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If you have oily skin, you know the struggle—excess oil, midday shine (especially on your T-zone), makeup that doesn’t last, clogged pores, and those frustrating breakouts. But here’s the good news: with the right routine, you can tackle it all. In this post, I’ll guide you through a step-by-step skincare routine for oily skin. This routine helps control excess oil while keeping your skin hydrated, so you can take on the day without worrying about shine or breakouts.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
1. Cleanser
When it comes to oily skin, the key is avoiding cleansers that over-exfoliate. A common mistake many with oily skin make is using exfoliating agents in both their cleanser and skincare routine. This can strip the skin and end up causing even more breakouts.
Instead, choose a cleanser with mild exfoliants. I recommend glycolic acid and salicylic acid in very low concentrations. You could also try a cleanser that includes niacinamide.
If you’re on the hunt for a salicylic acid cleanser, my go-to is the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. But, if you’re already using salicylic acid in your routine, I’d skip it in your cleanser.
Instead, opt for something gentler and foaming. Oily skin loves cleansers that lather well. My personal favorite for this is the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. It has ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help protect your skin’s barrier, while niacinamide keeps oil production under control.
Pro tip: If you’re wearing makeup and sunscreen all day, make sure to double cleanse at night. Your regular cleanser won’t break down all the makeup and sunscreen, and it won’t clean your pores properly.
2. Toner
For an oily skincare routine, it’s essential to use exfoliating agents in low concentrations, especially if you’re using them daily. If your cleanser already contains salicylic acid or another exfoliant, I wouldn’t recommend adding more exfoliation to the rest of your routine. Instead, focus on hydrating and balancing your skin.
Look for a toner that hydrates and balances. Ideally, one that has niacinamide and other hydrating ingredients. My go-to is the Medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner. This toner is my personal favorite for so many reasons.
First, it does an excellent job of hydrating your skin and maintaining the skin barrier. Plus, the addition of PDRN and niacinamide makes it a fantastic toner for anyone who wants a gentle exfoliation while keeping their texture smooth and excess oil in check.
If you’re using a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain salicylic acid, I’d recommend going for the Byoma Brightening Toner. It contains lactic acid and mandelic acid, which are mild exfoliating agents. You can easily incorporate this gentle exfoliating toner into your oily skincare routine if your cleanser doesn’t have salicylic acid.
3. Targeted Serums
If you have oily skin, you’re likely dealing with leftover acne scars and some level of hyperpigmentation. After applying the toner, your next step should be to use a targeted serum based on your current skincare needs.
I’d recommend sticking to 2 or 3 serums at most. Look for a serum that targets hyperpigmentation. If you’re already using a treatment cream for this, like a retinol cream, then you probably don’t need an additional hyperpigmentation serum. The retinol will do the job, and adding another serum for pigmentation might just be unnecessary.
4. Moisturizer
If you have oily skin, you can’t just use any moisturizer. It should be lightweight, non-comedogenic, and have a gel base. There are many great options out there, so look for moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane, or panthenol.
My go-to is the Purito Oat-in-Calming Gel Cream. It calms the skin, balances everything, and is a lightweight gel cream with effective ingredients. It contains panthenol and squalane, both of which are lightweight and won’t clog pores, making it safe for oily skin.
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must in your daily skincare routine, no matter if you have oily or dry skin. But the type of sunscreen you choose makes a big difference.
For oily skincare routine, use a mineral sunscreen such as EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen. Unlike chemical sunscreens, they aren’t reactive to breakouts that people with oily skin often deal with.
Mineral sunscreens sit on top of your skin, forming a protective barrier, rather than being absorbed. This helps prevent clogged pores and provides a mattifying effect. Zinc oxide, a key ingredient in mineral sunscreens, is great for oily skin because it helps absorb excess oil.
Some of you make the mistake of relying on the sunscreen in your moisturizer or makeup. I can’t emphasize enough that those cannot substitute for a full, dedicated sunscreen.
6. Spot treatment
Oily skin is often prone to active breakouts, so chances are, you might have one or two while doing your skincare routine. The correct order for applying spot treatment is before your moisturizer.
Here’s the thing: applying it before moisturizer makes it more effective, but it can also be more irritating and drying. If you have super sensitive skin, I’d recommend applying your moisturizer first and then the treatment.
Otherwise, the right order is to apply the treatment before moisturizer for better results. After applying your moisturizer, make sure not to spread the spot treatment to other areas of your face.
By following these simple but effective steps, you can create the best skincare routine for your oily skin and enjoy a healthy skin.
FAQs on Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Is Vitamin C good for oily skin?
Vitamin C is a great option for an oily skincare routine because it has anti-inflammatory properties and helps regulate sebum production. This is especially important for those with oily skin, as their skin produces more oil and is often inflamed due to active breakouts. Incorporating a vitamin C serum into your morning routine can be an effective way to target these issues and keep your skin balanced.
Can I skip moisturizer if I have oily skin?
Regardless of your skin type, you still need a good moisturizer in your skincare routine to keep your skin hydrated. Oily skin still needs moisture, so choose a lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog pores
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