improved absorption of other products.
9. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Cream
Even oily skin needs just the right moisture and the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Cream delivers. Infused with Centella Asiatica extract, this cream provides calming hydration that helps soothe irritation, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce redness without clogging pores. Especially in oily skin that’s acne‑prone or sensitive, centella is a hero ingredient that balances oil production rather than stripping moisture.
Its gel‑cream texture makes it perfect for daytime or night routines as a final hydrating layer (before sunscreen in the AM).
10. HARUHARU WONDER Black Rice Pure Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen
Sun protection is non‑negotiable, even for oily skin, because UV damage worsens post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation and premature aging. The HARUHARU WONDER Black Rice Pure Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ offers a non‑sticky, matte‑leaning finish that won’t feel heavy or greasy under makeup or on its own.
Black rice extract brings antioxidant benefits, while the mineral‑based formula provides broad‑spectrum protection. Because many sunscreens can break out oily skin, this one’s lightweight texture and finish make it a standout daily essential to cap off your routine.
Conclusion
Managing oily skin doesn’t have to mean harsh, drying products or endless trial and error. With the right Korean skincare, you can control shine, minimize pores, and maintain healthy hydration without feeling greasy. From gentle cleansers and exfoliating toners to lightweight essences, soothing moisturizers, and non-sticky sunscreens, the 10 products listed above provide a complete, balanced routine for oily skin.
Consistency is key. Using products that regulate oil production, hydrate appropriately, and protect your skin barrier will lead to clearer, calmer, and more radiant skin over time. Embrace these Korean skincare essentials, customize your routine to your unique needs, and enjoy a shine-free, confident complexion every day.
