Skincare Tips for Oily Skin

Follow a Consistent Skincare Routine

Cleanse gently: For oily skin, use a gel or foaming cleanser that removes oil without stripping the skin. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, charcoal, or witch hazel
Exfoliate weekly: Incorporate chemical exfoliants (like BHA or AHA) to unclog pores and reduce dead skin buildup. Salicylic acid is particularly effective for oily skin
Moisturise smartly: Opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturisers that hydrate without clogging pores
Protect with SPF: Use sunscreen daily (SPF 30 or higher) to prevent potential post-acne marks and protect your skin from UV damage

Use Targeted Ingredients and Treatments

Retinoids

Promote cell turnover and help prevent clogged pores

Benzoyl Peroxide

Fights acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation

Niacinamide

A powerhouse that regulates oil production, soothes the skin, and improves texture

Spot Treatments

Look for ingredients like sulphur or tea tree oil to calm active breakouts

Choose the Right Toner

Toners can work wonders for oily skin if you choose the right one. Look for toners that:

Unclog Pores & Exfoliate: Toners with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid help exfoliate and even out skin tone
Soothe & Control Oil: Ingredients like green tea, witch hazel, and niacinamide reduce oiliness and calm inflammation
Tighten Pores: Look for combinations of niacinamide, adenosine, and glycerin for visibly reduced pores and balanced hydration

Balance Your Hormones Naturally

While skincare products can work wonders, you should also look at internal adjustments as your hormones influence the amount of oil (sebum) your skin produces

Diet Tweaks

Limit sugar, dairy, and processed foods which can trigger excess oil and inflammation
Add more leafy greens, berries, salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds to your meals

Supplements

Zinc supports skin healing and reduces inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids help regulate oil production
Spearmint tea may help lower androgen levels in some individuals
Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water supports your skin’s natural detox process

Managing Stress to Calm Your Skin

Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can worsen oil production and hormonal acne

Try integrating meditation, yoga, or regular exercise into your lifestyle to help manage stress naturally

Explore Medical Treatments (If Needed)

If home remedies aren’t cutting it, medical options may be worth considering:

Birth Control Pills: Certain oral contraceptives can help regulate hormones and reduce acne
Spironolactone: Blocks androgens to control oil production (especially effective in adult female acne)
Isotretinoin (Accutane): A powerful option for severe acne, but only under medical supervision
Hormonal Therapy: For acne linked to PCOS or other hormonal conditions, consult a healthcare professional

Watch Out for Skin Irritants

Skip harsh scrubs and overly drying products as they can irritate the skin and worsen oiliness. If your skin is having a negative reaction to a certain product, ditch it

Avoid touching your face and picking at pimples, as this leads to scarring and more breakouts
Use lightweight, non-comedogenic makeup that won’t clog your pores

Embrace the Journey

Treating oily and hormonal acne-prone skin is a long game, in which you’ll find yourself trying and testing out a lot of products. Most hormonal treatments for hormonal acne-prone skin will take between 6-12 weeks to show noticeable results.

So, stick to your routine, listen to your skin, and don’t hesitate to seek help from a dermatologist for a tailored approach.

If you want to read more, the experts at Consulting Room really know what they're talking about and have put together some skincare, acne, wrinkles, sunscreen and scarring FAQs just for you.

If you have more questions, you can use the skincare, acne, wrinkles, sunscreen and scarring Treatment Questions feature to talk to our panel of trained medical experts.

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Dr Robinson is a Cosmetic Aesthetics Doctor and an associate member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine. He has 7 years of medical experience based in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Specialising in non-surgical approaches to achieve natural results boosting confidence, appearance, beauty and overall well-being.Dr Robinson’s clinic has over 250 5-star reviews.