Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site.

Best Skincare Routine for Oily Skin 2024

Oily skin is notorious for giving you the wrong type of glow. Your face ends up being greasy and sticky, leaving oil smudges on all your devices. And as if this weren’t bad enough, you also have to deal with breakouts and dull-looking skin.

In short, having oily skin can often be a struggle. But the good news is that the right skincare routine for oily skin can help combat its effects and keep your skin healthy.

What are the key signs of oily skin?

Oily skin is the result of the overproduction of a sticky, oily substance called sebum from the sebaceous glands. Here are some of the key signs of oily skin in men and women:

A glossy/ shiny appearance on your skin that feels sticky to the touch
Frequent acne breakouts
Blackheads and whiteheads
Dull-looking skin
Large and clogged pores
Oily hair that needs to be washed frequently

However, if you have a combination-type skin, you may find that your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is oily, while your cheeks feel normal or dry.

Here’s how to tell if you have oily or combination skin.

Best step-by-step oily skincare routine by Clarins

A common misconception when it comes to skincare for oily skin is that you need to wash your face excessively and use products that are harsh and dry out your skin. But this only tends to make the problem worse.

Here’s a gentle, but effective 6 step skincare routine for oily skin that will keep your skin healthy, balanced, and refreshed.

Step 1: Cleanse

Your skin tends to shed skin cells and lose water as you sleep, which leads to the sebaceous glands working overtime to produce more oil and keep your face hydrated. This oil combines with your sweat, leaving a thick oily build-up for you to contend with in the morning.

So, the first step in getting rid of this excess oil and any impurities is cleansing your face with a gentle foaming face wash - both in the morning and night, as well as after sweating excessively (post workout, for instance). Wet your face with warm water and, using your fingertips, apply the cleanser all over your face avoiding your eye area. Gently scrub and work it into a lather. Rinse gently and pat your face dry with a clean and soft towel.

A good cleanser for oily skin should be lightweight and hydrating. The Purifying Gentle Foaming Cleanser by Clarins, made with salicylic acid, is a non-drying and creamy cleanser that washes away oils and keeps your skin fresh and soft.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Remember how we mentioned that you shed dead skin cells at night? Exfoliating is one of the best ways to remove these and prevent your pores from getting clogged. Bonus? It makes your face smooth and soft.

For best results, exfoliate 2-3 times per week as part of your skincare routine for oily skin. Try a gentle Exfoliaor that washes away embedded dirt and revives your skin.

You can incorporate any of these Clarins exfoliators for oily skin into your daily or evening skincare routine.

Step 3: Apply toner

The next step in your face routine for oily skin is applying a toner. Alcohol-free toners prevent clogged pores and remove any residual oil and dirt from your face. Think of a toner as something that finishes the job that the cleanser started.

After you cleanse or exfoliate, soak two cotton pads with the toner and gently wipe it over your face. Aaaand that’s it! Allow it to work its magic and dry. We recommend Clarins’ plant-based Purifying Toning Face Lotion that gets rid of the gunk on your pores, leaving you with hydrated, soft, and shine-free skin.

Step 4: Target problem areas

This step in your oily skincare routine depends on the specific problems you’re facing. For instance, if you have visibly enlarged pores, try Clarins’ Pore Control Serum. It visibly tightens your pores and de-shines your face.

If you have acne spots, Clarins’ Vegan Blemish Lotion works wonders. The salicylic acid soothes your skin, while the zinc gluconate keeps excess sebum in check, making it a great addition to your face routine for oily skin.

Step 5: Moisturize

Oily skin needs moisturizing just as much as dry skin. If you skip this step, your skin will start producing more oil to combat the dryness, which defeats the point of your entire oily skin routine care. So, moisturize. Look for moisturizers that are light, oil-free, and contain ingredients such as niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.

Keep your skin moisturized throughout the day with the Hydra Essentiel Mattifying Gel Moisturizer. The intensely hydrating face gel contains hyaluronic acid while its gel texture has a mattifying effect better suited to more oily skin. Bonus? Moisturizing your skin can help fight signs of aging and rejuvenate your skin.

Expert tip: When choosing the right moisturizer for you, keep in mind that leading scientific experts recommend using gel-based moisturizers for oily skin

Step 6: Apply sunscreen

An often forgotten step when it comes to skincare for oily skin is applying sunscreen. Exposure to sun causes your skin to dry out, which increases sebum production. So, no matter the weather, use sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. And yes, you need sunscreen even during winter because the sun’s UV rays are still present and working against your skin.

Some moisturizers contain skin protection, so you can skip this step if you’re using one of those. If not, add the SPF 50 Anti-Pollution Sunscreen to your cart. It’s oil-free, making it perfect for your oily skincare routine.

Learn more about proper care for your skin in the sun from the Clarins Sun Care Blog.

Should oily skincare routines be performed in the a.m. and p.m?

Yes, it’s important to follow a dermatologist-recommended skincare routine for oily skin both in the morning and at night before you go to sleep. While a morning routine helps you get rid of the oil and dirt build-up that happens overnight, a night-time oily skin routine cleanses your face from all the grime build-up from the day.

Oily skincare routine: dos and don’ts

To get the best out of your skincare regimen for oily skin, keep these s in mind.

Don’t overwash your face as it can strip your skin of essential oils, leading to a sebum build-up as compensation.
Do wash your pillowcase regularly to remove all the sweat and oil accumulated on it.
Don’t forget to cleanse your face after a workout to wash away all the oil, sweat, and dirt from exercising.
Do use an oil-free makeup remover before you start your oily skincare routine
Don’t use harsh scrubs and exfoliators as they can irritate your skin and stimulate more sebum production.
Do use a clean towel during your oily skin face care every time.
Don’t keep touching your face unnecessarily.
Do use blotting papers to absorb the oil from your skin. But don’t rub it over your face. Instead, just press it gently against your face for a few seconds.

What are the best skincare products and ingredients for oily skin?

The best skincare products are made with plant-based ingredients. Commonly used ingredients in oily skin products from Clarins include alpine willowherb, meadowsweet, bamboo powder, rice powder, manioc powder, orthosiphon, vine flowers, and strawberry tree fruit.

Explore all of the Clarins oily skincare products by product type below.

Oily skincare products by product-type

Perfect your daily skincare routine for oily skin by incorporating these:

Combination skincare products by product-type

If certain areas like your T-zone are oily but other parts are dry/dehydrated, you need combination skincare products.

You can access products for this skin-type by skincare category here:

Take charge of your oily skin with Clarins

The best solution to oily skin is a dedicated skincare routine. The better solution is using oil-free plant-based products created specifically with oily skin in mind. Clarins has a wide range of skincare products for oily skin, made with skin-friendly ingredients.

Choose the best for your oily skin. Choose Clarins.