Dealing with oily skin on a daily basis can be frustrating. The extra shine, frequent breakouts, and large pores make it hard to keep your skin looking fresh. However, the right skincare routine can make a significant difference.
Using the best skincare products for oily skin helps control excess oil, clear clogged pores, and prevent acne. It also keeps your skin balanced without stripping away moisture. In this guide, you’ll find the top ingredients to look for, daily routines to follow, and the best cleansers, toners, serums, moisturisers, and sunscreens for oily skin.
Get ready to discover products that work so that you can enjoy healthy, smooth, and shine-free skin.
| Ingredient | Why It’s Good for Oily Skin |
| Salicylic Acid (BHA) | Deep cleans pores, fights acne |
| Niacinamide | Balances oil, tightens pores |
| Clay (Kaolin, Bentonite) | Soaks up extra oil, reduces shine |
| Zinc | Controls oil, soothes redness |
| Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe | Hydrates without clogging pores |
Top Skincare Products for Oily Skin
A good cleanser is the first step to keeping oily skin fresh and balanced. It helps remove excess sebum, dirt, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas that clean deeply without stripping your skin.
Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser is a gentle foaming face wash specially made for oily and acne-prone skin. It’s known for removing excess oil without leaving the skin dry or tight, making it popular among both dermatologists and everyday users.
Key Features of the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Cuts down excess oil | May not fully remove heavy makeup |
| Gentle enough for daily use | Slightly costlier than local drugstore cleansers |
| Reduces irritation over time | |
| Recommended by dermatologists |
👌 Best for:
This cleanser is ideal for individuals with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin who seek a simple, everyday face wash that effectively controls oil without causing dryness or irritation. It’s also a great option for those with sensitive skin who struggle to find products that won’t cause redness or flare-ups.
Minimalist 2 % Salicylic Acid + LHA Cleanser is a gentle, daily face wash designed for oily and acne-prone skin. It combines two beta-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid and LHA, for effective yet mild exfoliation, making it a popular choice for deep cleansing without stripping the skin.
Key Features of the Minimalist 2 % Salicylic Acid + LHA Cleanser:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Reduces blackheads | It might feel slightly dry |
| Daily-use formula | Runny consistency |
| Transparent ingredient list | |
| Multi-level cleaning |
👌 Best for:
This cleanser is ideal for individuals with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin who seek to manage breakouts, unclog pores, and control excess oil. It’s also one of the best skincare products for oily skin, offering the benefits of gentle chemical exfoliation in a daily face wash.
A toner helps balance your skin after cleansing, tightening pores and reducing excess oil. For oily skin, opt for alcohol-free toners with soothing, pore-minimising ingredients that keep your skin feeling fresh and comfortable.
Plum Green Tea Alcohol-Free Toner is a lightweight, water-based toner specially made for oily and acne-prone skin. Unlike harsh toners that rely on alcohol to shrink pores, this one uses green tea, glycolic acid, and hydrating agents to balance oil production, gently exfoliate dead skin, and calm breakouts.
Key Features of the Plum Green Tea Alcohol‑Free Toner:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Dermatologist tested | Contains added fragrance |
| Controls shiny T-zone | It won’t deeply hydrate |
| Refreshes & lightly hydrates | |
| Even-out skin tone |
👌 Best for:
This toner is best for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types. It’s a smart pick if you struggle with frequent breakouts, large-looking pores, or excess shine. Because it’s alcohol-free and contains soothing green tea, it also works well for those who want to gently manage their acne.
This Rice Milk toner is a lightweight, dual-phase toner that hydrates, brightens, and helps control excess oil simultaneously. Inspired by Korean “rice water” beauty traditions, it combines nourishing rice extract with kaolin clay powder. This gives your skin a soft, balanced glow.
Key Features of the Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Toner:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Balances hydration and oil control | Fragrance may bother ultra-sensitive skin |
| Brightens dull skin tone | Higher price range |
| Calms irritated skin | |
| Replenishes skin |
👌 Best for:
This toner is ideal for individuals with oily or combination skin who want to balance hydration and oil control in a single step. It suits anyone looking to keep their skin fresh and matte without losing essential moisture. If you prefer lightweight, non-greasy formulas that won’t clog pores and value clean, vegan, cruelty-free skincare, this product is a great choice for your routine.
Serums pack a high concentration of active ingredients to tackle oily skin issues such as excess sebum, enlarged pores, and post-acne marks. Choosing the right lightweight serum can help refine texture, control shine, and even brighten your complexion.
One of the best skincare products for oily skin, this Minimalist serum is a lightweight, daily-use facial serum designed to control oil, reduce acne marks, and refine skin texture. It pairs high-concentration ingredients to manage sebum, calm inflammation, and restore skin balance.
Key Features of the Minimalist 10% Niacinamide + Matmarine Serum:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Transparent ingredient sourcing | Some might experience minor purging |
| Keeps skin matte | Can feel slightly drying |
| Tightens the large pores | |
| Non-sticky texture |
👌 Best for:
This serum is ideal for people with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin who want to reduce blemish marks, shrink enlarged pores, and control oil production. It also suits those with dull or uneven skin tones seeking brightening effects. It is a good choice for anyone who avoids fragrance, parabens, and pore-clogging ingredients.
The Derma Co 10% Niacinamide Serum is a lightweight, daily treatment that targets oily, acne-prone, and uneven skin. It combines a potent 10% concentration of Niacinamide with 2% zinc PCA to help reduce acne marks, control oil, tighten pores, and strengthen the skin barrier.
Key Features of The Derma Co 10% Niacinamide Serum:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Free from chemicals | The natural scent might feel unusual |
| Lightweight, non-sticky serum | |
| Fades acne marks | |
| Improves skin texture |
👌 Best for:
This serum is ideal for individuals with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin who want to fade acne scars, tighten pores, and balance their oil levels. It suits users looking for a science-driven, no-nonsense formula that works quickly and layers easily with other daily skincare products.
Even oily skin needs proper hydration. A good oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser will maintain moisture balance, protect the skin barrier, and prevent your skin from overproducing oil to compensate for dryness.
Dot & Key’s Moisturiser is one of the best skincare products for oily skin, featuring a lightweight gel-cream texture specifically formulated for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. It combines powerful calming agents with skin-brightening ingredients to address multiple concerns simultaneously.
Key Features of the Dot & Key Cica + 5% Niacinamide Moisturiser:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Fragrance-free formula | A little expensive for the price |
| Dermatologist tested | Does not help with acne |
| Effectively calms redness | |
| Fades dark spots |
👌 Best for:
This moisturiser is best for oily, combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types that need calm, oil-controlled hydration without clogging pores. It’s especially useful for those dealing with frequent breakouts, redness, or leftover acne marks. If you’re looking for a non-sticky, fragrance-free formula, this is a good pick.
CeraVe Oil-Gel Cream is a lightweight, mattifying gel specifically designed for oily and combination skin. Created in collaboration with dermatologists, it balances oil production and hydration. Its popularity stems from effective shine control, skin barrier support, and a refreshing, non-greasy feel.
Key Features of the CeraVe Oil Control Moisturising Gel Cream:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Hydrates and softens the skin | Might feel too light on very dry patches |
| Reduces surface oil | Expensive |
| Restore and strengthen the skin barrier | |
| Excellent, mess-free packaging |
👌 Best for:
This gel cream is ideal for anyone with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin seeking a moisturiser that controls shine while reliably hydrating. It suits users who want lightweight, non-pilling hydration that layers well with sunscreen and makeup. If you’re seeking a dermatologist-developed option, it’s a great fit.
Sunscreen is essential for all skin types, particularly those with oily skin that is prone to pigmentation and acne marks. Choose a lightweight, matte-finish SPF that won’t clog pores or add unwanted shine, allowing your skin to stay protected without feeling greasy.
Deconstruct’s sunscreen is a high-protection, broad-spectrum cream that stands out for its gel texture. It sinks into the skin almost instantly, leaves no white cast, and controls oil without feeling heavy. This cream also provides excellent protection without leaving the skin looking greasy or sticky.
Key Features of the Deconstruct Face Gel SPF 50+ Sunscreen:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Clean formulation | Not for very sensitive skin |
| Smooth, matte look | Not for those who avoid chemical UV filters |
| Works well under makeup | |
| Non-comedogenic |
👌 Best for:
This is one of the top skincare products for oily, combination, or acne-prone skin that struggles with greasy sunscreens that clog pores or leave them looking sweaty. It’s also a strong choice for those living in hot, humid areas who need daily sun protection that keeps the face comfortably matte.
WishCare Niacinamide Oil Balance Fluid Sunscreen is a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen specifically designed for oily and acne-prone skin. It balances oil and protects your skin while delivering a matte, non-greasy finish that blends easily on deeper skin tones.
Key Features of the WishCare Niacinamide Sunscreen:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Does not clog pores | May need reapplication every 4–5 hrs |
| Matte, shine-free finish | Not ultra-hydrating for dry skin types |
| Balances Sebum | |
| Non-sticky texture |
👌 Best for:
This sunscreen is ideal for people with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin who want strong sun protection without greasiness. It’s especially suitable for humid climates and under makeup, as it keeps the skin matte and shine-free.
Exfoliation is essential for oily skin to remove dead cells and prevent clogged pores that can cause blackheads and acne. A gentle chemical or mild physical exfoliant used a few times a week can keep your skin smooth, refined, and glowing.
This gentle scrub blends chemical and physical exfoliation to improve skin clarity without harshness. It combines mandelic acid and lactobionic acid for mild surface renewal, along with fine walnut shell powder to sweep away dead skin and blackheads.
Key Features of the Chemist at Play Gentle Exfoliating Scrub:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| For multi-skin concerns | Chemical exfoliants can cause breakouts |
| Offers instant glow | Overuse could disrupt the skin barrier |
| Effective blackhead removal | |
| Prevents skin irritation |
👌 Best for:
This is ideal for people with oily, combination, or mildly sensitive skin who want a gentle exfoliant that reveals brighter skin, helps with blackheads, smooths texture, and supports skin health—all without harsh scrub effects.
This leave-on, clinical-strength exfoliant delivers 2% salicylic acid in a lightweight liquid form. It’s widely known as a top-tier exfoliant that unclogs pores, reduces oil, and helps achieve smoother, clearer skin. Dermatologists regularly recommend it for great exfoliation.
Key Features of Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Clinically proven results | Higher price range |
| Improves clarity & fine lines | |
| Lightweight & non-sticky | |
| Skin-soothing antioxidant |
👌 Best for:
This exfoliant is ideal for oily, combination, acne-prone, or congested skin. It’s a top pick for anyone dealing with blackheads, enlarged pores, uneven texture, or premature fine lines. Dermatologists and global beauty editors often rank it as the #1 pore-refining treatment.
Face masks are a great way to give oily skin an occasional deep clean. Clay or exfoliating masks can detoxify pores, reduce shine, and calm breakouts, leaving your skin feeling fresh and renewed.
If you’re hunting for the best skincare products for oily skin, the Dot & Key Pollution + Acne Defence Green Clay Mask is a standout choice. In just 10 minutes, it helps clear out impurities, reduce blackheads, calm active breakouts, and leave skin feeling clean, balanced, and comfortably matte.
Key Features of the Dot & Key Pollution + Acne Defence Clay Mask:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Non-comedogenic | Contains plant-derived fragrance |
| Clean formula | Takes time to show results |
| Reduces inflammation | |
| Effective and gentle |
👌 Best for:
This mask is ideal for oily, acne-prone, combination, or acne-sensitive skin types that want quick oil control, pore cleansing, and soothing in a single product. It’s especially beneficial for city dwellers who struggle with pollution and require a gentle yet effective detoxifying treatment.
Foxtale Skin Radiance Mask is a creamy clay face pack with lactic acid, Brazilian purple clay, and kaolin clay. It works as an instant de‑tan and brightening mask that removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and controls oil, all while maintaining hydration.
Key Features of the Foxtale Skin Radiance Clay Mask:
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
| Clean, skin-friendly formula | Fragrance/menthol may irritate some |
| Hydrating yet clarifying | Overuse may harm the skin barrier |
| Offers a cooling effect | |
| Cruelty-free and vegan |
👌 Best for:
Oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types seeking a quick and effective mask for brightening, oil control, and mild exfoliation. It works well for detoxifying in urban pollution environments and adding a radiant “boost” whenever needed.
Morning Routine
Night Routine
Oily skin doesn’t have to be a daily struggle. With the right products and a simple routine, you can effectively control shine, prevent breakouts, and maintain fresh-looking skin. Focus on gentle care, oil-balancing ingredients, and lightweight hydration. The best skincare products for oily skin will help you see real changes over time. Stick with it, and you’ll enjoy healthy, clear skin that feels just right.
