Are you looking for ways to treat your oily acne prone skin? In this post, I am sharing EVERYTHING you need to know about how to get rid of your acne and reduce oil production. This includes the 9 best skin care products for oily acne prone skin! For each skin care product, I also go in-depth into the key ingredients that help fight acne and reduce oil production. On top of all that, I explain the most effective skin care routine for oily acne prone skin. Yup, I did ALL the research so that you don’t have to! Before we dive into skin care, I first want to share my own experiences.
Throughout middle school, high school, and college, I’ve had really bad oily acne prone skin. My whole life, I never really took the time to research how to address my skin issues because I thought that acne was a normal product of stress from school and would go away on its own. However, this mindset proved to be wrong when I continued to develop stubborn acne while taking only one summer class. So, I decided to do my research on the best way to treat oily acne prone skin. Look at the difference of my skin after using the skin care products and routine that I’m about to share! I promise you that these photos are unedited.
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In the left column, you can see the before pictures from July 28. On the right are the pictures taken just 2 weeks later on September 11. If you look at row 2, you can observe the most noticeable improvement in my skin. The patch of dark, stubborn pimples that had been on my face for months finally disappeared and became brighter. Overall, many of the blemishes on my face disappeared or became brighter after following a skin care routine. Also, you can’t really tell by the pictures, but I noticed that I was significantly less oily throughout the day.
Keep reading to learn about the 9 best skin care products for oily acne prone skin!
STEP 1: CLEANSE
As a general rule of thumb, oil-free foaming cleansers are the best for oily acne prone skin because they deep clean the skin by getting rid of excess oil and debris that are stuck in the pores. Removing excess oil and dirt will help reduce your acne!
On the other hand, cream/milk cleansers are more gentle and moisturizing, which is why they are suggested for those with dry skin.
1. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash Cleanser
I’ve been using the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash Cleanser and highly recommend it because it is an oil-free foaming cleanser that specifically removes excess oil. It’s oil-free properties ensures that oil does not clog your pores.
In addition, this cleanser contains Ceramide-3, Niacinamide, and Glycerin, which are all key ingredients for keeping your skin hydrated. Keeping the skin hydrated is important to prevent the skin from over compensating and producing more oil. Niacinamide also benefits the skin by improving the skin’s barrier, reducing pore size, minimizing redness, and controlling oil production. You can read more about niacinamide’s benefits for oily acne prone skin here.
The important thing to takeaway is that the cleanser’s ability to remove oil as well as niacinamide’s role in controlling oil production play a CRUCIAL role in getting rid of your acne!
I’ve jumped around from different types of cleansers such as Biore, Neutrogena, and Proactive. However, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash Cleanser has been my all-time favorite cleanser just because I have seen a HUGE reduction of oil and acne on my face.
If you have oily acne prone skin, this cleanser is the one for you!
✓ Oil-free and foaming
✓ Removes excess oil and dirt, which helps reduce acne
✓ Contains hydrating ingredients such as Ceramide-3, Niacinamide, and Glycerin
✓ Niacinamide also improves the skin’s barrier, reduces pore size, minimizes redness, and controls oil production
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STEP 2: TONE
Using toner is incredibly important after cleansing to get rid of any remaining dirt/excess oil and shrink pores. Remember, eliminating excess oil means reducing acne and breakouts!
2. Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner
Toners are also beneficial because they help restore the skin’s healthy pH levels since using a cleanser will often raise the pH to more alkaline levels.
My favorite toner is the Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner because it deep cleans the skin, is alcohol-free, and contains moisturizing ingredients such as rose petals, filet of aloe vera, and witch hazel extract. For toners, you want to make sure that you get one that is alcohol-free because alcohol tends to take away the moisture from the skin. You want to keep the skin moisturized to prevent the skin from over compensating and producing more oil. This is why the other moisturizing ingredients in this toner is also beneficial for acne prone skin.
Along with its moisturizing properties, witch hazel extract is known to “tighten pores, control acne and oil production, and reduce redness and inflammation” (Source).
This toner is perfect for oily acne prone skin!
✓ Removes remaining dirt/excess oil after cleansing
✓ Restores the skin’s pH level from alkaline to healthy
✓ Alcohol-free
✓ Contains moisturizing ingredients such as rose petals, filet of aloe vera, and witch hazel extract
STEP 3: SERUMS
Serums are gel-based or liquid skin care products that are packed with high concentrations of active ingredients. Since serums consist of smaller molecules, the active ingredients can be delivered deeper into the skin. Overall, serums are amazing if you need to target a specific skin concern.
3. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
In the cleanser section, I explained that niacinamide is a hydrating ingredient that benefits the skin by improving the skin’s barrier, reducing pore size, minimizing redness, and controlling oil production. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum helps with all of these, especially with reducing the redness of your pimples. I’ve been using the serum for about a month now, and it really helps with getting rid of my acne! This is a MUST HAVE!
✓ Improves the skin’s barrier
✓ Reduces pore size
✓ Minimizes redness
✓ Controls oil production
4. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This hyaluronic acid serum is another favorite skin care product of mine, just because it maintains skin hydration so that oil production is controlled. Get this serum to help your skin look and feel healthy!
✓ Hydrates the skin
✓ Controls oil production
✓ Improves the skin’s barrier
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STEP 4: SPOT TREATMENT
5. Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide
I have been using Terminator Spot Treatment since high school, and IT WORKS WONDERS! Similar to serums, it is packed with high concentrations of an acne fighting ingredient called benzoyl peroxide. Because the benzoyl peroxide is micronized, it can reach deeper into the pores and maximize its effect on pimples. Whenever a pimple starts to form on my face, I immediately apply Terminator on the pimple to prevent it from getting any bigger. Usually, it takes only 2-3 days before the pimple completely disappears!
This spot treatment is perfect for getting rid of stubborn acne!
✓ Contains the acne fighting ingredient- benzoyl peroxide
✓ Quickly gets rid of stubborn acne
✓ Prevents acne from forming
STEP 5: MOISTURIZE
Moisturizing has multiple benefits for the skin! Not only does it help control oil production, but it fights wrinkles, reduces the appearance of blemishes, and locks in all of the key ingredients added in the previous steps. Remember to moisturize during the day and night!
6. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30
There are several reasons why I love this CeraVe Moisturizer. First, it’s oil-free, which prevents your pores from getting clogged with more oil. Second, it contains Ceramide-3, Niacinamide, and Glycerin, which are all key ingredients for keeping your skin hydrated and controlling oil production. Remember, minimizing the amount of oil on the skin will prevent acne! Lastly, this moisturizer has sunscreen, which is incredibly important for maintaining even skin tone, reducing effects of sun damage, and preventing premature aging of the face! This moisturizer is specifically for day time use.
✓ Hydrates the skin
✓ Oil-free & controls oil production
✓ Contains ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid
✓ Contains SPF 30 sunscreen
✓ Improves the skin’s barrier
7. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM
This moisturizer has the same benefits as the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM, minus the sunscreen.
✓ Hydrates the skin
✓ Oil-free & controls oil production
✓ Contains ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid
✓ Improves the skin’s barrier
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STEP 6: PRIMER
Although most people apply primer before makeup, it can actually stand on its own. Primer helps with controlling shine and minimizing pore appearance.
8. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
I love the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer because it’s specifically designed to give your skin a matte finish, along with controlling shine and minimizing the appearance of your pores.
✓ Shine controlling
✓ Pore minimizing
✓ Hydrates skin
✓ Smoothes skin for a matte finish
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STEP 7: EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation is essential for oily acne prone skin because it helps reduce acne by deep cleaning the pores of clogged oil and pus. It also brightens your skin’s complexion, including acne scars.
9. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
This exfoliating solution is probably one of The Ordinary’s most popular products because it leaves your skin feeling very smooth and evening out your complexion. It’s suggested that you use it once a week and only leave it on your face for 10 minutes before washing.
✓ Deep cleans your pores
✓ Brightens skin and acne scars
✓ Evens out your complexion
