A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the Perfect Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Reference Lab

MAY 26, 2023

A skin care routine is essential for all skin types, but it is especially important for those with oily skin. Without a consistent and effective skin care routine, an oily skin type can easily lead to clogged pores, acne breakouts, and other skin issues. A targeted skin care routine can help to regulate oil production, prevent breakouts, and keep your skin healthy and balanced.

Developing a skin care routine for oily skin can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated - it just requires a few consistent face cleansing steps. When developing a skin care routine for oily skin, the following are some things to consider:¹

1. Determine if your skin type is “oily.”
2. Establish what your primary skin care concerns are. For example, does your oily skin tend to develop acne or blackheads? Do you have concerns regarding texture or pore size? Identifying your concerns can help you choose the right products and ingredients to address them.
3. Research ingredients and products to make informed decisions. When choosing a skincare product for oily skin, it's essential to look for non-comedogenic and oil-free ingredients.
4. Building a skin care routine doesn't have to be complicated. Start with a gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities. Then opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer, peptide eye cream, or serum to hydrate your skin without contributing to oil production.
5. Consistency is key when it comes to a skin care routine.

With patience and consistency, you can develop a routine that helps to regulate oil production, prevent breakouts, and achieve a healthy, balanced complexion. As you search for products to include in a skin care routine for oily skin, it's crucial to choose non-comedogenic topical skin care products that won't cause clogged pores or exacerbate oil production. Look for oil-free, lightweight peptide moisturizer and serums with high-quality ingredients. Avoid heavy creams or oil-based products, as these can contribute to excess oil production. A few types of products are ideal when building a skin care routine for oily skin. The following are a few of the most essential products necessary for an effective regimen.

• Oil-free Cleanser: Cleansing is an essential step in any skin care routine, but for oily skin, it's important to choose a gentle, oil-free gel cleanser that won't disrupt skin’s delivate lipid (oil) balance.
• Lightweight Moisturizer or Serum: Oily skin still still needs hydration from moisturizer, peptide body lotion, and serums, but choosing a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer or serum that won't clog pores or contribute to oiliness is essential. When choosing a moisturizer or serum, look for the following ingredients:
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Vitamin C
• Sunscreen: Even if you have oily skin, it's important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. No one is immune to the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays. Look for a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen that won't clog pores or contribute to oiliness.

Acne can affect people of all ages, not just teenagers. And, for the most part, acne occurs in people with oily skin types. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), acne is the most common skin condition in the US, with 50 million people affected annually. For mild or intermittent cases of acne prone skin, a consistent skin care regimen is often enough to reduce breakouts. More severe cases may require a toner, an over-the-counter salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide treatment, or the assistance of a professional.² When creating a skin care routine for oily skin, avoiding products that exacerbate oil production or clog pores is essential. Here are some products to avoid:

• Heavy, Oil-based Moisturizers: Thick, heavy, or oil-based moisturizers can clog pores and contribute to excess oil production, making them unsuitable for oily skin.
• Harsh or Abrasive Exfoliants: Exfoliants that are too harsh can irritate the skin and cause inflammation, leading to increased oil production and acne breakouts.
• Alcohol-based Toners: While toners can be effective for oily skin, it's vital to avoid alcohol-based toners that can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause it to produce even more oil to compensate.
• Heavy Makeup: As tempting as it is to use makeup to cover up blemishes or acne, heavy or oil-based makeup can clog pores and contribute to more breakouts. So, if makeup is necessary, it's important to choose lightweight, oil-free beauty products.³
• Fragranced Products: Fragranced in skin care products can be irritating and can lead to inflammation as well as increased oil production. Opt for fragrance-free items whenever possible.

It's also important to avoid products that contain harsh or irritating ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Instead, look for gentle, non-comedogenic products that are specifically formulated for oily skin or labeled “for all skin types.” The AM and PM routines for the oily skin type can be similar but with some variations. The AM routine should focus on oil control and protection from the sun, while the PM skin care routine should focus on cleansing and repair.

The PM routine for oily skin type holds some extra importance. Cleansing in the evening is of utmost importance because lingering makeup, dirt, dead skin cells, and oil can exacerbate oily skin and cause breakouts. While cleansing should be gentle, it should also be thorough. Overall, the focus of an oily skin care routine is to balance oil production, unclog pores, and prevent breakouts while also providing hydration and protection. OneSkin products are suitable for oily skin because all OneSkin products are non-comedogenic. A non-comedogenic product is perfect for oily skin because it is formulated not to clog pores. OneSkin’s products are made with ingredients that won’t block pores, which can help to reduce the risk of breakouts.

Oily skin types can use OneSkin’s PREP as their daily facial cleanser. Gentle enough to use each day but strong enough to remove dirt, makeup, and oil, PREP contains prickly pear extract. This extract gently exfoliates and cuts through excess oil without disrupting the skin’s natural lipid barrier and microbiome. PREP prepares skin for maximum absorption of your oily skin routine’s next step, a moisturizer or serum.

Oily skin needs nourishment, too. Feed your skin with our proprietary OS-01 peptide in OS-01 FACE. A lightweight daily moisturizer, OS-01 FACE also targets skin longevity for all skin types. OS–01 FACE contains three sizes of hyaluronic acid to provide lasting hydration without adding excess oil. OS-01 FACE is clinically validated to improve barrier function (+15% on average), enabling the skin to lock in moisture without disrupting your natural lipid balance.

Include OneSkin’s OS-01 EYE serum in your oily skin care routine. Superpowered by the highest concentration of our OS-01 peptide, OS-01 EYE is specifically designed to benefit the ultra-delicate skin around the eyes. Oneskin products deliver lightweight, lasting hydration without exacerbating oily skin.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605215/
2. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35665586/