The Best Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: Morning & Evening Guide

If you have oily skin, finding the right skincare routine can sometimes feel like a balancing act. You want to remove excess oil and manage shine, but without leaving your skin feeling tight, dry or uncomfortable.

Although oily skin is often associated with excess sebum, it still needs hydration, moisturising and protection from environmental factors such as UV exposure.

The best skincare routine for oily skin doesn't need to involve lots of products or complicated steps. Instead, it should focus on gentle cleansing, appropriate exfoliation, maintaining hydration and supporting the skin's natural barrier.

In this guide, we'll take you through a simple morning and evening skincare routine for oily skin, explain which ingredients to look for and show you how to tailor your routine to your skin's individual needs.

Understanding Oily Skin

Oily skin is characterised by increased production of sebum, a natural oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands.

Sebum contains a mixture of lipids, including triglycerides, wax esters and squalene. It helps lubricate the skin and contributes to its natural protective surface environment (Picardo et al., 2009).

Although sebum is important for healthy skin function, some people naturally produce more than others.

Common characteristics of oily skin include:

• A shiny or greasy-looking complexion
• Excess oil across the forehead, nose and chin
• More noticeable pores
• Blackheads or congestion
• Makeup becoming shiny throughout the day

Oily skin is influenced by several factors, including genetics, hormones, age and environmental conditions.

For a more detailed explanation, explore our guide to what causes oily skin.

Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Your morning skincare routine should focus on gently removing excess surface oil, maintaining hydration and protecting your skin throughout the day.

Step 1: Cleanse with a Gentle Face Wash

Cleansing helps remove excess sebum, sweat and impurities that have accumulated on the skin overnight.

However, it's important to avoid cleansers that leave your skin feeling excessively tight or stripped.

Harsh cleansing can remove surface lipids and contribute to dryness, irritation and disruption of the skin barrier.

Instead, choose a gentle cleanser that effectively removes excess oil while maintaining skin comfort.

Our recommendation: Lucy Bee Hydrating Foam Face Wash

Our Hydrating Foam Face Wash is designed to gently cleanse the skin, removing dirt, daily impurities and excess surface oil without leaving it feeling stripped.

It's a great option for oily and combination skin types looking for a refreshing but gentle cleanse.

Step 2: Apply a Moisturiser

One of the most common misconceptions about oily skin is that it doesn't need moisturiser.

However, oil production and hydration are two different processes.

Oily skin produces increased amounts of sebum, but it can still experience dehydration and moisture loss.

Moisturisers help maintain hydration, soften the skin and support the skin's natural barrier.

For oily skin, you may prefer a moisturiser that feels comfortable without leaving an overly heavy or greasy finish.

Our recommendation: Lucy Bee Ceramides Face Cream

Our Ceramides Face Cream is designed to help replenish moisture and support the skin barrier.

Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found within the outermost layer of the skin. They help maintain barrier integrity and reduce water loss.

Using a moisturiser containing ceramides can be particularly beneficial when your skin feels dehydrated, dry or uncomfortable, even if it also produces excess oil.

Step 3: Finish with SPF 50

Sun protection is an essential step in every morning skincare routine, regardless of skin type.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can contribute to premature signs of skin ageing, pigmentation changes and skin damage.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it generously as the final step of your morning routine.

For oily skin, a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen may feel more comfortable, particularly when worn underneath makeup.

Our recommendation: Lucy Bee SPF 50 Face Sunscreen

Our SPF 50 Face Sunscreen provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a non-greasy, fragrance-free formula.

It also contains skincare ingredients including niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol, making it a useful addition to a routine focused on hydration and daily protection.

Evening Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Your evening skincare routine is an opportunity to remove makeup, sunscreen, excess oil and impurities that have accumulated throughout the day.

It can also be a good time to incorporate exfoliating products and moisturising ingredients to help maintain skin comfort overnight.

Step 1: Remove Makeup and Sunscreen

If you wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, you may find that a first cleanse helps remove these products before following with your usual face wash.

This is commonly known as double cleansing.

Although double cleansing isn't essential for everyone, it can be useful when wearing heavier makeup or products that are more difficult to remove.

Our recommendation: Lucy Bee Reviving Cleansing Cream

Our Reviving Cleansing Cream can be used as the first step in your evening routine to help remove makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities.

It's an optional addition, particularly for those who wear makeup regularly or prefer a two-step cleansing routine.

Step 2: Cleanse with Hydrating Foam Face Wash

After removing makeup and sunscreen, follow with a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining residue, excess oil and impurities.

Our Hydrating Foam Face Wash can be used as the second cleanse.

If you don't wear makeup or sunscreen, you may find that a single thorough cleanse is sufficient.

The aim is to leave your skin feeling clean and comfortable rather than tight or excessively dry.

Step 3: Exfoliate When Appropriate

Exfoliation can be particularly useful for oily skin because excess sebum and dead skin cells can contribute to congestion and uneven skin texture.

Chemical exfoliants work by helping remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface.

Different exfoliating acids have different properties:

• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): Help exfoliate the skin's surface and improve the appearance of uneven texture.
• Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs): Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble BHA commonly used in products designed for oily and blemish-prone skin.
• Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs): Provide exfoliating properties and are often included in formulations designed for gentler exfoliation.

Our recommendation: Lucy Bee AHA & PHA Exfoliating Tonic

Our Exfoliating Tonic is designed to help remove dead skin cells and improve the appearance of skin texture.

It can be incorporated into an evening routine, following the product instructions and taking your skin's tolerance into account.

If you're new to exfoliating acids, introduce them gradually rather than immediately using them every evening.

Remember that exfoliation isn't necessary every day for everyone, it's best to work out what works best for your skin.

Step 4: Moisturise to Support the Skin Barrier

After cleansing and any exfoliation, apply a suitable moisturiser to help maintain hydration overnight.

Our Ceramides Face Cream can be used as part of your evening routine to help replenish moisture and support the skin's natural barrier.

This is particularly important if your skin feels tight or dehydrated after cleansing.

Step 5: Add a Facial Oil if Your Skin Needs Extra Nourishment

Although it might seem counterintuitive, oily skin can still benefit from facial oils.

Having oily skin doesn't necessarily mean your skin is well hydrated, and some people may find that an additional emollient product helps maintain skin comfort.

Our recommendation: Lucy Bee Organic Facial Oil with Pink Microalgae

Our Facial Oil contains a blend of plant-derived oils, including sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil and jojoba oil, alongside squalane.

Squalane is a stable, hydrogenated derivative of squalene, a naturally occurring component of human sebum.

Jojoba oil contains wax esters, which are also found naturally in sebum.

Although these ingredients share similarities with certain components of the skin's natural oils, the formula doesn't replicate the complete composition of human sebum.

The Facial Oil is designed to soften and nourish the skin while helping maintain moisture.

If you have oily skin, you may prefer to introduce a few drops into your evening routine, either before moisturiser or in place of it, depending on your skin's needs and how the products feel together.

Morning vs Evening Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

To make things simple, here's how your skincare routine could look.

Morning

1. Hydrating Foam Face Wash
2. Ceramides Face Cream
3. SPF 50 Face Sunscreen

Evening

1. Reviving Cleansing Cream (optional first cleanse)
2. Hydrating Foam Face Wash
3. AHA & PHA Exfoliating Tonic (on suitable evenings)
4. Facial Oil (optional, before or instead of moisturiser)
5. Ceramides Face Cream (if using alongside Facial Oil)

Not every product needs to be used every day. The most suitable routine depends on your skin's individual needs and how it responds to different formulations.

What Ingredients Should You Look for in Oily Skin Products?

When choosing skincare for oily skin, several ingredients may be worth considering.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 commonly used in skincare formulations designed to support the skin barrier and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.

Some research suggests niacinamide-containing formulations may help reduce the appearance of surface oiliness, although results depend on the formulation.

Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin

Both ingredients act as humectants, helping attract and retain water within the outer layers of the skin.

They can be particularly useful when oily skin also feels dehydrated.

Ceramides

Ceramides are naturally occurring skin lipids that help maintain the structure of the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.

AHAs, BHAs and PHAs

Exfoliating acids can help improve the appearance of skin texture and remove dead skin cells, although they should be used appropriately to avoid irritation.

How Often Should You Exfoliate Oily Skin?

There isn't one exfoliation schedule that suits everyone.

The ideal frequency depends on the ingredients used, the product formulation and your skin's tolerance.

If you're introducing an exfoliating tonic for the first time, it may be sensible to begin with a couple of evenings per week and gradually adjust according to the product instructions and how your skin responds.

Using multiple exfoliating products together isn't always necessary and may increase the risk of irritation.

If your skin begins to feel tight, sting or become unusually sensitive, reduce or stop exfoliation while allowing the skin to recover.

For more advice, read our guide on how to control oily skin without stripping your skin barrier.

Can Oily Skin Be Dehydrated?

Yes. oily skin and dehydrated skin aren't mutually exclusive.

Oily skin refers to increased sebum production, whereas dehydration refers to a lack of water within the skin.

This means someone can experience a shiny complexion while also having skin that feels tight or uncomfortable.

Signs of dehydration may include:

• Skin feeling tight after cleansing
• Fine dehydration lines appearing more noticeable
• Dry or flaky patches alongside oily areas
• Skin feeling less supple or comfortable

Hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help maintain water within the skin, while moisturisers help support the barrier and reduce moisture loss.

Read our guide to oily but dehydrated skin for more information.

Common Mistakes in an Oily Skin Routine

Even with the best intentions, certain skincare habits can make oily skin more difficult to manage.

• Over-cleansing: Washing your face too frequently can contribute to dryness and irritation.
• Skipping moisturiser: Oily skin still needs hydration and barrier support.
• Over-exfoliating: Using exfoliating products too frequently may disrupt the skin barrier.
• Using too many active ingredients: Combining multiple treatments can increase the risk of irritation.
• Avoiding all facial oils: Some people with oily skin may still enjoy facial oils, particularly when their skin feels dry or dehydrated.
• Skipping sunscreen: Daily UV protection is important for all skin types.

Final Thoughts

The best skincare routine for oily skin is one that helps manage excess surface oil without unnecessarily stripping or irritating the skin.

Gentle cleansing, appropriate exfoliation, moisturising and daily sun protection are the foundations of a balanced routine.

Optional steps, such as double cleansing or applying a facial oil, can be introduced depending on your skin's needs and personal preferences.

Remember that oily skin is a natural skin type, and the goal isn't to eliminate sebum completely. Instead, focus on maintaining hydration, supporting the skin barrier and choosing products that leave your skin feeling comfortable.

For more information about oily skin, including its causes and how to manage it, explore our Ultimate Guide to Oily Skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

Picardo, M., Ottaviani, M., Camera, E. and Mastrofrancesco, A. (2009). Sebaceous gland lipids. Dermato-Endocrinology, 1(2), 68–71.

Elias, P.M. (2005). Stratum corneum defensive functions: an integrated view. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 125(2), 183–200.

Rawlings, A.V. and Harding, C.R. (2004). Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatologic Therapy, 17(s1), 43–48.

Tanno, O., Ota, Y., Kitamura, N., Katsube, T. and Inoue, S. (2000). Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier. British Journal of Dermatology, 143(3), 524–531.

For further skincare guidance, visit the American Academy of Dermatology.