One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding oily skin is that it doesn't require a moisturiser, but that's just not true! It may feel odd to consider putting something wet on top of your oily skin. Surely, it makes things worse? Actually, no! Using a moisturiser can help deal with oily skin and reduce the number of breakouts.
The 7 Best Korean Moisturisers for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Let's look at the world's leading Korean skincare brands that can help you with your oily and acne-prone skin. These brands have pumped serious money into researching and developing their moisturisers but have also managed to maintain good value for money so as many people as possible can get their hands on them.
1. Jumiso — Have a Good Cream Snail and Centella
Snail? Yes, that's right. This deeply hydrating and nourishing cream from Jumiso contains snail secretion known to repair, restore and nourish damaged skin. The Centella helps strengthen the skin and increase blood circulation, making it popular for those dealing with acne eczema, psoriasis, veins and stretch marks.
The cream is suitable for all skin types and offers luxurious, soothing treatment for the skin that will calm acne breakouts and keep pores hydrated.
2. Some By Mi — AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream
The word "miracle" gets thrown about a lot in the beauty industry, but a product rarely earns it. This is one of those products that is effective but affordable and made by a company that cares deeply about the skin issues their customers are dealing with.
Some By Mi are one of the few Korean skincare brands that use organic ingredients, and for this product, they have used a natural blend of tea extracts and three skin-friendly acids. The 30 Days Miracle Cream helps to exfoliate pores while being gentle and also preventing breakouts. This is a light cooling cream with a low pH that can work wonders for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
3. COSRX — Oil-Free Ultra Moisturising Lotion
This lotion from the hugely successful COSRX contains 70% birch sap, which helps calm and treat sensitive, irritated or freshly exfoliated skin. It's suitable for all skin types but is particularly popular with those dealing with oily and acne-prone skin.
It also contains 17 skin-loving amino acids, minerals, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants and vitamins. The formula is designed to almost immediately hydrate, soothe and moisturise your skin. The result? Dewy, glowing K-Beauty skin with fewer breakouts.
Laneige's famous (and award-winning) water sleeping mask is the perfect gel-like moisturiser for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Why is it so good? The gel absorbs while you sleep, helping to restore your pore's moisture levels overnight, leaving them deeply hydrated and your skin looking radiant.
The gel contains hydro-ion mineral water, apricot and evening primrose root extracts that wrap the skin in a breathable moisture layer. Then, orange flower, ylang-ylang and sandalwood oil scents relax your mind and body and promote a rejuvenating sleep.
5. Benton — Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Benton loves producing all-natural skincare products that deliver real, visible results. This Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel is one of their most popular products as it has helped millions worldwide with their acne by calming and reducing the frequency of their breakouts.
The gel contains aloe leaf juice and propolis extract as well as Camellia and cucumber extracts. Combined, these high-quality ingredients intensely moisturise and soothe the skin, leaving it visibly plump and glowing with a dewy finish.
6. Esfolio — Pure Snail Moisture Soothing
Snail mucin is considered a wonder ingredient in Korea for its deep restorative and soothing properties. It can successfully relieve dry skin patches, acne breakouts and will also assist with hyperpigmentation.
Not only will this soothing moisturiser help to alleviate the symptoms of oily and acne-prone skin, but it will also leave you with that K-Beauty glow we all desire. The gel is quick to absorb and contains no synthetic chemicals or parabens, just high-quality natural ingredients that are skin-friendly.
7. Purito — BHA Dead Skin Moisture Gel
Purito's BHA Dead Skin Moisture Gel is specifically designed to prevent unwanted breakouts. It uses infused tea tree leaf extract and Artemisia capillaris, which work to control sebum production and soothe inflamed skin.
The gel benefits from superior cooling properties using aloe vera leaf extract coupled with sodium hyaluronate that ensures your skin is kept hydrated and balanced after exfoliation. To top it off, the gel includes 2% oil-soluble beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), known for its remarkable ability to remove excess dirt, sebum and impurities from deep inside the skin's pores.
What Is Oily Skin?
Oily skin is caused by the overproduction of sebum. This is an oily, waxy substance naturally produced by your body's sebaceous glands to protect the skin against friction and make it more impervious to moisture.
When too much sebum is produced, it's difficult for moisture to get through your skin and hydrate your pores. Sebum clogs pores, attracting dirt and other impurities that lead to pimples and acne.
Why Choose a Moisturiser for Oily Skin?
A good moisturiser will allow more water to hydrate your pores, reduce moisture loss, and attract moisture from the air to keep your skin hydrated and supple. A moisturiser effectively slows down the evaporation of water on your face, which shuts down sebum-producing cells.
Acne bacteria feeds off sebum, so it's essential to use a moisturiser that slows down the production of its food source. Moisturisers often contain sebum-like ingredients such as jojoba oil, which is technically a wax and almost identical to human sebum.
Remember, oily skin is not hydration. It's a reaction to dehydrated skin. Just because it feels sticky and wet, doesn't mean your skin is hydrated. One of the biggest problems with anti-acne products that many people use is that they dehydrate your skin, exacerbating the skin condition.
The result? Dry, flaky and irritable skin plus a never-ending battle to reduce oily skin and fight dry skin issues. What you need is a high-quality moisturiser designed to hydrate your skin while reducing the production of oil and fighting off acne.
The K-Beauty industry is world-renowned for its research into acne, as it is one of the most common skin issues affecting Korean women. This research was conducted to find preventable treatments, and not just patching or covering symptoms of acne up.
Tips for Dealing with Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
A moisturiser isn't the sole solution to oily and acne-prone skin. Although it can significantly help keep your skin hydrated and reduce breakouts, here are some general tips to help you win the battle.
Wash Regularly
When you wash your face, you help to remove excess oil from your skin. Remember, oily skin is caused by overproduction of sebum, so you will want to remove the sebum regularly.
Always wash your face gently and with warm water. Avoid any soaps or foams that include fragrances or other harsh chemicals that will irritate and dry out your skin.
If this doesn't help, consider using a special cleanser suited to oily and acne-prone skin. Avoid using an oil cleanser. This will only make your skin worse. Instead, choose a water-based cleanser such as:
- COSRX — Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Some By Mi — AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam
- Benton — Honest Cleansing Foam
Use a Toner
Avoid any toner that contains alcohol. This will only dry your skin out and lead to increased production of sebum. Instead, use toners explicitly made for oily skin types and those with acne. These include:
- Benton — Aloe BHA Toner
- Jumiso — Yes I Am Toner AHA 5%
- Some By Mi — Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
- Some By Mi - 30-Day Miracle Toner
Pat Your Face Dry
Never rub! Gently pat your face dry. This will ensure you don't damage or irritate your skin. Use a soft towel and be friendly to your skin. Avoid rough-textured washcloths and don't pull down, just gently pat to remove excess water. Rubbing too hard with a washcloth can stimulate sebum production and result in even more oily skin and breakouts.
Use Acne Patches and Face Masks
K-Beauty is renowned for its innovative acne patches and face masks that effectively reduce the appearance of pimples and redness. These products can be a useful tool in the fight against oily skin and acne breakouts.
- Benton — Aloe Soothing Mask Pack
- Some By Mi — Clear Spot Patch
- COSRX — AC Collection Patch
- BARULAB — The Clean Vegan Mask (AHA/BHA - Exfoliating)
Review Your Diet and Lifestyle Habits
Sometimes, humans are far too quick to try to fix and patch over things rather than deal with the issue's root cause. Oily skin and acne are linked to your genetics. Therefore, it can be challenging to prevent. But there are some diet and lifestyle changes you can try to see if they help.
- Avoid eating oily, fatty and processed foods — sugar, high salt and refined carbohydrates.
- Avoid dairy products — there is strong evidence that cow's milk is positively associated with acne.
- Increase the number of healthy whole foods in your diet.
- Adopt a consistent skincare routine.
- Avoid oil-based makeup and skincare products.
- Stay hydrated throughout each day.
Buy the best Korean moisturisers for oily and acne-prone skin right here on the K-Beauty store and enjoy FREE UK shipping on orders over £30. Spend over £25 and get a free gift.