Skinclin Institute

Believe it or not, oily skin can really be a roller coaster ride. Sometimes you glow and radiate so much, and sometimes you are battling shine, breakouts, and clogged pores. Trust me, I get it-Managing oily skin, especially in Indian weather, requires a skin care routine for oily skin.

Things only make it tougher for reasons of either boiling temperatures or dampness. Example: For those of you having oily skin in cities such as Mumbai or Chennai, it is indeed a battle, especially when the humidity during the monsoon gives you the feeling of being in a sauna 24/7. 

You need to tighten up that excess oil on your skin without overdrying your skin. So let’s dig a bit further into why your skin is playing up and what you might do to keep it balanced and healthy.

Understanding Oily Skin: What Happens and Why?

So what’s the big whoop about oily skin? It’s just your sebaceous glands. Your sebaceous glands produce sebum – or the natural oil of your skin. 

Great: just a little sebum leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. But when these glands work overtime you end up looking all shiny, breaking out, and the pores are just a mess. 

To manage this, following the right skin care routine for oily skin is essential to reduce shine and prevent acne. 

Here’s a few reasons behind oily skin that this might be happening:

  • Hormones Gone Wild:

Hormonal imbalances-from puberty to pregnancy, or even stress-can make your skin secrete more oil. No surprise it’s not just a teenage phenomenon! Other imbalances can be caused by menstrual cycles or hormonal medicine. This can help you identify when your skin is most likely to become more oily.

  • Family Genetics:

If the parents have naturally oily skin, the children tend to inherit it as well. It is one of those hereditary qualities, and perhaps a person who has a family predisposition to oily skin will most likely need trial and error when trying to find something that fits their particular needs for a skincare routine.

  • Your Diet: 

These foods are full of sugars and fats, which could fuel up your inflammation and oil production. We wouldn’t call for all that, though; who can resist a proper samosa? Anyway, the correct diet full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains will all the rest to your skin. Food rich in antioxidants will keep the skin healthy: berries or green leafy veggies.

  • Weather:

Do you live in a place that is considered warm, humid? Of course, your skin will be more oily. Indian weather can sure get quite harsh for the sebaceous glands to work here. Even in summer time in Delhi, the sun can be brutal as if it is going to melt your skin, and some people get oilier than usual during monsoon. Air conditioning during summers due to dehydration causes your skin to start producing more oil.

It’s frustrating, but not all bad news. The bright side? Well, oily skin, at least tends to age a lot slower and cause fewer wrinkles. So let’s learn how to keep it under control!

Step-by-Step Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: Start Your Day Right!

  • Cleanser: Look for a gentle oil-free cleanser. Salicylic acid would also be great as part of its contents. Your skin should then feel clean and not tight and dry. It will do good to have a foaming cleanser to remove some extra oil without stripping too much moisture.
  • Toner: Any toner with ingredients containing witch hazel or niacinamide would be a fantastic addition to the routine. It’s a good one because it helps to balance out the skin and minimize those irritating pores. If you put a few drops of toner on that cotton pad and carefully sweep it all over your skin, it will work really well at removing the impurities that still may remain on the surface.
  • Serum: Lightweight serums are your BFFs. You can choose to have one that has niacinamide or hyaluronic acid-they hydrate, minus the greasiness on the skin. Applying serums right after toning can indeed improve the absorption, giving you a refreshing boost by your skin.
  • Moisturiser: Even oily skin demands moisture. You can choose both oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizers. Since it just hydrates the skin without clogging pores, then it should be ideal. Gel-based moisturizers would be best suited for sensitive skin types and would cause least irritation on that skin area.
  • Sunscreen: Never forget this. A gel-like or matte finish sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is a good idea because it will protect the skin without giving you any extra shine. You’ll need to reapply for two hours if you plan to spend time outdoors.

Night Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: Time to Repair and Refresh

  • Cleanser: If you wear makeup or sunscreen frequently, you may find that a double cleanse makes a significant difference. When makeup and sunscreen have built up, apply an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a foamy cleanser.
  • Toner: A salicylic or glycolic acid exfoliating toner will help keep your pores clean and resistant to fresh outbreaks.This should be used at night and let it work magic in aiding overnight skin renewal.
  • Treatment: If you are suffering from spot acnes, then benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil will do the trick. So, do not forget to do a patch test so as not to cause irritation to your skin.
  • Moisturiser: Use lightweight, gel-based moisturiser. It does not feel oily at night and will hydrate your skin overnight. This is the most critical step as repair to the skin takes place at night.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Oily Skin Products

The magic formula lies in having the right ingredients. The following must-have things you would do well to keep an eye out for are as follows:

  • Salicylic Acid 

This savior from unclogging pores and a reduction of oils in skin keeps it smooth and clear. It’s an exfoliant that should come in 1-2% concentrations in products for optimal results.

  • Niacinamide 

Also called Vitamin B3, it will decrease oil production activity and help in inflammation. It would be the best treatment if you have oily skin but are sensitive at the same time. It also helps in improving the texture of the skin generally and helps in reducing the pores’ appearance.

  • Hyaluronic Acid 

Don’t let the ‘acid’ in the name scare you-off; this is a great hydrator superhero. It attracts moisture to your skin while delivering no oil at all, making it phenomenal for balancing hydration levels, especially when used in combination with other active ingredients.

  • Clay (Kaolin/ Bentonite)

If you like clay masks; that’s pretty cool, too. Clay absorbs excess oil and other impurities that make your skin shine and look fresh with that fabulous matte-looking effect. Use clay masks once a week to suck up the excess oil and purify the skin.

  • Tea Tree Oil

This is an antibacterial agent in a natural form and great to use as a spot treat on any breakout that pops its head in. Just be careful-there is such a thing as using too much of this stuff. You can also find products that contain tea tree oil for a more balanced application.

Ingredients to Avoid for Oily Skin

Some of them do their job fantastically, while others even cause the very problem they are supposed to avoid. Here is what needs to be avoided:

  • Heavy Oils 

Coconut Oil, Mineral Oil, and so on. These are just great for dry skin but total havoc on oily skin as they get pores clogged and worsen the condition of acne. So remember, always check out the comedogenic rating of oils in your skincare product.

  • Alcohol-Based Products

Their alluring invitation may sound fresh, but alcohol will likely strip your skin of natural oils. This is bad because it will actually cause the skin to overcompensate and produce excess oils. Be sure to look for products that are alcohol-free in order to guarantee that toners and cleansers never harshly treat your skin.

  • Fragrances and Parabens 

These may irritate the skin and cause unnecessary inflammation. Choose the ones carrying the ‘fragrance-free’ and ‘paraben-free’ label. Your skin will thank you for this, too!

Common Mistakes in Oily Skin Care

Even with the best of intentions, we tend to go wrong sometimes. Avoid these common mistakes:

  • Over-washing

If your face comes out with no oils at all after washing, it is the oils that are going to be the ones that will keep the skin supple. The longer your skin gets to this routine, the more it will produce lots of sebum. You can clean your face twice a day.

  • Skipping Moisturiser

Big NO! Oily skin does require hydration. Without it, you will just end up dehydrating and get your skin to over-product oil. Always choose a lightweight oil-free moisturizer.

  • Use Harsh Scrubs

The urge will be to scrub it off instead of blotting the oil. Such harsh exfoliants are likely to strip down your barrier and bring on more oil and irritation. Gentle exfoliants should be used, and physical scrubs that can make your skin get crushed should be avoided.

Additional Tips for Managing Oily Skin

  • Blotting papers 

Keep them handy, in case you find yourself needing them for quick touch-ups throughout the day. It does not smear makeup, nor absorb that extra oil, so just give it a quick dab-and voila!

  • Exfoliate

You would gently exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week, thereby clearing the pores and making sure you don’t break out and clean. You would probably want to consider chemical exfoliation for peak performance.

  • Hydrate

Drink plenty of water. Water is healthy and good for skin. Hydrated skin doesn’t have much to produce. Herbal teas hydrate as well.

  • Talk to a specialist

So if all this does not produce good results on your oily skin, then it is high time to consult a specialist. We can orient you in terms of what would be convenient for your type of skin. Advice tailored to your type is what really makes a difference.

Recommended Products for Oily Skin

Some of the tried-and-tested products for an oily skin are as below:

  • Cleanser

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash or Cleansense Oil Control Face Wash

  • Toner

Thayers Witch Hazel Toner or Plum Green Tea Alcohol-Free Toner

  • Serum 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

  • Moisturiser 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel or Minimalist Marula Oil-Free Moisturiser

  • Sunscreen 

La Shield Matte Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 or Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

The products are incredibly well available and target especially the ones with oily skin, hence always making the skincare routine effective.

Conclusion

While oily skin is indeed a pain in the posterior to manage, the right approach makes it absolutely doable. The secret lies in the simplicity: hydrate and control the overproduction of oil. Another characteristic by which oily skin ages more gently than the other is that it looks more plump and younger.

So do not get frustrated when you find that you have to try many products. You do not necessarily have to walk down this road alone. We are here at Skinclin Institute for you to find a personalized skincare regimen that can truly work well for your individual skin.

Let the good times roll, then. To healthier, happier skin in years to come.

Picture of Dr. Ria Rai Pandey

Dr. Ria Rai Pandey

Dr. Ria is a distinguished dermatologist based in Varanasi, renowned for her expertise in treating diverse skin conditions with a personalised approach. With over 7 years of clinical experience, she prioritises staying informed about the latest advancements in dermatology.

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FAQs

Can oily skin use vitamin C serum?

Yes, vitamin C serums can benefit oily skin by brightening the complexion, reducing hyperpigmentation, and providing antioxidant protection without clogging pores.

Is toner good for oily skin?

Absolutely! Toners can help remove excess oil, tighten pores, and balance the skin's pH, making them a great addition to an oily skin care routine.

Can I wash my face 3 times if I have oily skin?

Yes, but it’s best to avoid over-washing. Washing twice a day is typically sufficient, as excessive washing can strip natural oils and lead to irritation.

Is hot water good for oily skin?

No, hot water can irritate and dry out the skin, leading to increased oil production. It’s better to use lukewarm water for cleansing.