10 Best Korean Skin Care Products for Acne That Actually Works

Whether it's plain ol' pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne or hormonal acne, it can be frustrating trying to figure out which product will work best for you. This is which we have rounded up this top 10 guide, covering all the products that we’d recommend for acne-prone skin in a heartbeat!

1. For a gentle spot treatment, try the COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

Yes, it's time to chuck your drying lotions and benzoyl peroxide creams away! The COSRX Centella Blemish Cream is a fast-acting spot treatment cream featuring the gentle yet effective centella asiatica leaf water to normalise sebum production, calm problematic areas and and prevent further breakouts, all without drying out or irritating your skin even further.

Shop COSRX Centella Blemish Cream here!

2. Gently hydrate and treat with the Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

Hydrating is so essential to help calm and make acne disappear faster, but you have to pick the right product for this. The Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel contains aloe vera and propolis, two of our favourite ingredients to heal irritated or troubled skin. Their antibacterial and healing properties does wonders in soothing sensitised or inflamed skin, fading acne scars, brightening skin tone and to maintain the skin’s overall hydration level.

Shop Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel here!

3. To get rid of acne overnight, you HAVE to try the COSRX AC Collection Acne Pimple Patch!

The COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch is a pimple patch unlike any other. The border of each hydrocolloid patch is purposely tapered to ensure that it will strongly and easily adhere onto any curved areas of the face, such as the jawline, hairline, and even on your body. Each patch is designed to not only suck out all the gunk, it also contains centella asiatica to help calm, soothe and make acne disappear without a scar!

Shop COSRX AC Collection Acne Pimple Patch here!

4. Looking for a whole new routine to get rid of acne? Try the Some By Mi Starter Kit

The Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Starter Kit is everything you need to soothe, calm and hydrate acne-prone and sensitive skin. This kit includes cult-favourite SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cleansing Bar, SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner, SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum and SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream all housed in small, travel-friendly sizes.

Shop Some By Mi Starter Kit here!

5. Pyunkang Yul Acne Spot Cream, the dark horse of the spot treatment world

Housed in a super simple, almost clinical-looking packaging, this spot treatment is one of the most underrated acne products ever! Infused with licorice extract and copper tripeptide, the Pyunkang Yul Acne Spot Cream is a fast-acting treatment that gets rid of acne within 12 hours, while preventing any further breakouts.

Shop Pyunkang Yul Acne Spot Cream here!

6. Cleanse, tone and treat with the COSRX One Step Clear Pads

These award-winning COSRX One Step Original Clear Pads (previously known as COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pads) contains natural BHA ingredients to exfoliate without drying out or sensitising the skin. Can also be used for blemishes on your body, these pads completely remove any excess sebum, old dead skin cells and makeup wastes to help reduce the number of pimples and control skin breakouts.

Shop COSRX One Step Clear Pads here!

7. By Ecom First Cleansing Water, the toner that does more than just hydrate!

By Ecom is a relatively new brand here at Nudie Glow, but it's definitely one of our rising stars! The By Ecom Pure Calming First Water is a hydrating toner packed with 80% pure glacial water instead of just ordinary water to hydrate and keep your skin glowing. This low-pH toner also contains EGF to help regenerate and improve skin troubles for healthier, smoother and firmer skin.

Shop By Ecom First Cleansing Water here!

8. The double-threat toner, COSRX AHA BHA Clarifying Toner

As one of our best-selling toner, the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner does everything we need an exfoliating toner to do. Not only does it hydrate and balance our skin's pH after cleansing, its natural AHA and BHA ingredients also helps gently exfoliate dull skin, remove dead skin cells, prevent the early development of whiteheads and blackheads, while helping the skin become clearer, brighter and smoother over time. 

Shop COSRX AHA BHA Clarifying Toner here!

9. Tackle troubled skin with the Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

Experiencing any dryness with your current acne treatments? The Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream is a hydrating moisturiser that's perfect for sensitive or troubled skin. Formulated with a high concentration of snail mucin and bee venom, this cream will deeply hydrate, brighten, promote collagen production and soothe irritated skin without greasiness or heaviness.

Shop Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream here!

10. Acne on the body too? Fear not, the Klairs Gentle Black Charcoal Soap is here!

Recently, as customers and beauty brands become more eco-conscious, we have seen the resurgence (and upgrade) of the good ol' block soaps. The Klairs Pore Gentle Black Charcoal Soap contains charcoal to eliminate dead skin cells, organic ghassoul from Morocco to draw sebum out from the skin, and black sugar to exfoliate and leave skin softer, clearer and healthier. Unlike most soaps that dries out the skin, this gentle daily cleanser effectively cleanses without stripping moisture away from the skin. 

Shop Klairs Gentle Black Charcoal Soap here!

Treating acne is not a one-size-fits-all situation, but there's three things to keep in mind whenever you're trying out any new products: The first is to always, always patch test. Next is to change one product in your routine at a time, so it's easier to tell what's helping and what's hurting your skin. Since caring for your skin is a delicate process, patience is also key here. Keep in mind that it takes time for your skin to renew itself, so unless you're experiencing any unusual irritation or excessive dryness, make sure to stick with your acne routine for at least a month before deciding whether or not it's working. However, if you're experiencing frequent and/or stubborn cystic acne, it's best to visit a dermatologist for the best advice.

Do you have a favourite acne treatment? Share them with us below!