THE OILY SKIN STRUGGLE
Those of us with oily skin know the struggle. The constant shine glaring from your face, the make-up transfer that gets on everything, and the constant need to blot your face every few minutes.
You add in the sun and heat, which is multiplied by 10. I remember sitting at my desk at work and not having blotting papers so instead I used about 20 post-it notes to blot my face. As ridiculous as it sounds, I know my oily face people get it!
WHY IS OUR SKIN OILY AND ACNE-PRONE?
Oily skin happens due to an overactive sebaceous gland that excretes oil, aka sebum. Although sebum is important for the health of our skin, as it locks moisture into the skin and protects it, we don’t want it in excess.
There are multiple reasons why some people have more oily skin than others. It could be diet or climate among other things, but the top culprits are hormones and genetics. However, thankfully, we can work to combat these things with the right products and a consistent routine!
Typically, oily skin and acne-prone skin go hand and hand due to the oil clogging the pores and causing breakouts. Because of that finding the right skincare routine to clear the acne and settle the oil can be a process.
OILY SKINCARE ROUTINE
A skincare routine doesn’t have to be a million steps or take 45 minutes to complete. There are days when we absolutely want to indulge and pamper our skin and do all the things, but on a daily basis, we just want something quick and most importantly effective!
I have found that about 5 products and steps are all you really need. (In some cases, only 3.)
See the simple 5-step routine for oily and acne-prone skin below. Plus a few bonus tips!
Morning Routine for Oily Skin
Step 1.
Gentle exfoliating cleanser– This is great for oily and acne-prone skin because gentle cleansers clean the skin without irritation or stripping. The exfoliation is good for sloshing off all the dead skin cells that the buildup of oil causes.
You want to make sure you are not using a cleanser that is too harsh or washing your face too many times a day. Cleansing your face in the morning and night is the best practice.
However, many people with oily skin feel like they should cleanse their skin multiple times a day to get rid of the oil, but all this does is strip the skin and disrupt your skin barrier. The over-cleansing then signals to your skin that it needs to produce more oil, and the cycle continues.
A cleanser that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as a main ingredient is great for combatting acne. I love using a benzoyl peroxide wash. Benzoyl Peroxide is great at reducing oil production and killing germs that cause acne, and it’s one of the best acne-fighting ingredients there is!
Tip – Just be careful when using benzol peroxide because it can stain the things it touches, so your shirts, sheets, towels, etc.
Step 2.
Toner or Pore Targeting Treatments – Toners are good for balancing the skin’s PH and making sure all the dirt and grime are completely gone before you apply your serums and moisturizers.
A toner with salicylic acid or glycolic acid is a great for oily skin since they help to keep the skin matte throughout the day. Some people view this step as optional since today’s cleansers are typically less stripping than they were back in the day, but I love this middle step between my cleanser and moisturizer.
I have used both but find pore targeting treatments seem to work better for me at killing the bacteria causing the acne and keeping my skin smooth.
If using a benzoyl peroxide face wash, your pore-targeting treatment could still contain benzoyl peroxide, this seemed to cut back on my acne the most when my skin was breaking out. A toner containing salicylic acid would also work well. That combo seems to work as a great 1-2 punch.
Step 3. 
Lightweight Moisturizer– DON’T SKIP THE MOISTURIZER. A lot of people with oily skin think that they do not need a moisturizer since their skin is oily, however, all skin needs a moisturizer.
Moisturizers are one of the most important steps in a skincare routine.
Look for a water-based, oil-free moisturizer that is noncomedogenic, meaning that it does not clog pores. Moisturizers help smooth out the skin from the first two steps and yes, add some moisture back into the skin.
It helps to regulate oil production and keeps your skin supple. Don’t let this scare you, once again, the skin needs moisture even if it’s oily.
Step 4.
Eye Cream – Eye cremes can be controversial as some think it’s a gimmick, but I for one love eye cremes and think they are important. You also have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
There hasn’t been one eye creme that I swear by or is my holy grail, but I typically just read the ingredients list and check the texture of it and if it looks and feels good then I grab it! Usually at a TJ Maxx or someplace like that.
Look for ingredients like Vitamin C, Retinol, Hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to name a few. Caffeine is also a good ingredient used to minimize puffiness and help with dark circles. I also check the consistency, I like a thick, creamy texture!
Step 5.
Sunscreen – You should always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad spectrum protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect the skin and slow down premature aging.
Voila! You have now finished your 5-step skincare routine. The above steps are great for a morning routine and cover all the bases. But if you have the time and want to add in some extras, check out the below.
Extra Tips for Oily Skin:
Vitamin C Serum
Serum is a great product to add to your routine and can be used both in your morning and nighttime routine. Vitamin C is a great product that protects your skin against free radicals and the signs of aging. It also helps to brighten skin tone and helps with acne.
You would incorporate your Vitamin C, after you apply your toner and before your actual moisturizer.
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3 that has bolted to the top of the skincare industry over the past few years.
Niacinamide is a great product for oily skin because it helps to regulate sebum production as well as to smooth out and brighten the skin. It’s also great for anti-aging and has many other amazing benefits.
Niacinamide should be used after cleansing and toning.
Retinol
The holy grail item for so many! Retinol is a staple product to use in your nighttime skincare routine. Retinol is one of the best anti-aging ingredients out there and it also helps with the treatment of acne. What’s better than that?
You will incorporate retinol after cleansing your skin. Just use a pea-sized amount at first and start slow, maybe 2-3 times a week to see how your skin tolerates it. Retinol is not intended to be used in your morning routine as the daylight breaks down the retinol and diminishes its power.
It also does not do well when mixed with some of the other active products that we put on our face in the morning routine and can cause irritation.
Retinols DO NOT mix with AHA’s or BHA’s so salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and even vitamin C are not good to use with retinol. You don’t want anything too harsh or exfoliating, so be sure to just use a simple, gentle wash when using a retinol.
Make sure you are reading the ingredients list when trying new products!
Clay Mask
Clay masks are my favorite skincare thing to do, and oily skin loves a clay mask! I also love facemasks because they are the one product where I feel like I see the results immediately!
Bentonite or Kaolin clay is the best to use. The clay is absorbent and grabs the oil from within your pores unclogging them and drawing out any impurities. This helps with acne and keeps the skin clear and smooth.
The mask should be the very next step after cleansing your skin.
There are two face masks that I have enjoyed and would recommend.
This detoxifying mask with charcoal and Kaolin clay helps pull out impurities and brighten the skin.
2. Shea Moisture African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask (My current favorite)
This mask draws out dirt and congestion while helping to absorb the excess oil and improving the look of troubled skin.
I cannot say enough good things about this mask. I try to use it at least 2-3 times a week! It is great for oily acne-prone skin, check it out and let me know what you think!
CONCLUSION
These are the steps that have worked for my oily skin. Once I learned about different ingredients, what they do, and how to layer them it really changed my skin for the better!
Keep in mind that finding the right products for your skin and lifestyle can be a trial-and-error process, so don’t get discouraged! You’ll find the products that work, and they will become your staples.
What are the products and tips that you use for your oily skin? I would love to hear them in the comments below so we can all help each other!
Leave a Reply