AM/PM Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Having oily skin can leave you feeling lacklustre. The constant shine, greasy feel, and potentially coarse texture from congestion… not to mention that your oily skin leaves you vulnerable to other concerns like breakouts, blackheads and redness. It’s enough to take the pep out of your step. 

That’s why we’ve made it our mission to create an oily skincare routine that works. No gimmicks (that leave you feeling disappointed), just high-quality, honest skincare formulated to help your skin glow and leave you feeling at your best. 

In this article:

• Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
• Evening Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
• Results From Following Our AM/PM Oily Skincare Routine
• Oily Skincare Routines FAQs

We’re proud to share the AM/PM routine and products that our experienced skincare experts recommend to people like you: real people who report noticeable results like clearer, brighter and very calm skin within just a few weeks. 

What a difference!

“I have oily skin, and I've tried more products than I'd like to admit to try control the oil. These are the best products I've tried by far!! It's great value and it's got everything I need. Recommend to anyone with oily skin like me”. -Kandice 

Has really helped my spots and shine

“Everything I have needed to help reduce my spot breakouts, soothe redness and also reduce shine on a daily basis. Such great value for the sizes of bottles too”. -Jessica G.

Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Let’s dive into the tried and tested AM skincare routine that can keep your oily shine at bay all day, clear breakouts and even out your skin. Discover the exact steps and products that best support your unique skin type below.

The six core steps of your AM skincare routine are:

Cleanse 

Tone

Serum/Retinol

Eye Cream

Night Cream

Vitamin C Elixir

Oily skincare specifics: 
In the morning, your skin type requires products that tackle oil production and work to reduce excess oil, all while unclogging pores – without drying the skin. 

Benefits of a skincare routine formulated for oily skin:
Using products formulated for your skin type can reduce the likelihood of breakouts and excess shine on the skin throughout the day.

 

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing first thing in the morning will set you up for skincare success. This step removes any excess oil, bacteria and dust that builds up throughout the night. Cleansing also prepares your skin for the rest of your routine, so it’s important not to skip this step.

Purifying Cleansing Gel

Our Purifying Cleansing Gel includes ingredients that specifically support your oily skin. We’ve enlisted grapeseed oil – a special oil that absorbs and sweeps away excess makeup and debris, leaving zero greasy residues behind. Witch hazel – a natural antibacterial agent that gently neutralises spot-causing bacteria. Alongside antioxidant-rich green tea that protects your skin from pollution and sunlight exposure. And last but not least, chamomile which reduces redness and soothes any angry spots. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: This cleanser goes beyond makeup removal by reducing excess oil, unclogging pores and preventing breakouts and excess shine. It’s an essential product for your oily skincare routine.  

Watch the Purifying Cleansing Gel in action here

 

Step 2: Tone

Toning enhances the work of your cleanser by removing any last traces of impurities (like dirt and excess oil). The right toner for oily skin will unclog your pores and control oil production, leaving your skin feeling clean and appearing brighter throughout the day. 

Purifying Toner

We’ve formulated our Purifying Toner specifically to soothe and refresh oily, acne-prone skin. It stars our hero ingredient Zinc PCA (short for zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), which regulates sebum production by lowering the number of androgens in the body. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: This skin-reviving tonic has been formulated to leave skin clear, regulate oil production and keep shine to a minimum. It also helps reduce breakouts and calm redness. 

Pro-tip: This toner is packed full of amino acids, which help prevent post-acne scarring.

Watch the Purifying Toner in action here

 

Step 3: Serum

By using a serum after cleansing and toning, you can deliver many active ingredients to your skin first thing in the morning. Finding a suitable serum for oily skin is your secret weapon to creating a healthy, radiant glow. 

Calming Serum

We’ve infused Our Calming Serum with a botanical calming complex and extract of walnut to repair and protect your skin’s natural barrier. It’s also enriched with pro-vitamin B5 to rebalance your oily skin.  

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: The Advanced Calming Serum helps to reduce skin sensitivity and redness often associated with oily skin. It also calms irritation, particularly if you suffer from breakouts. Meanwhile, pro-vitamin B5 is particularly good at calming inflammation, unclogging pores, and balancing oil production.

Pro-tip: Pop a dot of Calming Serum on red and angry spots to calm redness.

Watch the Calming Serum in action here

 

Step 4: Eye Cream

Eye creams are designed specifically for your eye area (where the skin is incredibly delicate). These creams are generally lighter than face moisturisers meaning they’re more easily absorbed. 

But remember: apply your eye cream before moisturiser to avoid any accidental application of your daily moisturiser to the eye area - doing so prevents your eye cream from being absorbed.

Peptide Eye Complex

Our Peptide Eye Complex is formulated with encapsulated Vitamin C to increase collagen production and luminosity while providing antioxidant protection from free radical damage. You’ll notice minimised dark circles, reduced puffiness and a brighter, firmer eye area. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: If you’re looking for a peptide eye cream supercharged with skin-plumping ingredients, our Peptide Eye Complex is one of our most advanced skincare solutions. What’s more? It’s an ideal eye cream for oily skin as it is lightweight and hydrates the eye area without leaving it oily.

Pro-tip: Why not massage your eye cream with our rose quartz roller to depuff the eye area in the morning?

Watch the Peptide Eye Complex in action here

Step 5: Vitamin C Elixir

A Vitamin C elixir will reduce pigmentation and give your skin a radiant, youthful glow. You can use Vitamin C in the morning or evening (but we recommend an elixir in the morning and retinol at night). As our Vitamin C Elixir is an oil, applying it as the final product before your SPF is important

Vitamin C Elixir

We’ve created a non-greasy Vitamin C Elixir formulated to transform your oily skin into a healthy glow while diminishing breakouts. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient because it helps the skin retain moisture. When your skin is sufficiently hydrated, it prevents the sebaceous glands from overproducing sebum. Vitamin C is also proven to manage acne-causing bacteria. 

Pro-tip: Boost skin radiance by applying under your SKINICIAN Mask 2 to 3 times weekly.

Watch the Vitamin C Elixir in action here

Step 6: SPF Day Time Moisturiser

Applying a day moisturiser is the final step in your morning skincare routine. Moisturising last will keep your skin hydrated and protect it from environmental assaults throughout the day. It will also lock in and maximise the benefits of the skincare products you’ve already applied in steps 1-5. A day moisturiser with SPF protects your oily skin from harmful UV rays.

Purifying Day Moisturiser SPF 30

Our Purifying Day Moisturiser is a lightweight daily moisturiser that has been specifically created for oily and blemish-prone skin. With hardworking ingredients like Zinc PCA and a specially designed mattifying complex, you’ll notice fewer breakouts and reduced shine on the skin. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: Our Purifying Daily Moisturiser contains SPF30 that hydrates, protects and saves you from applying an extra layer of heavy moisture to your skin. Aside from SPF, you’ll benefit from a lightweight formula containing ingredients that reduce and prevent breakouts while regulating sebum production.

Watch the Purifying Day Moisturiser in action here

Product Spotlight: Oily Skincare Bundle

The oily skincare bundle has everything you need to recreate this results-driven morning routine.

You can buy the bundle and save 15% or buy the individual products to fill a gap in your current routine:

• Purifying Cleansing Gel
• Purifying Toner
• Purifying Day Moisturiser
• Purifying Mask
• Facial Exfoliator

Evening Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Let’s dive into the tried and tested PM skincare routine that can regulate your oily shine, clear breakouts and replenish your skin while you sleep. Discover the exact steps and products that best support your unique skin type below. 

The five core steps of your PM skincare routine are:

Double Cleanse

Tone

Retinol

Eye Cream

Moisturiser 

Oily skincare specifics: 

At night, your skin type requires products that nourish the skin to keep it healthy and hydrated – without causing excess oil production. 

Benefits of a skincare routine formulated for oily skin:
By using products formulated for your skin type, you can hydrate your skin, protect it from impurities and support the skin’s natural ability to heal and repair.

Step 1: Double Cleanse

A double cleanse in the evening will help remove any residue and impurities that build up throughout the day. The first cleanse will remove makeup, grease and dirt. The second is when the ingredients from your cleanser can get to work and do their job effectively to clean your skin at its deepest layers.

Pre-Cleanse - Cleansing Balm

Our Cleansing balm is ideal for the first stage in your double cleanse routine. Let our balm do the heavy lifting and melt away makeup and impurities without stripping your skin’s natural barrier.

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: We have formulated our Cleansing Balm for multiple skin concerns, including those with oily skin. An oily skin type will benefit from the jojoba oil in our Cleansing Balm as this ingredient helps to effectively loosen and melt sebum without drying the skin.

Pro-tip: The triple blend of nutritious oils gently and effectively remove all traces of makeup, leaving your skin clean, bright and nourished.

Learn more about our Cleansing Balm here

Purifying Cleansing Gel

Go beyond makeup removal with our Purifying Cleansing Gel. The cleansing gel -formulated specifically for oily skin- will reduce excess oil production, unclog pores and provide a clean surface area for the rest of your evening skincare routine. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: This Cleansing Gel stars ingredients like grapeseed oil – a special oil that absorbs and sweeps away excess makeup and debris, leaving zero greasy residues. It also features natural anti-bacterial witch hazel to eradicate spot-causing bacteria. And green tea rich in antioxidants that protect and repair the skin from pollution and sunlight exposure.  Meanwhile, chamomile works to reduce redness and soothe any angry spots. 

Watch the Purifying Cleansing Gel in action here

Step 2: Tone

SKINICIAN toners don’t just enhance the work of your double cleanse; they’re treatments in themselves. Indulge your skin with the perfect toner to compliment your evening oily skincare routine. 

Purifying Toner

Go beyond makeup removal with our Purifying Cleansing Gel. The cleansing gel -formulated specifically for oily skin- will reduce excess oil production, unclog pores and provide a clean surface area for the rest of your evening skincare routine.  

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: This Cleansing Gel stars ingredients like grapeseed oil – a special oil that absorbs and sweeps away excess makeup and debris, leaving zero greasy residues. It also features natural anti-bacterial witch hazel to eradicate spot-causing bacteria. And green tea rich in antioxidants that protect and repair the skin from pollution and sunlight exposure.  Meanwhile, chamomile works to reduce redness and soothe any angry spots. 

Watch the Purifying Toner in action here

Step 3: Retinol

After cleansing and toning, we recommend applying a retinol product as part of your evening skincare routine for oily skin. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and is highly effective at treating acne, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation without overstimulating oil production.

Overnight Retinol Powerbalm

For resurfacing and replenishing the skin, retinol is a ‘powerhouse’ ingredient. Retinol has a proven track record of plumping and firming the skin to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. It also brightens the complexion and treats acne-prone skin while reducing acne scars and pigmentation. 

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: A retinol serum for oily skin can balance and renew your skin while you sleep. Wake up with a healthy, and, most importantly, not a greasy glow.

Learn more about our Overnight Retinol Powerbalm here

Step 4: Eye Cream

An eye cream is the perfect nourishing addition to your evening skincare routine. The perfect formula for oily skin will reduce specific concerns like dark circles or puffiness and hydrate without causing excess oil. 

Eye Repair

This eye cream is a slightly heavier formula than the Peptide Eye Complex. Still, this formula helps skin to repair and renew overnight, reducing the appearance of eye bags and puffiness whilst hydrating, plumping and soothing sensitivity.

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: Not merely a hydrating eye cream, this formula is infused with active ingredients such as our unique EyeRevite™ peptide and Hydra Advance™  complexes. Say goodbye to puffiness and hello to increased collagen production, locked-in moisture and plumped, replenished skin.

Pro-tip: It also contains nourishing shea butter, to moisturise and protect the skin barrier, while cooling cucumber refreshes and soothes, working to combat tired eyes. 

Learn more about our Eye Repair here

Step 5: Hyaluronic Elixir

Complete your PM routine for oily skin by applying a nutrient and active-rich moisturising formula. Intensely nourish and hydrate your skin as you sleep.

Hyaluronic Elixir

A lightweight Hyaluronic Acid Serum that hydrates the skin whilst plumping to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Why it’s perfect for oily skin: Our Hyaluronic Elixir is great as a final step in your oily skincare routine as it is lightweight and won't feel heavy on the skin whilst still providing the hydration your skin needs

Learn more about our Hyaluronic Elixir here

 

Product Spotlight: Free Oily Skincare Samples

We believe in keeping premium skincare affordable. 

We only use the best ingredients and formulate our products so that even the smallest amount gives your skin all the nourishment it deserves. 

Curious about the products listed in this guide? 

Try our oily skin sample bundle that comes with free shipping when you order online. And, you'll automatically be sent a £5 voucher to use against your next order.

Results From Following Our AM/PM Oily Skincare Routine Using Skinician Products

Name: Katka

Age: 30's 

Skin concern: Oily Skin

Katka struggled to find the right balance within her skincare routine to control her oily skin.

Wearing make-up and leading a busy lifestyle meant she had to have a skincare routine that featured multi-functional products that had long-lasting results. 

Her main concern was the excess oil and shine on her skin. Finding the right balance between skin hydration and excess oil has always been a struggle. 

Skincare expert Lindsay conducted a skin analysis to get to the cause of her oiliness and devised a treatment plan for Katka. 

After just four weeks, here are Katka's results.

“My skin feels very hydrated and refreshed. Not irritated! A deep clean feeling!” - Katka

 

Oily Skincare Routines FAQs

PETROLATUM (PETROLEUM JELLY)

Petroleum jelly is a by-product of a form of crude oil. It's classed as an occlusive emollient, meaning it forms a protective hydrophobic barrier that sits heavily on the skin. 

A greasy, waxy substance like this can worsen oily skin, clog your pores, and cause breakouts and skin irritation. 

Top tip: Other occlusive emollients to avoid include beeswax, mineral oils and paraffin.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a drying ingredient, and while it might seem like a good idea to dry out oily skin, it can worsen matters. 

When you have oily skin, use ingredients that keep it hydrated. Doing so will stop the sebaceous glands from trying to overcompensate for lost moisture with excess oil. 

NATURALLY DERIVED OILS HIGH IN OLEIC ACID

Natural face oils high in oleic acid are more likely to sit on the skin, making them potentially comedogenic. Comedogenic products (including face oils with a higher concentration of oleic acid) are likely to clog pores and encourage breakouts. 

The following natural oils are high in oleic acid. Try to avoid them if you have oilier skin:

• Coconut oil
• Hazelnut oil
• Camellia oil
• Sunflower oil

ARTIFICIAL DYES

Artificial dyes tend to be used in makeup like blushers, eyeshadows and lipsticks. The dyes are typically derived from coal tar or petroleum. We've already identified petroleum as an ingredient that worsens oily skin by clogging the pores, and coal tar can do the same, making artificial dyes one to avoid. Synthetic dyes have also been linked to acne breakouts and scarring in the cheeks. 

Top tip: Look out for monoazo anilines, indigoids, and fluorans, as these are some of the worst artificial dyes for oily skin.

Definitely don’t skip the retinol. 

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative frequently used in skin care. Retinol has been shown to speed up cell turnover (the skin's ability to shed and replace dead cells with younger ones). Cell turnover is a natural exfoliation that reduces excess skin oil and unclogs pores.

A retinol serum for oily skin can balance and renew your skin while you sleep, so you wake up with a healthy and, most importantly, not greasy glow.