Acne is one of the most common skin issues that many of us struggle with, and it can be hard to find a skincare routine that works for you. Luckily, Korean skincare is here to help!

Korean skincare is taking the beauty world by storm, and for good reason! With the popularity of the now-iconic 'glass skin' look, many are wanting to know the best way to achieve their own personal version of the desired look.

This guide will give you an in-depth look at the best Korean skincare routines and products that can help you banish acne and achieve the perfect glass skin look.

(This article is designed to be educational and informative. Please note that this article is not intended to replace professional medical advice.)

Korean Skincare for Acne-prone skin: Tips for long-term results

The Korean approach to skincare for treating acne emphasizes gentle but effective methods to achieve skin soft and radiant with long-lasting results.

Natural, harsh-free ingredients such as green tea, volcanic clay, bamboo extracts, tea tree leaf oil or tea tree extract, propolis, and honey have been used by Koreans for centuries in skin care routines that soothe acne prone skin.

The Koreans have become known for their multi-faceted skin care rituals that bring out the very best in their skin. A fantastic selection of Korean skincare products are available for people of all ages, helping to tackle a variety of skin issues, including hormonal and cystic acne, and even acne scars.

This is our 7-step process that we will cover in-depth:

#1 Korean Skin Care routine supports the moisture barrier

#2 Korean Skin care Supports Mild Chemical Exfoliation

#3 Korean Skincare Never miss Double Cleansing

#4 Koreans Skin Care Focuses on Preventing Breakouts

#5 Koreans Spot Treatment Care is a must

#6 Koreans Pimple Patches for Breakout Care is a must

#7 Koreans Skin Care Anti-Acne Treatment Face Masks

Let's explore some great tips to achieve the highly effective Korean skincare for acne routine to help you say goodbye to acne!

Do you have oily skin but still feel tight and dry after cleansing, or experience dullness in your skin tone? Perhaps you have dehydrated skin, which can be very sensitive and need extra care!

In addition to keeping your skin hydrated, it's important that you use a skin care routine to support the moisture barrier - the outermost layer of your skin that helps to lock in moisture and keep out irritants and bacteria.

You will notice that dryness can leads to more oil production as a way to protect the skin which in turn leads to clogged pores, an increase in bacteria and therefore acne prone skin!

If you have oily skin it must be properly hydrated, to prevent the appearance of blemishes and keeps your skin looking and feeling healthy.

Look for moisturizing cream formulas that can help protect your skin’s moisture barrier, or use a hydrating serum to give your skin an extra boost of hydration. Have a look at out list below:

innisfree Cica Balm with Bija Seed Oil Face Gel Moisturizer Treatment

Help strengthen your skin's moisture barrier and improve the look of uneven texture with this amazing rescue balm! Formulated with Cica and Bija Seed Oil, this balm-to-gel helps soothe, reduce visible signs of irritation, and help your skin stay hydrated and looking its best.

DR. ORACLE A-Thera Cream Gel

Experience the gentle touch of specially crafted for oily, sensitive, and troubled skin! The advanced hypoallergenic formula intensely hydrates for long-lasting moisture, while regulating sebum and protecting stressed skin from external irritants.

This luxurious and intensely hydrating gel cream is specially formulated to provide long-lasting moisture and soothe sensitive, troubled skin. Its advanced hypoallergenic formula will help the skin's ability to regulate sebum levels, in fighting acne and in protecting your skin from external irritants and leaving it looking clear and beautiful. Plus, green tea extract and aloe verahelp soothe, nourish, and protect your skin.

Nature Republic New Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel 92 Percent Korean Cosmetics, 10.56 Fluid Ounce

Are you struggling with inflammatory skin? Let aloe soothing gel come to the rescue! The California Aloe leaves extract contains a whopping 92% soothing gel, with the highest concentration of nutrients. This extract provides four times higher hydration than water and is CCOF certified.

A wonderful, natural anti-inflammatory compound useful for all skin types and that will protect your skin from the effects of shaving, UV rays, and dust. Plus, it's packed with a rich amount of nourishing ingredients to soothe and nourish your sensitive skin.

COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Repair Cream 3.52 oz, 100g, Daily Face Gel Moisturizer for Dry Skin, Acne-prone, Sensitive Skin.

Say hello to supercharged skincare! This is a repairing moisturizer for every skin type that is packed with an impressive 92% of snail mucin (Snail Secretion Filtrate) to create a protective barrier that helps keep your skin hydrated, glowing and soothed. Pamper your skin with this everyday cream and watch your skin transform!

ACWELL Real Aqua Balancing Hydrating and Soothing Face Lotion

Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Lotion is a dream come true for your skin! It's rich in Jeju Camellia flower extract and glyceryl-glucoside, working together to hydrate your skin while keeping its pH balanced.

Its free of artificial fragrance, parabens, and mineral oil. You will find the unique ingredients help maintain the perfect balance of oil and moisture, leaving your refreshed and soft throughout the day.

Manual exfoliation gives you the most delightful feeling of freshly-cleaned skin in an instant! However, it's important to be gentle with your scrubbing - too much pressure can actually rupture your skin's protective barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to bacteria and the dreaded acne.

Using a chemical exfoliator can deeply penetrate the skin but is not the best choice for irritated skin as they can be too harsh on the skin if not handled properly. For acne-prone skin, exfoliation is a must once or twice weekly to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.

If you are looking for retinol-based products in your local Korean beauty store, you may be out of luck. Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is a key ingredient in many anti-aging products as it also exfoliates dead skin, but it is seldom found on shelves in Korean beauty stores.

But don't worry, there is an alternative that is taking the K-beauty world by storm: Bakuchiol, a natural, plant-based alternative to retinol. It still offers the same anti-aging benefits as retinol, but it is gentler on the skin and can help reduce redness and irritation. It improves dullness, dryness and uneven texture and effortlessly washes away that dead skin!

Exfoliation is a beautiful way to keep your skin feeling soft and looking clear with no sign of dull, dead skin! A special combination of AHA, BHA, and PHA, as well as witch hazel, papaya, tea tree water, niacinamide, and adenosine, make this a truly special blend that will lend your skin a smooth and natural glow.

This list is sure to provide you with the perfect foundation for your new Korean exfoliation routine for acne-prone skin:

MEDIHEAL Tea Tree Biome Blemish Cica Ampoule

If hormonal acne or whiteheads are causing you trouble, why not try this Korean skin care to get that glowing complexion you deserve? Say goodbye to blemishes with this gentle yet highly effective blemish buster! Packed with 87% Organic Tea Tree Leaf Extract, its the skin care help to fight blemishes without causing any irritation.

It quickly absorbs into your skin, leaving it feeling soothed and calm, while rebalancing the skin's hydration. Enjoy clear, bright, and healthy skin with this powerhouse product!

BENTON Snail Bee High Content Essence

Treat your skin to the luxurious nourishment it deserves with Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence! This face essence is your saving grace for dry, dull, and flaky skin - something every skin care routine needs! It works to strengthen the skin moisture barrier and envelop your complexion in a layer of moisture, leaving you with a soft and clear complexion!

The unique blend of powerful ingredients, including Snail Secretion Filtrate, Bee Venom, Niacinamide and Adenosine, creates a multifunctional skin care facial essence that will give your skin the rejuvenation and repair it needs.

NATURIUM Vegan Lactic Acid Emulsion

Discover the luxurious cleansing skin care experience of Naturium Purple Ginseng Infused Cleansing Balm! Its sorbet-like texture instantly melts away makeup, oil, SPF, and other impurities, leaving your skin clean and refreshed.

Its linoleic-rich oils work to dissolve every trace of dirt and grime, giving you a gentle yet effective cleanse. This amazing balm-to-oil formula is perfect for all skin types, and can be used as a first cleanse or as your only cleanse.

Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum

Smooth away the look of fine lines and wrinkles and refine your skin's overall appearance with babchi extract skin care! Its gentle PHA exfoliation will leave your skin ultra refreshed, while tremella mushroom hydrates and helps your skin retain moisture for a lasting effect.

Let this simple Korean skincare routine help you clear away existing acne, unblock those pesky pores, and keep your skin balanced and healthy.

The double cleansing method, a secret weapon in Korean skincare for acne, is a novel way to cleanse the skin thoroughly. The two-step process includes an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser.

After removing your makeup, some people might stop there. However, to ensure that your skin is clean and healthy, you should use a cleanser, especially if you wear lots of makeup or have oily skin. When you have acne-prone skin, removing all makeup, sunscreen, and other pollutants from the day is essential.

Korean skincare routine includes oil cleansing and water-based products help to keep your skin balanced and clear and lock in hydration, making them an excellent choice for oily or acne-prone skin.

DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB Daily Facial Cleanser

Relish in the tranquil effects of authentic green tea with this luxurious rich lather foam cleanser!

Allow the soft, comforting lather of this hypoallergenic foam wash to lovingly caress your skin, whisking away dirt and makeup, leaving you feeling fresh and silky smooth with zero irritation.

BENTON Tea Tree Cleansing Water 200ml

Tea Tree Cleansing Water is a special blend of 70% tea tree leaf water and oil from South Korean-sourced tea trees is designed to help you revitalize, cleanse, and control sebum on acne-prone skin.

Not only will it leave your skin feeling hydrated and calm, but this delightful tea tree benefits the skin, by its soothing and hydrating properties, protective and astringent qualities and anti-blemish effects.

NEOGENLAB Micro Essence Skin Activating 93% Natural Fermented Facial Essence

Let your skin be invigorated and enlivened by the Real Ferment Micro Essence! The 93% naturally fermented ingredients keep the skin smooth and clear. Enjoy soothing against inflammation and skin brighter skin!

When it comes to taking care of your skin and preventing dull skin, blemishes, hydration and moisture barrier support should be at the top of your list.

Keeping your skin well hydrated is key to keeping your complexion looking healthy, as dry skin can lead to clogged pores, which can in turn lead to blemishes.

Believe it or not, hormonal and cystic acne can strike at any age! Pick a serum with acne-treating ingredients to help clear hormonal acne-prone skin and hyperpigmentation.

If you're looking for the very best skin care solutions for acne-prone skin, then look no further than Korean toners, face masks, serums, and cleansers to help you address a variety of skin care concerns, including cystic and hormonal acne and acne scars. Look for a combination of salicylic acid, circa, and ceramide in an anti-acne serum to defend your skin against acne without drying it out.

Another great ingredient in Serums is Vitamin-C. A good moisturizer is truly a blessing for acne-prone skin, soothing and nourishing the inflamed skin with its luxurious richness. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can brighten and heal skin. It is helpful when you apply the Vitamin C serum overnight.

Moisturizers can also help to prevent future breakouts by providing the skin with the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy. If you're struggling with cystic and hormonal acne-prone skin and as a result experience inflamed skin, our curated list might just be right for you!

New MediCube Red Serum 30ml / Korean Cosmetics

This specialized toner is formulated to provide soothing relief to irritated and sensitive skin while leaving it feeling soft and refreshed. By regulating sebum production, it helps maintain skin's overall health and well-being. The inclusion of ingredients like Colloidal Sulfur and Ovalicin ensures that your skin remains both soft and healthy.

Its gentle formula also prioritizes hydration, thanks to the addition of Beta-Glucan, Glycerin, and Betaine. It has been rigorously tested by dermatologists and has been proven to be non-irritating, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. Additionally, the toner effectively removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, thanks to the inclusion of Salicylic acid, helping to eliminate impurities and maintain clear, clean skin.

Beauty of Joseon Serum (Glow Deep Serum)

With a 2% Alpha-Arbutin content, this product is designed to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme that regulates melanin production in the skin. Notably, Alpha-Arbutin is recognized for its superior effectiveness compared to regular Beta-Arbutin, with a potency that surpasses it tenfold.

Adding to its efficacy, this product features a 68% concentration of Rice Bran Water. Historically, rice has held a significant role in both Korean cuisine and skincare practices. In the Joseon Dynasty, rice bran water was akin to today's toner and was referred to as "Beauty Water." Rice bran is naturally rich in amino acids and minerals, making it an ideal choice for moisturizing dry skin. The versatility of this product caters to all skin types, offering a comprehensive skincare solution.

Spot treatments are an essential part of Korean skincare for acne treatment. Acne treatments are formulated to target problem areas of the face and is great for sensitive skin types. Combined with the previously listed remedies, it can help treat pimples overnight.

Spot Cream

Do you have acne-prone, sensitive skin? If so, spot cream is here to provide you with a much-needed relief! It is safe to use these acne spot creams for most skin types, including dry, oily, and sensitive. Spot creams have fast-acting formulas that help dissolve oil and penetrate maximum strength salicylic acid into pores.

If you're dealing with any irritating breakouts or cystic pimples, why not apply an acne treatment before your toner? That way, it can target the area directly and help to clear it up. Spot cream often contains soothing antioxidants like aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and green tea extract.

Goodal Green Tangerine

Are you looking to target those pesky impurities like dark spots, blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and dullness? This super treatment is the perfect solution! Enhanced with an impressive 62% of potent antioxidants derived from green tangerine extract, rich in vitamin C derivatives, our Vita C Cream rejuvenates lackluster skin, infusing it with youthful vitality.

Green tangerines, known for their remarkable vitamin C content, containing up to 10 times more of this essential nutrient than their mature counterparts, work synergistically to provide outstanding outcomes in reducing the appearance of sun damage, which encompasses issues like dark spots, blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.

COSRX Acne Blemish Spot Drying Lotion

For calming and drying out those deep level breakouts, reach for this special concoction features calamine, zinc oxide, salicylic acid, and the all-important Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) and is sure to make all the difference!

COSRX takes pride in crafting products with skin-friendly ingredients designed to soothe irritated skin. This product formulation is hypoallergenic and have undergone rigorous dermatologist testing. When it comes to addressing acne concerns, spot treatment is key! To deal with breakouts, whether they're deep-seated or on the surface, simply apply the product to calm the skin and facilitate the drying process.

Pimples are open wounds susceptible to infections and dirt. Protect these areas by eliminating infection and secondary infection, and the maintenance of skin barrier will help promote faster recovery.

Pimple patches contain unique hydrocolloid material developed to extract impurities and establish a moist skin barrier, healing all pimples fast, including that pesky cystic acne. Dermatologists recommend wearing a patch for at least six hours. When you remove it, you should see that the pimples should look less irritated or red.

Here is a list of Korean skin care patches that you simply can't do without! These items are sure to make life a whole lot easier.

COSRX Master Pimple Patch Absorbing Hydrocolloid Original 3 Size Patches

These 240 oval-shaped patches are versatile, making them perfect for curved surfaces like the jawline and hairline. Their broader edge also ensures easier application. In two sizes (M: 0.62" x 0.43" and S: 0.51" x 0.35"), these patches offer great flexibility. Say goodbye to battling acne – the Master Patch Intensive effectively covers and shields the affected area. When the patch turns white, it's a clear sign that it has absorbed the impurities, leaving your skin clearer and blemish-free!

Acropass Trouble Cure Microcone for Blemishes - Hydrocolloid, Acne Pimple Spot Patches

This Microcone Anti-Acne Patch boasts a unique conical shape designed for efficient trouble care within just two hours. These patches are formulated with potent ingredients like Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Niacinamide, and Ferulic Acid, ensuring excellent delivery and strong absorption for reducing skin trouble and breakouts. Your path to clearer, healthier skin starts here!

Troubless Micro-Point Trouble Patch - TeaTree Pimple Patch

At just 250mm in size, our micro points are infused with potent botanical extracts, offering precise targeting for troubled areas. The surrounding hydrocolloid patch creates a soothing and protective environment to facilitate healing.

The Micro-Point technology rapidly delivers active ingredients, while the hydrocolloid ensures the protection and comfort your sensitive spots need. Experience effective, spot-specific care for your skin!

Face masks are an essential part of Korean skincare for acne. They believe masks help you achieve clear skin without spending a fortune on expensive treatments that don't consistently deliver results.

Korean skin care proudly promotes a gentle approach to to deep-clean pores and get rid of bacteria and excess sebum, without compromising the skin's natural hydration.

If you battle cystic acne, you might need prescription medication or other treatment options in addition to masking your face once or twice weekly. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and natural ingredients like charcoal, yogurt, and clay may help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores from excess sebum and bacteria that cause skin breakouts.

Dr. Jart Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution Mask Sheet, 5 Count

This innovative facemask is specifically designed to tackle trouble-prone complexions. It effectively soothes redness and calms inflamed skin, leaving you with a more balanced and comfortable complexion. The gentle adherence of these patches ensures that active ingredients are consistently absorbed by your skin, targeting those problematic areas with precision.

Featuring glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, this treatment visibly evens out your skin tone and contributes to the reduction of dark spots, giving your skin a brighter and more radiant appearance. Say goodbye to redness and hello to a more harmonious and clear complexion!

DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Pads (Lemon, 30 pcs)

Discover the magic of Neogen's Bio-Peel Gauze Lemon Pads – a gentle yet powerful exfoliation solution enriched with the goodness of Lemon extracts, Hyaluronic Acid, and PHA, designed to unveil soft, bright, and radiant skin.

These innovative pads offer a 2-in-1 exfoliation experience, combining the benefits of chemical peeling with the physical exfoliation effect of Neogen's 3-layer gauze pad. This dynamic duo works harmoniously to bid farewell to dead skin cells and impurities, leaving your skin feeling irresistibly soft and beautifully clear. Elevate your skincare routine with these delightful Lemon Pads for a luminous and glowing complexion!

Celavi Essence Facial Sheet Face Mask Variety Set Classic Authentic Korean Moisturizing Skincare

Introducing our remarkable 2-Essence Set, featuring a variety of essential ingredients including Collagen, Seaweed, Honey, Pomegranate, Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Acai Berry, Tea Tree, Avocado, Ginseng, Cucumber, and Charcoal, all thoughtfully made in Korea.

These essences are proudly crafted to be free from parabens, oils, and sulfates, and we wholeheartedly embrace a cruelty-free philosophy. Experience the transformative power of these deeply hydrating and revitalizing skincare therapies, carefully designed to nurture firmer, healthier, and harmoniously balanced skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or sensitive, this set is here to empower your radiant beauty journey.

SNP - Gold Ampoule with Collagen Anti-Aging Korean Face Sheet Mask

Experience the luxurious fusion of Collagen and 24K Gold in our natural mask, meticulously designed to conform to your skin's contours. The infusion of 24K gold enhances the absorption of collagen, facilitating the revival of your skin's natural resilience.

Gold, renowned for its detoxifying properties, effectively soothes the skin, contributing to the prevention of aging. Each mask is enriched with 1,000mg of pig hide collagen, providing nourishment and firmness to your skin. Elevate your skincare routine with the opulence of Collagen and Gold for a radiant, youthful complexion.

Last words...

Korean skincare is impressive, but applying these tips is not a one-stop shop to achieve clear, 'glass' skin. You must follow the steps when using Korean skincare for acne and stay consistent with your routine to see the best results. Good luck!

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