Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: What to Use & What to Avoid

If you have oily skin, you've probably spent years trying to control the shine — blotting, mattifying, stripping your face with harsh cleansers and hoping for the best. But here's the thing most people with oily skin don't realise: the products you're using to reduce oil might actually be making the problem worse. A proper skincare routine for oily skin doesn't fight your skin — it works with it. Let's break down exactly what to use, when to use it, and what to stop doing immediately.

Why does skin get oily?

Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands, which produce too much sebum — the waxy, oily substance that naturally coats and protects your skin. A certain amount of sebum is healthy and necessary. It keeps your skin hydrated, protects it from environmental damage and supports the moisture barrier. The problem starts when production goes into overdrive.

Several factors contribute to excess oil production:

• Genetics: If your parents had oily skin, you're more likely to have it too. Genetic factors determine the size of your sebaceous glands and how much sebum they produce.
• Hormones: Androgens (hormones like testosterone) stimulate sebum production. This is why oily skin often flares during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and perimenopause.
• Overwashing: Stripping your skin with harsh cleansers disrupts the moisture barrier and signals your glands to produce even more oil to compensate.
• Dehydration: When skin is dehydrated (lacking water, not oil), it compensates by producing more sebum. This is why skipping moisturiser can actually make oily skin oilier.
• Climate and diet: Hot, humid weather increases oil production, and diets high in sugar and dairy can trigger inflammation and excess sebum.

The biggest mistakes people with oily skin make

Before we get into the routine, let's address what's probably making your oily skin worse right now:

Over-cleansing. Washing your face three or four times a day, or using harsh, foaming cleansers that leave your skin feeling "squeaky clean." That tight feeling isn't clean — it's your moisture barrier being stripped, which triggers more oil production.

Skipping moisturiser. This is the most common mistake. People with oily skin think moisturiser will make them shinier, but the opposite is true. When you skip moisturiser, your skin becomes dehydrated and produces more oil to compensate.

Using alcohol-based products. Toners, astringents and spot treatments loaded with alcohol might feel satisfying in the moment, but they dry out and irritate the skin — leading to more oil, more breakouts and a damaged barrier.

Avoiding oils entirely. It sounds counterintuitive, but certain plant oils — like argan oil and jojoba oil — can actually regulate sebum production. They signal to your skin that it has enough oil, so it slows down production naturally.

Morning skincare routine for oily skin

Your morning oily skin care routine should be light, balancing and protective. Here's the step-by-step:

Step 1: Gentle cleanser. Wash your face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to remove the sweat and oil that builds up overnight. Look for cleansers with jojoba oil and lemongrass — jojoba closely mimics the skin's natural sebum, helping to regulate production, while lemongrass is naturally astringent and antibacterial.

Step 2: Toner. Apply a hydrating, alcohol-free toner to rebalance your skin's pH after cleansing. A rose water-based toner with aloe vera soothes and hydrates without adding heaviness. This step also preps your skin to absorb the products that follow.

Step 3: Lightweight facial oil or moisturiser. Apply two to three drops of a lightweight facial oil — one based on argan or jojoba oil works beautifully for oily skin. These oils are non-comedogenic and actively help balance sebum production. Alternatively, use a water-based, oil-free moisturiser if you prefer.

Step 4: SPF. Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Look for a lightweight, mattifying sunscreen that won't leave a greasy finish. Sunscreen is non-negotiable — UV damage worsens oil production and leads to post-acne dark marks.

Evening skincare routine for oily skin

Your evening skin care routine for oily skin should focus on thorough cleansing and overnight repair:

Step 1: Oil cleanse. Start with an oil cleanser on dry skin. Massage it in for 30 to 60 seconds to dissolve the day's makeup, SPF, pollution and excess sebum. This is the most effective way to deeply cleanse oily skin without stripping it. Rinse with warm water.

Step 2: Water-based cleanser. Follow with a gentle water-based face wash to remove any remaining residue. This double cleanse ensures your pores are completely clear — crucial for oily, acne-prone skin.

Step 3: Toner. Apply your toner again to restore pH balance and prepare skin for your treatment step.

Step 4: Facial oil. Apply two to three drops of a balancing facial oil. At night, your skin is in repair mode, so the nourishing ingredients in oils like argan, rosehip and vitamin E can work undisturbed while you sleep.

Best ingredients for oily skin

When building an oily skin skincare routine, look for these key ingredients:

• Argan oil — regulates sebum production, rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid. Oily skin is often deficient in linoleic acid, which can worsen oil production.
• Jojoba oil — mimics the skin's natural sebum, signalling to glands to slow down production. Lightweight and non-comedogenic.
• Lemongrass essential oil — naturally antibacterial and astringent, helping to control shine and keep pores clear.
• Rose water — gently hydrating and pH-balancing without adding oil or heaviness.
• Aloe vera — hydrates and soothes without clogging pores. Lightweight and cooling.
• Citric acid — a gentle AHA that exfoliates, unclogs pores and brightens skin without over-stripping.
• Turmeric — anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, calming redness and reducing breakout-related swelling.

Ingredients to avoid with oily skin

Alcohol (denatured alcohol, SD alcohol). Strips the moisture barrier, leading to rebound oil production and increased sensitivity.

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). A harsh surfactant found in many foaming cleansers that strips natural oils and irritates the skin.

Mineral oil and petroleum-based ingredients. These sit on top of the skin and can clog pores, trapping oil and debris underneath.

Heavy silicones. While not inherently comedogenic, heavy silicones like dimethicone can trap oil and bacteria in pores if not properly cleansed away.

Synthetic fragrances. Can irritate and inflame oily, acne-prone skin, making breakouts worse.

Coconut oil (on the face). Despite its popularity, coconut oil is comedogenic for most people and can cause breakouts on oily and acne-prone skin.

Build your oily skin routine

Ready to stop fighting your oily skin and start working with it? Start by browsing our Oily skin collection — every product is formulated with natural, sebum-balancing ingredients. For a complete routine, try Filth (dirt cleansing protection) as your daily face wash — made with organic jojoba oil, pumpkin seed oil and lemongrass essential oil to cleanse and balance without stripping. Pair it with Fortify (toning protection) and Sustain (oil cleansing protection) for a routine that controls shine, clears pores and keeps your skin balanced — naturally. All products are handmade, natural and vegan.