Shine Control & Clear Pores: Your Guide to Oily Skin Care
Noticeable shine, especially in the T-zone, with a tendency for acne.
Oily skin tends to produce excess sebum, leading to a shiny or greasy appearance, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Enlarged pores and frequent acne breakouts are common with oily skin due to the overproduction of oil. Proper cleansing and mattifying products are essential to control shine and prevent clogged pores.
Achieve a Balanced Complexion:
Solutions for Oily & Blemish-Prone Skin
Acne
Excess oil often clogs pores, creating the perfect environment for acne. Oily skin is naturally more prone to whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed pimples. Addressing acne means managing oil production while treating active breakouts with gentle yet effective solutions.
Key actives like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree work to penetrate pores, dissolve excess oil, and reduce acne-causing bacteria. These ingredients help oily skin stay clear without overly stripping the skin’s protective barrier.
Ingredients Against Acne
Oily skin often struggles with blackheads—tiny clogged pores filled with hardened sebum. They typically appear on the nose and chin, where oil production is highest. Regular exfoliation and pore-clearing treatments can keep them from becoming more noticeable.
Blackheads
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Frequent breakouts and excess sebum can lead to rough patches and bumpy skin. Smoother texture can be achieved by using chemical exfoliants and balancing treatments that refine pores while improving overall clarity.
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Large, visible pores are a common concern for oily skin types. By reducing sebum buildup and tightening the look of pores, you can achieve a smoother, more refined finish. Targeted pore-control products help minimize shine and prevent congestion.
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Niacinamide, clay, and witch hazel are powerhouse ingredients for oily skin. They help absorb excess oil, regulate sebum production, and improve pore appearance without overdrying. These are must-haves in any oily-skin routine.
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Managing oiliness is all about balance—not stripping the skin, but regulating shine. Gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizers, and mattifying sunscreens keep skin fresh throughout the day while maintaining hydration to prevent rebound oil production.
Routines & Bundles
Curated skincare bundles designed specifically for oily and blemish-prone skin make it easy to build an effective routine without guesswork. These sets typically include cleansers, treatments, and moisturizers that complement each other, ensuring a balanced, shine-free complexion with minimal trial and error.
Targeted Oily Skin Routine
Deep Cleansing:
Start your routine with a gentle yet powerful cleanser that effectively removes excess oil, dirt, and makeup to prevent clogged pores. Look for foaming or gel-based formulas that purify without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leaving your complexion refreshed and ready for the next steps.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 200ml
COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser 150ml
Innisfree Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foam 150g
Etude Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam 160ml
Some By Mi Aha-Bha-Pha 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam 100ml
Pore Refining Toner/Treatment:
A toner or treatment designed for oily skin helps balance sebum production, refine the look of large pores, and provide light exfoliation to prevent buildup. With consistent use, these formulas smooth uneven texture, reduce shine, and create a more refined complexion.
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner (2 Sizes)
COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 100ml
Some By Mi Aha-Bha-Pha 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml
COSRX One Step Green Calming Pad 140ml
Oil-Balancing Serum/Ampoule:
Lightweight serums or ampoules target oily-skin concerns at a deeper level, addressing blemishes, excess oil, and rough texture. With active ingredients like niacinamide, tea tree, or salicylic acid, these treatments regulate sebum while calming inflammation for a clearer, more balanced complexion.
Aperire Be Frozen Cooling Pore Ampoule 30ml
COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum 40ml
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 20ml
Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Tightening Serum 20ml
Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
Lightweight, Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer:
Even oily skin needs hydration to stay healthy and prevent rebound oiliness. A non-comedogenic, lightweight moisturizer replenishes moisture without clogging pores or making skin feel greasy. Look for gel-cream or water-based formulas that absorb quickly, leaving skin soft, balanced, and comfortable.
Aperire Vitality Shine Water-full Vitamin Cream 50ml
COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Cream 65ml
Innisfree Jeju Cherry Blossom Glow Jelly Cream 50ml
ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream 100ml
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Cream
Matte or Pore-Controlling Sunscreen:
Daily sun protection is a must, but oily skin benefits from formulas that go beyond SPF. Matte or pore-controlling sunscreens shield against harmful UV rays while also minimizing shine and keeping skin fresh throughout the day. These formulas often double as a primer, extending makeup wear without greasiness.
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia SPF50+ PA++++ 18g
BOM Green UV Sun Off 50ml
KAHI Airy Fit Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 14g
Dr.Jart+ Every Sun Day Mild Sun SPF43 PA+++ 30ml
Nature Republic California Aloe Fresh Powdery Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 24g
Weekly Treatments & Spot Solutions
Masks:
Clay or charcoal masks are excellent weekly treatments for oily skin, drawing out impurities, absorbing excess oil, and unclogging pores. They help reset your skin when it feels congested or overly shiny, leaving you with a smoother, refreshed, and clarified complexion. Hydrating or soothing masks can also be used to balance the skin after more intensive treatments.
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 100ml
Aperire Spa Relief Be Frozen Pore Mask 120g
NOHJ 1Pack a day Healing Mask Pack 25g
BOM Eight Tea Quick Boosting Mask 30 Sheets 390g
Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Cleansing Gel 100ml
Spot Treatments:
For sudden breakouts, targeted spot treatments deliver concentrated ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur directly to blemishes. These formulas work to reduce redness, inflammation, and bacteria, helping pimples shrink faster while preventing scarring and further irritation.
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (24 Patches)
COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch (26 Patches)
ilso Natural Mild Clear Nose Pack (5 sets)
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 14 Days Super Miracle Spot All Kill Cream 30 ml
Dr.Jart+ Ctrl+A Teatreement Soothing Spot 15ml
Top Brands for Oily Skin Care
Now that you know the essential steps for managing excess oil and keeping your skin balanced, it’s time to put them into action with the right products. For every step—whether it’s cleansing, pore care, or sun protection—we’ve selected top-performing options from trusted brands that are especially effective for oily and blemish-prone skin.
Beauty of Joseon
COSRX
Dr.Jart+
Innisfree
Some By Mi