Oily Skin: Best Skincare Routine for Oily Skin and Top Products in India

Are you like me, constantly feeling like your skin turns sticky, heavy, and way too dewy just an hour after washing your face?

Then, my friend, chances are you have oily skin.

Oily skin becomes one of our core skincare challenges the moment adolescence kicks in. Although some of us are born with oily skin, it usually amplifies during our teenage years, when the sebaceous glands (the glands responsible for producing oil) become more active and start overproducing sebum.

Now let’s get one thing straight — sebum isn’t all bad. This waxy, oily substance actually plays a protective role for our skin. But when it’s produced in excess, it tends to clog pores, trap dust and dirt on the surface, and lead to acne — including both inflammatory acne (like pimples) and non-inflammatory acne (like blackheads and whiteheads).

But the big questions remain:

• How do we control excess oil on our face?

• How do we unclog pores and keep our skin fresh?

• How do we make our skin feel clean, hydrated, and balanced — not greasy?

First things first — it’s time to understand what oily skin really is.

Join our skincare guide for oily skin types and learn all the essential skincare tips, products, and routines for oily skin.

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What is Oily Skin?

Oily skin is a skin type characterized by excess sebum production, which comes from the sebaceous glands in our body.

While sebum plays a vital role in keeping the skin moisturized and protected, too much of it can lead to several skin concerns.

Some of the most common characteristics of oily skin include:

• Skin that feels sticky, shiny, and greasy, especially in the T-zone area (forehead, nose, and chin), and often around the cheek highlights

• Enlarged and more visible pores

• Frequent inflammatory acne caused by clogged pores

• A higher tendency to develop blackheads and whiteheads

• Makeup doesn’t sit well on the skin — it often melts away, feels patchy, or looks cakey throughout the day

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Causes of Oily Skin

Major reasons for oily skin are:

Genetics: If your parents or close family members have oily skin, chances are you’ve inherited it too. Oily skin often runs in families.

Hormonal fluctuations: One of the biggest reasons behind oily skin and sudden breakouts. This includes changes during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy, all of which can increase sebum production.

Climate and environment: If you live in a hot and humid region, like we do in India, your skin may naturally feel greasy and heavy more often due to increased sweat and oil production.

Skincare habits: At an age when we start using skincare or makeup, habits like using harsh products, overwashing the face, or layering the wrong skincare items can damage the skin barrier. This causes the skin to overproduce oil in an attempt to protect itself.

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Skincare for Oily Skin and Best Skincare Actives

There are 3 ways in which you can treat your skin and make it feel light, non-sticky and hydrated:

Use skincare products that target inhibiting or regulating oil production, remove oil from face, and are oil-absorbing.

Oil-inhibiting skincare actives:

Retinoids (Retinyl Esters, Retinol, Retinal)

Retinoids (aka vitamin A forms) like Retinol, Retinal, Adapalene (0.1%), and Tretinoin (prescription) work by integrating with skin cells and sebaceous glands. They signal the sebaceous gland to slow down oil production, which in turn reduces excess oiliness and also prevents dead skin cells and sebum from clogging pores. This helps to stop the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. [Use it 2-3 times a week at night and use sunscreen the next day]

Niacinamide

Niacinamide (aka Vitamin B3) has been shown in studies to reduce the activity of sebaceous glands, which means it helps lower the amount of oil your skin produces without drying it out. By regulating sebum production, Niacinamide improves skin elasticity and helps tighten the appearance of large, visible pores. [Ideal percentage to use: 2-5%]

Green Tea Extract

Green Tea contains a powerful polyphenol called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown in studies to significantly reduce sebum oil secretion by affecting the activity of sebaceous oil glands. It is also rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, which help to soothe irritated, red, and acne-prone skin.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is not a traditional oil-controlling ingredient like niacinamide; it does help normalize the shedding of dead skin cells and reduce clogged pores, which indirectly helps regulate how much oil your skin produces.

Oil-removing skincare actives:

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid is a well-known BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) — an oil-soluble exfoliating acid that helps remove excess oil from the skin’s surface and penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve oil build-up and unclog them. It’s one of the most talked-about skincare essentials, especially for people with oily and acne-prone skin.

LHA

LHA (Lipo Hydroxy Acid) is a derivative of Salicylic Acid and helps in regulating excess oil and deep cleansing the skin. It penetrates the upper layer of skin and removes trapped oil and debris from pores.

Oil-absorbing skincare actives:

Kaolin Clay

Kaolin is a naturally occurring soft clay that is widely used in skincare and has excellent oil-absorbing properties. It gently draws out excess sebum from the skin's surface without stripping it dry, leaving your skin feeling fresh and matte. But overuse can over-strip the skin and hence lead to excess oil production. [Use it only once a week]

Silica

Silica is a mineral-derived ingredient commonly used in skincare and makeup products. Silica has a porous, sponge-like structure that allows it to soak up excess oil from the skin’s surface without clogging pores. This helps keep the skin looking fresh and matte throughout the day.

Perlite

Perlite is a naturally derived volcanic mineral commonly used in skincare and cosmetic products. It has a porous structure, which allows it to soak up excess sebum (oil) from the skin’s surface. This helps reduce greasiness and prevents that shiny look, especially in oily areas like the T-zone. Unlike some oil-absorbing ingredients that can overly dry out the skin, perlite absorbs oil while still allowing the skin to retain some moisture, giving a comfortable, non-drying matte finish.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is one of the most effective natural ingredients for oil control in skincare — especially for oily or acne-prone skin. It has a high absorption capacity, meaning it can soak up excess sebum (oil) from the skin's surface. This helps reduce shine and leaves your skin feeling clean and matte. With regular use (1–2 times a week), bentonite can help regulate oil production by keeping your pores clean and minimizing buildup that triggers more sebum.

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Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

It is a little hard to follow your entire skincare routine in the morning, especially in Summer season when the temperature is too hot and humid to keep up with all the different layers of skincare. I don't usually prefer to layer too much in my skincare routine in summers because it feels to heavy on my skin. I usually skip serums and sometimes moisturizer in my day skincare routine because my skin is too oily and I can't tolerate it well.

Morning Skincare Routine

1. Cleansers

   • Use a gentle foaming or gel-based cleanser with Salicylic Acid (BHA) or LHA to remove oil and clean pores

   • Or use a cleanser that has synergistic skincare ingredients like Niacinamide and Green Tea Extract.

     
     

2. Toner (Optional)

   Look for alcohol-free toners (no denatured alcohol). Go for toners with Green Tea Extract or Niacinamide to balance sebum production and refresh the skin.

   
   

3. Serum (if it feels okay on your skin)

   Go for light-weight, non-irritating, non-comedogenic serums with skincare ingredients that are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and controls oil like Retinol, Azelaic Acid, Vitamin C, and Niacinamide.

4. Moisturizer

   You can opt for an oil-free, light-weight, hydrating gel-moisturizer with ceramides, Vitamin B5 (Penthanol), Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Green Tea.

   
   

5. Sunscreen

   Use light-weight, gel-textured hydrating sunscreen that doesn't leave a white cast and feel non-sticky on skin. It's better to go for mineral sunscreens but they are usually to heavy for oily skin type. If you feel okay with a bit of heaviness then you can go for mineral sunscreens that give matte finish.

   
   
   
   

Night Skincare Routine

1. Double Cleanse

   • Cleanse your skin with either an oil-based cleanser or Micellar water (if you wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen)

   • Follow with your morning cleanser to ensure deep cleansing, or you can use the same cleanser twice

   [Be careful while using Oil-cleanser, there is a chance it can make your skin more oily, if any form of residue stays behind while cleansing]

   
   

2. Exfoliating Serum

   Use 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) exfoliating acid to unclog pores and prevent breakouts. You can even use Mandelic Acid cleanser because it's also oil-soluble. [Salicylic Acid can be used every day, unlike AHAs]

   
   

3. Treatment Serum

   Use serums with skincare actives like Retinoids (but don't use retinol on the same night when you exfoliate because it can be too irritating for skin), Azelaic Acid, and Niacinamide.

   
   

4. Moisturizer

   Use a light, oil-free formula with anti-inflammatory and barrier repair ingredients like Penthanol, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Glycerin.

Weekly Skincare Routine Additions:

You can use Clay Mask once a week, using clays like Kaolin, Bentonite, and Perlite.

To Remember:

Less is more—avoid over-cleansing, which triggers more oil

Always patch test new actives

Be consistent—results usually appear in 4–6 weeks

Keep products non-comedogenic and oil-free

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Best Skincare Products for Oily Skin in India

Discover the best skincare products for oily skin that fit perfectly into your morning and night skincare routine — helping to control excess oil, deeply cleanse pores, and leave your skin looking hydrated, less shiny, and naturally brighter and healthier.

Cleansers

Minimalist Cleanser

2% Salicylic Acid + LHA Cleanser by Minimalist is a great cleanser for oily skin because it has:

• Salicylic Acid [Pore exfoliating acid, that helps to unclog pores and remove excess oil]

• Betaine [skin moisturizer, helps to maintain cell-water balance]

• Oat Extracts [antioxidant]

• Panthenol [skin soothing ingredient]

• Allantoin [skin soothing ingredient]

• Zinc PCA [normalizes sebum production, acts on acne-causing bacteria]

  
  

CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser

SA Smoothing Cleanser by CeraVe is a suitable starter cleanser for oily skin, as it contains approximately 0.5% SA, which won't be too drying for the skin and is generally well-tolerated by most people. Skincare actives included are:

• Niacinamide

• Gluconolactone [PHA, gentle surface exfoliating acid]

• Ceramide

• Salicylic Acid

The Derma Co Face Wash

Skin Renew Peptide Anti-Pollution Face Wash by The Derma Co. is a suitable cleanser to incorporate into your skincare routine for oily skin, particularly in hot, humid, and polluted environments. It includes skincare actives like:

• Glycerin

• Niacinamide

• Peptide (1-0.5%)

• Centella Asiatica

Cleanser for Makeup / Water-Resistant Sunscreens [ For Double Cleansing Step ]

Simple Micellar Gel Wash

Micellar Gel Wash by Simple is a good face wash to include in your night skincare routine when you wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen all day long and you something to wash that off. This micellar gel wash contains:

• Only Contains Secondary surfactant like Cocamidopropyl Betaine which doesn't have that stronger cleaning property but it's milder on skin so you do need a second cleanser after this.

• Panthenol (soothing ingredient)

Bioderma Micellar Water

Micellar Water by Bioderma is another crucial face cleaning product in the night skincare routine for oily skin or for people who wear makeup. It contains skin soothing Cucumber extract to gently clean your skin.

COSRX Micellar Water

Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Wash by COSRX is a good Korean Beauty skincare product to use as your first step in your skincare routine for cleaning makeup. It contains skincare actives like:

• Panthenol

• Sodium Hyaluronate (form of well-known Hyaluronic Acid)

• Allantoin

• Niacinamide

• Zinc PCA

• Madecossoside [component of the famous Centella Asiatica, hence soothing and anti-inflammatory in nature]

  
  

Conscious Chemist Cleansing Oil

Daily Dissolve Ultra Light Makeup Remover Oil Cleanser by Conscious Chemist is a good makeup-removing oil cleanser. Oil cleansers can be surprisingly effective for people with oily skin, as they work by attracting and dissolving excess facial oils and makeup. However, there’s a chance that some residue may remain on the skin if not washed off properly, which can clog pores and potentially lead to breakouts. That’s why it’s important to use them with caution. In such cases, double cleansing becomes a must to ensure your skin is thoroughly clean and residue-free.

It contains skincare actives like:

• Olive Oil (antioxidant, slight comedogenic)

• Almond Oil (almond oil is comedogenic in nature, be careful while using)

• Sunflower Seed Oil (best skin-softening ingredient)

Toners

Plum Niacinamide Toner

3% Niacinamide Toner by Plum it a good hydrating toner to include in skincare routine for oily skin. It gives your benefits of skincare actives like:

• Niacinamide

• Rice Water

• Rose Water

• Oat Extracts

The Derma Co Toner

Skin Renew Peptide Hydrating Toner by The Derma Co X Dr V is also another good option if you want to use toner in your skincare routine. It contains skin hydrating and soothing skincare actives like:

• Glycerin

• Niacinamide

• Aloe Vera Extract

• Coconut Water

• Salicylic Acid (about 0.5%) -If you have salicylic acid in your skincare routine in cleanser and toner already you can avoid using Salicylic Acid Toner every day in your skincare routine.

  
  

Minimalist PHA Toner

3% Polyhydroxy Acid Toner by Minimalist is a gentle exfoliating toner to add to your skincare routine. If you’re looking for a product to brighten your skin and you have sensitive skin,

then this toner can be a gentle yet effective addition to your skincare routine. It helps improve skin texture and radiance without being too harsh. But remember — don’t overuse it, as it still contains exfoliating acids that, when over-applied, can lead to irritation or sensitivity. Use it in moderation for the best results.

This PHA toner includes skincare actives like:

• Gluconolactone (PHA)

• Glycerin

• Niacinamide

• Cucumber Extract

• Allantoin

• Sodium Hyaluronate

• Panthenol

Exfoliating Serums

Minimalist Serum for Oily Skin

2% Salicylic Acid Serum by Minimalist is a good, non-sticky, hydrating exfoliating serum for oily skin. It includes skincare actives like:

• Salicylic Acid

• Glycerin

• Green Tea [EGCG]

  
  

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Serum

2% Salicylic Acid Serum by The Ordinary is a similar soothing exfoliating serum for oily skin to tackle acne problems and remove oil.

Sali-Cinamide Serum

Sali-Cinamide Anti-Acne Serum by The Derma Co is another good skin exfoliating serum for oily skin. It includes skincare actives like:

• Niacinamide

• Salicylic Acid

• Olive Fruit Oil (antioxidant)

• Alpha Arbutin (acts on hyperpigmentation)

• Centella Asiatica

• Willow Bark Extract (close chemical relative to famous Salicylic Acid)

  
  

Treatment Serums

The Derma Co Tran-Zelaic Serum

Tran-Zelaic Serum by The Derma Co is a good serum for oily skin to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and control oil. It includes skincare actives like:

• Azelaic Acid

• Niacinamide

• Tranexamic Acid [works on hyperpigmentation]

• Betaine

• Alpha Arbutin

• Panthenol

• Ferulic Acid [Antioxidant- found in bran of grasses such as wheat, rice, and oats]

Paula's Choice Azelaic Acid

10% Azelaic Acid Booster by Paula's Choice is an ideal hyperpigmentation and acne serum. It includes skincare actives like:

• Azelaic Acid

• Dimethicone

• Salicylic Acid

• Licorice Root Extract

• Allantoin

• Bisabolol [anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing]

Minimalist Niacinamide Serum

5% Niacinamide face serum by Minimalist is a good sebum-regulating and pore-tightening skincare product. It includes skincare actives like:

• Oat Extracts

• Niacinamide

• Sodium Hyaluronate

Deconstruct Niacinamides Serum

Clearing Serum by Deconstruct is a good oil-controlling and anti-pigmentation serum for oily skin. It includes skincare ingredients like:

• Niacinamide

• Alpha Arbutin

• Glycerin

The Derma Co Pore Minimizing Serum

Pore Minimizing Serum by The Derma Co is a wholesome skincare product that tackles multiple issues. It includes skincare actives like:

• Gluconolactone

• Niacinamide

• Glycerin

• Salicylic Acid

• Glycolic Acid (has lower concentration of AHA, be careful while using)

Minimalist Retinol Serum

0.3% Retinol Face Serum by Minimalist is a good serum for oil control, acne, and fine lines. It includes skincare actives like:

• Squalane

• Vitamin E

• Bakuchiol

• Retinol

• Coenzyme Q10

  
  

Moisturizers

Minimalist Vitamin B5 Moisturizer

10% Vitamin B5 Moisturizer by Minimalist is a good hydrating, non-sticky moisturizer for oily skin. It includes skincare actives like:

• Panthenol

• Dimethicone

• Allantoin

• Zinc Gluconate

Plum Niacinamide Moisturizer

Rice Water and 2% Niacinamide Clear Moisture Gel Cream by Plum, is a very light, non-sticky cream and is a ideal fit for oily skin type, and it also contains oil controlling skincare actives like:

• Glycerin

• Niacinamide

• Rice Extract

• Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract [skin soothing moisturizer, give anti-aging benefits and helps in controlling sebum production and tightening pores]

The Derma Co Moisturizer

4% Ceramide Barrier Repair Moisturizer by The Derma Co is a good barrier repair, light-weight moisturizer for oily skin and helps to create a protective layer on skin. It contains skincare actives like:

• Ceramide

• Niacinamide

  
  

Plum Moisturizer

Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer by Plum is an anti-inflammatory, skin soothing moisturizer hydrating skin and helping in acne reduction. It contains skincare actives like:

• Aloe Vera Extract

• Betaine

• Niacinamide

• Willow Bark Extract

• Green Tea

• Sodium Hyaluronate

Face Mask [Used Once a Week]

The Derma Co Face Mask

Face Mask by The Derma Co is a good pore cleansing and oil absorbing face mask for oily skin with presence of skincare actives like:

• Kaolin

• Bentonite

• Aloe Vera Extract

• Glycerin

• Salicylic Acid (small percentage)

The Ordinary Clay Mask

2% Salicylic Acid by The Ordinary is a good face mask for oily skin as it helps to cleanse pores. It includes skincare actives like:

• Glycerin

• Squalane

• Salicylic Acid

All the products recommended in this guide are free of denatured alcohol, fragrance, and essential oils.

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Follow our step-by-step skincare guide for oily skin featuring the best products — from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and face masks — specially chosen to cleanse pores, remove excess oil, and regulate sebum production.

Achieve a hydrated, balanced, and spotless skin barrier with our foolproof skincare routine designed just for oily skin.

#CareStartsWithAwareness