Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: Easy Steps You Can Follow to Achieve Great Results
Updated: Apr 11, 2021
Oily skin can be a struggle. There is no greater (beauty) letdown than starting the day with a fresh complexion that veers into oil slick territory midday.
If you have oily skin, developing and sticking to a new skincare regimen that focuses on moisturizing your skin and keeping it hydrated will give you the best results.
Divide your daily skincare routine for oily skin into two parts - a morning and evening time skincare routine.
While a morning skincare routine ensures that your skin does not suffer damage from exposure to the sun and pollutants, an evening skincare routine can help reverse the damage that may have been caused to your skin during the day.
Read on to learn more and find the perfect skincare routine for oily skin!
Morning
1. Cleanser
Unlike dry skin, oily skin cannot go without cleansing in the morning. Dirt, excess oils, and impurities have built up on your skin at night and can clog your pores if not (gently) removed. Start your morning routine with a mild water-based cleanser to kick off your day with a fresh canvas. Starting with a clean face also allows skincare products to work better.
Cleansers come in all forms, so be sure to pick out one that is right for your skin type. Experts recommend picking a formula that can combat excess oil and balance your complexion if you have oily skin.
Certain fruit extracts such as grapefruit and papaya are known to be great to unclog your pores. You can use a foaming cleanser, focusing on your T-zone, where most of the excess oil build-up occurs.
2. Toner
Use a toner as the second step in your morning skincare routine. Using a toner can help unclog your pores, regulate your skin's pH levels, and create a layer of evenly toned skin.
Certain toners also help reduce the damage caused by UV rays, so they are a great addition to your morning skincare routine.
Pick a gentle toner formulated with ingredients such as witch hazel, rose, elderflower, lychee seed extract, aloe vera, eucalyptus, chamomile, almond oil, and honey.
3. Moisturizers & Serums
Just as you would moisturize dry skin, moisturizing oily skin is also essential. Moisturizing your skin can help reduce sebum production while improving its texture.
For oily skin, using a non-greasy moisturizer that is low on the comedogenic scale is ideal. Many moisturizers formulated for oily skin can provide the right amount of hydration without clogging up your pores.
Also, treat your skin with a concentrated treatment ( a serum ) that can really work its magic on your skin while you’re sleeping.
4. Sunscreen
Finish your morning routine with a sunscreen to protect your face against harmful UV rays.
Choose a light formula that contains antioxidants and natural extracts, while offering ample protection against the sun's UV rays. It should not leave your skin feeling sticky throughout the day.
Zinc, vitamin C, fruit extracts, and caffeine are ingredients you should be looking for in a sunscreen if you have oily skin. Certain formulas that come in matte finish can also work as a good base for your makeup. Whatever you use as your sunscreen, just make sure that you apply it liberally! The general rule is to use ½ a teaspoon for your face.
Note: some foundations and BB creams have sunscreen, but the amount of BB cream the average person applies to their face is not enough to protect skin throughout the day. So don’t think that just because your foundation or BB cream has SPF, you don’t need a separate sunscreen. Unless you apply half a teaspoon of foundation to your face, you should always use a separate sunscreen under your makeup to keep your skin protected.
7. Lip balm
Our lips don’t have any sebaceous glands. Keep your lips soft and hydrated with a moisturizing lip balm!
Evening
1. Cleanser
While cleansers are excellent for removing your makeup at the end of a busy day, you should cleanse your face even if you don't wear makeup. Use a light water-based cleanser to eliminate excess oil and impurities, along with traces of makeup from your face.
If your skin is oily and prone to acne, choose a cleanser that specifically addresses this concern. It's best to steer clear of cleansers containing drying alcohols as they may irritate your skin and cause flare-ups.
2. Toner
Don’t forget to prep your skin with toner.