Korean beauty products have taken over as leaders in the cosmetic world. From skincare, haircare, and now even make-up wear.
Fondly often referred to as K-beauty Korean cosmetics has become a global fascination just as all the other Korean beauty products out there have. It is no surprise Korean cosmetics would be any lesser.
The Beauty of Korean Foundations
The beauty of Korean foundations is that not only do they provide coverage as all foundations do, but they also include amazing skincare benefits too. Korean foundations have kindly reinvented the formula with the introductions to foundation cushion compacts, which is a liquid foundation that comes in a compact case.
The liquid foundation is in a netted cushion that you then press with your special antibacterial puff, which you then subsequently apply to your face. Apply as little or as much as you want. Korean foundation never leaves your skin looking cakey only flawless.
Light-Weight and Free
Korean foundations are also loved because they are so feathery light, yet can still provide ample coverage all the while allowing your skin to still breathe and flourish. Other foundations can be heavy and smothering to your skin. Another bonus is that nearly every bottle contains high ranking SPF protection taking out one less worry.
A Foundation for All Skin Types
Can Korean foundation work if you have oily skin? The answer is yes. Korean foundations are welcoming on all skin types. Be aware though, just like with other types of foundation if you have oily skin you still want a foundation that is not oil-based. With Korean Foundations you will want to go for the one that offers a semi-matte or full matte finish. Some are even specially designed just for oily skin containing natural ingredients that host sebum controlling properties.
Color Shades
There may be one downside to Korean foundations in that their color palettes can be a bit complex. Especially if you are not a beauty expert. When entering the K- beauty foundation world, it is worthy to have a little know-how in what your true shade is. For example, we have two skin tones, outer skin tone and under skin tone.
Outer skin tone can change i.e. getting a tan, acne breakout, freckles. Your skin’s undertone never changes. It is easy to find what your under skin tone color is, here is a little test. Take a look at your veins.
- Warm skin undertone – If your veins represent the greenish color you may have a warm undertone.
- Cool skin undertone – Blue to purplish vein color you are looking at a possible cool undertone.
- Neutral skin undertone – If they are colorless matching your skin color or a blueish-green then you could be neutral tone.
In other words, if you have a cool undertone your skin is a more red, pink hue too. Having a warm skin undertone means your skin has a peach or golden hue. A lot of Korean foundations go by your undertone color with shades named pink beige, light beige, and natural beige.
Korean foundation shades also seem to be on the lighter side too being they are targeted more towards the fair Asian skin types. Those with darker skin complexions may find it difficult to find their shade. Don’t let this sway you as popular K- beauty companies are catching on to this fact and expanding into darker shades to complement darker skin tones. Let’s take a peek at some in our 20 best Korean foundations for oily skin.
Best Korean Foundations for Oily Skin
TROIAREUKE A+ Cushion Foundation for Oily Acne Sensitive Skin
This skin foundation to the next level. Incorporation of what is called a mochi sponge for application this foundation makes oily and acne-prone skin near flawless. Troiareuke A + Cushion Foundation gives you a smooth matte finish that lasts for 10 hours. Crafted using plant-based ingredients Centella Asiatica extract is its active ingredient along with antioxidants to provide anti-inflammatory protection.
Pros: The cushion makes the application non-messy.
Cons: Colors limited.
Hera Vital Lifting Foundation
A foundation that works for all skin types favoring oily skin the most. This 30ml size bottle offers a soft-looking coverage giving you a great matte finish.
LANEIGE BB Cushion Pore Control
When it comes to oily skin you want an oil-free foundation. Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control is one. Toss in added pore reducing effects this foundation is extremely light, yet covers with a thickness that covers up any skin blemish. Representing a flawless finish that can hold up to 12 hours.
Pros: Has an SPF of 50 for sunscreen protection, and comes with a bonus cushion.
Cons: None.
ETUDE HOUSE New Double Lasting Foundation
Crediting that they called double shot technology this foundation adheres to your skin for full coverage with just one application lasting up to 12 hours. Apply with a wet cotton ball for a smooth dewy finish, or apply with dry cotton for a soft matte finish.
Pros: Has built-in SPF protection of 34.
Cons: Not for dry skin. This product works better for oilier skin.
BLANC DIVA Gleam Coverage Cushion Foundation
BLANC DIVA Gleam Foundation protects and provides skin adhering coverage that results in a semi-matte finish.
Pros: Concocted with Niacinamide and Adenosine BLANC DIVA aids in reducing wrinkles too!
Cons: None.
MISSHA MAGIC Cushion Cover Lasting Foundation
Get a foundation that is good for your skin! Formulated using plant extracts this foundation won’t leave your face melting later in the day. It is so light and smooth lasting you throughout the day. A little dab will go you for super coverage.
Pros: Has a wider selection of skin color tones.
Cons: none.
VT COSMETICSVT X BTS Collagen Pact Black Foundation Pact for Oily Skin
The K-pop boy band aside, this foundation is superb and you may never go back. The Collagen Black Pack slides on smooth coverage that doesn’t fade away. Packing in super SPF protection 50, and Collagen, and black essence this foundation provides beneficial skincare as well.
Pros: Excellent coverage.
Cons: Includes a poster of BTS and stickers. If you don’t know who BTS is this might be a turn-off.
Moonshot Micro Settingfit Cushion Lightweight Sheer Skin Foundation
This foundation comes in a pretty case, and the foundation is pretty fabulous too. Feather-light it applies smoothly on the skin providing solid matt coverage that makes your skin look flawless. Equipped with 10ppm of aqualicia extract, Moonshot is not drying or cake-like other strong covering foundations. It provides your skin to breath and adds a touch of light moisture to your skin with a skin-cooling effect.
CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Cushion XP
You know this is a good foundation when they boast that they have sold over 10 million units. Clio Kill Cover gives you a velvet matt coverage that hides any blemish or wrinkle. Containing Sepicontrol A5 this ingredient helps regulate the sebum production that causes oily skin allowing you to have a fresh-looking foundation all day long. Add in Aloe Dutch extra for skin soothing effect this foundation only covers but heals.
Pros: Has built-in oil control. Shade guides are easy to find your color.
Cons: None
IOPE PERFECT COVER FOUNDATION
If cushion foundations are not your thing here is a traditional bottle of liquid foundation that of course contains perfection inside. Like your other Korean foundations, this one features hydrogenated lecithin that bonds with your skin to cover any imperfections with no cracking or peeling. Oil-absorbing powder and Ceramide is a coated powder ingredient that aids in retaining healthy skin moisture levels by creating a barrier so your skin doesn’t dry out. An additive called Cotton Bloom helps soothe the skin that can get triggered into action by dust particles that may irritate your skin.
Pros: Has SPF 25 protection.
Cons: Says has a whitening effect.
KARADIUM Collagen Smart Sun Pact SPF50 Long-Lasting Sebum Control
A cushion foundation KARADIUM absorbs your sebum and sweat so that your make-up looks fresh all day. This is a foundation that works with your skin. It gives you light coverage and is filled with collagen and sun protection of SPF 50 +++ resulting in a light clean finish.
Pros: Non-cakey finish.
Cons: Only comes in two shades.
Dr. G Gowoonsesang Perfect Pore BB Cream SPF
This BB Cream foundation helps control any excess oil thanks to lime tree water and cabbage extract that works as a sebum controller. All while providing impressive coverage of any skin complexities.
Pros: Non-drying out as it contains rosehip oil and lemon balm extract for moisturizing.
Cons: None.
CATKIN BB Cream Air Cushion Foundation
Containing Silica bead powder this foundation helps soak up oil and sweat for a fresher looking complexion while also nourishing hydration. Not heavy this is a light-weight foundation that still provides a smooth look that lasts.
The Face Shop Ink Lasting Foundation Slim Fit
This one works well for oily, and combination skin types giving just the right amount of coverage and protection while creating a smooth canvas on your face.
Pros:
- Contains red and blue pigments that create glowing looking skin not dewy look.
- Also, it contains a polymer moisturizing film that helps keep your skin in a healthy moisturization throughout the day.
Cons: It does oxidize on your skin kind of color-changing as the day goes on so you might want to buy a color lighter.
Sulwhasoo New Sheer Lasting Gel Cushion
Sulwhasoo is a prominent K-beauty brand and they have a foundation that is great for oily prone skin. The foundation is a gel-like texture that blends into your skin creating coverage that makes it look like you are not wearing anything. The foundation active ingredient is Sea buckthorn berries that provide a healthy vitality to your skin.
EverGlam K-Beauty Skin Perfector Korean BB Cream
Here is another BB Cream style foundation. It is silky light, with added oil control. Apply a little or layer more on to get the coverage you need as it provides surprisingly great coverage that lasts through the trials of the day. Spiked with anti-aging and anti-wrinkle perks this is all you need in your make-up base routine.
Jungsaemmool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion
Going for the natural look? Try Junsaemmool’s Essential Skin Nuder Cushion. For a natural glow and effortless coverage, your complexion will look perfect.
Pros: Comes in 6 shades, not just three.
Cons: Does not have oil-absorbing features.
Age 20’s Signature Essence Long Stay To Go Foundation Cushion Pact
Featuring a color correcting base this foundation is all you need for skin perfection. Contains a sebum gelling powder and a hydrating essence to keep you looking fresh for hours.
Pros: Provides SPF 50 + and PA +++ and comes with a cushion refill.
Cons: None.
Phoera Oil Control Concealer Foundation
Phoera comes in 10 skin beautiful shades that give you complete coverage for smooth unblemished skin in a sweet matte finish that brightens your skin. Phoera also holds hydrating skin power too that moisturizes eliminating any seeps into cracks and fine lines.
Pros: Is a two in one. Concealer and foundation.
Cons: Does not mention if it contains SPF protection.
VDLPerfect Lasting Foundation
VDL wears like there is nothing on your face. It features buildable coverage that never smothers your skin resulting in a matte finish of smoothness.VDL hosts Flat cover pigment technology that helps each layer applied still be lightweight, with a clear finish. Lumilyer pigment provides brightening and reduction of oxidation for a long-lasting look that can battle through oil, sweat, and humidity.
Pros: non-sticky even through the sweat and tears.
Cons: Does require multiple layers for if you want thicker coverage.
Conclusion
Now you see why all other foundations fall to the wayside once your skin has touched Korean foundations. Overall K- beauty is not all the rage because some beauty experts or celebrities said so it is because of the result they deliver. Plus the prime skin enriching ingredients added that make your skin better every time you use it. This also means many are non-comedogenic meaning there is limited risk of break out because it won’t clog up your pores (which is what I love).
Sources:
1. https://www.kryzuy.com/best-korean-foundations/
2. https://www.femalemag.com.sg/beauty/korean-cushion-compacts-beauty/
3. https://bestkoreanguide.com/best-korean-cushion-foundations/
4. https://www.allure.com/gallery/allure-korea-awards-best-base-makeup-k-beauty-products
