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.
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.
