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Shiny by lunchtime, clogged pores, the occasional breakout that appears right before an important day—oily and acne-prone skin can be frustrating. The instinct is to fight back with strong cleansers and drying toners. The Korean approach does the opposite: cleanse gently, hydrate lightly and calm the skin so it has less reason to overreact.
Here is a straightforward routine built on that idea, with one product suggestion for each step.
The Ground Rules
Do
- Cleanse gently, twice a day at most
- Moisturise—even if your skin feels oily
- Introduce one new product at a time
- Wear lightweight sunscreen daily
Don’t
- Scrub hard or use harsh foaming washes
- Stack several exfoliants together
- Pick or squeeze spots
- Judge a routine after only a week
Your Routine, Step by Step
Step 1 · Cleanse gently
Over-cleansing can leave skin tight and, ironically, shinier later in the day. A mild, low-pH gel cleanser is all you need.
Try: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser—gentle, with tea tree oil, and a long-time favourite for oily skin.
Wearing sunscreen or makeup? In the evening, start with a light cleansing oil or balm. Here is why double cleansing helps.
Step 2 · Soothe with toner
A watery, calming toner rebalances skin after cleansing—no alcohol sting required.
Try: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner. See how it works in a full routine in our Anua Heartleaf guide.
Step 3 · Exfoliate (2–3 evenings a week)
Oil-soluble BHA helps keep pores clear and texture smooth. Start with two evenings a week and build up only if your skin is happy.
Try: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, a lightweight exfoliating liquid. Check the current label, as the formula has been updated over time.
Step 4 · Balance with a serum
Niacinamide is a hero for oily skin: it is popular for balancing the look of shine and visible pores, and is generally well tolerated.
Try: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide. Unsure where serums fit? Read Essence vs Serum vs Ampoule.
Step 5 · Hydrate lightly
Dehydrated skin can feel tight and look oily at the same time. A gel-cream gives moisture without weight.
Try: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb—fresh, fast-absorbing and comfortable even in summer.
Step 6 · Protect (every morning)
Lightweight sun serums and watery gels feel best on oily skin. Our Korean sunscreen guide covers SKIN1004’s Hyalu-Cica Sun Serum and Isntree’s Watery Sun Gel.
Bonus: pimple patches
Hydrocolloid patches like COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch cover a spot, absorb fluid and—most importantly—stop you from picking. Apply to a clean, dry spot and leave it on overnight.
Morning vs Evening at a Glance
| Morning | Evening |
|---|---|
| Gel cleanser | Cleansing oil, then gel cleanser |
| Soothing toner | Soothing toner |
| Niacinamide serum | BHA (2–3x a week) or serum |
| Gel-cream moisturiser | Gel-cream moisturiser |
| Sunscreen | Pimple patches as needed |
Oily skin does not need to be punished. It needs to be balanced.
Your First Four Weeks
- Week 1: switch to a gentle cleanser and add moisturiser and sunscreen.
- Week 2: add the soothing toner.
- Week 3: introduce a niacinamide serum.
- Week 4: try BHA two evenings a week.
Most routines need four to eight weeks before you can fairly judge them. If breakouts are painful, deep or leave scars, please see a dermatologist—skincare can support your skin, but it is not a replacement for medical treatment.
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