Fun fact: Did you know that South Korea spends more per capita on skincare than any other country in the world? That’s right — glowing skin is serious business over there. And thanks to K-beauty innovation, the rest of us now have access to some of the most effective acne-fighting skincare products money can buy!
If you’re on a mission to find the best Korean skin care for acne, you’re not alone. In fact, thousands of beauty lovers have already turned to Korean face care for acne with glowing (literally!) results. But with hundreds of formulas out there, how do you know what actually works?
We’ve rounded up the 25 best Korean skin care products for acne in 2025 — tried, tested, and loved by real people with acne-prone skin. Whether you have occasional breakouts or daily flare-ups, this list will help you build the perfect K-beauty routine tailored to your skin.
Why Trust Korean Skin Care for Acne?
South Korea is known for its forward-thinking approach to skincare. K-beauty focuses on gentle, nourishing ingredients that restore the skin barrier while targeting inflammation — the root of most breakouts.
Unlike some Western routines that rely heavily on drying ingredients like alcohol or benzoyl peroxide, Korean acne products often include:
- Centella Asiatica: A healing plant extract often used to calm redness and irritation.
- Snail Mucin: Don’t worry — it’s not as gross as it sounds! This is a filtered secretion (totally safe) that helps repair damaged skin and fade acne scars.
- Tea Tree Oil: A natural antibacterial that zaps breakouts without stripping your skin dry.
- Niacinamide: A vitamin (B3) that brightens skin tone and reduces inflammation and oil.
These ingredients not only fight acne, but they also leave your skin feeling soft, glowy, and refreshed — not tight and flaky.
How to Use Korean Skin Care for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
If you’re dealing with both oily skin and breakouts, the trick is balance. You want to control oil without over-cleansing, which can lead to even more acne. Korean skincare prioritizes hydration and barrier support, which is vital for calming reactive, oily skin.
Basic Korean Skincare Routine for Acne
- Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser — Removes makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum.
- Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser — Gently removes dirt and impurities without drying.
- Step 3: Toner — Balances skin’s pH and preps it for hydration.
- Step 4: Essence or Serum — Targets acne, texture, and pigmentation.
- Step 5: Moisturizer — Locks in hydration and supports healing.
- Step 6: SPF (day only) — Protects against sun damage and acne marks.
25 Best Korean Skin Care Products for Acne (2025 Edition)
We’ve organized this list by step, so you can easily mix and match to build your own customized routine using the best Korean skin care for oily acne prone skin.
Cleansers
1. Banila Co Clean It Zero Purifying
This balm cleanser melts makeup and sunscreen while calming stressed-out skin. Packed with Centella Asiatica and tea tree oil, it’s gentle yet effective.
Global No.1 Cleansing balm Loved by K-beauty fans worldwide, this award-winning balm is designed to melt away even waterproof makeup effortlessly, leaving your skin clean, soft, and refreshed. Plus, it’s now #1 Best-selling Cleansing balm in the world! (Source Euromonitor International Limited; Based on Cleansing Balm product sold via retail (online and/or offline) in RSP value terms, 2023; Research conducted in November 2024 –February 2025)
2. Heimish All Clean Balm
A cult favorite with a soothing blend of natural extracts. Removes impurities without clogging pores — perfect for acne-prone skin.
Features a unique texture that changes from a rich, soothing oil to a milky emulsion, providing a smooth and light finish without tightness, heaviness, or stickiness – A skincare gift for all skin types especially oily skin, as it leaves no greasy residue behind (source: Amazon).
3. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
With a skin-friendly pH of 5.5 and tea tree oil, this gel cleanser is ideal for keeping oil and bacteria under control without drying out skin.
Cleanse daily with this gentle and effective gel type cleanser day and night, removing impurities while strengthening your skin barrier. While refining the skin texture, the cleanser will help cleanse with no stripping. Great for all skin types, wake up to a firmer-looking skin while letting it rest clean during the night.
Key Ingredients: pH balanced, tea-tree oil, and BHA to soothe and strengthen for luminous and clear skin (source: Amazon).
4. Etude House SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
Rich lather, ultra-gentle formula. Great for sensitive, irritated acne-prone skin.
SoonJung’s formula has slightly acidic pH condition as natural baby skin. Alkaline skin condition makes protective film on your skin weak,exposing skin to external stress like dryness more easily. If you have sensitive skin, then take care with slightly acidic products to relieve your skin.
Toners
5. Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner
Makes oily skin feel balanced and refreshed, thanks to a high concentration of antioxidant-rich green tea.
6. Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Made for acne warriors, this toner uses acids to exfoliate and keep pores clear, without causing irritation.
SOME BY MI is a compound word of ‘SOMETHING’ and ‘BY A MIRACLE’. Our brand mission is to make products that stick to the essentials of cosmetics, with safe and clean ingredients with proven efficacy. Through our Skincare products, we hope to bring some positive changes and ‘MIRACLES’ to your skin.
he Korean toner helps to refine skin texture in the first step of skincare, ensuring a smooth base for makeup application. This AHA BHA toner is particularly effective due to its inclusion of AHA/BHA/PHA ingredients, which gently exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities, leaving the skin clear and smooth. Additionally, the high concentration of tea tree extract in this pore care toner soothes and treats troubled skin, making it an essential part of any Korean skincare routine
7. Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Hydrating, calming, and free of essential oils. A great all-around toner if you have sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Packed with Beta Glucan, Lipidure, Hyaluronic Acid, and Centella Asiatica Extract. Delivers a burst of moisture to inner skin layers for a radiant and healthy complexion.
The Unscented toner absorbs quickly into your skin, providing an instant burst of hydration and freshness. Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, this fast-absorbing toner is gentle yet effective, leaving your skin balanced and refreshed.
Klairs toner, 5 million-selling product, is a vital step in your skincare routine, prepping your skin to perfection and ideal for the Korean 7 Skin Method, ensuring maximum hydration and absorption for radiant, glowing skin.
Essences and Serums
8. Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This beloved essence hydrates, heals acne scars, and strengthens your moisture barrier. Yes, snail mucin really works!
9. Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Helps fade dark spots while reducing oil production. Niacinamide and propolis are a dream team for acne-prone folks.
10. iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
One of the best Korean skin care products for acne, especially if your breakouts are red and inflamed. Lightweight yet ultra-soothing.
11. Dr. Ceuracle Pro Balance Night Repair Serum
This barrier-loving serum repairs stressed skin overnight with fermented ingredients and probiotics.
Moisturizers
12. COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
Lightweight and non-greasy, this birch sap-based cream gives hydration without clogging pores.
13. Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
Rich enough for sensitive and dry skin moments, yet won’t trigger breakouts. Perfect for repairing a compromised skin barrier.
14. Innisfree Green Tea Seed Cream
Hydrating but feels refreshing — great if your skin is oily in summer but needs moisture too.
Spot Treatments & Special Care
15. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
Pimple patches that zap zits overnight while protecting from bacteria and picking. Everyone should own these!
16. Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Spot Cream
Soothes those angry, lingering pimples overnight. Dries clear under makeup, too.
17. Some By Mi Miracle Cream
A multi-benefit treatment that calms, smooths, and hydrates. Ideal if you’re looking for a healing cream that won’t clog pores.
18. Pyunkang Yul Acne Spot Cream
Developed by a Korean herbal medicine clinic, this cream targets blemishes fast with safe, calming ingredients.
Masks
19. Innisfree Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
A deep-cleansing mask that pulls out gunk and tightens pores — especially helpful for oily areas like the T-zone.
20. Mediheal Tea Tree Sheet Mask
K-beauty’s go-to sheet mask for troubled skin. Easy to use and soothing after a breakout.
21. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Mask
A soothing overnight mask that works like a dream for healing post-acne flare-ups. Wake up calm, cool, and less red.
Sun Protection (Daytime Essential!)
22. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+
Lightweight, no white cast, and calming. One of the top K-beauty sunscreens of 2025 according to all Reddit K-beauty fans.
23. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
Hydrating and silky-smooth, this sunscreen works great for oily, acne-prone skin without pilling under makeup.
24. Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50+
Oil-controlling and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores). Perfect match for summer breakouts!
25. Axis-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen
This lightweight physical sunscreen uses zinc oxide to fend off UV rays while calming reactive skin.
Final Tips for Building Your K-Beauty Acne Routine
Here are some simple tips to get the most out of your Korean face care for acne routine:
- Start slow. Introduce one new product at a time so you can track what works for your skin.
- Hydration is key. Yes, even oily and acne-prone skin needs moisture!
- Avoid harsh scrubs or alcohol-based toners. These can make your acne worse over time.
- Be consistent. Stick with your routine for at least 4–6 weeks before deciding if a product works.
- Patch test new items. Test on a small area first to avoid surprise reactions.
Final Thoughts: The Best Korean Skin Care for Acne Is All About Gentle, Consistent Care
Korean skincare doesn’t promise overnight miracles — and that’s a good thing. These products are designed to work with your skin, not against it. By choosing quality products that soothe, heal, and support your complexion, you’ll be on your way to clearer, healthier skin in no time.
Whether you’re just starting your K-beauty journey or looking to update your 10-step routine, there’s a game-changing product on this list just waiting to make a difference. Here’s to saying goodbye to your breakouts — and hello to your glow-up in 2025!
I’m a beauty blogger and licensed esthetician who’s passionate about skincare and makeup. I love breaking down beauty routines, trying out new products, and keeping things simple yet effective.
