20 Best Korean Foundations For Oily Skin (In 2023)
It’s hard to work with liquid foundations if you have oily skin, and it’s even more difficult to find a foundation that can address this specific skin problem. That’s why we rounded up a list of the 20 best Korean foundations for oily skin types.
When you use foundation on oily skin, chances are, your face will only get greasier after just a couple of hours. In order to avoid looking like you’ve been sweating out in the sun all day, you need to choose a foundation that is oil-free and specifically recommended for those who have oily skin.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best Korean foundations for oily skin that promote better skin health, are gentle, and are often formulated with natural ingredients. Before we dive into the products, here are a few things that are good to keep in mind.
First, if you’re familiar with Korean skincare and beauty routines, you’ll know that they place a bigger emphasis on skincare than makeup. This makes sense, as with better skin, you’ll have a smoother, better canvas to work with.
If you don’t already have a solid routine, we’d recommend you check out the 5 Best The Ordinary Products For Oily Skin or 17 Best Korean Beauty Products For Acne & Acne Scars posts.
Secondly, Koreans love foundations that are very skin-like and not overly heavy. They’re perfect for achieving a no make-up makeup look, but not so great if you have very serious hormonal acne all over your face. However, you can still find a couple of full-coverage foundations in the list!
Now, without further ado, let’s jump straight into the products!
The Best Korean Foundations For Oily Skin
1. CLIO Kill Cover New Matte Foundation Set
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Almost everyone has heard about how good the Clio Kill Cover concealer is, but can you say the same thing about their foundations? Absolutely!
This Kill Cover New Matte Foundation Set is their new line of foundations that offers a lightweight but long-lasting formula and gives you a semi-matte finish. The foundation has strong adhesive power on the skin, and you’ll barely notice any transfer when you remove your mask.
Pros: Long-wearing and recommended for oily skin types
Cons: Shade range leaves us dissapointed
2. TROIAREUKE – A+ Healing Cushion
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This is probably one of the best Korean cushion foundations out there specifically formulated for those who have acne-prone, troubled, and oily skin. This foundation merges the benefits of skincare and the power of foundation into one single product.
This healing cushion contains natural ingredients like Centella, tea tree, and marigold that helps soothe and brighten the skin. It’s lightweight but fully covers your skin’s imperfections while controlling sebum production.
Pros: Long-wearing, doesn’t melt off the skin, offers SPF 50 +
Cons: Colors might not match perfectly
3. hera black foundation
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This foundation from Hera is a must-have especially if your skin is on the oily side. The good thing about this foundation is that although it has a silky velvety texture, it delivers a soft matte finish. While mattes are recommended for people who have oily skin, they can sometimes crack after a few hours.
This foundation offers 12 broad shades, which is definitely good since Korean foundations tend to have limited color variations.
Pros:12 shades
Cons: A little bit pricey
4. Laneige Neo Cushion Matte Set
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Cushion foundations are becoming increasingly popular in the beauty community all over the world, probably thanks to their portability and convenience. And, if you’re looking for a Korean cushion foundation particularly for people with oily skin, we recommend this one from Laneige.
The Neo Cushion foundation is infused with micro powder that helps hide pores and dark spots, giving you an even skin-like finish. It also has a sweat-proof effect making it resistant to sweat and sebum. As a bonus, you can buy refills for this foundation, which is much more economical than what regular foundations offer!
Pros: Boasts a powerful SPF 42+++ protection + refillable
Cons: Not transfer proof
5. Etude House Double Lasting Foundation
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If you’re having a hard time trying to find a foundation that will match your skin tone, but at the same time provide mattifying properties, this one from Etude House might be the answer! This foundation glides on the skin smoothly and adheres to the skin impressively.
After receiving so much positive feedback on its initial release, the company decided to launch a wider range of shades of their most-raved foundation. To be specific, they’re now offering 12 different shades – however, they still don’t have anything for really tan and deeper skin tones.
Pros: Wide range of shades
Cons: Can be cakey on dry skin
6. Iope Perfect Cover Foundation
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This is another long-lasting foundation that offers buildable coverage to make sure that you can achieve that Korean natural skin look without the unpleasant oiliness. It has a Ceramide Cover Powder formulation that has oil-absorbing properties to make sure that your face stays fresh all day.
Pros: Contains SPF 25 protection
Cons: Can leave a white cast
7. VDL Perfect Lasting Foundation
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This is a high-definition perfecting foundation that might just end up being a mainstay in your makeup kit. It promises to give you high and long-lasting coverage but without looking too shiny.
The VDL Perfect Lasting Foundation features a Light Fitting Cover Complex formula that helps you achieve a flawless and even complexion. It adheres to the skin well and covers most imperfections like wrinkles, spots, and enlarged pores.
Pros: Light-weight and long-lasting
Cons: Not good for dry patches
8. PONY EFFECT Coverstay Korean Cushion Foundation
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The PONY EFFECT Coverstay is a cushion foundation that promises skin adherence for hours, as well as a matte and airbrushed coverage without the need to powder your nose incessantly throughout the day.
If you’re always in a hurry, then you might want to consider a cushion-type foundation like this one that you can keep in your purse and take anywhere you go.
Another plus is its sleek and elegant packaging which makes purchasing it even harder to resist!
Pros: Long-lasting without leaving a white cast
Cons: Has a strong floral scent
9. THE FACE SHOP fmgt Ink Lasting Foundation Slim Fit
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It’s always great to find a foundation that works well with oily and problematic skin while also offering the right amount of protection. This one from The Face Shop features dual-action functions: It has a whitening effect and contains SPF 30.
Additionally, it has red and blue pigments that help brighten dull skin. This foundation has light coverage but can be layered to achieve a full and matte finish.
Pros: Natural, healthy-looking finish
Cons: Can oxidize after a few hours
10. moonshot Micro Settingfit Cushion
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Initially, you’ll likely get drawn to this product because of its pretty case, but there’s more to the Moonshot cushion foundation than just its packaging. It’s specifically made for those who have oily and combination skin.
The upgraded version of the Micro Settingfit cushion ensures that you’ll get flawless matte coverage after you apply it. What’s special about this foundation is its micro-powders that help keep your foundation stay in place for as long as 48 hours.
Pros: Great for mature skin, does not collect on lines and wrinkles
Cons: Can feel drying on the skin
11. IOPE Air Cushion Cover Set
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This is the upgraded version of the brand’s famous Air Cushion foundation which was launched in 2021. It has buildable coverage that’s enough to cover slight imperfections on your face like spots and blemishes.
Thanks to its Super-Fit Film formulation, you don’t have to worry about makeup transfer. Pat the foundation on your skin for a flawless and matte finish that can last up to 12 hours.
Pros: Feels light on the skin.
Cons: Fragrance can be too strong for some
12. Bbi@ Last Skin Foundation
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If you want a foundation that’s lightweight and easy to blend, you might want to consider this foundation from BBI@ that conveniently comes in a tube.
It spreads smoothly on the skin like a cushion foundation and offers a semi-matte finish. It’s highly resistant to water and oil and has been tested for skin irritation.
Pros: A little goes a long way, feels comfortable on the skin
Cons: Offers only three shades
13. BANILA CO Covericious Power Fit Foundation
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Thanks to its Power Fit Formula, you are guaranteed that this foundation from Banila Co. will adhere to your skin perfectly. It easily glides on the skin after application, offering full coverage to give you a perfect matte canvas. It can also help blur out the skin to achieve that airbrushed finish.
It can cover redness extremely well and can give that natural matte look without the cakey feel. They offer 8 skin-matching shades, each with SPF 45 protection.
Pros: Lightweight and looks natural on skin
Cons: Shades might be hard to match
14. HOLIKA HOLIKA Holi Pop Blur
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If you want to achieve that “no makeup” makeup look, this foundation from Holika Holika should be on your radar. It has a medium natural coverage which is perfect for everyday use.
It’s formulated s an even Powder Complex that helps absorb excess sebum on the skin, and promises to stay on without the need for constant touch-ups.
Pros: Has SPF50 + protection
Cons: Not that buildable, can look cakey
15. eSpoir – Pro Tailor Be Silk Cushion Set
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This cushion foundation from Espoir has a Skin-Fitting Silk Film formula to ensure that the foundation clings to the face smoothly. It’s also enriched with oil-controlling powder and a blurring effect to make sure that your face looks radiant but shine-free.
Although they only have six shades, you will find that it’s easier to color match with the Espoir cushion compared to many other Korean foundations that tend to be too pale.
Pros: Offers shades that complement people with warm tones
Cons: Can emphasize dry patches on the skin
16. IM’UNNY Silky Matte Liquid Foundation
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This foundation hugs the skin just right even if you’re just using a small drop. If you’re looking for something with a powdery finish, this foundation is perfect.
Additionally, this foundation also has SPF 46 to make sure that your skin is protected from the sun, while still looking matte and flawless.
Pros: Budget-friendly
Cons: Only offers limited shades
17. MINYA Pro Cover Perfecting Foundation
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This perfecting product doesn’t only work as a foundation, but it also has skin-friendly ingredients that are healing for blemish-prone skin.
The Minya Pro Cover Perfecting Foundation contains Panthenol which has anti-inflammatory properties, Allantoin which helps in cell regeneration, and Centella Asiatica which is good for redness. Apart from its skin benefits, it also provided oil-free coverage and contains SPF protection.
Pros: Great array of healing ingredients, light to wear and long-lasting
Cons: Only comes in a little tube
18. innisfree My Foundation ALL DAY LONGWEAR
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Innisfree is one of South Korea’s favorite beauty brands. They have a range of good products like this All Day Long Wear Foundation which is ideal for people who have oily skin.
The great thing about this foundation is its Smart Sebum Fixing Powder formula that’s helpful in absorbing excess oil to make your foundation last up to 24 hours. It also has a Moisturizing Cover Powder property to give you a semi-matte coverage without looking too cakey.
Pros: Long-lasting and doesn’t dry the skin
Cons: Color matching might be difficult for some
19. KARADIUM Collagen Smart Sun Pact SPF50
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This Karadium Collagen Smart Sun Pact is a long-lasting sebum control cushion foundation that’s ideal for those who have oily skin. It has a lightweight and non-cakey formula that ensures that your skin looks and feels fresh all throughout the day.
Pros: Non-cakey to the skin, amazing SPF 50 +++ protection
Cons: Only has two shades, contains talc (bad for acne-prone skin)
20. HANYUL Cover Foundation
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To wrap up the list, we recommend the Cover foundation from HANYUL that gives your skin flawless medium coverage.
Formulated with Refined Cover Powder, this foundation absorbs sebum and lasts all day. It glides easily on the crevices of your face and has enough blurring power to minimize the appearance of pores.
Pros: Gives your face an airbrushed effect
Cons: Has low SPF protection
Korean Foundations vs Western Foundations
In general, there are really obvious differences between Korean and Western makeup trends.
Korean foundations tend to be sheer and light. They’re almost an imitation of real skin. This is the reason why most South Korean foundations are focused on making the skin appear glowy and dewy. And since skincare is very important for Koreans, most of their foundations contain natural ingredients with the right amount of sun protection.
Western foundations on the other hand can range from one extreme to the other. While the “no makeup” makeup look is all the rage right now, you’ll also see many full coverage foundations on the market.
Additionally, mattifying foundations are often preferred, which can make your skin look somewhat flat. This is also one of the reasons why contour powders and highlighters are very popular in the West.
Now, without further ado, here is our list of the best Korean foundation for those who have oily skin.
FAQ’s
How can I make my foundation last longer?
A great tip to make your foundation last longer is to apply primer: One that has dimethicone can especially help control excess oil on your skin. Furthermore, primers act as a glue to help the foundation and other layers of makeup from slipping off of your skin.
Is it true that you shouldn’t wear foundation if you have oily skin?
No, this is absolutely false. However, if you have oily skin, you just have to be careful in choosing your foundation. It’s necessary that you stick to foundations that are mattifying. Avoid those that have a dewy or satin coverage.
Do I still need to use sunscreen?
Yes, you need to apply sunscreen every day, even if your foundation has a high SPF number. The reason for this is that you’re most likely NOT using enough foundation to get adequate protection.
Make sure to check out our list of the 10 Best Korean Sunscreens For Oily Skin if you haven’t found a good one yet!
So there you have it! We hope you’ve enjoyed browsing through this list of best Korean foundations for oily skin. If you need other beauty ideas, see more from our posts below!
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