Skincare routines for oily skin are a delicate balance. You don’t want to use too many harsh, oil-stripping products that can potentially make your skin oilier, and you don’t want to use anything too heavy or hydrating, otherwise you potentially could end up looking a tad too greasy. That’s why we got the details from expert dermatologists to settle once and for all—the best skincare routine for oily skin. Keep reading to find out more!

Meet the Expert

• Patricia Wexler, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, industry pioneer and founder of Wexler Dermatology.
• Francesca Fusco, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology.
• Joseph Cruise, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Cruise Plastic Surgery.

Your New Oily Skin Skincare Regimen

“For overall good skin health for your face, it’s important to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and use sunscreen daily,” says Cruise. A common misconception with oily skin is that moisturizer isn’t necessary and will make the skin even greasier. Not so, says Cruise. “By not applying enough moisturizer, you’re causing the skin to overcompensate and produce more oil.”

Cleanser

Aveeno
Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
$8.00

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For cleanser, Cruise recommends Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Facial Cleanser, which has a low dose of salicylic acid—so it treats acne without irritating the skin. It also clears up blemishes without over-drying, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. 

Moisturizer

When choosing a formula, Cruise says to look for ingredients that include glycerin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and niacinamide to help even out the skin tone. He also recommends a formula that is (unsurprisingly) oil-free and silicone-free so it won’t clog pores. 

Burt’s Bees
Brightening Moisturizing Cream
$52.00

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Key Ingredients

Jojoba oil is a natural oil produced from the seed of the chinensis plant, a drought-resistant shrub native to southern Arizona, California, and Mexico. It mimics natural sebum and conditions and seals moisture in the skin without clogging pores or exacerbating acne.

Burt’s Bees Brightening Even Skin Tone Moisturizing Cream helps “even the skin tone and diminish dark splotches,” says Cruise. “It brightens and moisturizes the skin with a botanical blend rich in hydrating oils that includes apricot, jojoba, grapeseed, and olive fruit.”

Olay
Moisturizing Face Lotion for Sensitive Skin
$16.00

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Olay’s Moisturizing Face Lotion for Sensitive Skin—formulated with chamomile and aloe, so it soothes rather than irritates—is another option.

Exfoliant

“Glycolic acid is beneficial in lotions, peels, and creams to reduce excess oil production and prevent plugging of pores that lead to breakouts,” says Wexler. 

Fusco agrees: “Glycolic acid peels are good exfoliators as well as NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Lotion ($52) and Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum ($90).”

SPF

SkinMedica
Essential Defense Everyday Clear SPF 47
$32.00

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“SkinMedica Essential Defense Everyday Clear SPF 47 is good for oily and combination skin types,” says Cruise. “It protects against damaging UVA and UVB rays and won’t clog pores. It’s also hypoallergenic and is free of oil, fragrance, and parabens.”

Avène
Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid
$32.00

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Avène’s tinted mineral sunscreen provides maximum water-resistance and long-lasting hydration. Cruise says it’s great for all skin types and works well on all skin tones.

Retinol

Differin
Acne Treatment Gel
$12.00

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Key Ingredients

Retin-A (tretinoin) is a form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself by encouraging cell turnover. It’s commonly prescribed for acne, fine lines, and sun damaged skin.

Retinol helps “thicken” the skin to reduce the look of fine lines and exfoliates for an overall smoother complexion, but it’s also a hero product for oily skin types: “The solution [for oily skin] is products that exfoliate, increase cellular turnover, and unplug pores,” explains Wexler. “Retinoids reduce sebum, increase cellular turnover, and improve pigmentation. They also keep acne at bay.”

Ingredients to Avoid for Oily Skin

Cruise says anything particularly heavy and pore-clogging is a no-go for oily skin types. Steer clear of products that contain vegetable oil, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, and cocoa and shea butters.

Fusco also warns against harsh scrubs, as these strip the skin’s barrier and lead to increased oil production to help compensate. And to make things easier, Fusco says to look for anything that has “noncomedogenic” on the label, which means it won’t clog pores.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

1. Rolfe HM. A review of nicotinamide: treatment of skin diseases and potential side effects. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2014;13(4):324-328. doi:10.1111/jocd.12119

2. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070

3. Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al. A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193