How to Structure a Routine for Oily Skin

Jun 20, 2022

∙ Paid

The dry skin version of this post can be found here.

If you have oily skin, you probably also deal with some issues of pimples, blackheads, and excess sebum.

No worries, we can take care of all of these issues.

Plus with all of the downsides come upsides too - you’re less likely to wrinkle prematurely than people with dry skin!

While I don’t have oily skin, I understand the science of sebum production, and I’ve created skin routines for tons of people with oily skin.

I’ve broken this post up into two parts: a generic explanation, and a complete, affordable protocol.

Use a gentle cleanser (ie. one without active ingredients) or a foaming cleanser

Look for a lotion or gel, not a cream
Avoid marketing that randomly says “oil-free”, these products often tend to have harsher ingredients that may overstrip your skin
Often, individuals with oily skin tend to avoid moisturizing. This is a fallacy. If you strip your skin without replenishing it with fatty acids, this may cause your body to react by overproducing sebum which will exacerbate the problem you already have.

If you’re dealing with inflammation or pimples, azaleic acid can be a gentle treatment option that isn’t inactivated by UV light (unlike retinoids)

Mineral, SPF 30+, broad spectrum (consider opting for a tinted version if you have a darker skin tone)
I prefer separate moisturizer and SPF as you’re likely not using enough moisturizer to get the intended SPF
- Same goes for the ladies - the SPF in your foundation is not enough because you likely aren’t using the correct amount of product to get the intended SPF

A cleanser with an active ingredient that targets a specific issue for you (ex. salicylic acid or BP)

An exfoliating acid or a retinoid could be good options here to treat blackheads and pimples

Now, here’s exactly what I do (a full protocol with links):

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