Over the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with Korean skincare. It’s inexpensive, customizable, and gentle. Most importantly, it’s improved my skin ten-fold.
The only problem is I’ve never been able to find a Korean skincare routine online that works for me. Most of the Korean skincare routines I’ve found are intense. They often take several hours and involve 20+ products.
So over the years, through a lot of trial and error, I’ve developed my own super simple Korean skincare routine for acne-prone skin.
Table of Contents
My Korean skincare journey
Two years ago, my skin was the worst it’s ever been. I had closed comedones all over my forehead, painful cystic acne on my chin and jaw, and blemishes… everywhere. It was not pretty.
Desperate for a solution, I discovered the Asian Beauty subreddit and started ordering Korean skincare for acne.
The Korean products I ordered were so different than the products I had been using. They didn’t burn. They didn’t ‘tingle’. They didn’t leave my skin squeaky clean. They were effective but gentle.
Since using Korean products, my skin has gone from oily and acne-ridden (uhhh see above) to dewy and clear. While I still get hormonal acne from time to time, I now have much clearer skin.
Here’s how you can create your own easy Korean skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin. And you won’t find any super expensive products here – in fact, most of these products cost less than $20!
How to create a Korean skincare routine for oily skin:
Note – these are my recommended Korean skincare steps for oily skin, or combination/acne-prone. These products are best integrated into a Korean skincare routine for combination skin or oily skin – probably not dry.
Step 1 – Foaming Cleanser
In the morning, cleanse with a gentle foaming cleanser.
I recommend The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam which has a low pH, meaning it’s gentle and won’t strip your skin of its natural moisture.
Step 2 – BHA Toner
After cleansing, prep the skin with toner, which preps the skin for moisturizer by making it easier to penetrate.
The best Korean toner for oily acne-prone skin will have BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid), which helps get rid of blackheads and whiteheads.
I recommend the Benton BHA Skin Toner with Aloe, which is excellent for clearing up closed comedones and clogged pores.
Step 3 – Snail Moisturizer
This may sound strange, but the best Korean moisturizers for combination skin or oily skin will definitely have snail essence.
Snail moisturizers are popular in K-beauty because they pack a punch; snail extract contains elastins, proteins, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid, all of which firm and plump the skin.
I recommend the Benton Snail Bee High Content Cream for maximum hydration and anti-aging.
Tip – make sure to moisturize your neck, and décolletage, not just your face!
Step 4 – Sunscreen
Sunscreen is SO important for anti-aging. And yes, you need it even if you have a fifteen-minute commute and work in an office. I recommend wearing it every day.
My favorite is the Biore Aqua Rich Sunscreen, which is light, hydrating, and has SPF 50.
Step 5: Oil Cleanser (Evening)
In the evening, use an oil cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. Surprisingly, oil cleansers are fine for people with combination/oily skin to use.
I recommend the Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect Cleansing Oil, which removes makeup in seconds and smells incredible.
Tip – If you need addtional help removing stubborn eye makeup, use the Banila Clean It Zero Sherbert Cleanser.
Step 6: BHA Toner
After cleansing at night, apply a BHA toner again. This will help prep the skin for moisturizer.
Again, I recommend the Benton BHA Skin Toner with Aloe.
Tip – The best way to apply toner is with cotton pads. I love these ones from Japanese brand MUJI, which are made of gentle, unbleached cotton.
Step 7: Heavy-duty Moisturizer
In the evening, use a heavier moisturizer to moisturize the skin as much as possible during the night.
I recommend the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, which is what climbers use on Everest – it’s incredible.
Step 8: Hydrating Eye Cream
Use a hydrating eye cream to moisturize under your eyes at night. The skin under the eyes is the first part of the face to show visible signs of aging, so it’s important to keep it hydrated.
I recommend the Mizon eye cream which contains my favorite Korean skincare ingredient, snail essence.
Step 9: Acne Patches
If you have an active blemish, use an acne patch. All you do is place the acne patch on top of the active blemish, and they absorb pus, oil, and fluid from the pimple site. Tip – they work best if you’ve already popped the pimple.
I recommend the Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches for clearing up pimples fast.
Step 10: Sheet Mask
Once a week or so, use a sheet mask to treat your skin.
I recommend the TONYMOLY sheet masks because they treat a variety of skin concerns. My favorite is the TONYMOLY red wine mask, which reduces the appearance of enlarged pores.
What not to do in your Korean skincare routine
1) ?Don’t skip sunscreen – Nothing ages the skin faster than the sun. So either stay out of it or apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
1) ?Don’t rely on makeup for sun protection – Even if your foundation has SPF, you’re not applying it thick enough for it to substitute as sunscreen. See this New York Times article for more information.
3) ?Check ingredient lists for whitening agents. Some Korean skincare products contain bleaching agents that whiten the skin. Check for bleaching agents before buying.
4) ?Don’t use a moisturizer that comes in a tub. If you have acne-prone skin, don’t use a moisturizer that comes in a tub. Because your fingers come in contact with the tub, it’s easy to spread bacteria. My recommended Korean skincare steps for oily skin definitely don’t include a tub moisturizer – you’ll just break out.
5) ?If you have cystic acne, remember you may need more than topical products. Many women combat cystic or hormonal acne by taking birth control, spironolactone, or antibiotics (I’ve found cutting out peanuts works wonders). Know that you may need several additional Korean skincare steps for acne of the cystic or hormonal variety.
6) ?Don’t squeeze ‘blackheads’. You know those gross black pores on your nose? They’re (usually) not blackheads! They’re sebaceous filaments and their size is based on genetics, like your pores. If you squeeze them you could end up with burst capillaries.
7) ?Do not put lemon juice, baking soda, or sugar on your face. Just because something is natural does not mean it belongs on your face. Lemon juice has a pH of 2. This is highly acidic! Do NOT use sugar either – the jagged edges of sugar crystals will tear your skin. And baking soda has a pH of 9, which is WAY too alkaline for your skin.
Korean skincare for acne prone skin FAQ
Why should you use a low-PH cleanser?
The skin’s acid mantle (the skin’s thin, protective coating) has a pH level of 4-5, which is slightly acidic. In order to maintain the skin’s natural pH level, it’s best to use a cleanser with a similar pH.
The pH scale goes from 0-14. Battery acid has a pH value of 0 (VERY acidic), water has a pH of 7 (neutral), and household ammonia has a pH balance of 11 (alkaline).
If you use a cleanser that is too alkaline, it damages the skin’s acid mantle. Symptoms of a disrupted acid mantle include dryness, tightness, excessive oil, and sensitivity.
Tip – You can test your cleanser’s pH level with pH indicator strips.
What’s the difference between AHAs and BHAs?
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) are both acids that serve different purposes.
Basically, it boils down to this:
- If you have aging, sun-damaged, or dry skin, use an AHA toner like this one.
- If you have oily or acne-prone skin, use a BHA toner like this one. It’s is the best Korean toner for acne-prone skin I’ve found, and my all-time favorite toner for closed comedones. If you want to use Korean skincare for whiteheads or blackheads, use this.
To learn more about the difference between AHAs and BHAs, see this skincare forum on Reddit.
What’s the best way to get rid of closed comedones?
Closed comedones are small under-the-skin bumps that usually form as a result of using skincare or beauty products that are occlusive. Occlusive basically means pore-clogging – they seal off the top layer of skin, trapping bacteria underneath.
The best moisturizer for closed comedones isn’t actually moisturizer – it’s a toner or solution with one of the following ingredients: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or BHA. A BHA toner like this one is a must in any skincare routine for closed comedones.
What’s the difference between SPF 15, 30, 50, etc.?
Fun fact – the SPF numbers attached to sunscreen are fractions. For example, SPF 15 allows 1/15 UVB rays to pass through to your skin, SPF 30 allows 1/30 UVB rays to pass, and so on.
That’s why there isn’t a big difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 – the former protects you against 97% of UVB rays, the latter against 98%.
Are all Korean skincare products high-quality?
No. Just because a product is Korean doesn’t mean it’s good. Some are gimmicky but useless, i.e. this adorable snail moisturizer that does nothing.
That being said, the best Korean skincare routine for combination skin will definitely make use of snail essence, as it is plumping, hydrating, and repairs damaged skin. So definitely consider integrating it into your routine.
What about using Retin-A or retinol?
Retin-A is the best anti-aging product on the market. It’s prescription-only and can be very expensive (or very cheap) depending on your insurance. It’s basically a cream with vitamin A that makes your skin cells regenerate so quickly they don’t have time to age or create acne.
One of my biggest pet peeves is that many women use products with retinol and think they’re getting all the benefits of prescription Retin-A. They’re not. Retinol has about 1% of the strength of prescription Retin-A.
Know that prescription Retina-A can be difficult to use. It can make the skin extremely dry, if over-used. I use generic Retin-A (Tretinoin) and apply a pea-sized amount right before bed. The trick is to always use moisturizer beforehand and to use a very small amount.
Also, if you’re using a prescription Retin-A, you must wear sunscreen, as Retin-A makes the skin much more sensitive to UVA and UVB rays.
Note – I haven’t found a good Korean retinol product, but if you have any recommendations feel free to email me!
Other resources for learning about Korean skincare:
Asian Beauty – A super useful Asian beauty forum on Reddit. It has the best advice I’ve found on how to create a basic Korean skincare routine, with lots of K beauty before and after pictures.
Fifty Shades of Snail – My favorite Korean skincare blog. Fiddy (the owner of the blog), taught me so much about the best Korean skincare for acne-prone skin. She’s amazing!
Skincare Addiction – An incredible Reddit forum with tons of useful skincare advice (not just Korean).
So there you have it! Everything you ever wanted to know about my Korean skincare routine.
Tell me about your skincare routine! Do we use any of the same products? Have you tried any Korean ones?
Disclosure – this blog is based on my personal experience, and is NOT a substitute for any advice given to you by your dermatologist.
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Fascinating and your photos show living proof of the products.
I am not sure how we get the products?
Weather good here.
Your a Dad doing great!
We have Sylvie living with us.
Love, Gamma and Papa
Hi Gamma, you can order them on Amazon. Glad you enjoyed the post and say hi to Sylvie for me! :) Love, Ashley
I used to use Yube in the US on my hands… had no idea it was for the face lol. I loved that stuff and stumbled upon it at Sephora. I need to start paying mind to my skin a bit more. Thanks for reminding me!
Yube is great! I’m obsessed. I had no idea it was at Sephora!
This is such a great read! I’m half Korean and I never realized how much people like Korean skincare until recently. My mom just left a bunch of stuff in our RV from her recent visit so I think I’ll start trying some of it :)
How nice of your mom! Korean skincare is the best – western companies have a lot of catching up to do.
I’ve been following your blog for a long time but I think this is the first time I’ve commented? Sorry! I’ve loved all of your other posts but I just got so excited to see a post on Asian skincare that I finally had to stop being lazy and leave a comment! I’ve been using Asian skincare for about a year now and I just love it. Happy to see that you also love the Benton Steam Cream. Your skin looks great!
Thanks so much!! And isn’t Benton Steam Cream the best?!
Thanks so much for this, I might try them out! I’m bookmarking this post :)
Glad you liked it, Erin! Definitely give some of them a shot :)
This is a great post!! I really liked going in all the skincare stores when I was in Seoul. I did notice in Seoul that a LOT of people there had really bad skin… I think it’s from the air pollution. In Japan, we have a lot less pollution and people here (in general) have really stunning skin. There’s also not much dairy in the food here.
FYI, the first one on your list is Japanese too :) All the writing on it is in Japanese!
Thanks for catching that! I guess I should’ve called this post The Life-changing Magic of Asian Skincare. I would love to check out the skincare stores in Seoul, I bet that was super fun! And pollution makes such a big difference – I’ve been struggling more with my skin in Uganda than I have in years :(
Funny, I’m actually living in Korea now and I never appreciated how popular these products are. It’s true that they are dozens of beauty and skin care stores in every town. I always thought they looked mostly gimmicky, but maybe I should give them a second look.
I can definitely relate with having skin problems due to pollution here. My skin has been simultaneously drier, oilier and blotchier than ever before. I also think their tap water isn’t the cleanest, which certainly doesn’t help, either.
Pollution is the worst for skin :(. It’s also just terrible for health in general – I’ve had bronchitis for two weeks and just can’t get rid of it!
Hi Ashley! Loved this post as I too struggle with many of the same issues, plus it’s so dry in Colorado where I live. Would love to see a follow up post to the types of makeup you use!
Thanks Ashley! That Yube moisturizer was a life safer for me in Colorado, particularly during ski season! And I am actually doing a makeup post soon – stay tuned :)
Thanks for sharing this post! I am still learning to find good product for my skincare routine and this post really helps me. Thanks a lot!
Glad you enjoyed it, Atheera!
I have tried many products for the past two years for my hormonal acne, and Dermalmd blemish serum is the only product that works. I received this as a sample in a beauty box and am so happy and grateful I did. I use this prior to putting on makeup over blemishes and at night after washing. A thin layer is all that is needed and is like magic- I wake up and the blemishes are gone.
Thanks for the tip, Stephanie! I’ll look into that.
Same thoughts with the eye cream! I also use the Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream since I found so many good reviews about it but I can’t really see the effect that much. I found Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye Cream better. You can check out my blog as well! I posted about the 10 step Korean skincare routine and recommended some products as well :)
I’ll have to check that out! Thanks for the recommendation :)
Hi, Ashley! This blog post of your is pretty helpful! Thank you so much! :) I’ve been looking for a perfect remedy for my pimple scars and blemishes. I guess, retinol and niacinamide can help. Your product recommendations are good! I’m also a k-beauty product user. Thank you for this very informative post.
Glad you found it helpful!
Hi, Ashley! This blog post of *yours is pretty helpful! Thank you so much! :) I’ve been looking for a perfect remedy for my pimple scars and blemishes. I guess, retinol and niacinamide can help. Your product recommendations are good! I’m also a k-beauty product user. Thank you for this very informative post.
Hi Ashley,
Happy to found your blog as I have similiar skin problems and just started using Korean cosmetics. I just bought the Benton SNAIL BEE HIGH CONTENT ESSENCE, which was recommended to start with. Do you have experience with this essence already? And can this essence replace a step from our recommendation or shall/could I add this essence to your routine, if yes between which steps should I use the essence?
Thanks and kind regards from Munich!
Hi Sabrina, I’m not using any essences right now but most people apply them after using toner. Hope this helps!
I really enjoy your blog Ashley, I have just started with The Ordinary’s skincare products and I can highly recommend them to anyone.
I have read a lot of good things about Korean skincare so will most def try out some of the things you recommended here. http://niccimarquart.com/
The Ordinary is awesome! I’m using a few of their products right now :)
Hi Ashley, I tumbled on your blog while I was researching about Asian skin care and how to get their products in Uganda where I live. Seeing that you currently live in Uganda gave me hope that I can get these products. I have oily to combination skin and trying to figure out how I can get these products. Please advise. Otherwise, I enjoyed your article and still snooping through your blog. Cheers.
Hi Catherine, thanks for stopping by :). I actually brought all of these products to Uganda! So I’m not sure how to order them.
Nice list! I’ve purchased a few of the products on this list. My favorite is definitely the Biore Aqua Sunscreen. This is pretty much a staple on a lot of the asian beauty forums. With such a high SPF, It goes on very light and clear and doesn’t leave a weird tint to the skin. Plus you can’t beat the price!
It’s so great! Doesn’t feel like a sunscreen at all.