13 Skin Care Rules for Oily Skin

Do you have oily skin? If your answer is yes, then you know that putting together a skin care routine tailored to your skin type is key for keeping your complexion looking gorgeous. Of course, caring for oily skin is easier said than done. That’s because it can be a challenge to determine how to keep grease at bay, and whether or not your skin needs moisturizer. But thankfully, it isn’t a lost cause. To help keep your oily skin looking beautiful and shine-free, follow our 13 skin care rules for oily skin below along with our best skin care products for oily skin. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #1: USE PRODUCTS FORMULATED FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

This may sound obvious to you, but it’s worth repeating: When you have oily skin, you should look for skin care products that are formulated for your skin type. What works for dry skin may not work for oily skin. For example, when it comes to moisturizer, a lightweight lotion may be all that you need to help keep your skin hydrated, whereas those with dry skin may need to use a heavier cream. You should also keep an eye out for the word matte—mattifying products can help reduce the look of excess shine. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #2: USE CLEAN HANDS TO APPLY PRODUCTS

You know how you wash your hands before eating dinner? Well, you should do the same before touching your skin. Whether you’re about to work your way through your skin care routine or touch up your makeup in the afternoon, you should really do so with clean hands. That way you can help avoid transferring any dirt, debris, or oils that might be sitting on your hands onto your face. (Here’s Your Guide to Hygienic Beauty for more tips to soothe your inner-germaphobe.) 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #3: CLEANSE YOUR SKIN TWICE A DAY

A common skin care myth is that you need to wash oily skin more often than other skin types. The truth is, you should generally only wash your skin twice a day (morning and night), regardless of your skin type. Over-cleansing can strip your skin of essential oils, which could then trick your skin into producing more oil—and that can make oily skin appear even oilier. That’s the opposite of what you want, right? To help strike the right balance, follow the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation to cleanse your complexion once in the A.M. and once in the P.M., as well as after sweating. Choose a facial cleanser formulated for oily skin, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, which purifies and mattifies. Micellar water is a no-rinse cleansing option that is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that lift dirt, oils, and makeup up and away from the skin. All you have to do is saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and wipe the pad across your face. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #4: EXFOLIATE WEEKLY

Exfoliation can be beneficial to all skin types, even oily skin. Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, causing your complexion to look dull. So, add an exfoliating face scrub to your skin care routine to help slough away the buildup from skin’s surface. As far as how often you should exfoliate, it depends—some people can handle daily exfoliation, while others may only be able to do so once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your skin responds to determine what works best for you. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Face Scrub removes dirt, oil, and impurities, while polishing away dull skin. With continued use over time, skin feels baby-soft and pores look tighter and less visible.

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #5: DON’T SKIP OUT ON MOISTURIZER

Having oily skin doesn’t give you a free pass to skip moisturizer. In fact, moisturizing should play a central role in everyone’s skin care routine—even those with oily skin. It’s all about finding a moisturizer that is formulated for your skin type. In normal and oily skin, external factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage skin’s moisture barrier, causing loss of moisture and an increase in oil production. As a result, your complexion can end up looking unbalanced and overly shiny. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration—with a matte finish. Skin looks mattified and fresh immediately after use. Just smooth the moisturizer over your face and neck after cleansing.

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #6: MAKE SUN PROTECTION A PRIORITY

Like moisturizing, sun protection should be top of mind in your skin care routine, regardless of your skin type. So, if you have oily skin, it’s time to start making smart sun protection choices. For starters, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily before heading outside—and toss the bottle in your tote so that you can reapply at least every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. Look for an oil-free sunscreen if you have oily skin. But wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen isn’t the only sun protection measure you should take. According to the Food and Drug Administration, in addition to being a diligent sunscreen user, you should also limit your amount of time in the sun (especially during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), seek shade whenever possible, and cover up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #7: TRY A CLAY MASK

Using a face mask is a great way to relax at the end a hard day—but it’s not only a pampering skin care product, it can also help you manage the look of overly oily skin. Day after day, impurities, dirt, makeup, and excess oils can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion looking overly oily. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Face Mask is formulated with kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava clays and enhanced with eucalyptus leaf extract to help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the look of shine. Apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Use three times a week for best results. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #8: WASH YOUR TOOLS AND BRUSHES

There are certain skin care rules all skin types should follow, but sometimes it’s easy to let some of them fall to the wayside. Another rule you may be overlooking if you have oily skin? That would be washing your makeup brushes, blenders, and skin care tools regularly. Cleaning them may seem like a hassle, but it’s a good idea to do so. Oils, dirt, and makeup can build up on your brushes and tools, and you can transfer these impurities to your skin. The good news is, cleansing items doesn’t have to be difficult.  (Read our guide, How to Clean Your Makeup Blenders and Brushes, to find out exactly how to do it.) 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #9: KEEP BLOTTING SHEETS HANDY

We’re forever grateful for quick fixes that can help reduce the appearance of excess oiliness. If your skin starts to look super-shiny in the middle of the day, reach for blotting sheets. These thin papers can help absorb excess oils, diminishing the look of shiny skin. Keep a pack of blotting papers in your purse so that you can use them to touch up on the go. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #10: PREP FOR MAKEUP WITH PRIMER

Anyone who has dealt with having an oily complexion likely has experienced midday makeup melt. To help keep your makeup from slipping and sliding all over your skin, use a primer before moving on to the rest of your makeup application. Primer can help create a smooth canvas to work on, as well as help keep your makeup in place. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer is perfect for oily skin types, since it has a matte finish. After finishing your skin care routine, apply the primer dot by dot and blend in a gentle circular motion over your whole face. You can wear it alone for a flawless matte finish (perfect for those busy days when you don’t have time to apply a full face) or under your foundation for easier application and better wear. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #11: OPT FOR OIL-FREE MAKEUP

Choosing cosmetics that are oil-free can help prevent your skin from looking overly greasy. For foundation, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, which is oil-free and has a demi-matte finish. Apply it with the L’Oréal Paris Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for a seamless-looking finish. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #12: SKIP SHIMMERY PRODUCTS

Illuminating makeup may be trendy these days, but products that are packed with shimmer and glitter aren’t necessarily the best choice for oily skin types. These products create the appearance of shining skin, which while flattering on dry skin, may be too much for skin that already has a natural glisten. If you have oily skin, it’s a good idea to pick makeup with a matte finish. To help give your face shape but not shine, use matte blushes and bronzers. Both can be used to contour your cheekbones to perfection sans any shimmer. 

OILY SKIN CARE RULE #13: SET YOUR MAKEUP WITH POWDER

Once you’ve completed the rest of your makeup, grab a mattifying power to finish off your face. So, dust on the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder. This oil-free face powder has a matte finish.

You’re now a pro at taking care of your oily skin. For more product recommendations for oily skin, read up on the 6 Beauty Products That Can Help Mattify Oily Skin.