The Ultimate Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin
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Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Sara Lindberg and Victoria Stokes
Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns. It presents some unique challenges, like a shiny complexion and acne breakouts.
The good news? With the right skin care routine and products, these issues can be less of a problem.
To help take the guesswork out of how to care for an oily complexion, we turned to a couple of skin care experts. We specifically asked them to share their top tips for developing a daily skin care routine for oily skin.
The result: a simple four-step routine you can use in the morning and evening to keep your skin healthy, clear, and shine-free.
The best skin care routine for oily skin
Cleanse with an exfoliating cleanser morning and night
- Use a toner that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid.
- Treat your skin with benzoyl peroxide or retinol.
- Moisturize morning and night with a lightweight moisturizer.
Step 1: Cleanse in the a.m. and p.m.
The most important step of any skin care routine is cleansing your skin.
“If your skin tends to be oily, you can likely tolerate more cleansing,” says Sandra Lee, founder of SLMD Skincare known as Dr. Pimple Popper.
“Though most people should be washing their face morning and night, it’s especially important for those with oily skin to give their face a complete cleanse in the morning,” Lee says.
Even though you might feel like your skin is still clean from the night before, Lee says that during the night your skin is busy shedding skin cells and producing oils.
That’s why washing with a good exfoliating cleanser, both in the morning and evening, is recommended.
She likes to use a cleanser or wash with salicylic acid.
Step 2: Use a toner
Once your skin is clean and free from any makeup, dirt, and oil, Lee suggests you follow with an exfoliating toner that contains either:
- salicylic acid
- glycolic acid
- lactic acid
Step 3: Treat your skin
This step will depend on your specific skin concerns.
In general, if you’re prone to acne, Lee says you should use benzoyl peroxide or sulfur in the daytime to help curb oil production and prevent breakouts.
In the evening, Lee recommends a retinol product to help keep pores clear and skin glowing.
Lee likes to remind people with oily skin that they may be lucky in the long run.
“If you have more oils in your skin, you’re likely to ward off wrinkles and fine lines for a bit longer than someone with dry skin,” she says.
Step 4: Moisturize in the a.m. and p.m.
Moisturizing is a very important step if you have oily skin.
“There’s some belief that if you have oily skin, you don’t need to or shouldn’t moisturize,” Lee says. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
“All skin types need moisturizer, but if you have oily skin, you should be more careful with what kind of moisturizer you’re using,” Lee says.
Her recommendation? Look for a moisturizer that’s:
- lightweight
- free of oils
- water-based
Any moisturizer that’s formulated for acne-prone skin should meet these criteria.
For acne
Acne and oily skin often go hand in hand.
“Oily skin is due to the size and therefore activity of the oil glands attached to the hair follicles, so to reduce oiliness we need to reduce the size of the oil glands,” explains Natalia Spierings, consultant dermatologist and author of Skintelligent: What you really need to know to get great skin.
If you’ve tried topical solutions like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, Spierings suggests an oral medication called isotretinoin (Accutane/Roaccutane).
“Some women also find their oiliness and acne improves when taking the contraceptive pill,” she adds.
Natural ingredients for oily skin
When it comes to skin care, the term ‘natural’ can mean different things to different people.
You’ll find many oily skin products labeled ‘natural’, but it’s important to remember that this term isn’t regulated across the industry.
If it’s home remedies you’re after, honey may be a good choice for oily skin thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Oatmeal is another store cupboard ingredient that could prove beneficial, as it calms inflamed skin and absorbs excess oil.
Keep it cheap
Good news! You don’t have to spend a fortune when it comes to treating oily skin.
There are many over-the-counter options that won’t break the bank. If you’re on a budget, look for drugstore products that include effective active ingredients.
And don’t forget to check the reviews before purchasing.
For men
Surprise! Treatment for oily skin in men is the same, with one exception: unless you have a uterus, you can’t take oral contraceptives to target acne.
Things to avoid
Experts recommend avoiding the habits below.
Forgetting to blot away excess oil
If your skin seems to shine all day long, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using blotting papers to control excess oil.
To do this, gently press the paper against your skin for a few seconds. This should help absorb most of the oil. Repeat throughout the day as needed.
Skipping skin cleansing after you exercise
In addition to your morning and evening routine, the AAD recommends washing your face after you exercise. This is especially important if you don’t plan on showering soon.
Washing your face will help remove sweat, oil, and dirt that may build up while you’re exercising.
This doesn’t have to be an elaborate four-step process. Simply wash your face with your regular cleanser and apply a light layer of moisturizer.
The sooner you can do this after exercise, the better.
Choosing the wrong products
When it comes to purchasing skin care products, Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology in New York City, says to choose wisely.
“Avoid any products with alcohol, which can cause a paradoxical increased amount of oil secretion. Also, avoid anything thick or greasy, like cocoa butter, shea butter, and Vaseline,” he says.
Skipping sunscreen
When outdoors, be sure to wear sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30.
Mudgil suggests using sunscreen that contains either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients can help prevent acne breakouts.
To make things easier, try to wear a daily moisturizer with sunscreen in it so you’ll always be protected.
Safety
Some treatments for oily skin, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, can cause irritation. It’s important to use them as instructed.
Oral treatments like isotretinoin should only be taken on the advice of a dermatologist.
When to contact a dermatologist
Oily skin and acne breakouts can really get you down.
If you’ve tried over-the-counter products to little avail, it may be time to see a dermatologist.
“What is excessive oiliness to one person may be perfectly acceptable to another person,” Spierings points out.
Bottom line, if oily skin is bothering you, it’s okay to seek the help of a professional.
Frequently asked questions about oily skin
Can oily skin types only use oil-free products?
According to Spierings, you aren’t limited to products labeled ‘oil-free’, for two reasons.
Firstly, she says what you put on your skin does not impact how the oil gland functions.
And secondly, “There is actually no such thing as ‘oil free’ products anyway – all topical creams have some sort of occlusive or oil in them to give them a cream consistency,” she explains.
Are grainy face scrubs okay to use on oily skin – or will they cause breakouts?
It’s a good idea to steer clear of grainy face scrubs as they can cause irritation. Products that contain exfoliating agents such as AHAs and BHAs may be a good alternative.
How can oily skin types manage enlarged pores?
You may have seen many products that claim to shrink your pores or minimize their appearance.
However, Spierings says the only way to reduce the size of your pores is to reduce the amount of oil produced.
“The only thing that does that is a medicine called oral isotretinoin,” she says.
Does washing your face more help or hinder oily skin?
Spierings says it doesn’t make a difference.
“Your skin produces oil at a constant rate, regardless of how often you cleanse it or if you dry it out with skin care products,” she explains.
Can makeup block the pores and make oily skin worse?
You may have heard that makeup makes oily, acne-prone skin worse.
Good news! Spierings says there’s no truth to this claim.
Takeaway
If you have oily skin, following a daily skin care regimen is the best way to reduce breakouts and control shininess.
Cleansing, toning, treating your skin, and moisturizing both morning and night are key steps in a daily skin care routine.
Choosing the right products, wearing sunscreen, using blotting papers, and washing your face after exercising can also reduce oiliness and help keep your skin clear and healthy.