Dermatologist-Approved Oily Skin Routine for Balanced, Clearer Skin

Dreaming of skin that glows without the midday shine? The secret lies in choosing the right oily skin skincare routine – one that doesn’t punish your pores but nurtures them into balance. With dermatologist-approved products, you can clear congestion, refine texture and still preserve the natural oils that protect against premature ageing. 

In this article, we’ll break down what causes oily skin, debunk common myths, share a dermatologist-approved oily skin skincare routine for both morning and night and reveal the best products and ingredients to keep your complexion clear, calm and confidently radiant.

Understanding Oily Skin – What It Is And Why It Happens

Oily skin isn’t a flaw – it’s your biology doing its thing. Sebaceous glands naturally produce sebum, an oily substance that keeps skin soft, supple and protected. The problem? Sometimes those glands go into overdrive, leaving you with excess shine, clogged pores and breakouts.

Although oily skin is often written into your DNA, it’s not purely genetic, research in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology shows. A host of factors can tip the scales, from hormones and stress to diet, climate and even the products you’re using. Dehydration, ironically, can also push your skin to produce more oil in an effort to compensate.

When Oily Skin Peaks

• Hormones: oil production often spikes during adolescence, monthly cycles, pregnancy, postpartum and through perimenopause or menopause.

• Environment: hot, humid weather or heavy air pollution can leave skin looking shinier than usual.

• Skincare routine: harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation or skipping moisturizer can all backfire, tricking your skin into producing even more oil.

• Diet: meals high in sugar or refined carbohydrates may aggravate sebum production and trigger breakouts, while a balanced diet rich in whole foods can help keep skin steadier.

The Upside Of Oily Skin

Here’s the good news: oily skin often ages more gracefully. A natural layer of oil helps preserve elasticity, meaning people with oily complexions tend to have thicker skin, fewer fine lines and a plumper look for longer. 

The key isn’t eliminating oil altogether, but learning to balance it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, so you keep that protective glow without the unwanted shine.

What’s The Difference Between Oily Vs Combination Skin?

It’s easy to confuse oily and combination skin – after all, both can come with shine, enlarged pores and the occasional breakout. But dermatologists look at one key factor: where the oil shows up.

• Oily skin produces excess sebum more or less everywhere. Shine isn’t limited to the T-zone  (forehead, nose and chin) – it tends to appear across the cheeks as well. 

• Combination skin is a little more nuanced. The T-zone is typically oilier, while the cheeks or jawline may feel normal or even dry. You might notice breakouts clustering around the nose and forehead, while the rest of your face looks and feels balanced.

Oily Skin Myths – And Why They’re Holding You Back

When it comes to oily skin, many of us fall into the trap of thinking it needs to be “cleaner” or stripped down to feel balanced. Dermatologists see the same mistakes over and over – and most stem from common myths. We are here to bust those myths so you can make the most of your oily skin.

Myth 1: Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer

This is the biggest misconception of all. Skipping hydration may seem logical if your skin already feels oily, but dehydrated skin actually overcompensates by producing more sebum, leading to extra shine and breakouts. The right lightweight, skin lotion for oily skin – especially one enriched with niacinamide – hydrates without heaviness, strengthens the skin barrier and helps regulate oil production.

Myth 2: Over-Cleansing Is Better

More foam, more scrubbing, more “squeaky clean”? Not quite. Harsh cleansers and excessive washing can irritate the skin, triggering rebound oiliness and inflammation. The best face wash for oily skin will have a pH-balanced foaming or gel formula to keep your skin fresh and calm without stripping it of natural oils.

Myth 3: More Products = Better Control

Layering serum after serum or piling on thick moisturizers and heavy makeup won’t tame oiliness. In fact, it can clog pores, disrupt your skin’s microbiome and make breakouts worse. For oily skin, less is often more – a single targeted, lightweight moisturizer for oily skin applied consistently, for example, will outperform overcomplicated routines.

Myth 4: Sunscreen Isn’t Necessary for Oily Skin

Some people avoid SPF, fearing it will make skin greasy. Others apply it once and forget to reapply. UV damage can actually worsen oil production and inflammation. A zinc-based, mattifying sunscreen protects your skin while keeping shine under control.

How To Balance Oily Skin

Oily skin isn’t something to “fix” – it’s a skin type. The secret is learning how to balance oil production without stripping your complexion. Dermatologists consistently recommend the following ingredients, which work with your skin rather than against it:

• Salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acid (BHA)): an oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates deep into pores, sweeping away excess sebum and dead skin cells. It helps keep breakouts at bay while brightening the skin.

• Niacinamide (vitamin B3): a multi-tasker that regulates oil production, strengthens the skin barrier and reduces inflammation. It’s especially effective in calming redness linked to acne.

• Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA): known for its soothing and mattifying properties, this ingredient reduces shine without leaving skin tight or dry.

• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives): retinoids boost cell turnover, prevent clogged pores and refine skin texture. Best reserved for a night skincare routine for oily skin.

• Hyaluronic acid: hyaluronic acid delivers lightweight moisture that plumps without heaviness.

• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs): ingredients like glycolic, lactic and citric acid gently dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, helping to smooth texture and even tone.

• Vitamin C: a powerhouse antioxidant that not only regulates sebum and reduces shine, but also fades post-acne marks and protects against UV damage when paired with SPF.

The Ideal Oily Skin Skincare Routine

A thoughtful morning ritual doesn’t just wake you up – it sets the tone for how your skin will behave throughout the day. For oily skin, the aim is balance: removing excess sebum without over-stripping, layering in protective antioxidants and keeping hydration light and breathable.

Step 1: Gentle Cleanser

You’re going to want to start with the best cleanser for oily skin to refresh without causing irritation. Dermatologists caution against relying only on harsh “oil-control” cleansers, which can trigger more oiliness. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Wash is a cult favorite due to its gently non-pore-clogging formula.

Step 2: Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Try a stable, dermatologist-approved formula, like La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaludronic Acid Serum, which uses two types of pure hyaluronic acids: vitamin B5 and madecassoside. Together, they restore moisture, repair the skin’s protective barrier and kickstart the renewal of skin cells.

Step 3: Lightweight Moisturiser

Hydration is non-negotiable for oily skin – it prevents the rebound oiliness that comes from dehydration. Look for a moisturizer for oily skin with niacinamide. La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer is perfect: a double-action gel that provides double the repair, giving all-day, shine-free hydration.

Step 4: Broad-Spectrum SPF

Sun protection is the final and most crucial step. Choose a zinc-based, mattifying formula like EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Sunscreen, designed specifically for oily and acne-prone skin. It’s weightless, calming and keeps shine in check even on humid days.

The Ideal Night Skincare Routine For Oily Skin

Your nighttime routine is your skin’s chance to reset, repair and prepare for tomorrow. This is when you can go a little deeper – sweeping away buildup, treating with active ingredients and sealing in lightweight hydration.

Step 1: Cleanse And Exfoliate

Try SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, which clears pores, eliminating impurities, excess oils and makeup. Plus, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) mildly exfoliate,  enhancing skin texture, tone and smoothness. Learn more about this step in Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate: Your Secret To Glowing Skin.

Step 2: Targeted Serum

Evenings are the perfect time for balancing serums. A vitamin C-rich, non-comedogenic formula, such as Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%, won’t block your pores and will help brighten and even skin tone.

Step 4: Retinol Treatment

For long-term results, retinol is a dermatologist’s gold standard. Revision Retinol Complete 0.5 boosts cell turnover, clears congestion and regulates oil. 

Step 5: Lightweight Night Moisturizer

Seal everything in with a featherlight hydrator that restores without suffocating the skin. Revision’s Hydrating Serum is a favorite moisturizer for oily skin – luxurious, ultra-light, anti-aging, oil-free moisture for all skin types featuring two forms of hyaluronic acid, leaving skin with a smooth, refreshed appearance.

Balance Over Battle

Oily skin isn’t the enemy – it simply needs the right strategy. With a considered routine, dermatologist-approved ingredients and products designed to support rather than strip, excess shine can evolve into a healthy, luminous glow.

At Lighthouse, we’ve curated the essentials – from the best cleansers to lightweight moisturizers tailored for oily skin – so you can build a routine that balances, refines and restores confidence. Browse our oily skin routine collection.