Oily Skin Type

Oily skin — what it means

Shine by lunchtime, enlarged pores around the nose and forehead, and makeup that slides off by 3pm — that's overactive sebaceous glands at work. The trap most people fall into is over-cleansing, which strips the barrier and triggers even more oil production. The fix is balance, not war.

What to look for in products

• Niacinamide (2-5%) to regulate sebum and refine pores
• BHA (salicylic acid) to clear out congested pores from inside
• Green tea and centella extracts for sebum balance + soothing
• Lightweight gel or water-based essences
• Oil-free gel-cream moisturizers
• Matte or fluid-finish SPF

What to avoid

• Heavy occlusives like mineral oil or thick butters
• Comedogenic oils (coconut oil is the classic offender)
• Over-cleansing — twice a day is plenty
• Stripping foaming cleansers that leave skin squeaky
• Skipping moisturizer (this backfires every time)

Your K-beauty routine

AM: Low-pH gel cleanser, balancing toner with niacinamide, lightweight essence, gel moisturizer, fluid SPF 50.

PM: Double-cleanse (lightweight oil cleanser then gel cleanser), BHA toner pads 2-3x a week, hydrating essence, niacinamide ampoule, gel-cream.

Hero ingredients

• Niacinamide — the gold standard for sebum control and pore appearance
• Salicylic acid (BHA) — oil-soluble, so it gets into pores other actives can't
• Centella Asiatica — calms inflammation that often comes with oily skin
• Green tea extract — antioxidant that also helps balance sebum
• Heartleaf — purifying without stripping

Browse the collection below for BHA toners, niacinamide ampoules, and gel-textured essentials that keep shine in check without dehydrating your skin.