A Morning and Nighttime Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

I can say as a girl with previously very oily skin, it's because a lot of us are trying to do too much, including stripping our skin from moisture. We buy these heavy duty cleansers and steer clear of the hydrating moisturizers, thinking this will get rid of the oil, when in fact, what it does is make it worse. That's because when the skin is stripped of moisture it start producing excess oils to make up for the lost hydration. Those excess oils are probably why we end up breaking out and with very oily skin. 

So, let's walk through a nice day and night skincare routine for oily skin that you can try and hopefully get the results you want...

Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

1. Mild Gel Cleanser

In the morning I don't recommend using a heavy cleanser so that you skin doesn't produce more oil throughout the day. Use a nice gentle gel cleanser that will clean the skin nicely making it feel fresh and giving you a nice base for your makeup and the day. Also using slightly cold water will help close the pores a little bit, which is going to help with oil control.

Tip: You can also use a cleanser that has antibacterial properties, which are good if you have acne.

2. Gentle Toner

In the morning, you want to not do too much to your skin, because it will be exposed to sun so you want to make sure it's not too sensitive. That's why you should go for a gentle toner, maybe even a natural one like rose water. The toner will balance your skin and create a nice base for the rest of your steps, while also helping with oil control. 

3. Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

You should always use moisturizer in the morning so that your skin is hydrated all day and doesn't feel the need to produce excess oils. I used to think that applying moisturizer in the morning would make me look oily and cause my foundation to slip and believe me when I say, the exact opposite happened. However, I still recommend using a light gel formula that can be rich in hyaluronic acid, which will help add hydration without feeling heavy too heavy or oily on the skin.

4. Anti-Shine Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a very annoying thing for people with oily skin because it adds unnecessary shine, but it's also an essential step in the morning that you should not miss at all. Thankfully skincare innovation has advanced and there are now a lot of anti-shine and oil control sunscreens on the market. A good one is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF50.

5. Oil Blotting Papers

Throughout the day if you still get oily around your T-Zone, you should have oil blotting papers in your handbag. Pat the oily areas with the paper and it will remove the excess oil. 

Nighttime Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

1. Cleansing Balm or Oil Cleanser

I strongly believe in double cleansing at night. It will change your life and ensure that you removed all the pollution and dirt from being outside all day. I know the word oil will scare you, but oil or balm cleansers are actually very effective at makeup removal and prepping the skin for the step foam or gel cleanser. It will also help hydrate the skin and give it a nice plump texture. Your can try out the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm or The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil.

2. Clay Cleanser or Antipollution Cleanser

At night you can afford to use a stronger purifying cleanser than the morning's. However, it should still be gentle and not dry or strip your skin too much. This type of cleanser will help further remove the dirt or built up oil from throughout the day and create a nice fresh canvas for your nighttime skincare routine. 

Tip: After your cleanse you should not feel like your skin is tight or overly dry. That would mean the cleanser was too harsh and it's very important to moisturize afterwards. 

3. Light Chemical Exfoliation

I personally don't believe in strong scrubs or physical exfoliants because I feel that they would damage the skin. Chemical exfoliants are a good alternative because they remove impurities and the top layer of dead skin cells, giving the skin a nice balanced texture and a healthy glow. There are plenty of highly reviewed gentle chemical exfoliants on the market. 

Tip: You can also opt with a serum with salicylic acid that would be gentle on the skin but effective in exfoliation. However, do that after toner. 

4. Clay Mask or Purifying Mask

This is obviously not for everyday, but once a week, apply a nice purifying mask will really clean up your skin and hopefully reverse the effects of a stressful week. Some of these masks, however, can be drying and stripping so make sure you make up for that by hydrating really well. Maybe use a hydrating sheet mask afterwards. 

5. Exfoliating Toner

Now you can go for a stronger exfoliating toner, like a product that has glycolic acid. A lot of people swear by exfoliating toner, especially people who suffer from acne. They are known to be a gentle form of exfoliation that is very effective and gives quick results. 

6. Tea Tree Oil on Problem Areas

If you have a breakout, pimple or an area infected with acne, I always go for tea tree oil. It helps release stubborn acne and dry them out faster, while reducing the size, appearance and swelling. We also previously talked about the fastest ways to reduce and get rid of a pimple overnight, so you can check that out. 

7. Strong Moisturizer

Here it is recommended to go for a more heavy duty moisturizer. A lot of people with oily skin hesitate to do so, but this is the perfect timing to slather on moisturizer and have it hydrate your skin all night as you sleep, so you wake up with healthy, plump hydrated skin. 

Main Image Credits: Instagram @jennycipoletti