Routines
A Korean routine for oily skin and large pores: step by step
Oily skin needs hydration, not drying out. A Korean morning and evening routine for shine and pores, with the ingredients that help and the mistakes that make oiliness worse.
4 November 20266 min read
If your face is shiny before noon and the pores on your nose and cheeks are visible, you're not alone. Oily skin is common in Saudi Arabia, and the heat and humidity in the coastal cities make it worse. The good news is that the Korean routine handles it differently: instead of trying to dry the skin out, we keep it balanced.
Mistake number one: drying it out
The first thing most of us do when the shine gets worse: a harsh cleanser, wiping the face every few minutes and skipping moisturizer. The problem is that when skin feels dry, it makes up for it by producing more oil. So you get caught in a cycle: you dry it out, it shines, you dry it out even more. The answer is to cleanse gently, hydrate lightly and let your skin calm down.
The evening routine
- Cleansing oil or balm: even for oily skin. Oil dissolves sunscreen, makeup and excess sebum, and it doesn't add shine because it rinses off completely with water.
- A gentle foaming cleanser: like the COSRX Cica cleanser. What matters is that your skin doesn't feel tight after it.
- BHA exfoliation two to three times a week: salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it gets into pores and cleans them from the inside. Anua BHA 2% Toner is a gentle start.
- A light ampoule or serum: the SKIN1004 pore ampoule combines centella with a refreshing feel.
- A gel moisturizer: light and quick to sink in, it locks in hydration without a heavy layer.
The morning routine
Mornings are simpler: a gentle cleanser, or even just water if your skin can't take two washes, then a light toner, then a gel moisturizer, and last, a sunscreen with a watery or matte texture. Beauty of Joseon Aqua sunscreen is one of the options oily skin loves, because it's light.
Pores don't open or close. What we can do is keep them clean, so they look smaller.
Ingredients that help
- Salicylic acid (BHA): cleans pores from the inside.
- Niacinamide: helps regulate oil and improve the look of pores with consistent use.
- Centella and green tea: for calming, if your skin turns red with breakouts.
- Clay: as a mask once a week, it absorbs excess oil.
When will you see a difference?
Skin needs about four to six weeks to show the results of any new routine. Introduce one new product a week, so that if irritation happens you'll know where it came from. And if you have painful or widespread acne, it's best to see a dermatologist, because beauty products have their limits.
Want a ready-made routine tailored to your skin? Talk to Mi, and she'll set up your morning and night with the products.
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