Oily Skin

What causes oily skin?

Oily skin happens when your sebaceous glands produce more oil than your skin needs. These glands sit just beneath the surface and create sebum, a natural oil that keeps your skin from drying out. When there’s too much oil, it builds up on the surface and can make your skin look shiny and feel greasy. This is known as excess sebum.

Your skin type is mostly genetic, so if you have oily or combination skin, you were likely born with it. But sebum production can also increase with hormone changes, hot weather or harsh skincare. When your skin gets stripped or feels dehydrated, it can respond by producing even more oil. Over time, that extra build-up can leave your skin looking shinier than usual and feeling a bit off balance.

How to tell if you have oily skin

If your skin looks shiny soon after cleansing or makeup doesn’t stay put, you might be dealing with oily skin. This skin type tends to make more oil than it needs, which can lead to congestion and breakouts if left unmanaged.

Understanding how your skin behaves throughout the day can help you figure out if oil production is the reason behind your skin concerns. You might also notice that excess oil traps surface debris or other impurities, which can make the skin feel less clean even after washing. Here’s what to look for:

• Your skin looks shiny by lunchtime: If you start the day with clean skin and still see shine after a few hours, it’s a sign of excess oil.
• The T-zone feels greasy most days: The T-zone includes your forehead, nose and chin. These areas often feel oily and appear shiny.
• Your pores look large or stretched: Visible or enlarged pores, especially around the nose and cheeks, are common with higher oil flow.
• You get blackheads often: Blackheads form when oil and dead skin block the pore. If you’re seeing them regularly, that’s a strong sign.
• You experience frequent breakouts: Oily skin can lead to clogged pores, which may result in ongoing breakouts, especially around the forehead, jawline or nose.

How to build a skincare routine for oily skin

Oily skin needs a routine that helps clear away excess oil without drying or irritating the skin. The aim isn’t to get rid of all oil but to manage it in a way that helps your skin feel clean, smooth and balanced.

If your skin often feels greasy or looks shiny during the day, this step-by-step routine is a good place to start.

1. Use a gentle foaming cleanser twice a day: A lightweight facial cleanser or face wash helps clear away oil, sweat and product build-up without leaving the skin tight or dry.
2. Follow with a toner to refresh and rebalance: A well-formulated toner helps remove leftover residue and lightly hydrates the skin after cleansing.
3. Exfoliate two to three times a week: Exfoliating clears dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to texture or breakouts, especially in oily areas.
4. Apply a light face serum if your skin needs more care: A non-greasy face serum can help even out skin tone, reduce shine or boost hydration depending on what your skin needs.
5. Use SPF 50 every morning, even when it’s cloudy: Sunscreen with SPF 50 helps protect your skin from UV damage. It’s an important step in any routine, no matter your skin type or the weather.

Ingredients to look for in skincare for oily skin

The right skincare products for oily skin should help reduce oil, smooth texture and prevent breakouts without drying out the skin. To do that, focus on skin products that contain key ingredients proven to work with how oily skin behaves.

For oily skin, choose skincare with salicylic acid, a BHA that clears inside pores and helps manage congestion. Use AHA a few times a week to remove dead skin cells and smooth rough texture. To minimise shine and balance oil, add niacinamide to the routine.

Apply vitamin C in the morning to help even out skin tone, and use retinol at night to improve texture and reduce visible congestion. Finish with a lightweight hyaluronic acid product to hydrate without clogging pores.

Should oily skin types use moisturiser?

Absolutely! Oily skin types should use a moisturiser. Hydration and oil are not the same thing. If you skip moisturiser, your skin can feel dehydrated and may respond by making more oil. That can lead to extra shine, congestion and uneven texture.

To avoid this, use an oil-free or non-comedogenic moisturiser that won't clog pores or add weight to the skin. A light face cream can hydrate without feeling greasy. You can also apply a small amount of eye cream if that area feels dry or tight. For an extra boost, a hydrating or mattifying face mask once or twice a week can help balance the skin and keep oil in check.

Which skincare brands are best for oily, acne-prone skin?

The best skincare brands for oily, acne-prone skin are the ones that focus on clear, targeted formulas. These brands offer product lines designed to reduce oil, clear congestion and treat breakouts without adding heaviness to the skin. Their products are often made to address common skin concerns like blackheads, clogged pores and surface shine.

Look for brands that offer mattifying or purifying options and label products as oil-free or non-comedogenic, which means they’re made without ingredients that block pores. You’ll usually find this in gel or foam cleansers, lightweight moisturisers and spot treatments for active blemishes. These are the kinds of bestsellers you'll come across at Hairhouse, where we focus on skincare that helps manage oil without causing irritation.

Where to buy skincare for oily skin

You’ll find everything you need for skincare for oily skin at Hairhouse. Whether you're dealing with surface shine, clogged pores or that slick feeling by midday, we’ve got the right products to help with it all.

From daily cleansers to treatments that target build-up and boost oil control, our range includes options designed to keep oily skin clear, balanced and under control. Shop online at Hairhouse to find the skincare that helps manage oil and leaves your skin feeling fresh.