Top 10 Must-Have Korean Serums For Oily Skin In 2022

Tackle clogged pores, breakouts, and dark spots with these amazing Korean serums.

By Kirtana Divakar
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Korean skin care has gained a lot of attention, and once you try a Korean serum for oily skin, you won’t want to go back to your old products. The best Korean brands use premium ingredients to provide effective outcomes while keeping prices low. Korean serums for oily skin can help control most of your oily skin issues. Excess oil production and clogged pores characterize oily skin, which may lead to acne and zits if left untreated. Niacinamide, ferulic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, salicylic acid, and hyaluronic acid are just a few ingredients that can help regulate excess sebum production and prevent acne. The best serum can nourish and hydrate your skin while fighting acne, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles, and other oily skin issues.

Once you narrow down the exact skin issues you have, you can go ahead and pick one of the best Korean serums to address them. Don’t worry if you are not sure how to choose one. With our list of the top 10 Korean serums designed specifically for oily skin, picking your perfect product is going to be a breeze. Continue reading to find the ideal match.

Our Top Picks
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Best For Mature Skin:Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum
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Best Hypoallergenic:Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
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Best For Combination Skin:SKINMISO Pore Corset Serum
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Best Lightweight:COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
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Best For Sun Damage:SKIN & LAB Dr. Color Effect Red Serum
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Best Hydrating:Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum
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Best Anti-Aging:PURITO Centella Green Level Buffet Serum
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Best For All Skin Types:Meebak Cica Serum
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Best For Acne:Cos De BAHA Vitamin C Serum
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Best For Skin Softening:Saranghae Deep Radiance Essence + Serum
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10 Best Korean Serums For Oily Skin With Reviews And Buying Guide

1. Best For Mature Skin:Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum

Wake up to radiant skin every day with this Korean serum for oily skin. It is enriched with vitamin C and ferulic acid, known for their antimicrobial and skin-calming properties. Together, they soothe inflammation, minimize pores, prevent acne, and lighten acne spots. It also contains vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, jojoba extracts, and aloe vera to maintain the skin’s health, provide moisture, and lend you clear, glowing skin. Suitable for all skin types, we are sure your skin will fall in love with it! You must check out this video to learn everything about the Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum.

Pros

  • Fights skin aging
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Enriched with vitamin C and E
  • Made with 98% natural ingredients

Cons

  • The citrus scent may be overpowering for some.

2. Best Hypoallergenic:Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

This one tops our list for being the best Korean vitamin C serum for oily skin. Vitamin C not only clears dead skin cells and improves dull skin tone but also shrinks enlarged pores. The lavender oil, grapefruit, and broccoli extracts provide the skin with moisture and nourishment, leaving you with healthy, glowing skin. Suitable for all skin textures and types, the formula also contains ascorbic acid to reduce fine lines and treat hyperpigmentation. Go through this review video to learn more about the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop.

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free formula
  • Ideal for all skin types
  • Effectively lightens dark spots

Cons

  • Some might find the texture a bit thick and clumpy

3. Best For Combination Skin:SKINMISO Pore Corset Serum

We understand the trouble people with oily skin go through when dealing with enlarged pores and excess sebum production, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Use this Korean serum for oily, dehydrated skin to tighten and minimize pores, while locking in moisture. It is formulated with witch hazel, algae, and green tea tree oil to regulate excess sebum, provide hydration, and reduce pores. With anti-aging ingredients like castor oil, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. A must-have product in your skin care routine, you can achieve silky, smooth skin with this serum in no time! Check out this video to find out more about the SKINMISO Pore Corset Serum,

Pros

  • Paraben-free
  • Suitable for oily and combination skin
  • Hydrates and nourishes skin
  • Tightens and minimizes pores

Cons

  • May not yield immediate results

4. Best Lightweight:COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

Try this Korean face serum for oily skin to achieve beautiful, glowing skin. The hyaluronic acid and panthenol in this formula restore moisture while galactomyces battle aging and revive dull, tired-looking skin. Acne and inflamed skin will be a thing of the past! It is powered with niacinamide to soothe skin and fight acne-causing bacteria. Suitable for all skin types, its lightweight formula lends you hydrated skin, without adding a greasy residue.

Pros

  • Lightweight serum
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Anti-aging properties
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Brightens and smooths dull skin

Cons

  • In rare cases, it may cause irritation and redness.

5. Best For Sun Damage:SKIN & LAB Dr. Color Effect Red Serum

Your one true solution for brighter, more radiant-looking skin is here! This serum makes it to our list as one of the best anti-aging serums for oily skin as it contains niacinamide and adenosine, which minimize pores and improve skin texture. It is formulated with Red Phyto Complex, which has the nourishing properties of 6 different berries, including goji berry, acai berry, and raspberry. Together they revitalize and soothe the skin while stimulating collagen production. Packed with antioxidants, you cannot miss out on this serum that fights free radicals and protects skin against sun damage.

Pros

  • Minimizes pores
  • Pleasant fragrance
  • Brightens and soothes skin
  • Includes fruit-derived antioxidants

Cons

  • Some might find the texture a bit thick

6. Best Hydrating:Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum

We’re well aware about the numerous benefits of using a Korean hydrating serum for oily skin that contains green tea. Rich in amino acids, it strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier to retain moisture while quenching parched, dehydrated skin. The lightweight formula also contains hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil, carrot and raspberry extracts to deliver smooth, nourished skin, so you can attain gorgeous, dewy skin you’ve always longed for.

Pros

  • Cruelty-free
  • Hydrates skin
  • Lightweight formula
  • Free of harsh chemicals

Cons

  • The scent may be overpowering for some.

7. Best Anti-Aging:PURITO Centella Green Level Buffet Serum

If you want to steer away from harmful chemicals and opt for a natural serum, you should give this one a try. Enriched with gotu kola extract and hyaluronic acid, it is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to speed up wound healing, stimulate collagen production, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Do you want to moisturize your oily skin without being worried about breakouts? If yes, this formula with niacinamide, panthenol, peptides, and jojoba oil is perfect for you! It has antibacterial properties to add hydration and prevent acne-causing bacteria without adding greasiness.

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Fragrance-free
  • Suitable for everyday use
  • Increases collagen production

Cons

  • It may leave the skin slightly greasy.

8. Best For All Skin Types:Meebak Cica Serum

This Korean whitening serum for oily skin is enriched with cica or tiger grass to repair and soothe wounded skin. It also contains other nourishing ingredients like retinol and niacinamide to brighten and firm skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. To add to this, its lightweight formula penetrates deeply into the skin to provide a radiant glow. Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, it is suitable for all skin types.

Pros

  • Brightens skin
  • Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates

Cons

  • Some might find the aroma of this serum unpleasant.

9. Best For Acne:Cos De BAHA Vitamin C Serum

Here’s another Korean vitamin C serum for oily skin! With vitamin C as its key ingredient, it fades hyperpigmentation and protects the skin from the sun’s damage. Its effective formula also contains ascorbic acid, aloe vera, thyme, and rosemary extracts to alleviate skin inflammation, reduce acne-causing bacteria, and soothe skin. For best results, use this serum twice every day.

Pros

  • Prevents acne
  • Prevents sun damage
  • Fades hyperpigmentation
  • Can be used in the morning and night

Cons

  • May not be suitable for sensitive skin

10. Best For Skin Softening:Saranghae Deep Radiance Essence + Serum

Last on our list is this Korean hydrating serum for oily skin. Regular use of this serum will leave your skin feeling soft and firm. It is formulated using hyaluronic acid and Sang Hwang mushroom extracts to ensure that skin is hydrated while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Also included in the powerful list of natural ingredients are soybean ferment extract and ginseng extracts. Together they are packed with essential vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants, which prevent aging and protect the skin cells from oxidative stress.

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Botanical ingredients
  • Contains vitamin B
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates

Cons

  • The texture may feel a bit drying for some

That was it for our list of the top 10 must-have Korean serums for oily skin in 2022. Now let’s look at some things to keep in mind while choosing one that is perfect for your skin.

How To Choose The Best Korean Serum For Oily Skin

  • Active ingredients

Those with oily skin often struggle with excess sebum production and clogged pores. Serums which reduce excess oil, support exfoliation, and shrink pores can be of great help. Look for serums that include ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C, tea tree extracts, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid to help regulate sebum production and unclog pores of impurities. Both Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum and SKIN & LAB Dr. Color Effect Red Serum are great options for oily skin.

  • Formula

Oily skin is prone to pore-clogging, which may lead to acne and zits. Hence, we recommend you choose serums that are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.

  • Address your skin issues

There are many Korean serums for oily skin in the market, but you need to pick one that specifically addresses your skin issues. If you struggle with oily, acne-prone skin, choose Korean serums that unclog pores while fighting acne-causing bacteria. These include serums with ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid. If your primary skin issue is dull, sagging skin, opt for a serum with anti-aging properties and ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. They nourish the skin and effectively reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots among others. If you wish to give your oily skin a radiant glow with a brighter complexion, ensure to add a serum with vitamin C in your skin care routine.

Korean serums made for oily skin contain premium ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid. They contain skin-calming and anti-bacterial properties that regulate sebum production, prevent clogging of pores, acne, and lighten acne spots. Niacinamide smoothens the skin and fights acne-causing bacteria. These serums nourish and hydrate your skin and prevent wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and pimples. They are usually are cruelty-free, lightweight, and suitable for all skin textures and types. The products on our list come in different textures and dispensers to suit different needs. The different formulae address different skin concerns. So, do read the reviews thoroughly before making a purchase.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Kirtana Divakar, is passionate about all things beauty and loves staying on top of the latest skin care developments, which is why she swears by this Korean beauty secret. She shares tips for choosing the best Korean serums in her buying guide and explains how to consider ingredients and product formulation parameters for a better experience. After conducting extensive research and reviewing numerous online reviews, she compiled this list with the best products. Serums can hydrate and nourish your skin while tackling aging signs and other concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Korean skin care good for oily skin?

Absolutely! Korean products with ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and salicylic acid ensure the regulation of oil production while effectively clearing the pores of any impurities.

How soon can I see the results after serum?

On an average, a serum takes 4-6 weeks to show visible results.

Is snail serum good for oily skin?

Snail serum is effective for both oily and dry skin. It helps heal acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and inflamed skin.

Is a Korean skin care serum good for acne?

Yes. Korean serums that contain green tea, salicylic acid, and retinol help control excess oil and prevent acne-causing bacteria.

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Kirtana has a postgraduate degree in mass communication and journalism from St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru. She developed a deep passion... more

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