The Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin: Complete Guide (2023)

Discover the ultimate guide to the best skincare routine for oily skin filled with expert tips and product recommendations.

If you’re on a first-name basis with blotting papers and the midday shine is your nemesis, then you’re part of the oily skin club. Oily skin can feel like that high-maintenance friend who always keeps you guessing – from surprise breakouts to the endless quest for matte perfection.

We’ve all been down that skincare rabbit hole, right? Scouring through product reviews at 2 AM, gambling on those ‘miracle’ products, and then facing that all-too-familiar letdown when they fall flat. Ugh, the struggle is as real as the sheen on our foreheads.

After years of playing guinea pig, I’ve honed a skincare routine for oily skin that actually understands your skin’s unique needs. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share a carefully curated step-by-step routine that strikes the perfect balance between controlling excess oil and maintaining essential moisture. I’ll share my favorite Korean cleansers for oily skin, as well as my favorite moisturizers that won’t leave your face feeling oily.

So, if you’re ready to rewrite your skin story from greasy to glowing, keep reading.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. These are products I’ve personally used, as well as are recommended by other skincare experts.

Understanding Oily Skin

What Causes Oily Skin?

When it comes to your skincare routine for oily skin, it’s important to understand the ‘why’ behind the shine.

Let me explain: oily skin occurs when your sebaceous glands produce excessive sebum, the natural oil of your skin. Various factors contribute to this, such as genetics, hormonal changes, stress, medications, humidity, and heat. This can make your skin look shiny, enlarge pores, and lead to breakouts.

Here’s the ironic twist: if you go overboard with harsh skincare products or cleanse too frequently, you’ll unknowingly strip away your skin’s natural oils. Your skin will respond by cranking up oil production to protect itself.

Why You Might Have Oily Skin

Genetics: You can thank your family tree for this one. If you have oily skin, there’s a good chance that it runs in your genes.

Hormonal changes: Hormones can really mess with your skin. Androgens, the hormones responsible for oil production, can go haywire and make your skin oilier. That’s why teenagers, pregnant women, or those on certain birth control might notice their skin getting greasier.

Lifestyle Factors: Your diet, stress levels, and skincare habits can all mess with your skin type. Eating too much sugar and dairy, dealing with stress, and using the wrong skincare products can all make your skin even oilier.

The Upside of Oily Skin

Despite its challenges, oily skin actually has some hidden benefits:

Natural Moisturization: That extra oil helps keep your skin naturally moisturized, which means fewer fine lines and wrinkles as you age.

Built-In Protection: Oily skin comes with an added layer of natural lipids, providing better defense against environmental aggressors like pollution and harsh weather.

Glow Factor: Oily skin often has a natural glow – that sought-after effect that some people try to achieve with highlighters and illuminators.

To fully embrace your oily skin, it’s important to understand its roots and benefits. But here’s the exciting part: armed with this knowledge, you can customize your skincare routine to turn any challenges into advantages.

The Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin

Now that you know the basics of oily skin , let’s put everything together into a comprehensive routine. Follow these steps to keep your oily skin under control and looking its best.

Morning Routine

This morning routine is all about keeping oil production in check, hydrating your skin, and giving you that fresh, radiant look that lasts all day long.

Step 1. Wash Your Face With A Gel Cleanser

One of the most common mistakes I see with oily skin is using a cleanser that has a squeaky clean finish that leaves your skin tight and dry. Over-washing or using harsh cleansers can strip your skin of natural oils, leading it to produce even more sebum.

Your skin needs a little oil to stay balanced. If you strip it all away, your skin will go into overdrive and produce even more oil to compensate. Yikes!

Tip: Opt for a gentle gel cleanser, which effectively removes excess oil without over-drying. Ingredients like Cocoamidopropyl betaine cleanse without residue, balancing sebum production.

Best Gel Cleansers For Oily Skin

Step 2: Tone With a Hydrating Toner

Toning helps to balance your skin’s pH and remove any lingering impurities after cleansing. It preps your skin for the next steps in your routine.

Opt for Korean toners with soothing agents like green tea or centella, which calm inflammation and are gentle on the skin. Apply your toner using a soft cotton pad and gently pat onto the skin.

Best Toners For Oily Skin

Step 3: Applying Serums & Treatments

Niacinamide and vitamin C are two of my favorite treatments for oily skin. Niacinamide helps regulate oil production, minimizes pores, and has anti-inflammatory effects, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin. On the other hand, vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects against environmental damage and gives your skin a healthy glow. Its super effective at reducing your dark spots and brightening and evening out your skin tone.

To incorporate these treatments into your skincare routine, use a serum or moisturizer with Niacinamide. The best way to use vitamin C serums in your routine is to apply it in the morning because it can help protect your skin thought the day. I love Korean Vitamin C serums because are not only effective, but are also gentle on your skin. They are formulated with calming and hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, ferulic acid, centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid.

When layering you’re serums, remember to apply a thin layer and let it fully absorb before moving to the next step.

Best Niacinamide Serums For Oily Skin

Best Vitamin C Serums For Oily Skin

Step 4: Apply Gel Cream or Water-Based Gel Moisturizer

Even if you think you have enough moisture, having oily skin doesn’t necessarily mean your skin is properly hydrated. In fact, it could indicate an imbalance, and you might not even realize that your skin is actually lacking hydration.

Fortunately, your skin is naturally good at retaining moisture. The key is to focus on Korean moisturizers that include humectants and incorporate lightweight, oily-skin friendly oils. And if you have dry skin in certain areas, use a face oil for that extra boost of hydration. Remember, taking care of your skin is all about finding the right balance!

Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Step 5. Apply Korean Chemical Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a MUST for your skin! It works by absorbing UVB and UVA rays that can harm you. Fun fact: Did you know that sunscreen doesn’t block the rays? It actually absorbs them and releases a little heat energy.

So when you’re picking a sunscreen, remember to check for UVB protection (SPF), UVA protection, and consider the texture too. Determining UVA protection can be tricky, as various countries have come up with their own rating systems.

Here is a little cheat sheet to help you out.

• In the US, look for words “broad spectrum” on. your sunscreen to make sure its tested for UVA protection.
• In Asia, they use PA system, ranking UVA protection from PA + to PA++++.
• In Europe, to get a UVA label the sunscreen has to be around the same protection as PA+++.

For oily skin, choose a chemical sunscreen, which tend to have a lighter, more oily skin friendly texture. Korean sunscreens also are formulated for more humid climates, so these are also great options for oily skin. If you have acne-prone skin, Korean mineral sunscreens are a great option. They have a lighter texture and are less likely to clog your pores.

Best Sunscreens For Oily Skin

Night Time Routine For Oily Skin

At night, your skin repairs itself, so it’s a great time to use potent ingredients that target specific issues like acne or aging. Here are recommended steps for your nightly routine:

Step 1: Double Cleansing

Double cleansing ensures that all makeup, SPF, and day’s pollutants are thoroughly removed from the skin. Start with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser. This combination effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin.

Gently massage your Korean cleansing oil onto dry skin, then add water to emulsify before rinsing off. Follow with your gel cleanser for a deep clean.

Best Korean Cleansing Oils for Oily Skin

Step 2: Toning

As in the morning, toning at night helps to balance the skin after cleansing and preps it for further treatment. Use the same toner as in the morning to maintain consistency in your skincare routine.

Step 3: Apply Targeted Treatments (For Acne and Visible Pores)

Now is the perfect time to add some acne-fighting or anti-aging treatments to your routine!

One of my personal favorites is Retinol. It’s a derivative of Vitamin A and works wonders for stimulating collagen production. That means it helps reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Just apply it at night to let your skin do its thing while you sleep. It’s like giving your skin a little extra TLC!

Retinol can be really irritating for some folks, especially if you have sensitive skin. But, have you heard of Bakuchoil? It’s like the gentler cousin of Retinol.  When it comes to Bakuchiol vs Retinol, Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative that offers similar anti-aging benefits as Retinol, but with a lower risk of irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin type.

Step 5: Moisturize with A Gel Moisturizer

Finish off your night routine by applying a lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog your pores and will help balance oil production while you sleep. Use the same gel moisturizer you used during your morning routine.

Weekly Treatments For Oily Skin

Besides your regular skincare routine, there are a couple of weekly treatments that can help keep oily skin under control and give it an extra glow.

Exfoliate with an AHA/BHA

Oily skin tends to have more dead skin cell build-up, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Gently exfoliate once or twice a week with a chemical exfoliant such as AHA or BHA to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Unlike physical scrubs, chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs work their magic by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to naturally slough off.

I recommend using a salicylic acid or glycolic acid 1-2 times per week during your PM skincare routine. I know it might be tempting, but don’t use an exfoliator every day. This can damage your skin barrier & lead to irritation, redness, and dryness. As a result, your skin might over compensate by creating more oil/sebum.

Best Salicylic Acid Products

Once a week, use a clay mask to absorb excess oil and impurities from your skin. Look for masks with ingredients like kaolin, bentonite, and charcoal for best results.

Weekly Clay or Activated Charcoal Masks

Kaolin and bentonite are two types of clay minerals that do an amazing job of absorbing oils, toxins, impurities, and other gunk from your skin. And guess what? They’re not just good at that! Studies have even shown that these clay minerals have antibacterial properties that can help fight off antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

On the other hand, activated charcoal also absorbs oils and toxins. While there isn’t a ton of research on its use in skincare, activated charcoal is commonly used in medical cases of poisoning because it’s really good at soaking up toxins from the body. So, the idea is that activated charcoal might also have some antibacterial properties.

Best Clay Masks

FAQ

Conclusion

Creating a skincare routine for oily skin doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank. With this guide, you’ll be able to achieve the results you’ve been longing for.

Feel free to experiment and adjust your routine as your skin evolves. It’s important to note that while there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for skincare, a consistent routine and the right products can work wonders in keeping your skin happy and beautiful.