Here are a few things that will only make sense if you’ve got oily skin…

• Waterproof eyeliners that won’t stay
• Having to edit selfies to take out your “shine”
• Acne and breakouts (all year round, but especially at THAT time of the month)
• Finding the right foundation that won’t slide off of your face in an hour…

Talk about frustration! Oily skin and breakouts live in the same zip code. And don’t even start with the slick!

We’ve all struggled with oily skin in some way, shape, or form, and we’ve learned enough about it to give some pretty bomb tips!

The secret is the right skincare routine for oily skin, plus finding the right products that work well with your skin type and lifestyle.

Read on to find our best finds and proven tips in this ultimate guide!

How to Find the Perfect Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Finding THE “cure” for this skin type ranks high on the list of scientific research. In fact, one of the most common dermatologic concerns is oily skin. It may not be life threatening but it is a concern for most patients since oily skin can mean larger facial pores and an unkempt appearance.

We Googled the words “skin care for oily skin” and we weren’t surprised to unearth at least 8,000 face products for oily skin. With these in mind, we’ve sifted through these products for you!

Here’s the best skincare routine for oily skin without the fuss!

The Best Oily Skincare Routine

Morning Routine for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

Step #1: Wash with a gentle cleanser for acne-prone skin

Before you unleash the warrior in you, know that oily skin still needs tender, loving care. Most of us begin our skincare routine for oily skin with an abrasive cleaner – one that has you scrubbing with soap and exfoliants. But the contrary is the safer bet. A non-abrasive cleanser in the morning upon waking up is a must – no matter how oily your face has become overnight!

Non-abrasive cleansers such as Penny and Pine’s Rose hip seed cleanser that contain rose hip seeds that are perfect for oily skin. This is because it's great at drawing out impurities (dirt, oil, and makeup) without the harsh effects of strong cleansers. Further, natural vitamins A, C, and E promote cell regeneration.

Step #2: Apply a light layer of salicylic acid or glycolic acid gel

We know what you’re thinking… you need more than just a cleanser… We heard ya!

… which is why applying a light layer of salicylic acid or glycolic acid is a step we highly recommend.

When it comes to skin care products, there are two types of hydroxy acids that you’ll often come across with products – BHAs (beta hydroxy acids or salicylic acid) and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids or glycolic acids).

Both serve to lightly exfoliate the skin. But the difference lies in solubility. BHAs are oil-soluble. AHAs are water-soluble.

Oil-soluble ingredient (in BHA) are able to penetrate through the lipid layers between the skin cells. AHAs, on the other hand, are great for prying off old, dead skin on the skin’s surface.

In brief, salicylic acid or BHAs work deep, while glycolic acid or AHAs work well on the surface. Salicylic acid is an acne treatment while the latter is an exfoliator that removes dead skin and debris (without you having to angrily scrub away).

All these being said, gels that contain these types of acids keep your skin clear of acne and other impurities. They help keep your pores clear and are great at preventing breakouts.

Do be mindful of application though. The key is proper and regular use. If you have oily, acne prone, or even sensitive skin, go for products with salicylic acid. But if your primary concern is sun damage, then glycolic acids help by encouraging cell turnover.

Step #3: Moisturize with hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in your skin. It holds about a thousand times of its weight in moisture and works by replenishing skin, making it look supple.

It’s a humectant – which means they draw moisture from their surroundings.

Wait a minute… moisturize?!

Hear us out.

The more you dry your face, the more it produces oil. It is rather a vicious cycle. Even with oily skin, you still NEED to moisturize. If you don’t, dryness will encourage more sebum.

The perfect skincare routine for oily skin includes a lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t rely on oils to retain moisture. Go for moisturizing products (moisturizers, eye creams, masks, serums) that contain hyaluronic acid.

It will provide just the right hydration without the oil.

A bonus? Hyaluronic acid plumps your skin up. It fills in lines and wrinkles --- without the shine.

Step #4: Apply eye cream

Eye creams do more than what you expect them to do.

Even in skincare routines for oily skin, eye creams should never be an afterthought. They deserve the same billing in your skin care routine as much as moisturizers do.

Here's why:

The eye area tends to be the most neglected when it comes to skin care for oily skin. Unfortunately, the skin around the eyes ages faster than the rest of your face. So you may have earned your double-degree in cleansing and caring for your oily skin, but without your eye cream, your regimen just isn’t complete.

All it takes is a pea-sized amount. Gently dab a restorative eye cream along your orbital bones (lower eye area), traveling from the inner to the outer lid. And don’t forget your eyelids!

#5: Apply sunscreen daily

Sunscreen helps improve your skin’s health in more ways than we can count. The most obvious, of course, is protection from sun damage. Sun damage is the major cause of uneven skin tones and sun spots. Regular use of sunscreen also keeps premature aging at bay.

Make sunscreen part of your skin routine for oily skin. Want a product that doubles as a moisturizer? Something that won’t leave your skin with greasy residue? Then try Penny and Pine’s Day Intense Cream with SPF 30. It hydrates, soothes, and prevents sun damage – without that oily feel!

Evening Routine

Heading home at the end of a busy workday is one of life’s little pleasures! But this isn’t license for you to skip a consistent and regular skin care routine. Your skin goes through a lot during the day so it deserves to kick its feet up as much as you do.

Here’s a great evening skincare routine for oily skin.

Step #1: Wash your face twice

Cleanse your face twice at night. The first is to get rid of the dirt ad makeup debris. The second is to thoroughly clean your pores.

We highly recommend this peppermint exfoliating cleanser and this rose hip seed cleanser.

Penny and Pine’s peppermint exfoliating cleanser is gentle enough for daily use. And we love it because it smells oh-so-lovely and it feels calming both on the skin and the senses.

The rose hip seed cleanser, on the other hand, goes deep down. It removes oil, dirt, and makeup while promoting cell regeneration at the same time.

Step #2: Tone at least twice a week

One of toner’s virtues is that it can minimize the appearance of pores. If you’ve got oily skin, you know how enlarged pores (in addition to all excess oil, acne, and redness) can be an eyesore.

Proper exfoliation through a liquid exfoliant (or toner) makes a world of a difference because it makes the skin surface look “flatter” and allows maximum absorption of skin care products.

You’ll also feel a difference when it comes to applying makeup.

The perfect balance is a twice-a-week application. Toners are liquid exfoliators that act by gently dissolving the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. While most toners are safe, daily exfoliation can strip your skin of its natural, healthy oils. We want to give our skin the chance to regenerate as it also sheds dead skin on its own.

Step #3: Use a mask about once a week

Masks are great pick-me-ups for your skin! The right face mask, used regularly and consistently, can give you visible results right away

Make Penny and Pine’s 20-Minute Rescue Mask a good part of your skin routine for oily skin. This mask uses a combination of zinc and sulfur to repair your skin’s natural barrier.

Unlike other masks, this one effectively removes excess oil, unclogs pores, and provides a calm experience. Simply apply, sit back, unwind and let the mask do its magic. (and yes, this one is made for oily, congested, and blemish-prone skin!).

Step #4: Apply a salicylic or glycolic acid gel

If you’re struggling with acne and breakouts, applying salicylic or glycolic acid gel twice a day is perfectly safe.

Gels will dry you out initially. It may even cause you to breakout for a short period of time. But this is a natural cycle as proper use will clear your skin up.

Step #5: Apply eye cream

Give your eye area the loving care it deserves by applying a restorative eye cream twice a day. We are partial to Penny and Pine’s Restorative Eye Cream simply because it works overtime when it comes to those dark circles and puffy eyes. This eye cream is a potent mix of natural botanical extracts. And we love how it soothes our eye area with just one application.

Step #6: Apply a great moisturizer

Moisturizers and products with hyaluronic acid are gentle enough to use day and night. Your skin may be oily but 7 be mindful of parts that are dry and in dire need of moisture.

Facial oils are still safe to use, despite oily skin. Apply two to three times a week in places where you feel dryness or tightness.

Keep oily skin problems under complete control with these tried and tested tips and products.

Conclusion

Got oily skin? What’s your skincare routine for oily skin like? What’s your skincare routine for acne? What products are you currently using? What works for you? What didn’t?

We’d love to hear from you on the comments section below.