10 Oily Skin Routine Tips Recommended by Estheticians

Oily skin, it’s a delicate creature.

Striking the right balance can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail.

It is often recommended that you be diligent with your skincare routine to reduce oiliness.

But then find that you kickstart your sebaceous glands into overdrive,

However, if you overload the emollient, you risk suffocating your skin.

Most people with oily skin have a combination of symptoms.

So, our advice is to have a customised approach to your oily skin routine.

Oily Skin Routine Tips

We sat down with our founder, Samantha, who has over thirty years of experience working directly with the skin, to find out her tried and tested oily skin tips :

1. Your Matte Morning Routine

You’ll need a cleanser to cut through all the oil your skin produces overnight.

We recommend washing with a cleanser that’s not too stripping–so avoid ingredients with the word ‘sulfate’ in them.

The next step in your oily skincare routine is to use a toner, one that has been specifically formulated for your skin type to help neutralise its pH.

Next up, your serums:

• Follow with a balancing serum, such as one containing niacinamide, like B+ Niacinamide Complex, to encourage your skin to produce less oil. This will help prevent excess oil from clogging your pores.
• If your skin is dehydrated, a hydrating serum, such as H20 Hyaluronic Skin Shot, is excellent to include in your oily skin routine, especially around the areas where your skin tends to dry.

Once your serum has sunk in, apply your moisturiser.

It is best to layer with a water-gel moisturiser, preferably a medicated gel moisturiser, that will hydrate your skin without clogging pores.

Clarify pH balancing gel, which is lightweight, balancing yet highly hydrating, is an excellent example of such a treatment.

2. Every Night Before Bed

Double cleanse! Start with an oil cleanser first, then wash again with your morning cleanser.

Normalise your oily skin using a toner and a balancing serum, topped off with a water-gel cream.

A is for “absolutely, you should be using Vitamin A.

It has been researched and proven to improve almost any skin issue and works exceptionally well for oily skin.

Start with a low-strength serum and gradually build up to a higher strength if needed.

I recommend using this twice weekly, then gradually working towards every other night. Our A+ retinol skin shot is a great place to start, and then top off with your water-gel moisturiser.

3. Good to Have as Required

As part of your oily skin routine, apply a clay mask once a week for at least 10 minutes.

Masks containing kaolin, a clay-like substance, help reduce oil, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and shine-free.

Remember that over-drying can lead to increased oil production.

4. What to Avoid

Be knowledgeable about your ingredients, and don’t rely on marketing jargon to determine if something will cause breakouts.

Look out for these common irritants in your product’s ingredient list: fragrances, propylene glycol, menthol, peppermint or eucalyptus.

5. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

If you have very oily skin and suffer from breakouts, glycolic and salicylic acid are excellent additions to your skincare routine.

They help flush out the lining of your pores and prevent oil overload in your skin, which can lead to more breakouts.

6. Extract Breakouts & Blackheads

Even if you follow all the right steps as part of your oily skin routine, you may still need occasional extractions, especially if you suffer from blackheads.

I recommend that you don’t do it yourself, as your skin can easily scar, which can cause dark spots at the injury site.

Instead, find an experienced medical esthetician and schedule a facial with them a few times a year. The facial should include steaming your skin and careful extractions to keep it clear and help restore your skin’s health.

The article on how to get rid of blackheads permanently is an excellent guide for those who struggle to eliminate them.

7. Embrace Blotting Paper

Whilst it may seem trite, it’s true. These little blotting papers help soak up excess oil throughout the day without stripping your skin, making it almost impossible to overuse them.

8. Don’t Ignore Internal Supplements

Get cosy with omegas, fatty acids, vitamins, nicotinamide, and zinc, including Nicazel Forte, as this study demonstrated (1), all of which will help to stem the oil flow in your skin.

9. Treat Breakouts with Care

If you are prone to breakouts, it is essential to treat them carefully.

This study (2) on acne found that in an attempt to dry out lesions, patients often use too many products or apply excessive amounts all over their skin rather than just carrying out spot treatments, which can cause inflammatory acne and further irritation.

Resq clearing skin shot is the perfect spot treatment.

10. Don’t Over-Exfoliate

Vigorous scrubbing and harsh exfoliants can cause tiny micro-tears, leading to long-term sensitisation and an impaired barrier. It can also rupture your breakouts and spread bacteria, causing them to become red and painful.

It is important to remember that no matter how satisfying it is to pick and pop your pimples, this will only increase inflammation, reinfection, and PIH.

For more information, we have an in-depth article on this topic, which can be found here.

A Note on Peels

As the founder, I’m often asked about peels. Although I run a skincare clinic, I’m not a big fan unless a client has oily skin with no signs of inflammation.

Or they might be okay if you have mature, thick skin without any signs of sensitivity.

Here at the NC, we prioritise keeping inflammation out of your skin by focusing on restoring your barrier function.

Achieving this with a good oily skin routine is possible if you avoid harsh ingredients and too intensive treatments.

The cons far outweigh the pros, and the long-term damage can be irreversible if administered incorrectly.

To conclude. The naked truth

Navigating oily skin can feel like a delicate balancing act. While the temptation might be to adopt aggressive skincare routines to combat excess oiliness, it’s essential to tread carefully.

Overzealous approaches can inadvertently trigger the sebaceous glands into overdrive or suffocate the skin with excessive emollients.

Given the multifaceted nature of oily skin symptoms, a customised approach to skincare is paramount. Key ingredients, such as niacinamide and Vitamin A, alongside alpha-hydroxy acids, play pivotal roles in regulating oil production and maintaining skin health.

Avoiding common irritants and embracing blotting papers further support oil control throughout the day. Additionally, internal supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and zinc can complement external skincare efforts.

It’s crucial to approach breakouts with care, resisting the urge to over-treat and over-exfoliate. Spot treatments and cautious extraction, overseen by experienced professionals, offer safer alternatives.

In essence, mastering an oily skin routine requires finesse, informed decision-making, and a commitment to balance and moderation.

By heeding our expert advice and understanding the nuances of oily skin care, you can cultivate healthier, more radiant skin without compromising its delicate equilibrium.

References

1. Inflammatory acne management with a novel prescription dietary supplement.

2. A review of the diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients.