These 9 Best Korean Moisturizers for Oily Skin are Game-changers

Best Korean moisturizers for oily skin stand out for two main reasons: they are lightweight and control skin’s oil production! That’s not it though. They do what they do best: hydrate and nourish oily skin. There’s been a misconception about oily skin not needing to be moisturized. I am here to tell you that no matter your skin type, you need to moisturize your skin to have youthful, smooth, and glowing skin.

The challenge with oily skin is finding a product that isn’t greasy, oily, or generally, one that wouldn’t feel heavy on the skin. Once you know what ingredients to look for, it does get easier.

Best Korean moisturizers for oily skin have these ingredients:

• Niacinamide – aka, Vitamin B3, controls oil and supports skin barrier
• AHA/BHAs – chemical exfoliants that stimulate skin cell turnover
• Salicylic acid – clears excess oil and treats acne
• Retinol – helps reduce oil production and smooth out wrinkles
• Bakuchiol – is a milder alternative to retinol that helps with bacteria build-up
• Green tea – a superhero antioxidant that regulates sebum (oil) production
• Centella Asiatica – calms down irritated, oily skin and delivers hydration
• Rice – hydrates and brightens the skin
• Hyaluronic acid – because oily skin needs hydration too!

How to choose the Best Korean moisturizer for oily skin?

Now that you know what ingredients to look for in Korean moisturizers for oily skin, let’s see what other factors count.

Texture

If you have oily skin, you should avoid moisturizers with heavy formulations because they can feel heavy on the skin. This includes thick lotions, ointments, and rich creams. Your best bet is going for water-based and gel-textured products. They easily spread on the skin and get absorbed in no time which is exactly what oily skin needs.

Read product labels carefully

Do a quick checklist of important keywords before shopping for moisturizers for oily skin. Examine the products and look for words like “oil-free”, non-comedogenic” (meaning, it won’t break you out), alcohol-free, or hypoallergenic if you have oily, sensitive skin.

Steer clear of fragrance and try to find fragrance-free formulas. Because oily skin is prone to experience acne breakouts, you don’t want to exacerbate it further by irritating the skin. Oily skin needs extra care, and you must be very picky with what you apply to your skin.

You don’t need essential oils

Yes, essential oils is bad news not only for oily skin, but all skin types out there. There is a difference, however, between putting essential oils directly on your face (like those DIY coconut oil masks, for example) and using a moisturizer that has some form of essential oil.

The main difference is that when you put oils directly on the skin, it clogs pores and leads to more breakouts. This is even more horrible for oily skin, that already suffers from acne, and hello, excess oil production! The only way essential oils can be good for skin is when they are included in a moisturizer that is made in a skincare lab, in a stabilized environment. They are usually in low concentration and don’t come in contact with the skin directly.

Here are The Best Korean Moisturizers For Oily Skin

#1. Overall the Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin: COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap

COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap comes at the top of the list as a lightweight lotion ideal for oily and combo skin.

It contains 70% of birch sap (aka willow bark water) which is effective for restoring skin’s moisture level. Birch sap is a very unique ingredient in Korean beauty that is extracted from the black birch tree, much like maple from a maple tree. The birch sap juice is loaded with amino acids, enzymes, proteins, and antioxidants. Plus, it packs Niacinamide to help with even skin tone, and vitamin C to manage oil control.

Overall, this is a universal Korean moisturizer for oily skin that is lightweight and hydrating all the way through thanks to Allantoin, Panthenol, and Sodium Hyaluronate ( a form of Hyaluronic acid). It is oil-free, non-greasy, and sinks into the skin quickly.

It also boasts the anti-bacterial properties of tea tree, which is perfect for oily, acne-prone skin.

#2. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin suffering from acne: SOME BY MI AHA. BHA. PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream

If you are into Korean skincare, you have probably heard of the SOME BY ME AHA. BHA. PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream floating around social media.

This gel cream contains chemical exfoliants like AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) like citric acid, BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) like salicylic acid, and PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid) like lactobionic acid. They gently exfoliate the skin, especially salicylic acid which is great for oily skin that suffers from blackheads and blemishes.

At 70.78%, this miracle cream packs Centella Asiatica to hydrate and calm irritated, oily skin. In addition, we have Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), green tea extract, tea tree leaf extract, and turmeric extract that repair the skin barrier and provide strong antioxidant effects.

The only catch here is the minty smell which I find to be a tad off-putting. If you are using this for the first time, you can start with the mini-starter set like I did.

#3. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin formulated with rice: I’m from – Rice Cream

Another Korean brand that is also a favorite of mine – I’m from. This brand infuses traditional Asian ingredients like rice, mugwort, ginseng in their products. Their rice toner and mugwort essence have received good scores from us in our reviews.

This rice cream is one of the products in the brand’s rice line along with the rice toner. At 41%, the rice bran extract is the star of the show that provides deep, moisture while delivering long-lasting sebum control. The latter is due to the phytic acid content found in rice bran which is excellent for dealing with excess oil clogged deep in pores.

What’s more, is that the I’m from rice cream has skin-loving goodies like Ceramides and Sodium Hyaluronate to deliver hydration to oily, damaged skin.

If you are looking for a daily Korean moisturizer for oily skin that does it all, this one is for you.

#4. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin with Aloe vera: Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel

Korean aloe gels are excellent for oily, problematic skin because they get absorbed really well and feel lightweight. Although the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel is mainly used to treat sunburns, it works for oily skin like a dream too.

This is a dual moisturizer that can be used on the face and body. Its gel-type formula penetrates deep within the skin but does leave the skin feeling greasy or sticky. Improves blemishes and soothes irritated skin.

Although the packaging is practical, some people online have complained about the flap.

#5. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin with Green tea: TONYMOLY The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Moisture Cream

TONYMOLY The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Moisture Cream is another gel-based Korean moisturizer that easily applies to oily skin.

Green tea has been hailed as a powerhouse name in Korean skincare, thanks to its strong antioxidant benefits. Research shows that polyphenols (aka antioxidant molecules) found in green tea are beneficial in reducing oil production and acne treatment.

Instead of using water, this formula uses over 63% of fermented green tea extract. The Korean green also referred to as ‘ChungTaeJeon’ has over a thousand years of history! It is fermented through sunlight for over 365 days and provides gentle yet intense moisture and long-lasting hydration.

Due to the rosewood oil and lemon seed oil in the formula, this cream is not fragrance-free, one thing to keep in mind.

#6. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin that is sensitive: IUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream

As having oily skin comes with having sensitive skin most of the time, we had to include the one with Centella which is specifically formulated with sensitive skin in mind.

Most Korean moisturizers for oily skin are sensitive skin friendly. iUNIK – Centella Calming Gel Cream is one of those K-beauty creams formulated without artificial fragrance, is cruelty-free, and is ideal for oily, sensitive skin that is also acne-prone.

Infused with 72% Centella leaf water and 10% tea tree leaf water, this lightweight gel cream soothes and clarifies skin, leaving it refreshed and smooth. Other sensitive skin-friendly ingredients are Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Adenosine. The formula also packs Licorice root extract (glycyrrhizinate) to brighten and nourish sensitive skin on the oily side.

#7. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin with watermelon: Heimish Watermelon Moisture Soothing Gel Cream

Heimish Watermelon Moisture Soothing Gel Cream is a soothing and moisturizing formula that gets melts into the skin effortlessly. It is suitable for all skin types, including oily skin. It is very lightweight, yet hydrating and nourishing, an excellent choice for oily skin.

The main ingredient in the formula is watermelon extract, which is very popular in Korean-inspired skincare. It’s it contains a bunch of vitamins (A, B, C, and E), mineral salts (K, Mg, Ca, and Fe), amino acids, and antioxidants. Plus, it has Aloe vera and Shea butter to nourish the skin, and ceramides to support the skin’s moisture barrier.

With its cute pinkish hue, this cream always provides a cooling sensation, perfect for oily skin on hot summer days! If you are looking for a hydrating moisturizer without making your skin feel oily, this could be a great one.

#8. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin that is blemish-prone: COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

There is always a COSRX cream to make your skin better. If we are talking about the best Korean moisturizers for oily skin, we have to include the COSRX Centella Blemish Cream, made for sensitive, oily, and redness-prone skin.

According to the COSRX website, it is an acne treatment infused with 50% Centella Asiatica Leaf Water to lighten post-blemish marks. If you have sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin, it will help reduce pigmentation, and acne scars will start fading gradually. Also, a little goes a long way with this K-beauty staple.

Because the formula has zinc oxide (7%), it might leave a slight white cast. I guess it is the only caveat that comes with it.

#9. Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin with Hyaluronic acid: JUMISO – Waterfull Hyaluronic Cream

Looking for a K beauty moisturizer for oily skin with Hyaluronic acid? Look no further!

JUMISO Waterfull Hyaluronic Cream has a non-sticky texture, which is also great for oily skin and absorbs into the skin quickly without clogging the pores. It delivers long-lasting hydration and nourishment. In addition, This lightweight cream is powered by a whopping 3 types of HA, Pre&Probiotics Complex which also helps in sebum control on the skin surface. 

A K beauty moisturizer for oily skin always includes some type of Hyaluronic acid, and for a solid reason! Because if you don’t hydrate oily skin regularly, your skin will produce even more oil to compensate for the not-gained moisture.

I have previously used their Waterfull Hyaluronic Acid Serum from this line which I was quite happy with.

FAQ

Best Korean moisturizers for oily skin are lightweight, yet hydrating and they don’t feel heavy on the skin. They contain skin goodies like hyaluronic acid, Centella, honey, bakuchiol, antioxidants, and so on. Gel-like textures and thin lotions are the best products for oily skin.

Final Thoughts

The Korean moisturizers for oily skin mentioned above are excellent choices for targeting excess oil, and dealing with acne, blemishes while providing the skin with moisture. There is always a K-beauty moisturizer out there for oily skin on the sensitive side or just oily skin that is irritated.

The texture is what really makes these Korean moisturizers for oily skin truly stand out. They immediately sink into the skin and hydrate the skin all the way.

Overall, a K beauty moisturizer for oily skin is a great addition to your skin regimen aiming for oil control. Remember, oily skin also needs TLC and moisture, only by doing so, you can achieve the best skin results!

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