Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: A Dermatologist-Backed Plan

A good skincare routine for oily skin is short: a mild gel or foaming cleanser up to twice a day, a light oil-free moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every morning, plus at most one oil-control active such as niacinamide or salicylic acid. Dermatologists warn that a face wash that is too harsh can irritate your skin and trigger increased oil production, so gentle beats stripping.

This guide gives you the morning and evening steps in a table, what to look for in a cleanser and moisturizer, which ingredients have evidence for oil control, quick ways to cut shine during the day, and how to adjust everything if your oily skin is also acne-prone.

What does a skincare routine for oily skin look like?

It looks like a normal three-step routine with lighter textures and one targeted active. If you're not sure your skin is oily rather than combination, run the bare-face test in our guide on how to find your skin type first: shine on your cheeks, as well as your T-zone, is the tell.

For the reasoning behind the order of these steps, see our guide to skincare routine order.

What is the best cleanser for oily skin?

The best cleanser for oily skin is a mild, gentle one, used up to twice a day and after sweating. The AAD advises against oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers and recommends products labeled "oil free" and "noncomedogenic," meaning they won't clog pores.

Cleanser ingredients worth looking for

• Salicylic acid: a beta hydroxy acid that the AAD says unclogs pores and exfoliates the skin, which makes it a good fit for whiteheads and blackheads.
• Glycolic or lactic acid: both can help reduce oiliness, but they may be too harsh for some people. Use them less often, or stop, if your skin gets irritated.
• Benzoyl peroxide: worth it if you also get pimples. The AAD suggests starting with 2.5% even though products go up to 10%, to avoid dryness, irritation and burning.

How to wash

1. Wet your face with lukewarm water and apply the cleanser with your fingertips. Washcloths and mesh sponges can irritate your skin.
2. Don't scrub, even to remove makeup. Scrubbing irritates your skin, which can make it look worse.
3. Rinse, pat dry with a soft towel, and limit washing to twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration under a hat or helmet irritates skin, so wash soon after a workout.

Do you need a moisturizer for oily skin?

Most people with oily skin still benefit from a moisturizer, as long as it's light and oil-free. The AAD says it is still important to apply moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, and recommends one that also contains broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to save time.

Texture is where oily skin differs. The AAD's moisturizer guide notes that for some people too much moisturizer can clog pores and lead to acne, and suggests a gel, which is lighter than a lotion or cream, or skipping moisturizer altogether if your skin is very oily. Try the gel first; skipping it makes sense only if your skin stays comfortable without one.

Moisturizer matters more once you add a drying active. The AAD explains that acne treatments tend to dry and irritate skin, and that when your skin becomes dry, your body makes more oil, which can clog pores. Its advice: after washing, leave a little water on your skin, then apply a moisturizer labeled noncomedogenic or "won't clog pores."

Which ingredients help reduce oily skin?

Niacinamide is the one option here that has been tested against a placebo for oil output, while salicylic, glycolic and lactic acid help with oiliness and clogged pores. A well-chosen sunscreen rounds out the list by protecting without adding grease.

The niacinamide trials were small and the results differed between the two groups, so treat it as a helper. For more on that ingredient, read our niacinamide benefits guide.

How can I reduce an oily face during the day?

Blot instead of washing again. The AAD recommends pressing blotting paper gently against your face for a few seconds without rubbing, which would spread the oil around.

• Keep your hands off your face. Touching it spreads dirt, oil and bacteria from your hands.
• Choose matte makeup, which the AAD says can help reduce shine, and always take it off before bed.
• Mind your hair. The AAD notes that oil from your hair can cause acne on your forehead; if your hair is oily, shampoo more often and keep it off your face.
• Skip astringents and harsh toners. For acne-prone skin, the AAD says astringents, toners and exfoliants can dry your skin and make acne appear worse.

There is an upside to all that oil. The AAD points out that people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The aim is balance, without stripping your face dry.

What's the best routine for oily, acne-prone skin?

Use the same gentle routine and add one proven acne active. The AAD names four non-prescription options for mild-to-moderate adult acne: adapalene, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

1. Pick one active that matches your breakouts. Salicylic acid suits blackheads and whiteheads; benzoyl peroxide is especially effective on mild pimples; adapalene, a retinoid, clears both.
2. Apply a thin layer to the whole area where you break out, including skin with no visible spots, to treat existing acne and prevent the next breakout.
3. Give it 6 to 8 weeks without adding another product. The AAD says to expect fewer breakouts in 4 to 8 weeks and clearing at about 16 weeks.
4. Moisturize and wear sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen that says "non-comedogenic" or "won't clog pores"; some acne medications make skin more sensitive to UV.
5. Don't pick or pop. Squeezing makes acne take longer to clear and raises the risk of scars and dark spots.

See a dermatologist if you have deep, painful pimples or acne that scars, since over-the-counter products are unlikely to treat those types effectively, and check with one before treating acne yourself if you're pregnant or trying to be. To tell whether your routine is working, our guide on how to track acne progress explains what to record.

What mistakes make oily skin worse?

The most common mistake is trying to dry oily skin out. A strong, stripping wash can trigger increased oil production, and the irritation shows. Other habits that backfire:

• Washing more than twice a day, outside of sweaty workouts.
• Using oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers, or astringent toners.
• Skipping moisturizer, then reaching for more acids when the skin gets tight and shiny at once.
• Skipping sunscreen because it feels heavy, when an oil-free, fragrance-free mineral formula is an option.
• Squeezing every dark dot on your nose. Some of them may not be blackheads; our guide to blackheads vs sebaceous filaments explains how to tell the two apart.

Does oily skin get worse in summer?

For most people, yes. A year-long study that measured sebum at five sites on the face found summer was the highest oil-producing season, with the forehead, nose and chin producing more oil than the cheeks. In hot months, a lighter gel moisturizer or a moisturizer with SPF may be all you need; in winter you may want something a touch richer, especially if you use drying actives.

How can a selfie skin scan help?

Oil control is easy to feel and hard to measure over weeks. Pori takes a selfie and returns an overall skin score with a Pores & Texture breakdown you can compare scan to scan, and its Pro ingredient scanner reads a product's barcode or label and flags each ingredient as beneficial, use with caution or avoid for your skin type, which helps when you're hunting for a genuinely oil-free moisturizer.

A scan is a record of how your skin looks. It isn't a diagnosis, so see a dermatologist for painful, cystic or scarring acne.