We are fully aware of how intensely South Korea’s k-beauty products are blowing up on TikTok, with rave reviews pouring in from beauty influencers as well as your everyday consumers on the products responsible for their “filtered” complexions. And we can understand why, because no one does skincare like the South Koreans.
How can we choose when it seems like there’s a new product launched in the market every single day?! Choices, choices, choices.
In our bid to help you avoid buyer’s remorse and achieve that “glass skin” effect sans oil, we have selected the best Korean moisturizers for those fighting an uphill battle with oily acne-prone skin concerns. You’re welcome ◡̈
K-beauty moisturizers have become increasingly popular for their lightweight yet effective formulas because they actually WORK. And if you have oily skin, finding the right moisturizer can be a challenge. Contrary to popular belief, oily skin cannot be stripped of moisture. You need something that will hydrate your skin without making it feel greasy or causing breakouts.
If you wanna banish the oil, ingredients are key. You want to look for a moisturizer that is lightweight, non-greasy, and won’t clog your pores. That’s where Korean moisturizers come in. These products are known for their lightweight formulas that provide deep hydration without clogging pores. In this roundup, we’ve compiled a list of the best Korean moisturizers for oily skin. So, whether you’re dealing with acne-prone skin or just looking for a lightweight moisturizer, we’ve got you covered.
Ingredients List in Korean Moisturizers To Look Out For:
- Oil-free or non-comedogenic formula – Look for products labeled as oil-free or non-comedogenic, meaning they should not clog pores. Ingredients like mineral oil, lanolin, and coconut oil can be problematic. They may not completely prevent acne, they can help to reduce the effects and causes of acne by cleaning out the excess sebum production and bacteria that blocks your pores.
- Lightweight, gel-based formulas – A gel-based moisturizer is lighter, absorb well without leaving a greasy residue, and suitable for acneic skin. Creams or thick ointments may be too heavy.
- No added fragrance – Artificial fragrances can irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin types so it’s best to avoid them.
- Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide – These acne-fighting ingredients help eliminate blemish-causing bacteria while calming inflammation in breakouts. Can help prevent new acne.
- Hyaluronic acid – Hydrates skin without clogging pores so look for moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid. Attracts moisture and smoothes textures.
- Oil-balancing or mattifying properties – Ingredients like mineral clay absorb excess oil helping limit greasy shine without over-drying skin.
- SPF – For daytime, choose an oil-free moisturizer with SPF 30 or greater to hydrate while preventing acne scarring from sun damage.
Focus on light hydration, oil control, keeping pores clear, and redness reduction when evaluating non-comedogenic moisturizing options suitable for acne-prone skin types. Mattifying gels work well for moderate-severe acne.
Without further ado, here are our 2023 great Korean moisturizers from TikTok, crowned for a specific characteristics with their primary ingredients listed:
BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES: COSRX Oil-free Ultra-moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
- This product needs no introduction. A cult favourite that stands the test of time. It is packed with antioxidants and vitamins, containing 70.8% birch sap to sooth irritated skin, delivers intense hydration, and restores the right oil-moisture balance.
- Perfect for dry skin due to acne medication or cold winter weather. The lotion soothes and hydrates the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
- Contains betaine that restores the skin barrier and retains moisture in the skin. It takes care of the balance of water and oil in the skin. The skin remains hydrated, radiant and clean.
- Panthenol, which has Vitamin b5 which improves hydration, reduces itching and inflammation of the skin and accelerates epidermal wounds rate of healing.
- Contains tea tree oil with inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. It even helps in reducing dark spots on the skin.
- It is also 100% vegan and hypoallergenic.
BEST FOR EVERYDAY USE: IUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream
- Botanical ingredients such as centella asiatica leaf water, tea tree extracts, Niacinamide and adenosine work together to hydrate and soothe the skin
- Zero irritating stuff and alcohol, in the formula, providing all day and night-long moisturization. The facial lotion helps to hydrate and healthy skin. The hydrating formula will be absorbed deeply through the layer of skin in seconds without clogging pores or heavy feeling
- Contains Centella Asiatica Extract and Tea Tree Extract which are well-known soothing ingredients that heals and strengthens the skin from irritation, and 6 Sprout Extracts (Pak Choi, Broccoli, Sprout Wheat, Clover, White Radish, and Cabbage).
BEST FRAGRANCE FREE: Torriden DIVE-IN Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Cream
- TikTokers have been raving about this one for ages and we just had to review it!
- Contains low molecular hyaluronic acid to prevent moisture loss and with 5 types of molecules of HA allows moisture to absorb immediately, deeply, and densely inside your skin to by building 3D networks in the layers of the skin to maintain hydration and moisturization to plump your skin.
- Free of artificial fragrance, colorants, parabens, mineral oils, isopropyl alcohol, and other ingredients. They’ve been tested to be not irritating for skin, and the formula is hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types including sensitive and acne prone skin.
- Proudly cruelty free and vegan
BEST HYDRATION: KLAIRS Rich Moist Soothing Cream
- Another classic favourite, this list was hard to curate because there were so many amazing ones!
- Key ingredients are Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Ceramide 3, Papaya Fruit Extract
- Infused with yeast-derived Beta Glucan, this cream fortifies the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It contains hypoallergenic ingredients that are soothing and comfortable even from sensitive and combination skin.
- Ehances the skin’s ability to repair cells by strengthening the protective layer of dry and sensitive skin from the inside out. It makes skin the most comfortable condition by balancing proper oil and water balance.
- With its spreadable and non-sticky texture, it absorbs effectively on the skin for any skin type.
BEST FOR CALMING: ANUA Heartleaf 70 Intense Calming Cream
- This relatively new kid on the block contains heartleaf extract(houttuynia cordata) which is well known for its anti-inflammatory, soothing effect on skin.
- Anua only uses heartleaf ingredients that were grown and harvested in Korea.
- Provides deep moisturization from inside with ceramides.
- Contains Panthenol helps to strengthen your skin barrier with well-balanced formulation.
- Adenosine has anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle effects, regenerates the skin to make it look young and fresh, and helps it restore collagen.
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Dr. G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
- A best-selling crowd favourite. Targets 5 major daily skin irritation aggressors with 100 hours long-lasting hydration with ultra fine moisture particles that can penetrate the 10th layer of the stratum corneum*.
- Non-comedogenic ingredients: It contains a variety of natural plant ingredients composed of light green composite ingredients, having a natural brightening effect for reddish skin.
- It contains 10 cica complex, which can effectively calm angrily red and inflamed skin, and replenish moisture for skin. Cream reduces and soothes reddish skin traces while brightening skin complexion.
- Lightweight formula for oily and combination skin.
BEST FOR YOUR WALLET: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
- Formulated to supply ample moisture and balance the skin’s oil-water ratio.
- Its star ingredient is the Haenam red bean extract (44%) which helps with sebum absorption, and the saponin in red bean peel helps skin health and elasticity.
- Lightweight texture delivers abundant moisture without the greasy feel.
- Contains 3 types of peptides (SH-Oligopeptide-1 / SH-Oligopeptide-2 / SH-Polypeptide-1), known to improve fine lines and wrinkles.
BEST VEGAN: Dr.Ceuracle Kombucha Gel Cream
![[Dr.Ceuracle] Vegan Kombucha Gel Cream](https://i0.wp.com/themillennialglow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dr.Ceuracle-Vegan-Kombucha-Gel-Cream.jpg?resize=1000%2C912&ssl=1)
- Nutrient-dense, rapidly hydrating moisturizer for dehydrated, tired or dull-looking skin.
- Formulated with 20% fermented black tea (Kombucha) extract to help strengthen the moisture barrier while balancing oil production.
- Contains 58.9% Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf water, which has protective antioxidant benefits while calming any irritation.
- These 2 power ingredients supply a nourishing concentration of tannins, amino acids and proteins that boost the skin’s overall fullness and suppleness.
- Added omija fruit extract, rich in vitamins, provides a naturally pink hue.
MOST NATURAL: Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
- Enriched with Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and Extract, Propolis Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, and other botanical and natural ingredients, helps to soothe irritated skin while providing ample nourishment, fighting oxidative stress, and protecting from external stimuli.
- Mitigates skin troubles to soothe and nourish your skin. The face cream is instantly absorbed into your skin and calms stressed skin to make it healthier.
- Strengthens moisture barrier to prevent water evaporation & prevent dryness. The alcohol-free hydrating face moisturizer restores and soothes damaged skin while mildly removing blemishes, aging spots, and redness.
- Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors, parabens, or essential oils, making it perfect for instantly quenching the thirst of dry skin patches. The vegan, lightweight, and water-based formula are ideal for dehydrated, sensitive, and irritated skin.
There you have it! The top-rated TikTok favourite Korean moisturizers for you to pick from.
Don’t forget to check out our FAQs below!
Q: Should I use a moisturizer if I have oily, acne-prone skin?
A: Yes, it’s important to use a moisturizer even with oily skin. Skipping moisturizer can lead your skin to overproduce oil and potentially cause more acne breakouts. Look for oil-free, water-based moisturizers specifically formulated for acne-prone skin.
Q: What ingredients should I look for in a Korean moisturizer?
A: Key ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid to hydrate without leaving skin oily, tea tree to soothe inflammation and fight breakouts, Centella asiatica to calm skin, and willow bark extract which contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate.
Q: Are Korean moisturizers good for sensitive, breakout-prone skin?
A: Yes, many Korean skin care products are designed to be effective yet gentle for sensitive acne-prone skin. Many contain soothing, non-irritating natural ingredients that hydrate while controlling oils.
Q: Should I use a moisturizer with SPF if I have oily skin?
A: Using an oil-free moisturizer with SPF specifically formulated for acne-prone skin can help provide needed sun protection without clogging pores or leaving skin greasy. Or you can layer an oil-free SPF product over your regular moisturizer.
Q: How often should I use a moisturizer for oily, breakout-prone skin?
A: Use an oil-free moisturizer made for your skin type daily – both morning and night. Properly moisturizing daily helps balance and protect skin’s moisture barrier. Using products specifically made for acne-prone skin can keep excess oil at bay.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a dermatologist and/or healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.