Oily skin makes you sink your fingers in your hair, frustrated, not sure what products work with it and what ingredients make you break out even more. It’s a nightmare!
Lucky for us, Koreans may have found the secret to clear, glowy skin! In this post, I share the top six best Korean skincare for oily and acne-prone skin.
Ready to dazzle others with your skin? Let’s get to it.
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1. Pyunkang Yul Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul products always have a place in my dresser. For 40 years, their brand has been dedicated to using only natural ingredients.
You’ll notice that they don’t include any skin irritants, like unnecessary fragrances, or chemicals in their products.
Naturally, this made their foaming cleanser my top choice for dealing with acne flare-ups or exacerbated skin.
It comes in a transparent bottle, and the best part is that you don’t have to lather up the product beforehand. Just a few pumps and you’re ready to exfoliate your skin.
For optimal results, I recommend using this product as part of your morning and night skincare routine.
Key Ingredients
- Tea tree leaf extract: has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties perfect for acne-prone skin.
- Asiatic acid: has a calming effect on irritated skin and acts as a barrier.
- Honeysuckle flower extract: shields skin from free radicals and calms it down.
- Madecassoside: reduces skin damage from exposure to environmental pollutants.
2. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream
If you follow any Korean skincare gurus, you may have already heard of this miracle moisturizing cream from Round Lab – and honestly, after using it, I totally get the hype!
As you know, the wrong moisturizer can do a world of harm to oily, acne-prone skin.
Luckily, Round Lab’s product contains Birch juice. This particular ingredient is known for its calming effects on irritated skin.
Even if the product won’t prevent acne, it does an excellent job of keeping your skin cool so you experience fewer flare-ups.
In my opinion, that makes the product acne-safe. It’s also super soft and gentle on the skin so that’s a plus!
Key Ingredients
- Birch sap: plumps up skin and reduces inflammation.
- Hyaluronic acid: makes skin flexible, reducing lines and wrinkles.
- Glycerin: retains your skin’s natural moisture.
3. Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Aloe Vera is a common ingredient in many soothing gels and moisturizers out there. I tried them all and I can safely say that none of them beat Benton’s gel product.
It contains just the right mix of ingredients that keep my skin plump and hydrated, especially during the summer.
When using this product, I suggest applying a generous amount on your skin and spreading it around gently.
In a few seconds, you’ll see that glow of healthy, re-hydrated skin shine in your mirror.
While the gel is non-peeling and acts as an excellent barrier, I wouldn’t recommend it as a base for makeup wearers. It doesn’t quite hold makeup products that well.
Main Ingredients
- Aloe Vera leaf extract: treats acne spots, boosts skin cell production, and fights inflammation.
- Propolis leaf extract: smoothens the skin, retains moisture, and might reduce blemishes.
- Grapefruit fruit extract: reduces inflammation and redness.
4. Bonajour Green Tea Water Cream
Unlike Aloe Vera, green tea is often slept on as a moisturizing ingredient for oily skin. With a little research, however, you’ll learn that green tea is an excellent contender!
For starters, it reduces sebum production (the oily substance on your face making it oily in the first place).
Green tea also retains moisture pretty well and is enriched with a variety of vitamins your skin might need.
With that, I can safely tell you that the best green tea-based Korean product is Bonajour’s water cream.
The product has a light texture and plays well with other skincare products you want to add before or after using it.
Key Ingredients
- Green tea extract: evens out discoloration and gets rid of dead skin cells.
- Peptides: firms up the skin, smoothing out lines and wrinkles.
- Licorice root: has soothing, calming effects on red, irritated skin.
5. Some by MI Aha-Bha-Pha 30 Days Miracle Toner
Now hear me out. Yes, this Miracle Toner does contain a mild minty fragrance (which if you’ve had trouble with essential oils and scents in the past wouldn’t be for you!). However, it’s super gentle on acne-prone skin.
As for usage, I don’t recommend using the product for 30 consecutive days as advertised.
It does contain trace amounts of BHA, PHA, and AHA – all of which are hydroxy acids that may harm your skin further.
I find it best to use the skin cycling method when using this toner.
Key Ingredients
- AHA: corrects discoloration and exfoliates skin.
- BHA: treats acne, evens skin tone, and moisturizes skin.
- PHA: strengthens skin barrier and retains moisture.
6. TheraClear Acne Care Pimple Patch
If you’re acne-prone like me, you’ve likely come across pimple patches and watched tens of videos on whether these products are as effective as they claim.
And while research shows these patches work on some skin problems and don’t on others, TheraClear’s product was a particular favorite of mine.
They’re the perfect solution to protecting your acne from getting worse by protecting it from outside bacteria and dirt.
Heads up though, always use these pimple patches after you cleanse and before you apply any toner or moisturizer. Otherwise, the patches won’t stick properly to your skin.
That said, the best thing about this product for me is that it’s clear. You can go out in these and not worry about people staring.
TheraClear’s pimple patches also provide a hydrating environment and protect your pimples from UV rays.
And there you have it! I hope you found my list of the best Korean skincare products for oily skin helpful.
Remember, the right skincare routine can help prevent those irritating acne flare-ups and protect your face from the harsh environment outside.