skin care concerns Best Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, then we totally understand how difficult it can be to nail down a skin care routine that won’t leave your complexion looking overly shiny. Seriously, the struggle is real. And having oily skin can lead to quite a few skin care questions. For starters, should you use a facial cleanser more often to help deal with all that extra grease you’re sporting? And should you skip out on using moisturizer? We’re here to tell you that the answer to both those questions is no! When you have oily skin, it’s important not to over-wash your face—and it’s also crucial to make moisturizer a step in your skin care routine (for reasons you’ll soon learn). It’s time to update your skin care routine accordingly. Keep reading for an easy skin care routine for oily skin. You’ve got this!

Oily Skin Care Routine Step #1: Cleanse Twice a Day

As with any skin care routine—and any skin type, for that matter—cleansing twice a day is a good place to start. With the right facial cleanser, you will be able to wash away excess oil, dirt, and grime from the surface of your skin without stripping your skin of the essential oils it needs. Just keep this in mind: You don’t need to go overboard here. That’s because when you over-wash your skin, you can strip it of the oils it needs, so your skin creates even more oil to make up for that lack.

As far as types of facial cleansers go, a clay facial cleanser could be worth adding to your bathroom sink if you have oily skin. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Cleanser, which goes beyond daily cleansing to deep clean and remove excess oil from the surface for skin that feels refreshed. To use, squeeze a small amount of facial cleanser into your hands and add water to watch it transform in texture from a clay to a mousse. Gently massage the facial cleanser onto your skin, using circular motions and avoiding your eye area. Then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a towel.

Another type of facial cleaner that’s having a moment in the beauty industry is micellar water. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act like a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and impurities up and away from the skin (all without the need for rinsing or rubbing!).

Try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. Simply saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and wipe the pad across your face. If you’re using the micellar water to remove eye makeup, hold the pad over closed eyes for a few seconds, then wipe. No harsh rubbing or rinsing required!

Oily Skin Care Routine Step #2: Use Face Masks Frequently

Can’t make it to the spa? Bring that experience home by slathering on a face mask after you cleanse a few times a week. Face masks are awesome—and with so many options available, you’ll be sure to find one that addresses your skin’s specific needs. If you have oily skin, think about using a face mask formulated with clay. When it comes to oily skin, the daily buildup of dirt, makeup, and excess oils can end up clogging pores, making your skin appear extra oily. And sometimes, a facial cleanser just isn’t enough. That’s where a face mask comes in! Formulated with three types of clay and eucalyptus leaf extract, the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Face Mask can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the look of excess shine. To use, apply an even layer to clean, dry skin. Leave the face mask on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Oily Skin Care Routine Step #3: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

OK, so you might be thinking that it seems a bit counterintuitive to apply moisturizer to oily skin, but this is a step you shouldn’t skip. Here’s why: When you over-wash your face, you could be stripping it of essential oils, and your skin can start producing even more oil to make up for what’s been lost. That’s where moisturizer comes in. If you have oily skin, look for a lightweight, oil-free formula with a matte finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal to Oily Skin, which is formulated with aloe vera water and hyaluronic acid. Smooth it on while your skin is still damp, since according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), that’s the best time to moisturize.

Oily Skin Care Routine Step #4: Take Sun Protection Measures

In the morning, make sure to use a moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen, since spending time in the sun without protection can lead to sun damage. And this is one rule worth following year-round: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you can get burned even on cloudy days. If you have oily skin, look for a non-comedogenic formula. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends applying sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and reapplying it at least every two hours—so throw your sunscreen in your bag before you head out for the day! Other sun protection measures you should take include limiting your amount of time in the sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which are peak hours), seeking shade, and covering up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Oily Skin Care Routine Step #5: Go Makeup-Free for Bedtime

Don’t let your head hit the pillow before you remove your makeup. When you sleep, that makeup can mix with the oil and dirt on the surface of your skin, which can lead to clogged pores (and clogged pores can lead to breakouts and blackheads). One easy way to remember to take your makeup off—even if you’re super-tired—is to keep a pack of makeup-removing towelettes, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes, near your bed.

Oily Skin Care Routine Step #6: Do Your Makeup—The Right Way

When it comes to having oily skin, your skin care routine is only half the battle. How you do your makeup matters, too! With specialized makeup products and techniques to help keep excess oil at bay, you can kiss midday shine goodbye.

1. Use primer. Before you get to foundation or concealer, it’s time to apply primer. In fact, if you have oily skin, primer should definitely be in your makeup bag. The reason why: Primer acts a base for foundation, so it can actually help it to stay put longer. It also creates a smooth canvas for foundation application. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lock Makeup Primer.

2. Apply foundation. When you have oily skin, look for a foundation with a matte (a.k.a. non-shiny) finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation. For seamless coverage, try applying your foundation with a makeup blender, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. Put a small amount of foundation onto the makeup blender, then use dabbing and rolling motions to blend it onto your skin.

3. Dust on a face powder. To avoid any messy makeup situations, seal your end look with a face powder, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder.

4. Carry blotting papers in your purse. If you find yourself getting greasy during the day, dab a blotting paper on your face to help sop up some of that excess shine. Basically, they’re tiny paper lifesavers.

Next up: 10 Skin Care Hacks for Oily Skin