Oily Skin Type
Build your box: cheaper shipping from £19, free from £39
Oily skin: what it means
Korean skincare for oily skin keeps layers light: a gentle cleanser, a watery toner or serum, and a moisturizer that hydrates without feeling heavy. This collection gathers hydrating toners, serums, wash-off masks, cleansers and exfoliating pads for skin that gets shiny.
Brands include TIAM, beplain, Anua, Sungboon Editor, SKIN1004, SOME BY MI, Missha and IOPE. Examples are the beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam, the Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner, the Sungboon Editor Green Tomato Pore Peeling Jumbo Pad and the SOME BY MI Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask.
Oily skin still needs moisture, so keep a gel or lotion moisturizer in your routine. A clay mask or a pore pad once or twice a week can fit in, but avoid using both on the same night. Our skincare tips for skin prone to breakouts help if shine comes with blemishes.
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.
