Morning to Evening Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Oily skin needs balance, not punishment.

Oily skin is a skin type where the sebaceous glands naturally produce more oil. This can leave skin looking shiny, feeling greasy and more prone to congestion, blackheads and breakouts. When oily skin is over-cleansed or stripped, it often responds by producing even more oil.

At Skinician, we treat oily skin as skin that needs regulation and support. With the right skincare routine for oily skin, it’s possible to reduce excess oil, keep pores clear and maintain calm, hydrated skin, without drying it out.

The Skinician Approach for Oily Skin

Every routine needs a foundation.

• Cleanse to remove excess oil and impurities
• Treat to regulate sebum and keep pores clear
• Protect to prevent inflammation and post-breakout marks

You don’t need harsh products or constant exfoliation.
You need consistency, the right actives and a routine your skin can tolerate long term.

Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Your morning skincare routine for oily skin is about controlling excess oil, preventing congestion and keeping skin balanced throughout the day.

Oily skin still needs hydration. When skin becomes dehydrated, oil production often increases to compensate. A supportive AM routine helps reduce shine, minimise breakouts and maintain clarity without heaviness.

Step 1: Cleanser

Cleansing in the morning removes overnight oil, sweat and bacteria that can contribute to congestion and breakouts.

For oily skin on the face, the best cleanser removes excess oil while keeping the skin barrier intact.

Recommended: Purifying Cleansing Gel

• Grape Seed Oil helps dissolve excess sebum without residue
• Witch Hazel targets spot-causing bacteria and refines pores
• Green Tea provides antioxidant protection and calming support
• Chamomile soothes redness and irritation

Why it works in the morning:
Cleanses thoroughly, helps unclog pores and reduce shine while leaving skin clean, calm and balanced, not tight or stripped.

Step 2: Toner (Optional but Beneficial)

Toner helps remove surface build-up that can trap oil and lead to congestion. For oily skin, this step supports clearer pores and smoother texture.

Recommended: Glycolic Exfoliating Toner

• Glycolic Acid dissolves dead skin cells that block pores
• Supporting actives refine texture without physical exfoliation

Why it works in the morning:
Keeps pores clear and refined, helping oily skin appear smoother and less shiny.

How often:
Use once daily, morning or evening. Reduce frequency if skin feels sensitised.

Step 3: Serum (Optional)

Oily skin still needs hydration. When skin is dehydrated, oil production often increases to compensate.

Recommended: Hyaluronic Elixir

• Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid hydrates without heaviness

Why it works in the morning:
Hydrated skin is less likely to overproduce oil, helping reduce greasy shine.

Step 4: Eye Cream (Optional)

The eye area benefits from targeted hydration without excess oil.

Recommended: Peptide Eye Complex

• Peptides support skin resilience
• Hyaluronic Acid hydrates without clogging
• Vitamin C supports brightness

Why it works in the morning:
Lightweight hydration that absorbs quickly and won’t contribute to oiliness.

Step 5: Vitamin C (Optional)

Vitamin C supports clarity, brightness and antioxidant protection, especially beneficial for oily and breakout-prone skin.

Recommended: Vitamin C Elixir

• Vitamin C helps brighten and manage acne-causing bacteria
• Vitamin E provides antioxidant support
• Non-comedogenic oils support barrier health

Why it works in the morning:
Supports oil balance while maintaining a healthy glow.

Step 6: SPF Day Moisturiser (Essential)

Daily SPF is essential in any skincare routine for oily skin.

UV exposure can worsen inflammation, post-blemish marks and uneven texture.

Recommended: Purifying Day Moisturiser SPF 30

• Zinc PCA helps regulate sebum production
• Mattifying complex controls oil throughout the day
• Broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection

Why it works in the morning:
Hydrates, protects and controls excess oil without clogging pores.

Evening Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Your evening skincare routine for oily skin focuses on deep cleansing, regulating oil and supporting overnight renewal.

Step 1: Cleanse

Evening cleansing is essential for oily skin, as it removes makeup, SPF, excess oil and daily environmental residue that can contribute to congestion and breakouts if left on the skin overnight.

For oily skin, double cleansing allows each cleanser to do its job properly, without over-stripping.

First Cleanse: Cleansing Balm

The first cleanse focuses on removal.

• Effectively melts away makeup, SPF and surface impurities
• Jojoba Oil mimics natural sebum, helping dissolve excess oil without disrupting the skin barrier
• Helps loosen congestion so it can be rinsed away gently

Why it works for oily skin:
Removes heavy residue thoroughly without drying the skin, reducing the risk of rebound oil production.

Second Cleanse: Purifying Cleansing Gel

The second cleanse is your treatment cleanse.

• Cleanses the skin itself, not just what’s sitting on top
• Helps remove remaining oil and impurities from within the pores
• Targets excess oil and spot-causing bacteria

Why it works for oily skin:
By treating the skin after makeup and SPF have been removed, this cleanser can work more effectively to keep pores clear, regulate oil and support clearer-looking skin, without stripping.

Step 2: Toner (Optional but Beneficial)

Toner helps clear surface build-up that can trap oil and contribute to congestion, allowing the rest of your routine to work more effectively.

Recommended: Glycolic Exfoliating Toner

How often to use:
Use once daily only. For most people with oily skin, evening use is best.

Why it works in the evening:
Overnight is when skin naturally repairs and renews. Using glycolic in the evening helps clear dead skin cells and excess build-up, keeping pores clear and allowing treatments applied afterwards to absorb more effectively.

Step 3: Serum (Optional but Beneficial)

Oily skin still needs hydration at night. When skin is dehydrated, it can overproduce oil to compensate, which can worsen shine and congestion.

Recommended: Hyaluronic Elixir

• Multi-molecular hyaluronic acid hydrates without heaviness
• Helps plump and smooth the skin while supporting balance
• Comfortable for oily and breakout-prone skin

Why it works in the evening:
Gives skin the hydration it needs without clogging pores, helping skin feel fresh and balanced by morning.

How to use:
Apply to damp skin to help skin absorb the formula more effectively.

Step 4: Retinol (Optional)

This is your targeted treatment step for oily and breakout-prone skin.

Recommended: Overnight Retinol Powerbalm

• Supports cell turnover and helps keep pores clear
• Helps reduce congestion and breakouts over time
• Balm texture supports comfort and tolerance

How to use:
Start every other night or 2–3 nights per week, increasing gradually as skin tolerance builds. If skin feels sensitised, pause and return to hydration-focused nights.

Step 5: Eye Cream (Optional)

The eye area is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, and even oily skin can experience dehydration here.

Recommended: Peptide Eye Complex

Step 6: Night Moisturiser (Optional, based on how your skin feels)

Oily skin doesn’t always need a rich night cream, but a lightweight moisturiser can help seal in hydration when needed.

Recommended: Purifying Day Moisturiser (used at night as needed)

Product Spotlight: Oily Skin Bundle

For oily skin, clarity and balance are the foundation.

Our Oily Skin Bundle brings together the core products recommended to help regulate oil, refine texture and support clearer-looking skin, without stripping.

Every bundle includes:

• Purifying Cleansing Gel
• Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
• Pro-Radiance Enzyme Peel
• Purifying Day Moisturiser SPF 30

Build your routine with intention and save 15% when you shop the bundle.

Oily Skincare Routine FAQs

What are the steps for an oily skincare routine?

A balanced skincare routine for oily skin focuses on regulating excess oil, keeping pores clear and maintaining hydration.

Morning routine for oily skin:

• Cleanser
• Toner (optional but beneficial)
• Serum (optional)
• Eye cream (optional)
• Vitamin C (optional)
• SPF day moisturiser (essential)

Evening routine for oily skin:

• Double cleanse
• Toner (used once daily total)
• Serum or retinol
• Eye cream (optional)
• Night moisturiser (used as needed)

Not every step is required every day. Oily skin responds best to consistency and balance rather than overuse of active products.

Do I need to double cleanse if I have oily skin?

Yes. Double cleansing is particularly beneficial for oily skin.

The first cleanse removes makeup, SPF and surface impurities.
The second cleanse treats the skin itself, helping remove excess oil and keep pores clear.

This approach allows your treatment cleanser to work more effectively without over-stripping the skin.

How often should I exfoliate oily skin?

For most people with oily skin, gentle chemical exfoliation can be used once daily if skin tolerates it well.

Exfoliating toners help remove dead skin cells that can trap oil and contribute to congestion. If skin feels sensitised, reduce use to a few times per week and build back up gradually.

Should I moisturise if I have oily skin?

Yes. Oily skin still needs moisturising.

Skipping hydration can cause skin to become dehydrated, which may trigger increased oil production. Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers help maintain balance without clogging pores.

Which serum is best for oily skin?

Hydrating serums are often the most beneficial for oily skin.

Hyaluronic acid helps support hydration without heaviness, which can reduce excess oil production. Vitamin C serums are also suitable, helping support clarity, brightness and antioxidant protection.

Is retinol good for oily and breakout-prone skin?

Yes. Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for oily skin.

It helps support cell turnover, keep pores clear and reduce congestion. Retinol should be introduced gradually and used in the evening only.

What should I apply to oily skin before bed?

An effective evening routine for oily skin includes:

• Cleanser (double cleanse if wearing makeup or SPF)
• Toner (if used that day)
• Serum or retinol
• Eye cream (optional)
• Lightweight moisturiser (as needed)

This structure supports overnight repair without contributing to excess oil.

What causes oily skin on the face?

Oily skin is primarily influenced by genetics and hormones.

Environmental factors, dehydration and over-cleansing can also affect how oily the skin appears. The goal is not to remove oil completely, but to keep it balanced.

What ingredients should oily skin be cautious with?

Oily skin can be sensitive to:

• Very heavy occlusive ingredients
• Overuse of drying alcohols
• Excessive exfoliation

Choosing lightweight, balanced formulas helps maintain clear, comfortable skin.

Will using hydrating products make my skin oilier?

No. Proper hydration often helps oily skin appear less greasy.

When skin is well hydrated, sebaceous glands are less likely to overproduce oil in response to dryness.

Do I need SPF if I have oily skin?

Yes. Daily SPF is essential for all skin types.

Sun exposure can worsen inflammation, post-blemish marks and uneven texture. Lightweight SPF moisturisers help protect oily skin without heaviness.