Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin: A Step-By-Step Guide (+ Bonus Tips for Managing Oily Skin)

Do you have oily skin?

If your answer is ‘YES’, then you know that putting together a skin care routine specifically tailored to your skin type is vital to achieving a great complexion. However, managing oily skin is easier said than done. 

Having oily skin can be difficult as you’re more prone to blackheads and breakouts, as well as sensitive skin. Dealing with large pores is also inevitable. But, instead of envying other skin types or wishing that you could change yours, there are ways to treat your skin and achieve a great complexion without the extra shine. Managing oily skin isn’t a lost cause – with the right skin care routine for oily skin and products, this issue can be less of a problem. 

In this article, we talk about skin care routine steps that you can follow if you have oily skin, as well as other tips to help you achieve a great complexion – without the extra shine. 

Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin: Morning and Evening Routines

If you struggle with oily skin, developing and following a skin care regimen that focuses on moisturizing your skin – and keeping it hydrated – will give you the best results. 

Divide your daily skin care routine into two parts – a morning and evening routine. A morning oily skin care routine ensures that your skin doesn’t suffer damage from exposure to the sun and pollutants. On the other hand, an evening oily skin care routine can help reverse the damage that your skin may have suffered during the day. 

Morning Oily Skin Care Routine	Evening Oily Skin Care Routine
Step 1: Cleanser. Start your day with a gentle cleanser. A cleanser helps remove excess oils and impurities from your face and keeps your pores unclogged. For oily skin, choose a formula that can combat excess oil and balance your complexion. Also, certain fruit extracts like papaya and grapefruit and known to be great for unclogging pores, so watch out for those ingredients as well.	Step 1: Cleanser. Cleansers are great for removing your makeup at the end of the day; however, you should cleanse your face even if you don’t wear makeup. Use a light, water-based cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities, along with traces of makeup from your face.
Step 2: Toner. Next, use a toner. Using a toner can help regulate your skin’s pH levels, unclog your pores, and create a layer of evenly toned skin. Also, certain toners reduce the damage caused by UV rays, so they are an excellent addition to your morning skin care routine. Choose a gentle toner formulated with ingredients like aloe vera, rose, chamomile, eucalyptus, and honey.	Step 2: Toner. Choose a toner that gives your skin sufficient hydration. Ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are known to be effective in fighting skin pigmentation and acne. Rose, witch hazel, and white tea are also known to treat acne. So, if you’re concerned about acne, choose a toner that contains these ingredients.  If your main concern is skin that’s too sticky and oily, choose a non-greasy and light toner that will gently balance your skin’s pH and retain enough amount of moisture.
Step 3: Moisturizer. Think you don’t have to moisturize since you have oily skin? Wrong. Just as you would moisturize dry skin, moisturizing oily skin is also important. Moisturizing your skin can help reduce sebum production while improving skin texture. For oily skin, choose a non-greasy moisturizer. There are many oil-free moisturizers that can hydrate your skin without clogging up your pores. An oil-free, gel-based moisturizer with the right natural acids and extracts is ideal for oily skin.	Step 3. Moisturizer. You have to moisturize your skin both in the morning and evening. If you have oily skin, choose an oil-free and lightweight formula that is easily absorbed into the skin.
Step 4: Sunscreen. Sunscreens also come in non-greasy formulations perfect for oily skin. Avoid using sunscreens with heavy, oily ingredients as it could end up harming your skin. Choose a light formula that contains natural extracts and antioxidants, while offering enough protection against the sun’s UV rays. It shouldn’t leave your skin feeling sticky throughout the day. If you have oily skin, fruit extracts, zinc, caffeine, and Vitamin C are ingredients you should look for in a sunscreen.	Step 4. Eye Cream. The skin around your eyes is particularly sensitive, which could result in puffy eyes and dark circles. When looking for an eye cream, look for ingredients such as caffeine as it can help calm the skin around your eyes.

Weekly Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Aside from the morning and evening skin care routines for oily skin outlined above, here are some weekly routines you should keep in mind. 

1. Exfoliate. Exfoliating your skin once every week can help eliminate impurities and dead skin cell build-up, leaving your skin soft and smooth. Scrubs that contain eucalyptus and menthol are known to soothe your skin and induce a cooling sensation. Make sure to choose an exfoliator that’s free of alcohol and oil, as these could lead to breakouts and excess oil production. 

2. Use a Face Mask. Using a face mask once a week can help reduce skin damage caused by regular exposure to pollutants. It can also help replenish your skin, leaving it bright and soft. Masks that contain silica and charcoal can eliminate dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling plump. Also, red clay is effective in eliminating excess oil and purifying your pores.
   

Tips for Managing Oily Skin

Aside from having a daily skin care routine, here are some other skin care tips to help manage oily skin.

• Use products formulated for your skin type. This may sound repetitive and obvious, but it’s worth repeating: When you have oily skin, you must look for skin care products that are specially formulated for your skin type. What works for dry skin may not necessarily work for oily skin. For instance, when it comes to moisturizer, a lightweight lotion may be enough to keep your skin hydrated; on the other hand, people with dry skin may have to use a heavier cream. You should also look out for products with the word ‘matte’ – mattifying products can help reduce the appearance of excess shine. 

• Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can improve the texture and appearance of your skin. Avoid foods high in sugar and fats which can cause oily skin. Some foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include tuna, flaxseed, walnuts, and salmon. Some foods high in antioxidants include apples, spinach, whole grains, and beans. 

Avoid oily and greasy foods which can aggravate oily skin conditions. Cut out unhealthy fats like fried food, beef, and butter. Replace them with healthy fats found in foods like fish, avocados, nuts, and seeds. 

• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise has been shown to provide a broad range of benefits to your skin, including preventing oil. Exercising regularly can help keep your skin smooth and healthy. Also, don’t forget to always shower after exercise to wash away the sweat and bacteria! If you let it build up, it can result in more skin problems. 

• Use clean hands when applying skin care products. You should wash your hands before eating – and you should do same before touching your skin. Whether you’re about to touch up your makeup or if you’re about to go through your skin care routine, you should do so with clean hands. By washing your hands, you can keep it clean and avoid transferring any debris, dirt, or oils that might be sitting on your hands onto your face. 

• Use blotting papers (and keep them handy). If your skin starts to look super shiny in the middle of the day, use blotting papers to help control excess oil. These blotting papers can help absorb excess oils, diminishing the appearance of shiny skin. To use it, simply press the blotting paper against your skin for a few seconds. This should help absorb most of the oil. Keep a pack of blotting papers handy so that you can use them throughout the day as necessary. 

• Wash your makeup brushes and skin care tools. Make sure to regularly wash your makeup brushes and skin care tools. Cleaning them may seem like a hassle, but its best to do so. Dirt, makeup, and oil can buildup on your brushes and skin care tools, and you can transfer these to your skin. 

• Choose oil-free makeup. Choosing oil-free cosmetics can help prevent your skin from looking overly greasy.
  

The Bottom Line

Having oily skin can be difficult as you’re more prone to blackheads and breakouts, as well as sensitive skin. Fortunately, managing oily skin isn’t a lost cause – with the right skin care routine for oily skin and products, this issue can be less of a problem. 

If you struggle with oily skin, developing and following a skin care regimen that focuses on moisturizing your skin – and keeping it hydrated – will give you the best results. Divide your daily skin care routine into two parts – a morning and evening routine. A morning oily skin care routine ensures that your skin doesn’t suffer damage from exposure to the sun and pollutants. On the other hand, an evening oily skin care routine can help reverse the damage that your skin may have suffered during the day. 

Aside from having a daily skin care routine for oily skin, there are also other ways you can manage your oily skin. Some ways to manage oily skin include choosing products specifically formulated for your skin type, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, choosing oil-free makeup, and using blotting papers, among others.