Best Face Serums for Oily Skin in the Summer Season
- Kavya Goswami
- 13 hours ago
- 6 min read
As a person with oily skin type, I deeply resonate with the feeling of heaviness on my skin during summer times, especially in India, where the climate gets extremely hot and humid, making my skin feel sticky, oily, and full of dirt. This summer, what I need is a serum that is light in weight, non-sticky, and easy to apply while tackling key skin concerns of oily skin.
Summer means extreme heat and sweat which makes your skin look dull, as dirt and pollution stick to your face and pores because of constant oil production. What you need is a product with skincare actives that target the oil production issue specifically.
Let's get into La Peau's skincare guide, unravelling the science behind oily skin and what are the best skincare products for oily skin type in the summer season.
How to Treat Oily Skin in Summer?
Treating oily skin during the summer requires a shift toward lightweight, non-comedogenic products that control shine without dehydrating your skin. High humidity and heat can increase sebum production, making it essential to use products that "breathe."
We need skincare products that will help in controlling oil production like Niacinamide, removing excess oil like Salicylic Acid, and calming down the skin barrier with skincare actives like Green Tea, Azelaic Acid, and Zinc.
Common Oily Skin Concerns
Managing oily skin often feels like a balancing act. While the natural oils (sebum) help keep skin hydrated and preserve its elasticity, an overproduction can lead to several distinct challenges.
Primary Concerns for Oily Skin
Enlarged Pores: Excess oil and dead skin cells can "stretch" the walls of your pores, making them appear larger and more visible, especially on the nose and cheeks.
Persistent Shine: A "greasy" appearance typically develops shortly after cleansing, often concentrated in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
Congestion and Acne: When sebum mixes with dead skin, it forms plugs that lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and inflammatory acne.
Rough Skin Texture: A buildup of old skin cells held in place by oil can make the skin feel bumpy or uneven rather than smooth.
Skincare Actives for Oily Skin
Best skincare actives to use for Oily skin type are:
Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid
Retinol
Zinc
Kaolin or Bentonite Clay
Green Tea Extract
Mandelic Acid
Best Face Serums for Oily Skin in the Summer Season
Here, we have some of the best face serums targeted for oily skin type in India, that will help in controlling key oily skin problems like excess sebum production, blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, and inflammatory acne formation. types
Salicylic Acid Serums
Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum is the go-to serum for my skincare routine. As I have oily, acne-prone skin, this serum has worked wonders for my skin. In Oily skin, you cannot afford to use a product that is too heavy or tacky for your skin, but this serum is so lightweight and smooth that I love to use it every day. I also have sensitive skin, and this is very gentle to use; I never felt any reaction or itchiness on my skin.
But I still recommend doing a patch test before using any product on your overall face.
Skincare Actives:
Propylene Glycol
Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Polylysine
Epigallocatechin
Lactic Acid
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the world-famous and most beloved BHA exfoliant that has just entered the Indian market, too. Although this is a much more expensive product, you can buy numerous other serums instead of this, but if you really want to try this product, then its absolutely recommended.
Skincare Actives:
Salicylic Acid
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (Green Tea)
The Derma Co. Sali-Cinamide Anti-Acne Serum is another good find for controlling oil production in skin and tightening pores with two key skincare ingredients, Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid.
Skincare Actives:
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Salicylic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
Niacinamide Serums
Minimalist 5% Niacinamide Face Serum is a very lightweight Niacinamide serum that is best for oily skin. You can easily wear it in the morning along with your sunscreen, and your skin doesn't feel too heavy.
Skincare Actives:
Bifida Ferment Extract
Oat Extract
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Deconstruct Clearing Serum contains tyrosinase-inhibiting skincare actives for treating hyperpigmentation, including:
Skincare Actives:
Niacinamide
Alpha Arbutin
Dictyopteris Membranance
Glycerin
Conscious Chemist Pigmentation Corrector Serum contains tyrosinase-inhibiting skincare actives for treating hyperpigmentation including:
Skincare Actives:
Niacinamide
Tranexamic Acid
Alpha Arbutin
Apart from these 3, there are a few more good ingredients but at less that 1% including, including Zinc PCA, Rice Extract, Saccharomuces Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Allantoin, and Panthenol (Vitamin B5).
Deconstruct Pore Control Serum is a great serum to use for oily, acne-prone skin or if you have combination skin for oil control.
Skincare Actives:
Propylene Glycol
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea)
Salicylic Acid
Azelaic Acid Serums
The Derma Co Tran-Zelaic Pigmentation Corrector Serum is an effective treatment for acne-prone skin — not only does it target active breakouts, but it also helps fade post-acne red and brown marks. It contains the right blend of Azelaic Acid and Tranexamic Acid to gently correct pigmentation and support clearer skin.
Skincare Actives:
Azelaic Acid
Tranexamic Acid
Alpha Arbutin (acts on hyperpigmentation)
Betaine (skin protectant)
Panthenol (skin soothing, anti-inflammatory)
Ferulic Acid (antioxidant)
Glycerin
The Derma Co Tran-Zelaic Pigmentation Corrector Serum is an effective treatment for acne-prone skin — not only does it target active breakouts, but it also helps fade post-acne red and brown marks. It contains the right blend of Azelaic Acid and Tranexamic Acid to gently correct pigmentation and support clearer skin. Although, this is a bit heavy serum, so it get harder to wear it in summer season especially for oily skin.
Skincare Actives:
Azelaic Acid
Tranexamic Acid
Alpha Arbutin (acts on hyperpigmentation)
Betaine (skin protectant)
Panthenol (skin soothing, anti-inflammatory)
Ferulic Acid (antioxidant)
Glycerin
Retinol Serums
The Formula RX Gentle Retinol Night Serum contains tyrosinase-inhibiting skincare actives for treating hyperpigmentation including:
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Bakuchiol
Retinol
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (Granactive Retinoid)
Minimalist 0.3% Retinol Serum is a good anti-acne treatment. However, in India, retinol or any derivative of Vitamin A is often marketed mainly for treating wrinkles and fine lines. In reality, retinols help unclog pores and boost cell turnover, making them beneficial for acne-prone skin. That said, if you have hormonal acne, it's best to avoid retinol, as it can trigger purging and worsen inflammation. Always consult a dermatologist before adding it to your routine.
Skincare Actives:
Squalane
Vitamin E
Bakuchiol (represents Retinol-like properties)
Retinol
Coenzyme Q10 (antioxidants)
Green Tea Serums
Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum is a green tea-enriched serum for calming the skin barrier and making it supple and healthy.
Skincare Actives:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water (Green Tea Water)
Artemisia Capillaris Extract (Mugwort Extract)
Panthenol
Glycerin
Coptis Japonica Root Extract (anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant)
Allantoin
Mandelic Acid Serums
The Derma Co X Dr V Skin Renew ABS Peptide Exfoliator Serum is good skin exfoliation serum that you can add to your skin care routine. I would say this is much better than any other exfoliator serum or peeling solution in the market, as they can be too harsh for your skin.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Mandelic Acid
Lactic Acid
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Inactive Form of Vitamin C)
Acetyl Glutamine
sh-Oligopeptide-1
sh-Oligopeptide-2
sh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus Ferment Extract
The Ordinary 10% Mandelic Acid is the perfect Alpha Hydroxy Acid serum for Indian Skin as it is the least irritating exfoliating acid and does effects skin barrier too much and performs the function of surface exfoliation exceptionally well. This is the perfect exfoliating serum for Oily Skin.
Skincare Actives:
Mandelic Acid
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Your ultimate summer skincare guide for oily skin is here. Discover the best lightweight, non-sticky skincare products and serums in India that keep your skin fresh, balanced, and oil free.
Upgrade your summer skincare routine with La Peau and achieve healthy, radiant skin all season long.
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