What is the best skincare routine for oily skin?

by Annie Nguyen SEO

The following essential skincare guidelines will help you take control of your skin so you'll see less oil, pores that appear minimized, and fewer bumps.

1. Cleanse

Use a gentle, water-soluble cleanser twice daily. Ideally, the cleanser should rinse without leaving a hint of residue, be fragrance free (fragrance is always a problem) and not contain drying cleansing ingredients. (Drying up skin doesn't help anything). For extra cleansing, please avoid skin-aggravating scrubs or cleansing brushes with stiff bristles. A soft washcloth or cleansing brush with ultra-soft bristles can be helpful—being rough on your skin is not!

2. Tone

An alcohol-free toner loaded with antioxidants and skin-replenishing ingredients is an incredibly important step for oily skin. Toners that contain these ingredients help skin renew and recharge, minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, and remove the last traces of makeup that can lead to clogged pores. For some this can be the only "moisturizer" they need for daytime.

3. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is one of the most important skincare steps for oily skin. Oily skin tends to have an extra-thick coat of built-up dead skin on the surface, along with a thickened pore lining. Gently exfoliating is the only way to remove that build up and diminish clogged pores. It is also the best way to improve the look of stubborn, tiny, hard white bumps that occur primarily on your cheek bones but can show up in other areas too, even when related to milia-prone skin.

The best exfoliating ingredient for oily skin is salicylic acid (BHA). Salicylic acid exfoliates not only the surface of your skin but also inside the pore lining, thus allowing oil to flow easily to the surface, so it doesn't get backed up and plug the pore.

Try our CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid for impressive results. It is a completely non-abrasive, hydrating, skin soothing leave-on liquid exfoliant that helps skin naturally shed as it did when we were young before oily skin began taking its toll. We think you will love us once you’ve tried it!

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4. A.M. Sun Protection

A sunscreen is essential for reducing the risk of early signs of aging (and skin cancer) and keeping everything about skin from getting worse. If you've avoided sunscreens in the past because the ones you tried were too greasy or too occlusive, we have some options that will change your impression f sunscreens for good. Case in point, our RESIST Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 provides weightless protection that helps keep your skin matte.

5. P.M. Hydration

At night, choose a feather light but exceptionally effective hydrating and skin-renewing gel or serum that is free of pore-clogging ingredients while giving your skin the essential antioxidants and skin-replenishing ingredients it needs to look as healthy and revived as possible.

6. Absorb Excess Oil

Try an oil-absorbing primer like our SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish With MICROSPONGE® Technology to help control oil, minimize the appearance of pores. (Wears beautifully, by itself or under makeup all day long.) Our SKIN BALANCING Oil-Absorbing Mask may also offer temporary help for oily skin. Both of these are optional but beneficial steps for anyone with oily skin!