The Best Skin Care Routine For Oily Skin

My skin care journey has evolved over the years. During my teenage years, I suffered from acne breakouts and eventually I went on Accutane (read about my experience in this post). Skin care has always been part of my life because of my acne. If you are someone who grew up dealing with painful cystic acne then you know how I feel!

Now as I enter my late 20s, I am still tweaking my own skin care routine to fit in with my oily skin. To this day I still get the occasional breakout, but thankfully it’s nothing compared to what I went through in my teenage years.

The Best Skin Care Routine For Oily Skin

I am not a dermatologist, but I am someone who has oily skin and deals with breakouts. This skin care routine for oily skin contains everything I need to keep my skin looking clear and feeling great. I have a few options for you to look at when it comes to a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and serum.

After a recent collaboration with Sephora to try out some of their exclusive products I became HOOKED on this cleanser. Don’t forget about Sephora’s own collection of makeup, skin care, and overall beauty products. I’ve heard Sephora takes inspiration from well-known brands and incorporates this knowledge into developing items for their line.

First of all, this cleanser is so cheap. It’s only $10! You don’t even want to know how much money I’ve dropped on a cleanser in the past. Now I have this Sephora cleanser in my routine and it doesn’t break the bank.

Why I Love It:

• It has a lightweight gel consistency that lathers up in my hands.
• AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) gently exfoliate skin.
• Contains soothing aloe vera.
• IT’S $10!!

More Gentle Cleansers for Oily Skin

La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser – great gel consistency, affordable from the drugstore, lathers up nicely.

Youth to The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser – amazing list of ingredients, also lathers up nicely, clean formulation.

After cleansing the skin, it’s *optional* to use a toner. If you have a toner with awesome ingredients (like this one from Farmacy) then it’s a smart move to include it in your oily skin care routine.

The toner you use should be alcohol-free because toners with alcohol as a main ingredient will dry out your oily skin. Oily skin NEEDS balance which is why it’s best to look for alcohol-free formulations like this one from Farmacy Beauty. I’m sharing my top favorite toner from Farmacy, but there are a lot of nice drugstore toners to choose from, too.

Why I Love It:

• alcohol-free formula.
• BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids) cleans pores and draw out excess oil.
• doesn’t overstrip the skin, leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated.

More Toners I Use and Love

Sunday Riley makes impressive skin care products. The Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment should be used once per week if you have sensitive skin. The price of this treatment does make me cringe a little because it’s so expensive for the average consumer. However, it’s a completely revolutionary treatment for oily skin and acne-prone skin types.

The ingredients of this facial treatment (AHA, brightening Lactic Acid) are comparable to what you would receive from a esthetician. On days when I need to help my skin out from clogged pores, I’ll go through my skin care routine and apply a pump of this treatment onto my skin. It’s best to use the Good Genes at night so your skin can soak up the product while you sleep!

Drugstore Finds Similar to Sunday Riley Good Genes

Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment – a super inexpensive and effective treatment that offers the same BHAs as Good Genes.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid – $8 for a bottle of 10% lactic acid! The Ordinary makes a lot of skin care favorites for less than $10 at ULTA Beauty.

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Moisturizers are very personal – either you want a super light formula or you crave a thick and creamy one. Me? I side with the latter. Bring on ALL the goopy, thickness of a cream moisturizer. Don’t fret, I’ll share some lightweight moisturizers that you’ll love in here, too!

First Aid Beauty not only sells an amazing cleanser, but they also happen to make my top-rated facial moisturizer. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream instantly hydrates my own dry patches and oily T-zone.

As a self-proclaimed beauty lover, I have tried plenty of facial moisturizers and I always repurchase this one from FAB. The rich and thick cream dries down quickly for day or nighttime use.

Why I Love It:

• you get a TON of product in one tube.
• perfect for all skin types, even oily skin needs daily moisture!
• fragrance-free formula

Best LIGHTWEIGHT Moisturizers:

Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer – perfect gel moisturizer! Weightless formula with squalane and probiotics. 

Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer – another product from Farmacy Beauty. Ingredients inside this gel moisturizer balance out oil on the skin and reduce shine.