The Perfect Korean Skincare Routine for Oily & Combination Skin

If you find that your T-zone is shining bright around noon, or that your pores are too much to be managed, you have either an oily or a combination skin type (most likely, you would experience breakouts from this type of skin type, too). 

The reason for this is that excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and clogs up the pores, creating a perfect environment for the development of acne! What is worse is that most individuals have responded to this oily skin condition by using harsh (highly concentrated) drying products that strip away the skin's natural moisture barrier, which triggers the body to produce even more oil as a form of defense! 

This is exactly where a Korean skincare routine for oily skin changes everything. Rather than fighting oil with aggression, Korean skincare works with your skin. 

If you have combination to oily skin, check out our guide specifically for combination to oily skin.

Korean Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

The goal of your morning routine should be to control shine, provide protection, and maintain the balance of your skin throughout the day without clogging a pore.

Step 1: Low-pH Gentle Cleanser

The morning skin does not require deep cleaning, but instead requires a gentle resetting of the skin. Hot water and harsh foaming cleansers will strip the moisture from your skin that you have gained overnight and put the oil glands in overdrive by 10:00 am. Use lukewarm water and a low pH gel or foam that cleanses without disturbing your barrier.

Recommended: COSRX Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (PH ~5). 

This product is perfect for removing overnight buildup from the skin. 

If you have oily and combination skin, use the Neogen Real Fresh Foam Green Tea Cleanser. The green tea extract in the Neogen cleanser not only calms inflammation but also thoroughly cleanses your skin.

Step 2: Hydrating Toner

Forget about the alcohol based astringents; they are the reason your skin produces too much oil. A proper hydrating toner will replace the water content of your skin, re-establish the pH balance of your skin after cleansing, and prepare your skin to absorb the other products that are included in your skincare routine. 

For the best Korean skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin, you should look for niacinamide or centella asiatica in your toner. These ingredients will regulate sebum production and calm active cases of inflammation in the skin.

Highly Recommended: Unlike other toners on the market, Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner combines gentle acids that clear and calm your pores. 

To use, simply press it into your skin with your clean hands instead of swiping it on with a cotton pad like most other toners.

Step 3: Niacinamide Serum

Next, apply a niacinamide serum. Niacinamide or vitamin B3 is an incredibly active ingredient that you should be using every morning if you have oily or acne-prone skin. 

It helps control sebum production, decreases the appearance of pores, reduces post-acne hyperpigmentation, and rebuilds the skin’s natural barrier in one lightweight product.

Highly Recommended: Beauty of Joseon Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide; it contains 2% niacinamide that brightens and evens the skin tone and reduces dark spots. Apply 2-3 drops of this on your face after toning and allow the niacinamide with propolis extract serum to completely absorb before moving on to the next step.  

To find a niacinamide serum that's right for this step, check out our Niacinamide 5% Glow Boosting.

Note: If you have oily skin or sensitive skin, start with lower concentrations of niacinamide (around 2–5%) before trying stronger formulas. 

Step 4: Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

Using an oil-free gel moisturizer is crucial if you have oily skin, as skipping this step is one of the biggest mistakes people make when following a Korean skincare routine for oily skin. When you do not moisturize, your skin becomes dehydrated and produces more oil. 

Be sure to stick with water gel or gel cream for your oil-free moisturizer, as these products provide sufficient hydration without adding excess oils.

Highly Recommended: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb; it provides adequate deep hydration to the skin while being breathable and non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores). If you have a combination oily skin type, you can apply a thinner layer of Aqua Bomb on your T-zone compared to your cheeks.

Step 5: SPF (Every Single Morning)

Excessive UV exposure can enhance the appearance of post-acne scars, make acne feel more inflamed, and create an increase in oil production. Some of the best sunscreens to wear under the best Korean skincare routine for oily skin are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and have a matte finish. 

Highly Recommended: Purito Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ is highly recommended for its sheer finish with no greasiness or white cast.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ is a close second with a matte-satin finish that keeps shine in check all morning.

Korean Night Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Your Korean night skincare routine for oily skin does the heavy lifting, removing a full day's worth of SPF, sebum, and pollution, then delivering actives while your skin is in repair mode.

Step 1: Oil Cleanser (First Cleanse)

The first step in a Korean skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin (and most counterintuitive) is an oil-based cleanser as the first cleanse. 

An oil-based cleanser will dissolve oil-based products (such as SPF, excess sebum, and makeup) much better than a water-based cleanser alone. Be sure to choose an oil-based cleanser that emulsifies and leaves no residue behind after use.

Highly Recommended: Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original) is highly recommended for its ability to melt on contact, emulsify with water, and rinse completely clean.

Step 2: Gel Cleanser (Second Cleanse)

An oil-based cleanser will help remove surface dirt, while your second cleanser will remove sweat, bacteria, excess oil, and other residue. If you're going to use a second cleanser at nighttime, you may want to use one with a slightly stronger formula than your morning one. 

Highly Recommended: The COSRX Low pH Daily Gentle Cleanser is highly recommended because of the 0.5% salicylic acid, which helps to penetrate the pores and dissolve the congestion that causes blackheads and whiteheads. 

At Shifumie: Discover the Super Barrier Foam Cleanser, a foaming cleanser designed to cleanse the skin while protecting its skin barrier.

If you haven't tried acids yet, you may want to start using this product 4–5 nights each week and then gradually increase your usage. 

Step 3: Exfoliating Toner (2–3x Per Week)

Chemical exfoliation is one of the most impactful Korean skincare routine steps for oily skin, but only when used correctly. 

BHAs work inside the pore to clear congestion; AHAs resurface skin and fade dark marks. Two to three nights a week is enough. Overdo it, and you'll wreck your barrier.

Highly Recommended: The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (which is made with betaine salicylate - a milder form of BHA) is very effective at removing blackheads and other impurities from the skin. If you're using a chemical exfoliant, you'll want to use a hydrating toner on the off-nights.

Step 4: Essence

Essences are often overlooked in most people's Korean skincare routine steps. As a result, they may suffer from dull skin and slow repair cycles. An essence should be thought of as a concentrated source of hydration to prepare the skin for the application of actives. Look for a lightweight product if you have oily skin.

Highly Recommended: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence because it is one of the most effective Korean skincare routine products for acne-scarred or congested skin. Snail mucin hydrates deeply, supports barrier repair, and improves texture over time without clogging a single pore.

Step 5: Spot Treatment

In order to target and treat active face acne properly, it is necessary to apply the treatment product prior to moisture application so that the active treatment directly contacts the skin.

What Works:  COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch applies overnight on individual blemishes as hydrocolloid patches draw fluid from inside the blemish and provide a protective layer from bacteria. 

For widespread breakouts, apply Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum all over the face to soothe and calm inflammation with centella asiatica while not clogging pores.

Step 6: Night Moisturizer

You may be able to use a slightly richer product on your skin at night, but even with oily skin, every night, heavy sleeping packs are not necessary. Focus on ingredients that help rebuild the barrier of your skin. 

Highly Recommended: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask 2 to 3 evenings per week, will repair the barrier of your skin and reduce the inflammation of your skin while you sleep. 

Three Rules That Make This Routine Work

Use one new product at a time. Your skin may not be able to identify the cause of a reaction when five new products are introduced at the same time. Wait 2 weeks each time to evaluate the effectiveness of each product before making a decision.

Patch test before full use. Apply to your inner arm or behind your ear for 24–48 hours — especially for actives like BHAs and niacinamide.

Consistency over complexity. A clean five-step routine done daily beats a twelve-step routine done twice a week. Pick what you'll actually stick to.

The goal of this Korean skincare routine for oily skin isn't to eliminate oil; it's to stop your skin from overproducing it in the first place.