A Comprehensive Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
From migrating makeup to breakouts, oily skin can be difficult to manage. We look at the best skincare routine for oily skin, day and night.
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A Comprehensive Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
From migrating makeup to breakouts, oily skin can be difficult to manage. We look at the best skincare routine for oily skin, day and night
By: Laura Kennedy
Our grandmothers may have told us that oily skin is a blessing, really, but now that we’re grown up, we can face, head-on, the nuanced reality of what it takes to curate a skincare routine for oily skin. That’s not to say that oily skin doesn’t have its benefits – it's certainly naturally glowy, often a great base for makeup, and it can be hardier than dry skin when met with fluctuating temperatures and active ingredients. But it can also be incredibly frustrating. Makeup looks excellent for forty minutes, but then refuses to stay put, migrating south like a flock of swallows. And oily can also become randomly shiny at the most inappropriate times (that office ID card comes to mind), and prone to congestion.
Like the ancient, fickle God of a lost civilisation, oily skin can be antagonised with the wrong offerings, so what you need is a cleverly curated skincare routine for oily skin – for both morning and night – to keep it clear, calm and perfectly balanced. Let Liberty show you the ropes.
Read More: How to prevent makeup landslide, an 18 other summer beauty tips
Keeping it simple is essential for oily skin. You need a streamlined set of basics that will regulate oil production and encourage a healthy rate of cell turnover for an uncongested, glowing complexion. So that means a morning cleanser, a good, hydrating serum, a non-congesting moisturiser and that all-important SPF. And note: if your eye makeup tends to slip and slide, keep your eye cream solely for night time. Your routine should look a little something like this:
How to Tell If You Have Oily Skin
The key tell-tale sign of oily skin is shine. But where the shiny areas may be more prominent across your T-zone in the case of combination skin, there tends to be a distinct sheen to all other areas of your face if you have oily skin. Plus, your pores will likely appear particularly visible.
The Best Skincare Ingredients for Oily Skin
NIACINAMIDE | The ultimate all rounder skincare ingredient, niacinamide has plenty of benefits for oily skin but it's particularly good at moisture loss, regulating sebum production and minimising pores.
HYALURONIC ACID | A magnet for hydration, hyaluronic acid helps to top up skin's natural moisture reserves.
EXFOLIATING ACIDS | Acids can help keep on top of cell turnover for your glowiest skin yet.
CERAMIDES | Ceramides are great at supporting the all important skin barrier, keeping moisture locked in.
The Best Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
The Cleanser
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, £39
Avoid harsh, stripping cleansers and opt for something gentle and comforting that leaves skin feeling completely clean but comfortable. If your skin feels like it’s been shrunk in the tumble dryer after cleansing, you’re using the wrong product. The best cleansers for oily skin are gentle and soap-free, so this one ticks all the boxes.
Shop NowThe Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Better B Niacinamide Serum, £110
As well as preventing moisture loss, niacinamide is brilliant at regulating sebum production and minimising pores, and it's found by the truck-load in this light serum. Even oily skin can feel thirsty and tight due to poor hydration, yet the best serums for oily skin will keep skin hydrated and comfortable without feeling heavy or exacerbating oiliness.
Shop NowThe Moisturiser
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion, £64
Formulated with zero oil, this supremely hydrating moisturiser incorporates hyaluronic acid, aloe and marine algae to to provide an ideal base for makeup without leaving skin excessively shiny.
Shop NowThe Sunscreen
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc SKINSCREEN™, £34
Figuring out which SPF is best can traditionally be tricky for oily skin as many formulations can feel heavy and filmy. Thankfully, formulations are becoming more and more sophisticated. This one is lightweight and non-sticky, making it an the best SPF for oily skin, particularly if you find that heavier SPF products can move or cause shine through the day.
Shop NowRead More: Learn how to mix and match ingredients with the help of this skincare pairings guide
Build Your Morning Skincare Routine
Dermalogica
Special Cleansing Gel 250ml
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Dr. Barbara Sturm
The Better B Niacinamide Serum 30ml
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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion 50ml
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Ultra Violette
Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc SKINSCREEN™ 50ml
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Sunday Riley
Ceramic Slip Cleanser 150ml
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Votary
Daily Apple Toner 100ml
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Sunday Riley
B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml
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The Best Night Time Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Oily skin is often more tolerant of active ingredients, and your evening skincare routine is the very place to incorporate them. Thorough cleansing will remove the day’s makeup and SPF will maximise the effectiveness of every other product that follows it, while an exfoliating toner will promote cell turnover while you sleep. Here’s what we would suggest:
The First Cleanser
Lixirskin Electrogel Cleanser, £25
A double cleanse ritual will ensure skin is freed from all the extra oil and dirt it accumulates throughout the day. Start with this pleasingly gelatinous evening cleanser that not only thoroughly cleanses skin, it also doubles up as a detoxifying mask.
Shop NowThe Second Cleanser
Seed to Skin the Divine Cleanse Dual Detox Marine Clay Cleansing Gel, £86
For your second cleanse, try this gel-to-oil cleanser that melts away any last trace of makeup or SPF before emulsifying to a milk on contact with water, leaving skin feeling fresh, comfortable and clean. The green marine clay is ideal for oily skin and congested skin pores.
Shop NowThe Toner
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, £75
A skincare icon, P50 is an exfoliating acid toner that has amassed a legion of celebrity fans. Particularly good for oily skin, it promotes cell turnover to keep skin at its freshest and bounciest, but also helps to regulate oil production and minimise hyperpigmentation marks.
Shop NowThe Serum
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense Serum, £59
One of the best serums for oily skin, this formula from Medik8 is an excellent emergency rehydrator for skin. Ideal for those dull skin days, you can use it day or night for a boost of hydration for plumper, healthier looking skin.
Shop NowThe Eye Cream
Susanne Kaufmann Eye Rescue Serum, £85
An eye serum will moisturise the delicate skin of the eye area without adding more layers of heavy emollients, ensuring that there is no dryness for makeup or concealer to sit in during the day. This night serum contains green coffee extract, jasmine and baobab to smooth and soothe skin while you sleep.
Shop NowThe Moisturiser
Augustinus Bader The Light Cream, £140
A moisturiser that finds the balance between efficacy and light, delicate texture is important for oily skin. This widely loved cream fits that description and won’t clog or stress oily skin, but will soothe, fortify and deeply moisturise it.
Shop NowRead More: Learn how to get the perfect night's sleep with the help of our expert guide
Build Your Evening Skincare Routine
SEED TO SKIN
The Divine Cleanse Dual Detox Marine Clay Cleansing Gel 100ml
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LIXIRSKIN
Electrogel Cleanser 100ml
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Biologique Recherche
Lotion P50 150ml
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Susanne Kaufmann
Eye Rescue Serum 10ml
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Augustinus Bader
The Light Cream 30ml
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Kiehl's
Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque 142g
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