11 Things You Shouldn't Do if You Have Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, questions like, “How often should you wash your face?” and “What type of moisturizer should I use?” are no stranger to you. You’ve likely even researched how to get rid of your oily skin. The truth is, it’s no easy feat to put together a skin care routine that suits your complexion’s needs. When it comes to oily skin, it’s important to follow the right regimen—but it turns out that certain skin care activities can actually do more harm than good. Below, we’re sharing 11 skin care mistakes for oily skin—to help make caring for your complexion a little less challenging. Follow along!

OILY SKIN DON’T #1: TRYING TO GET RID OF OILY SKIN

So, how do you get rid of oily skin? Well, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can’t get rid of your skin type. While different factors, like changing seasons and aging, can make your skin feel more oily or more dry at certain times, your actual skin type won’t change. What you can do is manage your skin care concerns. If oiliness is a concern for you, you can take the proper steps to keep oil under control instead of wasting time trying to rid your skin of oil. Speaking of which, you don’t want to strip your skin of all oil anyway! You may not want oily skin, but you don’t want parched skin either.

OILY SKIN DON’T #2: SKIPPING YOUR A.M. AND P.M. CLEANSE

So, how often should you wash your face? Here’s your answer: twice per day. Sure, you may find yourself pressed for time, but it’s still essential to avoid this oily skin mistake and find a few minutes to cleanse your complexion once in the morning and once at night.

In the morning, use a facial cleanser that can help remove dirt and impurities from skin sans the tight feel, like the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Foaming Cleanser, which deeply purifies the skin. Once a day, squeeze the cleanser into your hands and add water to transform it from gel to a foamy lather. Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

At night, keep things low maintenance by using a no-rinse cleansing option, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser - Normal to Oily Skin, which purifies and mattifies. Saturate a cotton pad with the micellar water and wipe the pad across your face.

OILY SKIN DON’T #3: GOING TOO HARD WITH EXFOLIATION

You might think that aggressively scrubbing your skin can rid your complexion of excess oil, but it’s better to be gentle. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refine Cleanser, which exfoliates to leave skin feeling smoother and purifies skin of dirt, oil, and pollution. As far as how often you should exfoliate, it depends. Some people can handle daily exfoliation, while others may only be able to handle doing so once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your skin responds to determine what works best for you.

OILY SKIN DON’T #4: WAITING TO WASH YOUR FACE AFTER WORKING OUT

Whether your house is five or 30 minutes from your gym, don’t leave without giving your face a quick wipe-down post-workout. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should wash your face twice a day as well as after sweating. You don’t have to jostle for space at the sink, though. Simply toss a pack of the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes into your gym bag so that you can quickly rid the surface of your skin of sweat post-cardio sesh.

OILY SKIN DON’T #5: USING A DRYING TONER

Sometimes when you have oily skin, using a toner after cleansing your complexion can help you get rid of any remaining impurities that are still lingering on your skin’s surface. That said, you’ll want to pick a toner that won’t dry you out, as excessive cleansing can lead your skin to produce even more oil. Look for alcohol-free toners, like the L’Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner, which has a gentle, non-drying formula. Apply it with a cotton ball to your skin morning and night after cleansing.

OILY SKIN DON’T #6: APPLYING THE WRONG MOISTURIZER

Like it or not, having oily skin doesn’t give you a free pass to skip out on moisturizer. In fact, taking a pass on moisturizer is a major oily skin mistake. According to the AAD, even though you have oily skin, it’s important to apply moisturizer daily to keep your skin hydrated. It’s all about finding one that’s formulated for your skin type, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, which provides long-lasting hydration and has a matte (non-shiny) finish. Smooth it over your face and neck after cleansing and toning.

OILY SKIN DON’T #7: OVER-WASHING YOUR FACE

Remember how we told you that you should wash your face morning, night, and after working out? Well, you might think that it’s a good idea to cleanse even more often than that when you have oily skin, but that’s not the case. As we mentioned earlier, cleansing too much can cause your skin to produce even more oil. So, stick to twice a day cleansing and add an extra cleansing in only after sweating. That’s all you need!

OILY SKIN DON’T #8: WEARING FACE MAKEUP WITH A RADIANT FINISH

Foundation that has a dewy, radiant finish is a great choice for those with dry complexions—but not so much for oily skin, as it can make you look even shinier. Instead, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation as well as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder.

OILY SKIN DON’T #9: TOUCHING YOUR FACE THROUGHOUT THE DAY

The AAD states that even though it may be tempting to touch your face, doing so can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your face. Reserve touching your face for when you’re cleansing, moisturizing, or applying sunscreen or makeup—and only do so with clean hands!

OILY SKIN DON’T #10: SLEEPING IN YOUR MAKEUP

Sleeping in your makeup can lead to quite a few skin care concerns, and it’s another major don’t for those who have oily skin, according to the AAD.

OILY SKIN DON’T #11: SKIPPING SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen helps prevent sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer, according to the AAD. So yes, sunscreen is a must. If you're concerned about breakouts and increased oiliness, look for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and are free of fragrance or oils.

Next: How to Apply Makeup to Oily Skin