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K-Beauty vs. J-Beauty: Which Suits Your Oily Skin Best? Doctor Tells

To put things into perspective, Dr Sukanksha Kulshrestha, Consultant Cosmetologist, IFAM Institute, sheds light on which skincare works best for oily skin.

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K-Beauty vs. J-Beauty: Which Suits Your Oily Skin Best? Doctor Tells


If you have oily skin, choosing the right skincare can be a tightrope. With oily skin comes the responsibility to find just the right product that restores your skin. If it is too drying, it leads to the skin producing more oil to compensate for the dehydration and while too rich can cause breakouts. Either way, this can be overwhelming.

This is where two skin expert philosophies come in: K-Beauty (Korean beauty) and J-Beauty (Japanese beauty). Both of these age-old skincare regimens are known for giving glass skin. But how do these skincare regimens work for oily skin? Time to find out from an expert! To put things into perspective, Dr Sukanksha Kulshrestha, Consultant Cosmetologist, IFAM Institute, sheds light on which skincare works best for oily skin.

Main Difference Between K-beauty and J-beauty

K-beauty is characterised by its multiple-step and layered system consisting of cleanser and toner, essences and serums, and moisturisers, etc. Skin issues are concentrated on hydration, prevention, and gradual treatment. In case of oily skin, the hydrating layers may also exacerbate in the sebum production regulation, but the important thing is to select the appropriate lightweight products.

“K-beauty emphasises a multi-step routine with a focus on hydration and achieving a radiant, ‘glass skin’ look, whereas J- J-beauty has a preventative approach, aiming for a soft, ‘mochi skin’ appearance. Also, K beauty is known for its 10-step skincare routine, packed with lots of products with active ingredients, whereas J beauty is more minimalist, focusing on one key ingredient in daily skincare,” said Dr Kulshrestha.

J-beauty is grounded on simplicity and the ability of the skin to resist. It is a more basic routine, which revolves around deep cleansing, hydrating and protecting with quality ingredients that have passed the test of time. Such an ethos, when applied to oily skin, helps it brighten and glow from within.

In the case of oily skin, both product types have sebum-controlling products, acne-preventing and soothing types.

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Do They Work for Oily Skin?j beauty

There are specific ingredients in K-beauty or J-beauty products that work better for controlling sebum and acne in oily skin types. According to Dr Kulshrestha, different ingredients in these two routines help oily skin. 

K-Beauty: Ingredients like niacinamide, AHA, BHA, pHA, and snail mucin are the best to use in oily skin as these control oily production and also gently exfoliate oily skin that can accumulate dirt and sebum more frequently.

J-Beauty: Ingredients like green tea, camellia oil, rice bran, liquorice root extract, and hyaluronic acid are some of the things to look for in your skincare products. These soothe the skin and help control oil while providing the necessary hydration. 

ALSO READ: Is Korean Skincare Right for Indian Skin? Expert Shares Insights

K-beauty vs J-beauty: Which Routine is More Effective for Oily Skin?

Talking about effectiveness, Dr Sukankha said, “The Korean multi-step regimen is beneficial for oily skin, given that you use products tailored to your skin needs. Moreover, too much layering should be avoided as it may clog pores. Whereas, J Beauty can be effective for sensitive oily skin as it helps maintain a balanced skin with fewer skin irritants and fewer steps involved.”

Can Layering Products in K-beauty Lead to Acne?

“Yes, layering may lead to clogging of the pores if too many steps and active ingredients are involved. Also, extra steps with more products can increase oiliness, especially if the products chosen are comedogenic. To avoid this, choose lightweight products and manage steps according to your skin type,” advised Dr Kulshrestha.

ALSO READ: Is Your Moisturiser Too Heavy For Summer? How To Switch Your Skincare Seasonally

Conclusion: What is Best for Oily Skin?korean beauty products

The K-beauty and J-beauty both have their advantages on the skin, especially on oily skin, based on the need. Are you looking for a more individual and treatment-oriented approach?, Then K-beauty has a wider selection of products for acne, pore openings and post-inflammatory scars. If you are looking for gentle and easy care, J-beauty and its minimalist approach will effectively help you in the long run, with fewer chances of exaggerating it.

The ideal way might even be the combination of the two, using skin-friendly J-beauty cleansers and combining them with K-beauty serums or toners intended specifically for oily skin. The essential thing is to hear your skin, make a wise choice, and create a stable program, that works for your skin.

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