10-Step Korean Skincare Routine for Men with Acne-Prone Skin

By Aria Delgado| Published May 7, 2025

Acne can be a real pain—pimples popping up before a big meeting or date, oily shine that won’t quit, and red marks that linger. As a guy who’s dealt with breakouts, I get it. Korean skincare, with its 10-step routine, is a game-changer for men with acne-prone skin. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and it’s built for guys who want clear skin without fuss. After months of testing products and talking to mates who swear by K-beauty, here’s a no-nonsense guide to get your face looking sharp and feeling fresh.

Why K-Beauty Works for Men

Men’s skin is thicker and oilier than women’s, which means more clogged pores, especially after shaving, sweating, or skipping a wash. Harsh soaps or ignoring skincare altogether can make things worse. Korean skincare is different—it’s about layering light, effective products to clean deep, hydrate, and calm your skin. “Men’s acne often comes from oil buildup and irritation, so gentle care is crucial,” says Dr. Min-ho Lee, a dermatologist in Busan. With ingredients like tea tree, niacinamide, and centella asiatica, this routine tackles acne without drying you out or feeling heavy.

The 10-Step Routine

1. Oil-Based Cleanser

Start by clearing out the day’s grime—sweat, sunscreen, or city dirt. An oil cleanser melts it away without stripping your skin, keeping pores clear.

• How to Do It: Rub a small pump on dry skin for 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water.

• Try: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil ($15) – Cuts through oil, leaves no residue.

• Alternative: Heimish All Clean Balm ($18) – Great for sensitive skin.

• Tip: Use at night after work or the gym; skip mornings if your face feels clean.

2. Water-Based Cleanser

Follow up with a foaming cleanser to wash away any leftover dirt or sweat. A gentle, low-pH formula won’t leave your skin tight or dry.

• How to Do It: Lather a pea-sized amount, massage for 20 seconds, rinse off.

• Try: Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser ($12) – Calms with green tea extract.

• Alternative: Cleanser by Hanyul Pure Artemisia ($20) – Soothes post-shave irritation.

• Tip: Don’t over-wash; it can make your skin oilier to compensate.

3. Exfoliate (2 Times a Week)

Dead skin can trap oil and cause breakouts. A chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid (BHA) clears pores better than a scrub, which can irritate acne.

• How to Do It: At night, swipe a BHA toner or pad over your face, avoiding active pimples.

• Try: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid ($20) – Gently unclogs pores.

• Alternative: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA Miracle Serum ($22) – Multi-tasking exfoliant.

• Tip: Start with one night a week to avoid redness, especially if you shave daily.

4. Toner

A toner hydrates and balances your skin after cleansing, reducing redness from acne or razors. It’s like a reset button for your face.

• How to Do It: Splash or pat a small amount onto your skin with your hands.

• Try: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner ($18) – Fights acne with calming ingredients.

• Alternative: Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner ($15) – Hydrates without stickiness.

• Tip: Skip cotton pads—they waste product. Use clean hands instead.

5. Essence

Essences are light, watery products that boost hydration and help your skin recover from breakouts or shaving nicks.

• How to Do It: Pat a few drops into your face until it sinks in.

• Try: Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence ($17) – Heals with snail mucin and bee venom.

• Alternative: Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence ($20) – Brightens and hydrates.

• Tip: Don’t let the snail thing freak you out—it’s odorless and works.

6. Serum

Serums are your heavy hitters, targeting acne, oil, or red marks. Niacinamide is a champ for controlling shine and fading scars.

• How to Do It: Apply 2-3 drops to your T-zone or breakout spots, then pat in.

• Try: Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum ($6) – Budget-friendly and effective.

• Alternative: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum ($17) – Soothes with propolis and niacinamide.

• Tip: Use at night and don’t mix with exfoliants to avoid irritation.

7. Sheet Mask (1 Time a Week)

Sheet masks are an easy way to calm your skin after a rough day or shave. They’re like a quick spa session.

• How to Do It: Slap it on for 10 minutes, then pat in the leftover essence.

• Try: Dr. Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution ($6 each) – Hydrates and reduces redness.

• Alternative: Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Mask ($2 each) – Great for active breakouts.

• Tip: Do it while chilling with a beer or gaming—it’s low-maintenance.

8. Moisturizer

Oily skin still needs moisture to stay balanced; otherwise, it pumps out more oil. A gel moisturizer feels light and won’t clog pores.

• How to Do It: Rub in a small amount morning and night after serums.

• Try: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb ($38) – Non-greasy and cooling.

• Alternative: Mizon Water Volume Aqua Gel Cream ($16) – Super light for oily skin.

• Tip: Use a smaller amount in the morning to avoid looking shiny.

9. Spot Treatment (As Needed)

For those annoying pimples that pop up, a spot treatment shrinks them fast without drying out your whole face.

• How to Do It: Dab a tiny bit on zits at night after moisturizer.

• Try: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17) – Knocks out pimples overnight.

• Alternative: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch ($6 for 24) – Covers and heals zits.

• Tip: Don’t mess with pimples; it’ll leave scars that take forever to fade.

10. Sunscreen (Morning Only)

Sunscreen is a must to protect acne scars and keep redness from getting worse. A matte, non-comedogenic one won’t feel heavy.

• How to Do It: Apply a nickel-sized amount every morning as your final step.

• Try: Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50+ ($14) – Matte and weightless.

• Alternative: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ ($12) – Feels like nothing.

• Tip: Reapply after sweating at the gym or being outside for hours.

Why This Routine Rocks for Guys

This routine is quick, practical, and made for men’s skin, which can get beat up from shaving, sports, or stress. The products are light, so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a mask of cream.

“Men need simple routines that target oil and irritation without overloading the skin,” says Dr. Lee. After sticking with this for a month, my breakouts were way down, and my skin didn’t look like an oil slick by noon. Friends who tried it said their faces felt smoother, and red spots from old acne started fading. Even after sweaty workouts, their skin stayed calmer.

Extra Tips to Level Up

• Patch Test Everything: Test new products on your jaw or wrist for a day to avoid reactions.

• Ease In: Start with cleansing, moisturizer, and sunscreen, then add one step every week.

• Stay Gentle: Harsh soaps or alcohol toners will make acne worse—skip them.

• Lifestyle Boosts:

  • Wash your face after workouts to clear sweat and bacteria.

  • Swap pillowcases weekly to avoid oil buildup.

  • Cut back on greasy takeout; it can trigger breakouts.

  • Drink water and get decent sleep—your skin will thank you.

• Keep at It: Clear skin takes 4-6 weeks, so don’t bail after a few days.

• Shaving Smarts: Use a clean razor and shave after cleansing to reduce irritation. Try Bevel Shaving Cream ($10) for a smooth glide.