Article Overview
- Oily skin is usually genetic but can be worsened by unsuitable products, stress, diet, and hormones; it presents as shine, enlarged pores and acne, especially in the T‑zone.
- Choose non‑comedogenic, lightweight liquid/gel/serum textures and avoid thick soaps or heavy creams to prevent clogged pores.
- Morning: cleanse, tone (mild exfoliant), apply an antioxidant vitamin C serum, hydrate with hyaluronic acid, use a light eye product and lightweight moisturizer, finish with broad‑spectrum SPF.
- Evening: remove oil/makeup with a gel cleanser, use an exfoliating cleanser and a chemical exfoliant to boost cell turnover, then seal in serums with a moisturizer.
- Prefer beta‑hydroxy acids (BHAs, e.g., salicylic acid or LHA) for oily skin since they are lipid‑soluble and better at penetrating/sebum‑clogged pores than AHAs.
- Consistency—cleansing morning/evening and after sweating, balanced hydration and targeted products—helps control sebum, unclog pores and improve clarity.
WHAT CAUSES OILY SKIN?
Several factors can contribute to oily skin, but its primary cause is usually a genetic predisposition. Oily skin can be worsened through a range of environmental and external factors, including:
- Using skincare products that are unsuitable for oily skin types
- High stress levels
- Diet and lifestyle choices, which can trigger increased oil production in the skin
- Hormonal fluctuations, such as puberty and pregnancy.
Oily skin typically presents as a greasy sheen on the skin, but it’s also associated with large pores and acne. The sebaceous glands tend to be denser in what is known as the T-Zone (forehead, chin and nose). This is why people usually experience an oily forehead, oily nose and oily chin. Other commonly affected areas can include the neck, chest, head and back. Although oily skin is usually caused by genetics, developing a proper skincare routine can help with managing this type of skin.
HOW TO REDUCE OILY SKIN
To reduce oily skin, you’ll need to understand which products for oily skin can be used in a skincare routine tailored for oil control. Cleansing is important for those with oily skin types, so ensure you use a facial cleanser in the morning, evening and after excessive sweating. Effective cleansing can reduce clogged pores. When using a chemical exfoliant, check the ingredients list and choose beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) over alpha-hydroxy acids. BHAs are lipid-soluble and are more effective on oily skin types.
When managing oily skin, it is important to choose non-comedogenic products that will not clog the pores. Avoid thick bars of soaps and heavy creams and opt for liquid, serum and gel-textured skincare products made especially for oily skin.
MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OILY SKIN
Prepare your skin and give it the nourishment it needs throughout the day by starting off with a morning routine to help minimise excess and unwanted shine.
1. Begin with a cleanser for oily skin
Your morning skincare for oily skin should begin with a cleanser for oily skin. Blemish and Age Cleansing is formulated with lipo-hydroxy acid foams to clear blocked pores, making it the ideal face wash for oily skin by removing excess sebum.
2. Apply a toner for oily skin
Introduce a toner for oily skin into your morning routine. SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Toner can also act as an mild exfoliator for oily skin and helps to remove the build-up of dead skin. This toner has been optimally formulated for oily skin types.
3. Protect your skin with a vitamin C serum
After removing all excess oil and impurities, protect your skin with the C E Ferulic Serum for oily skin. Containing vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, this serum helps fortify against environmental skin aggressors.
4. Hydration is still critical for oily skin types
Dehydrated skin can sometimes trigger additional sebum production, so it is still necessary to hydrate oily skin effectively. The SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Serum is formulated with a 1.3% concentration of hyaluronic acid, a molecule essential for retaining moisture in the skin.
5. Reduce dark circles with an eye cream suitable for oily skin
The SkinCeuticals AOX+ Vitamin C Eye Gel is an important serum to help brighten and protect the area around the eyes. This gel reduces signs of fatigue and will brighten the eyes.
6. Incorporate a moisturiser for oily skin types
Offering a light-weight moisturiser for oily skin, the Metacell renewal B3 has been designed to minimise the appearance of enlarged pores.
For more information read our guide on the best moisturisers for oily skin
7. Protect your face with UV protection
Important for skin health, the SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF 50+ offers a broad-spectrum moisturising sunscreen that is suitable for oily skin types.
EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OILY SKIN
Remove sweat, dirt and daily irritants with an effective evening skincare routine for oily skin. Giving the products time to seep deeply into the skin, an evening skincare routine for oily skin is all about balance and nourishment.
1. Wash away oil and makeup with a face wash for oily skin
Simply Clean Makeup Removal Cleanser is a gel-based cleanser for oily skin that will effectively remove oil and stubborn waterproof makeup. This face wash will also leave the face feeling fresh and clean.
2. Incorporate an oily skin exfoliating
With exfoliating and deep cleaning properties, the SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser is suitable for oily skin types. Removing excess oil, this gel cleanser removes oil, dirt, debris and daily irritants for cleaner skin.
3. Encourage new skin cells with a chemical exfoliant
An ideal serum for oily skin, SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator Serum is a chemical exfoliator that can increase the skin cell turnover rate. This exfoliator can both remove dead skin cells and hydrate simultaneously, making an effective product for those who produce extra sebum, common to oily skin types.
4. Apply a moisturiser for oily skin
The Metacell renewal B3 has been specifically formulated for an oilier canvas. As an ideal moisturiser for oily skin, this cream seals in the powerful serums and hydrates the skin for overnight repair.
Achieve a clearer and a brighter complexion when following a thorough skincare routine for oily skin. Balance your sebum production, unclog pores and say hello to more visibly cleaner, clearer and healthy-looking skin.
Next: A guide to chemical exfoliating: BHA vs AHA
Shop Featured Products
Blemish and Age Cleansing Gel
Exfoliating cleanser with lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA) that foams to decongest skin and improve clarity
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum for fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan
A Hyaluronic Acid Volumising and Plumping Serum.
