How to help oily skin on your face

Is your whole face oily, or just part of it?

To check, wash your face, pat it dry and wait an hour. Press a tissue against your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks. Shine plus an oily mark on the tissue suggests oily skin. If only your forehead, nose and chin are oily while your cheeks are normal or dry, you have combination skin. Tightness or flaking without oily residue suggests dry skin. Skin that stings easily, especially during or just after cleansing, is sensitive. Choose products for those needs rather than treating every part of your face as equally oily.45

Why does your face get oily?

Sebaceous glands are the glands that produce sebum, your skin's natural oil. How much they produce depends partly on genetics, age and hormones. Warm, humid weather and stress can also increase oiliness. Oil production often slows as you get older. Oily skin alone is a cosmetic concern, not a disease, and you cannot change your genetics with a cleanser. Acne is a separate problem: oil and dead skin cells block pores, forming blackheads and whiteheads, and inflammation can produce swollen spots. Treating shine and treating acne are not always the same job.16

How to care for oily skin each day

1. 1Wash your hands, then wet your face with warm water. Apply a mild cleanser with your fingertips, using gentle circular movements. Rinse completely and pat dry with a clean towel.
2. 2Apply moisturizer after cleansing if your skin feels dry or needs hydration. Apply it while your skin is still damp, and let it absorb.
3. 3Finish your morning routine with sunscreen before going outdoors. Choose broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistance. Cover your face, neck and ears.
4. 4Before bed, cleanse again to remove makeup and the day's dirt. Apply moisturizer if needed. If you use an acne treatment, follow its directions for frequency and application.
5. 5Wash after exercise or heavy sweating as well. Do not add repeated washes throughout the day just because shine has returned.

Choose a cleanser that cleans without scrubbing

Look for a gentle cleanser labeled for sensitive skin. A cleanser helps lift oil and dirt so water can rinse them away, which is the entire job description, however elaborate the bottle looks. Regular soap can strip the skin's outer layer and make moisture harder to retain. Washing too much can remove the surface oil film, increase water loss and leave skin excessively dry. Avoid facial scrubs with particles, rough cleansing tools and vigorous rubbing. Use warm rather than hot water: hot water can irritate skin and make pores look more noticeable.234

Do you need moisturizer if your skin is oily?

Oiliness does not rule out a need for moisture, especially when acne medicines cause dryness or peeling. Some people with oily skin can skip a separate moisturizer when their skin is comfortable; dry or irritated areas still need attention. Moisturizer supports the skin's outer barrier, helping prevent moisture from escaping. Choose a water based or noncomedogenic facial product rather than a greasy cream. For sensitive skin, look for a formula labeled for sensitive skin or one with fewer ingredients, particularly fewer fragrance additives. A moisturizer containing sunscreen can combine the two morning steps, provided it offers the required sun protection.27

Which products should you avoid?

Look for oil free or noncomedogenic skincare and makeup. Noncomedogenic means designed not to clog pores, but a product with that label can still worsen your acne; stop using a product you notice does so. Avoid rubbing alcohol, very drying toners and greasy cosmetics. Oily hair products can also worsen acne. If your hair is oily, shampoo it daily and keep it away from your face. Do not leave makeup on overnight. These choices matter more than adding products simply because they are marketed for blemishes.67

How can you reduce shine right now?

Press an oil absorbing sheet against shiny areas to lift surface oil. Blotting paper removes oil for the moment, rather than negotiating a new contract with your oil glands. Do not rub the sheet around your face, because rubbing spreads oil and can irritate skin. Mattifying makeup, moisturizers and sunscreens can also help with the appearance of shine. Blotting is a temporary measure; changes to oiliness require a routine rather than an overnight fix.1

What helps with oily skin?

If oiliness comes with clogged pores or acne, a salicylic acid cleanser can help unclog pores. Some formulas are gentle enough for daily use. If it dries or irritates your skin, use a mild cleanser in the morning and the salicylic acid cleanser before bed instead. Take care when combining an acne cleanser with an acne treatment that stays on your skin: too much treatment can cause excessive dryness and irritation. Salicylic acid alone is not enough to control everyone's acne.34

If oily skin or mild acne makes your pores look larger, retinol or retinyl palmitate can help make them less noticeable. Apply before bed. To reduce irritation, wait 30 minutes after washing before applying. Do not use retinol or retinyl palmitate while pregnant or breastfeeding. Pores can look less noticeable with suitable care, but you cannot actually shrink them. Picking or squeezing pores can irritate skin and make them more noticeable.13

For persistent acne, a pharmacist can help you choose a treatment such as benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid. Apply acne treatments to the affected area, not just individual spots, following the product's directions. Some treatments need a gradual increase in frequency to make them tolerable. If you already use prescription acne treatment, be cautious about adding another active product. Tell your prescriber if you are planning a pregnancy, because some acne medicines are unsuitable during pregnancy.6

How long should you wait, and when should you get help?

If routine changes have not helped oiliness after a month or two, consider seeing a dermatologist. Acne treatments take longer: most need 2 to 4 months for their full effect. Seek advice if irritation continues despite reducing treatment frequency. Get medical help sooner for painful acne, worsening breakouts, scarring or emotional distress. If acne starts or suddenly worsens after a medicine change, discuss it with your healthcare professional. Diet is not an established standalone acne treatment; specific diets do not have enough support to replace skincare or treatment.167