Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns. It presents some unique challenges, like a shiny complexion and acne breakouts.
The good news? With the right skin care routine and products, these issues can be less of a problem.
To help take the guesswork out of how to care for an oily complexion, we turned to a couple of skin care experts. We specifically asked them to share their top tips for developing a daily skin care routine for oily skin.
The result: a simple four-step routine you can use in the morning and evening to keep your skin healthy, clear, and shine-free.
Step 1: Cleanse in the a.m. and p.m.
The most important step of any skin care routine is cleansing your skin.
“And if your skin tends to be oily, you can likely tolerate more cleansing,” says Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, founder of SLMD Skincare.
“Though most people should be washing their face morning and night, it’s especially important for those with oily skin to give their face a complete cleanse in the morning,” Lee says.
Even though you might feel like your skin is still clean from the night before, Lee says that during the night your skin is busy shedding skin cells and producing oils.
That’s why washing with a good exfoliating cleanser, both in the morning and evening, is recommended.
She likes to use a cleanser or wash with salicylic acid.
“This is going to really help clear away excess oil and dead skin to prevent buildup in the pores,” Lee adds.
Step 2: Use a toner
Once your skin is clean and free from any makeup, dirt, and oil, Lee suggests you follow with an exfoliating toner that contains either:
- salicylic acid
- glycolic acid
- lactic acid
