If you constantly carry blotting sheets everywhere you go, it’s time to look into the best skin care for oily skin. Take it from one shiny girl to another: the right cleanser, serum, toner, moisturizer and makeup can make all the difference, especially if they include gentle exfoliants, mattifying ingredients and pore minimizing components.
After years of trial and error, and chatting with a slew of dermatologists and other Glamour editors, I’ve finally nailed the best skin care routine for my complexion—and because we don’t gatekeep here, I’m sharing my findings below. My top pick by far has to be the one product that’s changed my skin the most—the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser. This lightweight face wash keeps my skin matte throughout the day and manages to keep breakouts at bay. We also found the best sunscreen, moisturizer, primer, and toner that will keep your skin looking fresh and totally shine-free.
The best skin care products for oily skin, at a glance
Featured in this articleBest Toner:
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Jump to reviewBest Serum:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Treatment
Jump to review
We tested oily skincare products by evaluating their ingredients, our experience using them and their efficacy.
Best Cleanser: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser
The reason why this pick is at the top of our list is because it’s the one acne product that has actually changed Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary’s combination skin in the long run.
Pooja Rambhia, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey, also recommends this gentle facial cleanser to all of her patients with oily skin. “The benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria while the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help maintain hydration and reduce inflammation, preventing the over-drying that often occurs with traditional benzoyl peroxide cleansers,” she says, making it a great pick for those who need a deep clean, but don’t want their skin feeling stripped.
“My skin drinks it up, and it actually makes a noticeable difference in my active and beginning-stage breakouts by minimizing their size and calming any redness,” says Kilkeary. “My skin has also noticeably been smooth and matte after incorporating this cleanser into my routine, and I don’t consistently look like an oil-slick by midday when I use it. Not to mention, it lasts me months and it’s under $20 (and available on Amazon!). Gold stars, all around!”
Best Toner: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
A toner is another great step in a routine for oily skin because it helps cleanse off dirt and dead skin cells that can lead to grease and breakouts, and helps prevent new blemishes from popping up, which is what makes this exfoliant a go-to. “The maximum-strength salicylic acid in this toner formula helps keep the pores clear and reduces shine but doesn’t tend to cause irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.
Glamour’s Kilkeary is also a fan. “This toner is a game changer in purifying oily or aging skin, as I’ve noticed such a massive difference since using it,” she says. “It helps clarify fine lines and it does an excellent job of shrinking pimples, to the point where it helped calm a huge breakout on my chin in just two uses—seriously, it was flattened and red-free within 48 hours.”
Best Moisturizer: Starface Star Cream + Salicylic Acid
Starface Star Cream + Salicylic Acid
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Starface Star Cream + Salicylic Acid
When shopping for a moisturizer for oily skin, the dermatologists we spoke with recommended looking out for non-comedogenic ingredients, which means they won’t seep into pores and cause irritation and excess sebum production. This affordable moisturizer does just that and combines salicylic acid with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to keep skin looking matte and shine-free without stripping or causing dryness.
“This non-comedogenic pick is super creamy but absorbs like lightning during application. It sinks right into the skin and doesn’t irritate any areas where I have breakouts. I find that I also have less redness and oiliness in my T-Zone and around my nose when I use this one,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Acne: Mediheal Madecassoside Toner Pads
Mediheal Madecassoside Toner Pads
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Mediheal Madecassoside Cotton Facial Pads
Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC, highly recommends these toner pads if you struggle with oily skin and clogged pores. “These anti-aging pads hydrate the skin with humectants, and they contain niacinamide, as well as soothing ingredients like allantoin, centella, and madecassoside,” she says.
Glamour senior commerce editor, Jenifer Calle, is also a fan. “I use these Mediheal toner pads almost daily and sometimes even twice a day because they’re that gentle. My face just doesn’t feel clean without them now. It does a great job of cleansing the surface of my skin; there’s always some residue caught on the pad. I can tell it helps unclog pores because my makeup glides on easily after use. I’m not saying they shrunk my pores (TBH that’s not possible), but they’re definitely not as noticeable,” she says.
Best Sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50
The super velvety formula of this facial sunscreen is a dream for oily skin types because it instantly mattifies your face, all while protecting it with broad-spectrum SPF 50. “You’ll find yourself second-guessing whether you even put anything on,” says Anna Moeslein, Glamour deputy editor. “Because of that, it works well as a primer under your makeup or on its own as a mattifying finish after your daily facial moisturizer.”
Best Primer: Smashbox Pore Vanishing Primer
Smashbox Pore Vanishing Primer
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Smashbox Pore Vanishing Primer
If you want to keep your blotting sheets at home, a makeup primer is just what you need. This pore-vanishing primer does just that, blending in effortlessly (and invisibly) and keeping makeup matte all day.
“My makeup routine has taken a turn for the better after using this primer everyday,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It keeps my skin grease-free all day, and also helps ensure that it doesn’t crease in the typically greasy areas around my nose and on my T-zone. It doesn’t leave a cast or any residue behind, and my makeup stays put from the time I put it on at 8 A.M to the time I take it off, 12 hours later.”
Best Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 30)
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
No routine is complete without a tinted moisturizer that can blur, mattify and protect the skin. This oil-free formula helps control shine, lasts all day and helps even out discoloration, dark spots and uneven skin texture.
“I wore this blurring tinted moisturizer in the blaring 80-degree sun of Florida during a recent trip to Disney, and it didn’t smudge, budge, or move throughout the day,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
“It’s really lightweight but easy to build up with a few layers, and I love that it only takes about two layers to get pretty much full coverage. This one is the most foundation-like of the bunch, and I’d definitely recommend using it if you want something to wear for a special occasion but don’t want to commit to a full-coverage beat.”
Best Serum: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Treatment
Courtesy of brand
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Treatment
This pore-minimizing treatment helps clear acne and post-acne marks for softer, smoother and less oily skin all together.
“Taking care of oily skin is all about preparing the skin with leave-on ingredients found in serums that decrease oil production,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in NYC. That’s why she recommends looking for ingredients that will gently exfoliate and slow down oil production, like salicylic acid.
Frequently asked questions
“Oily skin can be due to a variety of reasons: natural production based on genetics, reaction to stress levels, medication, humidity and weather conditions, topical skincare regimen, hormonal fluctuations (from monthly periods, or again, from cortisol surges during stressful times),” says Dr. Nazarian. She also says that most people with long term untreated oily skin will notice a gradual enlargement of pores, and often small skin-colored growths called sebaceous hyperplasias that represent overactive enlarged oil glands. That’s why using the best skincare products for oily skin is so important.
What to look for when shopping for skincare for oily skin
When shopping for skincare products for oily skin, Dr. Nazarian says the biggest mistake that people make is opting for products like harsh cleansers. Instead, she recommends avoiding occlusive or heavy products that can clog oily skin (such as beeswax, silicones, paraffin and mineral oils). “Look for ingredients in products like sulfur, BHAs, witch hazel and tea tree that can control oil better and minimize oil production,” she says. She also recommends avoiding occlusive or heavy products that can clog oily skin (such as beeswax, silicones, paraffin and mineral oils).
How can I stop my face from being so oily?
To help minimize oiliness, Dr. King recommends sticking to a strict skincare regimen. “Cleanse twice daily with a face wash that contains gentle surfactants for thorough cleansing, then follow with a toner that includes ingredients that will help with oil control like salicylic acid and niacinamide,” she says. A prescription acne product can be applied next, and then you can complete your routine with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer and SPF.
Is vitamin C good for oily skin? What about retinol or hyaluronic acid?
Vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid are all suitable for oily skin types. Dr. King suggests applying an antioxidant-packed vitamin C serum in your morning routine, followed by a hyaluronic acid serum. “Oily skin may be able to tolerate a prescription retinoid, rather than a retinol,” she says, so it’s best to check with your doctor about what ingredient is best for you.
What acid is best for oily skin?
The dermatologists we spoke with all said that salicylic acid is by far the best for oily skin. “Salicylic acid is an excellent pore-clearing ingredient because it exfoliates the surface of the skin and penetrates into pores to remove oil,” says Dr. King. “This helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed,” says Dr. King, noting its particularly effective for treating and preventing comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads).
What ingredients should you avoid if you have oily skin?
If you have oily skin, avoid comedogenic or pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter, for example, says Dr. King. Instead opt for gentle skincare products that will clean surface oils without stripping and irritating skin in the process. “I recommend skincare products that don’t have perfumes or sulfates as well,” says Dr. Nazarian.
