Here’s The Oily Skin Routine You’ve Been Looking For

As anyone with oily skin knows, it’s a perpetual effort to control shine — and worse, the zits that come with pores clogging far too easily, thanks in part to excess sebum production (seriously, ease up). Living in a tropical climate only makes things worse; a couple of hours outside and our faces can end up looking like a frying pan despite our best efforts.

The natural tendency is to go full battle mode on greasy skin: reach for the most stripping cleansers possible, then slather on salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide like there’s no tomorrow. But as someone who’s been through the acne wringer, one thing I’ve learnt is that this hellbent approach can actually backfire.

Go too harsh, and skin can end up feeling even oilier and more sensitised from all the stripping and over-exfoliation — because, unfortunately for us, those natural oils do play an important role in protecting the skin barrier.

So here, we’ve put together a routine for oily skin that focuses on balance, rather than punishment (get rid of that old-fashioned thinking). Expect the fundamentals (that’s cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen) alongside a few extra goodies for keeping shine, congestion and breakouts at bay without wrecking your barrier in the process.

Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant, $35.90 for 200ml

Gel cleansers are generally the go-to for those with oily skin, thanks to their lighter feel. While this one from French giant Bioderma is not explicitly targeted at people with oily skin (it’s from their sensitive skincare range), this gel is our pick as it cleanses effectively, leaves no residue, and leaves the face with a refreshed but not tight sensation — tightness is generally a sign your skin is stripped, and we don’t do that here.

Purito Seoul Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream, $41.90 for 100ml

This moisturiser by Korean label Purito focuses on panthenol, an excellent ingredient that’s both hydrating and soothing - 10 per cent to be exact, which is a really significant amount. Yeap, even oily skin needs hydration, and this gel moisturiser absolutely loads up on it without being heavy or greasy, making it a good option for those with oily and sensitive/dehydrated skin too.

The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion, from $24 for 60ml

Need a day moisturiser that absorbs effortlessly into the skin and works well under makeup (read: it won’t pill)? The Ordinary’s newest product is a good place to start. It looks like a serum but The Ordinary’s Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion is emblematic of the future of moisturisers : lighter, milkier, and engineered to support the skin barrier without the heaviness oily skin has traditionally avoided.

Instead of the thick, suffocating creams many of us associate with ‘moisture’, this ultra-light formula uses ingredients like rice lipids to help lock hydration into the skin, alongside powerful humectants like ectoin, glycerin and amino acids that help pull water into the skin and keep it comfortable throughout the day — all while maintaining a breathable, non-greasy finish that feels far more suited to humid weather.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++, $26 for 50ml

We all know the importance of protecting your skin against the sun, but we also know a lot of people still refuse to use a sunscreen because of its greasy feel. While that may have been true in the past, a lot of the newer gen sunscreens are far more elegant these days — this one from Korean label Haruharu Wonder has been a repurchase for its velvety, comforting finish.

Numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum, $36 for 30ml

For oily skin, the issue often isn’t just active breakouts — it’s the aftermath (read: acne marks) they leave that haunt your complexion for months. Numbuzin’s No.5 serum has become a K-beauty favourite for precisely that reason, featuring a stacked ingredient list full of heavy-hitters like niacinamide, tranexamic acid and vitamin C, making for one lightweight, glow-leaning formula.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Gel, $55 for 100ml

You knew this one was coming. Paula’s Choice grew to fame based on their BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliants in the 2000s, way before acid exfoliants were a thing. Salicylic acid, or beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is a greasy-faced person’s best friend for how it unclogs pores and helps to curb excessive oil production and smooth out rough and bumpy skin. It’s a classic for good reason.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, $41.90 for 30ml

Aside from sunscreen, retinol is still widely considered the gold standard for anti-ageing thanks to how it helps stimulate collagen production and speed up skin renewal. But for oily skin folks specifically, it pulls double duty: helping to keep pores clearer, smooth out rough texture, and gradually fade the acne marks that seem to linger forever after a breakout.

This CeraVe staple has become a gateway retinol of sorts for people new to the ingredient. Instead of the aggressive, peeling formulas retinol used to be known for, this lightweight serum uses encapsulated retinol, which releases more gradually into the skin to help cut down on irritation.

It’s also packed with niacinamide and ceramides that help keep the skin barrier calm and supported while the retinol does its thing. Used alongside pigmentation-focused products like the Numbuzin serum above, it can help even out overall skin tone over time — just maybe don’t pair it with acid exfoliants on the same night unless your idea of fun is an irritated face.