If you have oily skin, you don’t want a heavy moisturizer to weigh on your skin or make your skin too greasy or shiny. Luckily, there are several Korean moisturizers for oily skin that are lightweight, soothing, hydrating, and moisturizing.
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The Best Korean Moisturizers for Oily Skin
The last thing that oily skin needs are rich and heavy creams.
So by incorporating a lightweight Korean skincare product in the form of a cream, lotion, gel, or gel-cream like one from this list into your skincare routine, your skin will be hydrated, and your skin barrier will be supported.
Plus, these weightless Korean moisturizers for oily skin won’t add an extra layer of greasiness or oiliness to your skin.
Keep in mind that when it comes to the best Korean moisturizer for oily skin, the best moisturizer for you will be the moisturizer that addresses your specific skin concerns and contains ingredients that work for your skin type.
1. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb is a best-selling hydrating gel-cream formulated to “burst” when applied to the skin, flooding the skin with hydration.
What is striking about this gel-cream is how incredibly lightweight it is, but at the same time, the skin feels deeply hydrated, soft, and smooth.
While it is made for normal, combination, and oily skin types, oily skin can really benefit from the lightweight gel-type formula.
It contains several plant extracts and antioxidants to protect, soothe and moisturize the skin.
The herb Lady’s Mantle helps protect skin against damaging free radicals from UV exposure, reduces the look of enlarged pores, and improves skin elasticity.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Marigold extract, and Oat Kernel Extract soothe the skin with anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycerin and squalane moisturize the skin, while Ceramide NP supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier. For those that have sensitive skin, please note that this oil-free gel cream is lightly fragranced.
For more information on this moisturizer and other belif products, please see my belif skincare review.
2. TONYMOLY The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream
TONYMOLY The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream is a gel-based cream that contains pure fermented green tea extract to hydrate and moisturize the skin without being too heavy, thick, or greasy.
The cream contains 63% Camellia sinensis leaf (green tea) extract in place of distilled water.
This fermented Korean green tea is called ChungTaeJeon, which is fermented in the sun for over 365 days to yield high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and moisturizing benefits.
This Korean moisturizer also contains Lemon Seed Oil, which offers antibacterial and anti-fungal benefits, which is helpful for oily and acne-prone skin. Rosewood Oil soothes the skin.
TONYMOLY notes that it can even be used as a 5-minute emergency moisture mask.
This moisturizing cream feels like a hybrid gel cream. This bouncy moisturizer turns thin and watery upon application.
It does not leave skin greasy or oily, just hydrated and moisturized, and really feels weightless on the skin. It contains a lightweight citrus fragrance.
3. COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap is a lightweight lotion ideal for oily and combination skin.
Although it is lightweight and non-greasy, it sinks in quickly and deeply hydrates and moisturizes the skin.
Betula Platyphylla Japonica (Birch Sap) Juice, also known as natural willow bark water, is filled with minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants to provide lightweight hydration and nutrition to the skin.
Glycerin and panthenol moisturize the skin while sodium hyaluronate (the salt form of hyaluronic acid) hydrates and helps the skin retain moisture.
Tea tree leaf oil offers antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is ideal for oily and acne prone skin. This lightweight Korean lotion has a light fragrance from natural ingredients.
4. Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream
Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream is a best-selling snail cream that contains 92% Snail Secretion Filtrate (snail mucin extract).
Snail Secretion Filtrate has wound healing, antioxidant, skin barrier protection, and hydration benefits. It can even help to smooth fine lines.
The cream is rich in antioxidants and soothing ingredients while having a lightweight gel-cream texture and feel on the skin.
Portulaca Oleracea Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract have anti-inflammatory and repair/wounding healing properties.
This snail cream is so light it almost feels like a serum when applied to the skin.
It dries to a matte finish, perfect for very oily complexions, although it may not be hydrating enough for those with dry skin. It works well under makeup, too.
Related Post: The Best Snail Mucin Skincare Products
5. Etude House SoonJung 10-Free Moist Emulsion
Etude House SoonJung 10-Free Moist Emulsion contains multiple skin-loving ingredients and 93% naturally derived ingredients.
This very lightweight emulsion contains moisturizing squalane and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to soothe and heal the skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf (green tea) Extract is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and protects skin from UV exposure.
The cream also contains a variety of plant extracts, firming peptides, and sodium hyaluronate for additional hydration.
Madecassoside, found in Centella Asiatica Extract, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and helps to repair skin damage.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf (green tea) Extract is a potent antioxidant and protects against free radical damage from UV exposure.
This hypoallergenic lotion is free of animal materials, mineral oil, color additives, synthetic perfume, polyacrylamide, silicone, imidazolidinyl urea, triethanolamine, surfactant, and parabens, making it ideal for even the most sensitive skin.
6. Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel is a lightweight gel formulated with 80% Aloe Leaf Juice and 10% Bee Propolis Extract to soothe, hydrate, and moisturize the skin.
It sinks into the skin quickly without feeling too heavy or greasy.
Benton is my pick for the best Korean gel moisturizer for oily skin.
The gel contains three different variations of aloe: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.
These actives come from the Aloe Vera plant and have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties to soothe irritated skin.
This aloe gel is artificial coloring-free and chemical fragrance-free. This gel is ideal for oily skin that needs a light water-based product that doesn’t leave your skin oily.
It contains no artificial fragrance but has a natural scent from the Propolis in the formula.
Related Post: Dr. Belmeur Skincare Review
7. COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream
COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream is a gel-like cream moisturizer that is calming and cooling for all skin types. It works especially well for oily skin since it is lightweight and non-oily jelly texture.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf (green tea) Extract provides antioxidant protection and soothes sunburns, redness, blemishes, and irritated skin.
Glycerin moisturizes while Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, panthenol (pro-vitamin B-5), and allantoin soothe, soften and promote skin repair.
This cream is ideal for hot, humid climates or seasons, thanks to its lightweight cooling texture.
It hydrates instantly but is soothing and has anti-inflammatory benefits, which are helpful when dealing with breakouts and redness.
8. The Face Shop Chia Seed Hydro Lotion
The Face Shop Chia Seed Hydro Lotion is a lightweight hydrating emulsion. It is formulated with chia seed and vitamin B12 (Pink Vitamin).
Chia seeds are rich in essential fatty acids like Omega-3 to support a healthy skin barrier, while vitamin B12 nourishes damaged skin.
The lotion also contains sodium hyaluronate for hydrating and plumping and glycerin for additional moisture.
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) moisturizes and has anti-inflammatory properties, and beta-glucan is reparative and soothing.
This lotion hydrates dehydrated oily skin without any greasiness. Please note that there is added fragrance in this lotion.
9. iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream
IUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream is a gel cream that is ideal for oily, acne-prone, sensitive, or stressed skin.
It contains 70% Centella Asiatica Leaf Water and 10% Tea Tree Leaf Water to calm the skin while hydrating and moisturizing it.
This oil-free cream soothes the skin while also helping to improve skin clarity.
Centella Asiatica is an anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant and reparative properties, and helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf (Tea Tree) Water offers antibacterial properties which are helpful for those with oily skin and acne.
Niacinamide brightens while balancing sebum production. Sodium hyaluronate hydrates while Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract brightens and lightens the skin. Six different sprout extracts moisturize the skin.
This Korean gel-cream also offers anti-aging benefits. Adenosine firms and helps to improve skin elasticity. Arginine supports collagen production.
The cream absorbs quickly and has a cool, lightweight texture. It is formulated to work well as a primer for makeup. For more on this moisturizer, please see my iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream review.
Related Post: Best CeraVe Products for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin, Purito Deep Sea Pure Water Cream Review
10. Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream
Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream is a lightweight gel moisturizer formulated with damask rose water to hydrate, soothe and moisturize your skin.
The gel moisturizer sinks into the skin quickly and provides long-lasting hydration, and protects the skin barrier without feeling heavy or sticky on the skin.
Bulgarian Damask Roses grown in the world-renowned Rose Valley are hand-picked in early mornings during the peak season for the best quality.
Rosa Damascena Flower Water has antioxidant and antibacterial benefits and soothes and protects the skin. If you are a fan of the scent of roses, this moisturizer has a lovely rose fragrance.
This gel cream also contains moisturizing glycerin, antioxidant vitamin E, and hydrating sodium hyaluronate.
Perfect for combination and oily skin, this moisturizer is weightless but super hydrating on the skin.
Related Post: The Best Korean Moisturizers for Combination Skin
11. AHC Aqualuronic Cream
AHC (Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics) Aqualuronic Cream is a lightweight moisturizing cream for deep hydration.
It is formulated with ceramides to hydrate and support a healthy skin moisture barrier by keeping moisture in and irritants out.
This Korean moisturizer contains three kinds of hyaluronic acid with low, medium, and high molecular weights. Each type of hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin in different layers.
They hydrate the skin, plump fine lines, and help the skin hold onto moisture.
French Sea Water contains three natural marine ingredients from the French Sea for added hydration.
Niacinamide brightens the skin, and Camellia Sinensis Leaf (green tea) Extract offers antioxidant protection. Shea butter moisturizes, and Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract soothes the skin.
The gel-cream is lightweight, and the non-greasy texture is perfect for oily skin. Please note that there is added fragrance in this gel cream.
12. I’m From Vitamin Tree Water Gel
I’m From Vitamin Tree Water Gel is a gel moisturizer formulated with 68% Vitamin Tree Leaf Water.
You’ll find it on the ingredient list as Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, which is extracted from sea buckthorn. This extract is rich in vitamins and offers antioxidant benefits.
This lightweight moisturizer is loaded with ingredients ideal for oily skin, such as oil-balancing niacinamide and astringent Witch Hazel Extract. Portulaca Oleracea Extract is an anti-inflammatory and has reparative qualities.
Sodium hyaluronate hydrates and panthenol soothes and protects the skin.
This gel leaves a cooling sensation upon application and gently hydrates without the greasiness. It’s fragrance-free, coloring-free, and steroid-free.
13. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream
Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream is a gel-cream formulated with deep seawater from Kona, Hawaii.
This seawater is rich in minerals as it comes from 914 meters deep in the ocean.
Formulated for oily skin, this gel moisturizer has a watery texture and a lightweight feel. The ingredient list is LONG as it contains 33 active ingredients from the ocean.
Portulaca Oleracea Extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract brightens the skin. Salicornia Herbacea Extract moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier.
This Korean moisturizer for oily skin does an excellent job of balancing the skin and works well with other skincare products and makeup.
Please note that there is added fragrance in this moisturizer.
Tips for Hydrating Oily Skin
If you have an oily skin type, you may be tempted to skip a moisturizer altogether to avoid applying an additional skincare product to your already oily skin.
But keep in mind that you can experience dehydrated skin even if your skin is oily.
Dehydrated skin needs water and moisture, so it can look dull and become irritated, sensitive, and itchy.
Your skin barrier may also become compromised, which can lead to redness, skin irritation, and even acne and breakouts.
So it is important to replenish your skin with a hydrating but lightweight formula that helps avoid clogged pores and excess oil production. Apply after your cleanser, toner, serums, and treatments.
Also, don’t forget to finish your routine and protect your skin by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every single day.
Mineral sunscreens tend to be less irritating than chemical sunscreens, and many mineral options are non-comedogenic and leave a matte finish which is perfect for oily skin.
The Best Korean Moisturizers for Oily Skin
These Korean moisturizers for oily skin are targeted to address excess sebum while hydrating and moisturizing skin.
They are the perfect addition to a Korean skin care routine or your current skincare routine.
These K-Beauty moisturizers also help oily acne-prone skin combat breakouts and flareups by ensuring the skin barrier is protected and strengthened, as a weakened skin barrier can lead to inflammation, blemishes, and redness.
For more posts on the best Korean skincare products, please see the following:
The Best Korean Cleansing Balms and Oils
The Best Korean Toners for All Skin Types
The Best Korean Vitamin C Serums
The Best Korean Eye Creams for Dark Circles, Wrinkles, and Puffiness
The Best Korean Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Until next time, here’s to your good skin health!