A Simple Korean PM Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Evening is when your skin shifts into recovery mode.
A good nighttime routine focuses on removing sunscreen, excess oil, and daily buildup while supporting the skin's natural repair process.
For oily skin, the goal isn't to aggressively strip away oil. Instead, it's about keeping pores clear, maintaining hydration, and using targeted treatments that address congestion, breakouts, and texture concerns over time.
Here's a simple Korean evening skincare routine designed to help oily skin stay balanced, healthy, and comfortable.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
Step 2: Hydrating Toner or Essence
Step 3: Exfoliation or Targeted Treatment
Step 4: Moisturizer
Step 1: Double Cleanse
If you wear sunscreen, makeup, or spend time outdoors, double cleansing can help remove buildup more effectively than a single cleanse alone.
Start with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, then follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove remaining impurities without disrupting the skin barrier.
Oil-Based Cleanser Recommendations
CELIMAX - Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin's natural oils, its lightweight formula allowing the cleanser to dissolve excess sebum and impurities while keeping the skin hydrated. The oil is formulated to be water-soluble. When you add water, it instantly transforms into a milky emulsion that rinses off completely clean, leaving no oily residue behind.
Dr. Althea - Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm
The balm melts into a lightweight oil that dissolves impurities deep within the pores, breaking down makeup, SPF, and excess sebum without leaving a greasy residue. The formula is enriched with Green Tea Extract, which is known to help keep pores feeling clear and more comfortable.
Water-Based Cleanser Recommendations
Abib - Acne Foam Cleanser Heartleaf Foam
It effortlessly washes away daily impurities, dirt, and excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Formulated with heartleaf and centella extracts to help calm redness and soothe the skin, it also uses salicylic acid (BHA) to gently unclog pores. Hydrating ingredients like glycerin support hydration, making sure the skin remains calm after cleansing.
Beplain - Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam
Formulated with Mung Bean Seed extract and powder: rich in antioxidants, it helps purify the skin and provides a very gentle physical exfoliation. It features a slightly acidic pH similar to your skin's natural balance, which helps keep the skin microbiome healthy.
Step 2: Hydrating Toner or Essence
Cleansing removes impurities, but it can also leave the skin temporarily lacking hydration.
A lightweight toner or essence helps replenish moisture, soothe the skin, and support a healthy barrier without adding unnecessary weight.
Product Recommendations
I'm From - Mugwort Essence
Its watery, weightless texture absorbs instantly, providing deep hydration and oil-balancing benefits. Formulated with Mugwort (Artemisia Princeps) extract: rich in antioxidants, it helps purify the skin and provides a very gentle physical exfoliation.
S.NATURE - Aqua Oasis Toner
A lightweight toner designed to hydrate and soothe the skin. It absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue. Formulated with Papaya Complex & Gluconolactone (PHA): provides mild, non-irritating exfoliation.
Step 3: Exfoliation or Targeted Treatment
This step focuses on long-term skin improvement.
Depending on your skin's needs, you can alternate between exfoliation and targeted treatments such as retinoids. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and clear congestion, while retinoids support cell turnover and help address acne, texture, and post-blemish marks.
Avoid using retinoids and leave-on exfoliants (AHAs or BHAs) in the same skincare routine to prevent irritation. Instead, alternate them on different nights.
Exfoliation 2-3 Times a Week
Product Recommendations
COSRX - BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
This formula is specifically formulated to target excess sebum, unclog pores, and dissolve blackheads, making it a staple in many oily and acne-prone skincare routines.
It uses 4% Betaine Salicylate, a natural BHA alternative that penetrates deep into oily pores to melt away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. Regular use may help improve the appearance of congestion, excess oil, and visible blackheads.
Targeted Treatment (Non-Exfoliating Nights)
For many oily and acne-prone skin types, retinoids are considered one of the most effective long-term treatment options.
Start slowly and allow your skin time to build tolerance before increasing frequency.
Product Recommendations
Celimax - The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
Its lightweight, non-clogging formula features A-Shot microparticles that help deliver Retinal (Retinaldehyde) and Matrixyl 3000 to support smoother-looking skin texture and improve the appearance of enlarged pores.
Formulated to minimize sebum, refine pores, and improve rough texture, it includes Panthenol and ceramides, which help keep the skin hydrated.
Dr.Different - VITAACNAL TX Night Cream
The formula contains 0.1% Retinal, pairing this powerful ingredient with a lightweight texture that makes it particularly appealing for oily and acne-prone skin types.
It accelerates cell turnover to clear out clogged pores, targeting blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Regular use smooths out rough skin surfaces and helps fade dark spots and pigmentation.
Step 4: Moisturizer
Nighttime is the ideal opportunity to focus on hydration and barrier support.
Even if your skin is oily, maintaining adequate moisture levels can help reduce the cycle of dehydration and excess sebum production. Look for lightweight yet nourishing formulas that support overnight recovery without feeling heavy.
Product Recommendations
Dr.G - R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
This lightweight, non-comedogenic gel-cream texture hydrates without clogging pores. It provides hydration while maintaining a comfortable, non-greasy finish.
Packed with skin-loving ingredients like Centella Asiatica and green tea, it calms irritation and inflammation. It also contains niacinamide, which helps brighten the skin, strengthen the moisture barrier, and regulate oil production.
AESTURA Ato Barrier 365 Cream
Many oily skin types are actually dehydrated. Using a nourishing product overnight helps stop your skin from overproducing sebum during the day.
While it may feel too rich for a daytime routine, this ceramide capsule technology is excellent for overnight barrier repair. Despite being a barrier cream, it absorbs surprisingly well and doesn't leave a greasy or suffocating residue.
Eye Cream (optional)
While not essential, an eye cream can be a helpful addition if you're concerned about dryness, puffiness, or the appearance of fine lines around the eye area.
Product Recommendations
Beauty of Joseon - Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
It features retinal liposomes that accelerate cell turnover and boost collagen. Unlike rich, heavy eye creams that can cause milia or greasiness, this serum has a fluid, cream-like texture that absorbs quickly. Its lightweight formula hydrates deeply without feeling greasy or clogging your pores.
SKIN1004 – Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream
Formulated with bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, ceramide NP, panthenol, and niacinamide, this eye cream focuses on hydration and supporting the delicate skin around the eyes.