Having oily skin is like having a greasy T-zone all the time, especially around your forehead, nose, and chin. And let’s not forget the enlarged pores that come along with it. It’s like your face is on constant shine mode, and no amount of blotting paper can save you!
But hey, it’s not all bad news! Oily skin has its perks too. You see, oily skin tends to age slower than dry skin because that extra oil helps maintain skin elasticity. So, you might look like you just hit your twenties when you’re actually nearing your thirties. Not bad, right?
Sebum is crucial for keeping the skin healthy. However, too much sebum can lead to clogged pores and, you guessed it, acne! Fortunately, there are so many effective skincare ingredients you can use to get oily skin under control.
Best Skincare Ingredients for Oily Skin
Oily skin can often leave you feeling greasy and prone to breakouts, but with the right ingredients, you can achieve a balanced, healthy complexion. Whether you’re selecting cleansers, moisturizers or spot treatments, here are the most effective skincare ingredients to treat oily, acne-prone skin:
1. Clay
Clay masks are an incredible way to harness some of the earth’s richest, most potent ingredients to help rejuvenate the skin. Especially masks containing minerals like kaolin or bentonite can help reduce skin shininess and sebum levels without irritating the skin.
For beginners, always try to give yourself a few minutes to steam skin before a clay mask treatment so that your pores are open and the mask can effectively attract impurities, dirt, and oil in your skin.
Products to Try:
- Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask Shop Now on ulta.com ($38).
- Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay. Shop Now on sephora.com ($42).
- Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Treatment. Shop Now on ulta.com ($38).
2. Niacinamide
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has been shown to regulate oil secretion and prevent glands from going into overdrive. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce the swelling and redness associated with acne. Serums are actually one of the best vehicles for niacinamide. The vitamin is water soluble and will most effectively absorb into skin in a serum.
Products to Try:
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum. Shop Now on sephora.com ($5.90).
- Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster. Shop Now on paulaschoice.com ($44).
- First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum. Shop Now on skinstore.com ($42).
- Glossier Super Pure 5% Niacinamide + Zinc Serum. Shop Now on glossier.com ($28).
3. Sulfur
In the skincare world, Sulfur is a very popular ingredient in acne treatments. When topically applied, Sulfur removes the top layer of skin by drying it out and allowing dead skin to easily peel off and fresh new layers of skin to grow in its place.
Sulfur is also a bacteriostatic agent which means it prevents pimple development. Now, instead of killing the bacteria, Sulfur prevents bacteria from multiplying.
Products to Try:
- Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser. Shop Now on katesomerville.com ($40).
- Murad Acne Clarifying Mask. Shop Now on murad.com ($42).
- Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Sulfur Mask. Shop Now on dermstore.com ($28).
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. Shop Now on ulta.com ($17).
4. Hyaluronic Acid
Hydration is key for all skin types, even for oily and acne prone babes. Oil is not the same thing as hydration, and it’s very common for oily skin to feel dehydrated because of the harsh ingredients often used to control excess sebum. For the same reason, it’s very important to provide your skin with the hydration it needs.
Hyaluronic acid is non-comedogenic – meaning it hydrates without clogging your pores, making it a great hydrator for oily skin, and can also help maintain the skin’s proper balance of water and natural oils.
Products to Try:
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream. Shop Now on sephora.com ($22).
- Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster. Shop Now on paulaschoice.com ($36).
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum. Shop Now on ulta.com ($6.80).
5. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid) is a key ingredient in skincare for oily skin. It works by breaking down any impurities that block pores whilst also exfoliating surface layers. Some salicylic acid-infused products can be safely used daily, while others are recommended weekly. If you have skin that is prone to sensitivity, start out using the product once or twice a week and then gradually increase frequency.
Products to Try:
- Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser. Shop Now on tataharper.com ($86).
- Glossier Exfoliating Skin Perfector. Shop Now on glossier.com ($24).
- Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. Shop Now on paulaschoice.com ($29).
Skincare Ingredients to Avoid for Oily Skin
Apart from knowing the best ingredients for oily skin, it’s equally important to be aware of the ones that can do more harm than good. Ahead, the skincare ingredients you should avoid if you want to keep that excess oil in check and maintain healthy skin.
1. Heavy Oils
While some non-comedogenic oils can be beneficial for the skin, like jojoba oil or argan oil, heavy oils like coconut oil and wheatgerm oil are a big no-no for oily skin. These oils have a high comedogenic rating, which means they are more likely to clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
2. Alcohols
Alcohol-based skincare products may give you a temporary feeling of oil control, but in the long run, they can be harmful for your skin. Alcohol strips away the skin’s natural oils, which can lead to an overproduction of sebum and an even oilier complexion.
3. Silicones
Silicones are commonly found in makeup primers and skincare products, as they provide a smooth, velvety finish. However, silicones can form a barrier that traps dirt, bacteria, and excess oil, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts in people with oily skin. If you love the smooth texture of silicone-based products, make sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly to avoid pore-clogging issues.
By avoiding these problematic skincare ingredients, you can save your oily skin from unnecessary troubles. Always read product labels carefully and opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free options whenever possible.
Things to Remember
- It is VERY important to use a broad spectrum (SPF 30+) sunscreen after incorporating acids into your skincare regimen.
- Sunscreen doesn’t have to make your face look greasy, so long as you choose the right product for your skin type. Choose a lightweight formula that contains ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
- You should always carry out a patch test before using any new product on your skin. You can do this by applying a small amount of the product to the inside of the arm and waiting for 24 hours to monitor any side effects.
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