The routine
Morning
- A mild, gentle face wash.
- A light moisturiser labelled “oil free” and “non-comedogenic”. One with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ covers step 3 too.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, if your moisturiser doesn’t have it.
Night
- Wash off sunscreen and the day’s oil with the same gentle face wash.
- The same light moisturiser.
Wash up to twice a day, and again after you’ve been sweating, as the American Academy of Dermatology advises. More often than that isn’t better.
Yes, still moisturise
Oily isn’t the same as hydrated. Skin can make plenty of oil and still be short of water, and stripping it with harsh cleansers tends to leave it tight now and shinier later. Dermatologists recommend moisturiser after cleansing for oily skin too; the trick is choosing a light, oil-free one (gel or lotion textures usually feel best).
What to look for on labels
- “Oil free” and “non-comedogenic”: less likely to clog pores.
- A gentle cleanser: the AAD suggests avoiding oil-based and alcohol-based cleansers, which can irritate.
- Sunscreen without fragrance or oils: the AAD suggests zinc oxide or titanium dioxide formulas for oily, breakout-prone skin.
What makes shine worse
- Scrubbing and rough exfoliating, which irritate skin.
- Washing over and over, and very hot water.
- Touching your face through the day. The AAD suggests only touching it to cleanse or apply products, with clean hands.
- Heavy, oily products that weren’t made for your skin type.
During the day, blotting papers take shine off without disturbing sunscreen or makeup. Press them on gently rather than rubbing, which just spreads the oil.
When to add more
Once the basics feel comfortable for a couple of weeks, you can add one treatment at a time, such as niacinamide in the morning or a salicylic acid (BHA) product a few nights a week if you also get blackheads or spots. Add one, wait a couple of weeks, then judge. If you get painful or deep breakouts, see a GP or dermatologist rather than adding more products.
Not sure where to start?
Oily skin often comes with other things, like blackheads, spots or dark marks. FacialStack looks at three photos of your face (front, left and right), describes what’s visible and suggests a simple morning and night routine, with what each step is for. The report is free with a free sign-in, for adults 18+. It’s cosmetic guidance from what a photo shows, not a diagnosis. You can see an example report first.
More guides
- Which skincare products should I use?
- Large pores: why they look bigger and what actually helps
- Dark circles under your eyes: why you get them and what helps
- Skincare routine order, morning and night
- Blackheads on your nose: what actually helps
- Dark marks after spots: why they stay and what fades them
- A simple skincare routine for men (beard included)
- AI skin analysis from a photo: what it can and can’t tell you
Source: American Academy of Dermatology, tips for oily skin (aad.org). General information only, not medical advice.