The Best Korean Moisturisers for Oily Skin: Balance Without the Shine
Posted by Skinsider Team on 6th Jun 2025
Oily skin can be both a blessing and a curse. While excess sebum helps preserve youthful-looking skin for longer, it can also lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and that dreaded midday shine. If you find yourself constantly reaching for blotting paper, you're not alone. But fear not: with the right skincare routine, you can hydrate your skin effectively without making it greasier.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Oily skin is the result of overactive sebaceous glands, which produce excess sebum (oil). Several factors can influence this overproduction:
- Genetics: If oily skin runs in your family, you’re more likely to have it too.
- Hormones: Hormonal fluctuations (especially during puberty, menstruation, or stress) can trigger more sebum production.
- Climate: Hot and humid weather tends to increase oiliness.
- Diet: Foods high in sugar, dairy, and processed ingredients can exacerbate oil production.
- Over-washing: Stripping the skin with harsh cleansers can make it compensate by producing more oil.
How to Manage Oily Skin Beyond Skincare
Skincare is crucial, but a holistic approach will give the best results:
- Diet: Include more omega-3 fatty acids (like flaxseed, walnuts, and salmon) and avoid excessive sugar and dairy.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to maintain skin balance.
- Exercise: Regular workouts help reduce stress, which in turn can help regulate oil production.
- Consistent skincare routine: Avoid skipping your moisturiser! Oily skin still needs hydration.
Best Korean Moisturizer for Oily Skin
We’ve handpicked the best lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers to keep oily skin balanced and happy.
- COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
This cult-favourite is enriched with 92% snail mucin, which deeply hydrates and repairs the skin without clogging pores. It soothes irritation, helps fade acne scars, and gives a healthy glow without any greasy residue. Perfect for oily or combination skin that also needs calming and anti-ageing benefits.
- Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Gel Cream
The Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Gel Cream is ideal for oily skin thanks to its lightweight, fast-absorbing gel texture that hydrates without clogging pores. It balances oil and moisture with 20% kombucha extract and nearly 60% green tea water, both known for detoxifying and soothing benefits. The vegan, non-comedogenic formula provides nourishment without heaviness, making it perfect for oily, acne-prone, or combination skin.
- PURITO Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
Formulated with bamboo water and 5% panthenol, this cream delivers intense hydration in a lightweight formula. It strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier while keeping oiliness at bay.
- AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Cream
This moisturiser is perfect for those with combination-to-oily skin. One side is lightweight and soothing for oily areas, while the other side offers a richer texture for dry patches—giving you the freedom to customise hydration.
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
A refreshing gel-type moisturiser with 44% red bean extract, known for its sebum-absorbing properties. This cream also includes peptides to support the skin barrier and niacinamide for brightening. It absorbs quickly and feels feather-light on the skin.
6. Urang Cactus Oasis Cream
A lightweight, vegan moisturizer is designed for oily and combination skin. It’s made with 71.6% organic Korean cactus extract (Opuntia humifusa), delivering deep hydration without a greasy or heavy feel. Plant-based squalane and ceramide NP strengthen the skin barrier, while jojoba oil and betaine nourish without clogging pores. Soothing botanicals like Centella asiatica, green tea, chamomile, rosemary, and aloe help calm irritation and reduce redness, making it ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin. With its fast-absorbing, creamy texture and refreshing herbal scent, this cream leaves the skin balanced, hydrated, and comfortably smooth.
Skincare for Oily Skin - Final Thoughts
Balancing oily skin isn’t about stripping away all your natural oils—it’s about using the right products to hydrate, protect, and calm your skin. Korean skincare is renowned for its gentle yet effective formulations, and these moisturisers prove you don’t need to sacrifice moisture for a matte finish.
Explore these products at Skinsider and find your perfect match for glowing, healthy skin without the shine.
