Pori
- Core routine: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser ($14), Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner ($23), SKIN1004 Poremizing Light Gel Cream ($21) and Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 ($22).
- Anua's matte sunscreen is a US formula with a Drug Facts label; many Korean sunscreens are imports with filters the FDA has not approved.
- For shine and pores, add COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum or the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, one at a time.
- Oily skin still needs moisturizer; over-cleansing and stacking acids can make it oilier and tighter.
The best Korean skincare for oily skin is COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser to wash, Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner for light hydration, SKIN1004 Poremizing Light Gel Cream as a moisturizer and Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50, a US-labeled matte sunscreen. Oily skin still needs moisture and daily sunscreen; the trick is choosing gels and light lotions that do not add shine.
Before you buy, you can scan a product's barcode or photograph its label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check it against your skin type and spot heavy oils or fragrance. Pori reads the label; it does not diagnose skin conditions.
Quick picks
- Best overall: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser ($14 for 150 ml, cosrx.com): a mildly acidic gel wash that cleans without stripping.
- Best sunscreen: Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 ($22, anua.us): a fragrance-free matte formula with a US Drug Facts label.
- Best gel cream: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream ($21 for 75 ml, skin1004.com): aloe, niacinamide and centella in a cooling gel.
- Best toner: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner ($23 for 250 ml, anua.us): watery, fragrance-free and acid-free.
- Best for shine and pores: COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum ($25 for 20 ml, cosrx.com): niacinamide with zinc PCA for oil control.
- Best budget cleanser: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Deep Cleansing Foam ($14 for 125 ml, skin1004.com): kaolin and mineral salts.
We compared published ingredient lists, Drug Facts labels, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin. Prices are list prices on each brand's US store as of November 2026, and sales are common. Find more Korean guides in our K-beauty section.
What do dermatologists recommend for oily skin?
The American Academy of Dermatology's tips for oily skin are simple. Wash up to twice a day and after sweating with a mild, gentle foaming cleanser, and do not scrub. Choose products labeled oil-free and non-comedogenic. Use a moisturizer anyway, and wear sunscreen; acids such as salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid can reduce oiliness, but cut back if they irritate. Press blotting papers on shiny areas instead of rubbing.
Korean routines fit that advice well because so many products come as gels, watery toners and light lotions. The usual mistake is doing too many steps. Over-cleansing and stacking acids can leave skin both oily and tight, as our guide to oily but dehydrated skin explains. If you are not sure why your face gets so shiny, start with why is my face so oily.
How do the best Korean products for oily skin compare?
| Product | Type | Key ingredients | Best for | Price (November 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser | Gel cleanser | Mild surfactants, betaine salicylate, tea tree oil | Daily wash | $14 for 150 ml (cosrx.com) |
| Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 | Sunscreen | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Matte daytime protection | $22 (anua.us) |
| SKIN1004 Poremizing Light Gel Cream | Gel cream | Centella, aloe, niacinamide, witch hazel water | Light moisture | $21 for 75 ml (skin1004.com) |
| Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Toner | Heartleaf water, glycerin, panthenol | Light hydration | $23 for 250 ml (anua.us) |
| COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum | Serum | Niacinamide 15%, zinc PCA | Shine, pores, marks | $25 for 20 ml (cosrx.com) |
| COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid | Exfoliant | Betaine salicylate, niacinamide | Blackheads, texture | $25 for 100 ml (cosrx.com) |
| Innisfree Green Tea Panthenol Gel Cream | Gel cream | Green tea, panthenol, cooling agents | Shine control | $30 (us.innisfree.com) |
| Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam | Foam cleanser | Amino acid surfactants, betaine salicylate | Congested pores | $20 (anua.us) |
| SKIN1004 Poremizing Deep Cleansing Foam | Foam cleanser | Kaolin, mineral salts, papain, centella | Budget deep clean | $14 for 125 ml (skin1004.com) |
| COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion | Lotion | Birch sap, no fragrance after reformulation | Oily but dehydrated skin | $25 for 100 ml (cosrx.com) |
The 10 best Korean products for oily skin
1. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
COSRX lists this gel at $14 for 150 ml and describes it as a gentle, mildly acidic cleanser that does not strip. That matches the AAD's call for a mild foaming wash. Small amounts of betaine salicylate and tea tree oil sit low on the list. Our full review goes through every ingredient.
Who it suits: oily and combination skin, morning and evening. Who should skip it: anyone sensitive to tea tree oil. The catch: it will not remove heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen alone, so use an oil first on those days; see our best Korean cleansers list.
2. Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50
Many Korean sunscreens use UV filters the FDA has not approved and reach the US only as imports. This one is a US formula: its Drug Facts label lists avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene. Anua sells it at $22 on its US store and calls it fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and matte, with no white cast; its directions say to reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.
Who it suits: oily and acne-prone skin that hates a greasy finish. Who should skip it: dry skin, and anyone allergic to octocrylene. The catch: its base leans on isododecane and powders such as methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, which give the matte finish but can feel dry on cheeks. The AAD's oily-skin advice favors zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; if you want a mineral formula, Anua also sells a zinc oxide Mineral Weightless Finish Sunscreen ($18). Check our sunscreen for oily skin list for more. Beauty of Joseon pulled its imported Relief Sun from the US in 2025, and it shows as unavailable on the brand's site in November 2026; our Korean sunscreen guide explains the rules.
3. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream
SKIN1004 lists this at $21 for 75 ml and describes a light, cooling gel with aloe, niacinamide and adenosine. Its key ingredient list also names centella, mineral salts and witch hazel water.
Who it suits: oily and combination skin that wants moisture with no film. Who should skip it: dry skin, and anyone who reacts to witch hazel. The catch: in cold, dry weather it may not be enough on its own. Our best moisturizer for oily skin roundup has non-Korean options.
4. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Anua sells 250 ml for $23 and says it is the top-selling facial toner on Amazon. It is a watery, fragrance-free toner led by heartleaf water with glycerin and panthenol, and it has no acids or drying alcohol. Our Heartleaf 77 review covers it in full.
Who it suits: oily skin that feels tight after washing. Who should skip it: people who want an exfoliating toner. The catch: a toner is optional; the brand's soothing claims rest mostly on its own tests.
5. COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum
COSRX lists it at $25 for 20 ml, with 15% niacinamide and zinc PCA to reduce the look of pores and regulate excess sebum, and calls it non-comedogenic tested. Our niacinamide guide explains what the research supports.
Who it suits: oily and combination skin with shine, pores and old acne marks. Who should skip it: people who flush with strong niacinamide. The catch: the bottle is small for the price.
6. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
COSRX sells 100 ml for $25 as a BHA and niacinamide exfoliating liquid for mid-level acid users. The AAD notes that acids such as salicylic acid can help oily skin, and betaine salicylate is its gentler cousin. See our salicylic acid for blackheads guide.
Who it suits: oily skin with blackheads and rough texture. Who should skip it: anyone already using another exfoliant or a retinoid nightly. The catch: start two or three nights a week. More picks are in our best COSRX products list.
7. Innisfree Green Tea Panthenol Gel Cream
Innisfree sells this at $30 on its US store and describes a lightweight gel cream with its Oil Comfort Complex and non-menthol cooling agents to reduce shine.
Who it suits: oily skin that wants a cooling, shine-reducing moisturizer. Who should skip it: budget shoppers; it is the priciest moisturizer here. The catch: Innisfree does not list what the Oil Comfort Complex contains on the product description, so check the box.
8. Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Anua lists this at $20. It cleans with amino acid surfactants and adds betaine salicylate and capryloyl salicylic acid for light exfoliation. Anua reports lower sebum after two weeks in its own testing.
Who it suits: oily skin with clogged pores around the nose and chin. Who should skip it: sensitive skin; it lists eucalyptus oil. The catch: use it once a day and a gentler wash the other time.
9. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Deep Cleansing Foam
SKIN1004 lists 125 ml at $14 and describes a creamy foam with mineral salts, kaolin and papain that absorbs excess sebum, plus centella.
Who it suits: very oily skin on hot or humid days. Who should skip it: combination skin with dry cheeks. The catch: clay and enzyme foams can feel drying with twice-daily use.
10. COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
COSRX lists this at $25 for 100 ml. The brand says it was reformulated to remove fragrance ingredients and add 4-terpineol, a component of tea tree. It is a light lotion built around birch sap.
Who it suits: oily but dehydrated skin that finds gel creams too thin. Who should skip it: anyone sensitive to tea tree compounds. The catch: COSRX showed it as backordered when we checked, so stock may be patchy.
What does a simple Korean routine for oily skin look like?
- Morning: gel cleanser, toner if you like it, gel cream, matte sunscreen.
- Evening: cleansing oil on makeup or sunscreen days, gel cleanser, niacinamide serum or BHA (not both on the same night at first), gel cream.
Our oily skin routine and the Korean skincare routine steps guide show which steps you can skip. If shine comes with breakouts, see our Korean skincare for acne list; for marks left behind, see the Korean products for dark spots list. If you would rather buy a drugstore moisturizer, CeraVe PM is a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic standard.
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Light night lotion that hydrates without feeding shine.
Suits: Normal, Combination, Oily skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
How we chose
We picked Korean gel cleansers, light toners, gel creams, serums and matte sunscreens sold on the brand's own US store, and checked their prices, stock and published ingredients or brand claims in November 2026. For sunscreens we only included products with a US Drug Facts label on DailyMed. We favored fragrance-free formulas and flagged essential oils where they appear. We did not test any product on skin. For light hydrating extras, see our essence, snail mucin, centella and sheet mask roundups and the COSRX Snail 96 review. For more brands, see our Korean skincare brands and COSRX guides, or browse moisturizers for oily skin in our catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Korean skincare for oily skin?
A short routine: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, SKIN1004 Poremizing Light Gel Cream and Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50. Together they cost about $80 at list price on the brands' US stores as of November 2026.
What is the best Korean moisturizer for oily skin?
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream ($21 for 75 ml) for a light gel, or COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion ($25 for 100 ml) if your oily skin also feels dehydrated.
Which Korean sunscreen is best for oily skin?
Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 ($22 on Anua's US store). It has a US Drug Facts label with avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene, and Anua calls it fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and matte.
Should oily skin use a toner?
It is optional. A watery, alcohol-free toner such as Anua Heartleaf 77% adds light hydration. Skip toners with drying alcohol, which can leave skin tight.
Does niacinamide reduce oil?
Niacinamide is widely used to reduce the look of shine and pores, and COSRX pairs it with zinc PCA for oil control. Results vary, and high strengths can cause flushing in some people.
How often should oily skin be washed?
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests washing up to twice a day and after sweating with a mild cleanser, without scrubbing.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to control oily skin
- American Academy of Dermatology: Face washing 101
- DailyMed: Anua Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen
- Anua US: Invisible Matte Finish Sunscreen
- COSRX: Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- SKIN1004: Poremizing Light Gel Cream
- COSRX: The Niacinamide 15 Serum
- Innisfree US: Green Tea Panthenol Gel Cream
- COSRX: Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
Pori is a wellness and skincare education app, not a medical device. This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For anything that worries you, see a dermatologist.
