Do you have oily skin, but no idea which products to use to take care of it? It’s no surprise. There are thousands of products out there to choose from, with many promising to reduce oil, control shine and clear up blemishes. But how do you know which ones to trust? That’s where we can help.
Here at Face Dr, our team of experts have been working in the world of skincare for decades. We’ve helped thousands of clients find the perfect skincare products for them, including people with oily skin. Here, we’ll share our top six product recommendations.
Our top products for oily skin:
#3 ZO Complexion Clearing Masque
#5 Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
#6 Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Wondering why we love ZO Skin Health so much? As skin experts we know just how important medical-grade skincare is. With the right percentages of active ingredients, you can see visible results in no time, all while taking the very best care of your skin. This is even more important when you have oily skin, as using drying products can actually make the problem worse. That’s why we recommend medical-grade brands, like ZO, to our clients. We’ve also included a couple of high street brands in here that we think work well, too.
What is oily skin?
Oily skin is exactly what it sounds like: skin that produces more oil than usual. While this is totally natural and harmless, many of us simply don’t like the shiny look it leaves us with. Luckily, there are plenty of products out there that can help to control this shine and reduce the amount of excess oil our skin produces to begin with.
Not sure if you have oily skin? Here are the main symptoms:
- A shiny complexion
- Greasy or oily feeling skin
- Blackheads
- Acne
- Visible pores
What causes oily skin?
Oily skin can be caused by a variety of things, from ageing to hormones to genetics. While these causes are out of your control, other causes—like diet, stress and using the wrong skincare products—can be controlled. Firstly, make sure you’re using the right skincare products. Speaking to a skincare professional is the quickest and easiest way to make sure you’re doing this.
The cause of your oily skin may change the types of products that are best for you. For example, if you’re experiencing excess oiliness because you’re exfoliating your skin too much, the best thing to do is to switch to gentler products which can exfoliate your skin without the reaction.
If, on the other hand, excess dead skin cells are causing a build-up of oil and breakouts, you’ll actually need to introduce an exfoliating product to help break these cells down and remove them.
Not sure how to approach your oily skin? Our skin experts can analyse your skin—from the comfort of your home!—with a free online skincare consultation.
What are the best products for oily skin?
These products are the best place to start when it comes to taking care of oily skin. Here’s more information on why they have made the cut.
#1 ZO Oil Control Pads
Good for: Controlling oiliness
If you’re noticing excess oiliness on your skin, your first reaction may be to scrub it away with harsh exfoliating products. But sometimes, controlling that oil can be as simple as swiping it away—it’s much gentler on the skin, too.
Try these Oil Control Pads from ZO Skin Health. The pre-soaked pads can simply be swiped across the skin and they help to combat oiliness and reduce visible pores. Start using the product slowly, just once a day, and build up to using it more often. Ingredients like salicylic acid and natural fruit extracts help to control the amount of oil the skin makes, leaving behind a clear complexion.
Price: ZO Skin Health’s UK distributor doesn't allow official stockists to share prices online. To find out more, simply create an account with Face Dr, sign up to our newsletter or get in touch at hello@myfacedr.com.
#2 ZO Exfoliating Cleanser
Good for: Everyday cleansing
A good cleanser is arguably the most important ingredient in your skincare routine, but finding the right one can be tricky. For oily skin, opt for a cleansing product with added exfoliation as this can help to breakdown the dirt and dead skin cells which often lead to breakouts, and it helps to remove excess surface oil too.
This Exfoliating Cleanser does just that, all without being overly drying or stripping the skin of its natural oils. In fact, even though it can remove dirt and oil, the cleanser still calms irritation and adds hydration.
Face Dr top tip: While most people with oily skin have less sensitivity, if you find this cleanser too harsh for everyday use, the brand also has a Gentle Cleanser that’s designed for all skin types.
Price: Create an account with Face Dr, sign up to our newsletter or get in touch at hello@myfacedr.com to find out more.
#3 ZO Complexion Clearing Masque
Good for: Clearing blackheads and blemishes
Face masks are a great way to add a weekly targeted treatment to your skincare routine and this Complexion Clearing Masque is the ideal option for oily skin types. Ingredients like clay help to absorb excess oil to reduce a shiny appearance and glycerin keeps the skin hydrated.
If your skin is prone to acne, this mask can also help to clear current breakouts and reduce them coming back in the future, too.
Price: Create an account with Face Dr, sign up to our newsletter or get in touch at hello@myfacedr.com to find out more.
#4 ZO Daily Power Defense
Good for: An all-in-one serum for oily skin
For a go-to product that’s safe for oily skin and can help with plenty of other concerns, too, try this Daily Power Defense serum.
The serum helps to take care of your skin’s health overall, but it can also target lines and wrinkles, boost hydration and help protect the skin from harmful free radicals. It also helps to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. Plus, it’s a lightweight formula, so it doesn’t feel heavy on oily skin, and a firm favourite amongst our clients!
Price: Create an account with Face Dr, sign up to our newsletter or get in touch at hello@myfacedr.com to find out more.
#5 Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Good for: Exfoliating away oil and dead skin cells
Salicylic acid is a go-to ingredient when it comes to oily skin. The acid can help to reduce oil production as well as unblock pores and reduce blemishes. This salicylic acid exfoliant from Paula’s Choice is a great leave-on option for those looking for fuss-free oil control.
The product helps to reduce breakouts and redness, exfoliate away dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, clearer complexion. Start by using the product just every other day and build up your skin’s tolerance of it.
Price: £28
#6 Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Good for: SPF protection without the added shine
Everyone needs to use sunscreen, even those with oily skin. But if you already feel like your complexion has a shiny appearance, it can be tempting to skip this step. Instead, keep your skin sun safe with a SPF product designed with oily skin in mind.
This Murad moisturiser is oil-free and lightweight, so it sits comfortably on the skin. But, best of all, it protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays while controlling shine and reducing the look of pores.
Price: £35
Which one is best for you?
Now you know our top products for oily skin, you may be wondering which one you should try. To make the best decision, why not let an expert decide? At Face Dr, we offer free online skincare consultations with a member of our team. With a 30-minute video call, they’ll be able to analyse your skin, ask about your exact concerns and then recommend the very best products to help.
With these tailored recommendations, they can also help you build the perfect skincare routine or advise you on exactly how and when you should be using each product. When it comes to our recommendations, we only ever share brands and products that we’ve seen first-hand results from, so you can trust you’re getting the best advice.
Plus, if you’ve got other skin concerns—like acne, hyperpigmentation or ageing—as well as oily skin, our experts can share the products that can help tackle it all.
