Got oily skin? Experiencing it on your face can be a defeating experience—constantly and chronically managing excessive oiliness can feel like a full-time job. But utilizing the best skincare products for oily skin can take the guesswork out of a daily skincare routine, helping to curb oil production, balance the skin, and soothe facial woes. From the best cleansers to balancing moisturizers—and everything in between—here are all the best skincare products for oily skin.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Oily skin has many causes, including genetics, diet, and hormones. Before we dive into the best products for oily skin, let’s first understand what might be triggering your excessively oily skin.
- Genetics
Like many of the traits you have, your skin type is maybe due to genetics. If one or both of your parents have oily skin, it’s likely you might also have this skin type. If this is the case, you probably have had oily skin all your life and there’s not much you can do to reverse it. But you can start using some of the best products for oily skin in the hopes of managing excessive oiliness.
- Environmental Factors
Weather (especially high humidity and extreme heat), pollution, and excessive sun exposure can all trigger oily skin. While we can’t do anything to change these conditions, we can ensure we’re protecting our skin with our skincare products, like those included in a routine for humid environments, for example. The best products for oily skin can help not only manage excessive oil production, but also help absorb oil when it's produced.
- Improper Skincare Routines
Face oil out of control? It might feel tempting to apply harsh astringent products that strip oil from the skin, thinking it will eradicate the sebum production. But it can do quite the opposite. When the skin is stripped of its necessary oils, it can produce even more oil to compensate, leading to an even greater production of oil. The trick to controlling oily skin naturally is using products that balance the skin, leaving it properly cleansed, hydrated, and protected.
Oily Skin Best Practices
The best products for oily skin are key, but there are also a few tricks while using them that ensure you’re getting their full benefit.
Do Cleanse – Mindfully – Twice A Day
Morning and night are the perfect times to cleanse oily skin. Use a gentle, foaming cleanser, as too harsh of a formula can irritate the skin and trigger an increase in oil production. This gentle mantra also applies to how you cleanse. Resist the temptation to harshly scrub the skin, which only irritates, and instead aim for a light, soft pressure while touching the face.
Do Moisturize After Cleansing
It might feel okay to skip a moisturizer altogether because oily skin already has enough moisture, right? Wrong, skip the temptation. Oily skin needs hydration just as much as any other skin type, albeit a version that only has a lightweight texture so it doesn’t weigh the skin down or clog pores. (We have a few of our favorite picks below.)
Do Use Blotting Papers
While they’re incredibly popular in Japan, blotting papers are still a little under the radar in other parts of the world. The AAD is even a fan, noting that they’re a brilliant way to absorb excess oil, without absorbing skin’s natural hydration (or disturbing makeup).
Don’t Skip Sunscreen
No matter the weather, season, or day’s activities (even just short excursions outside for a quick tea), don’t skip your daily sunscreen designed for oily skin. Everyday usage of sunscreen can help shield from the damaging effects of longterm sun damage, which can lead to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. For starters, the AAD suggests looking for sunscreens that have broad spectrum protection (meaning they shield from both UVA and UVB rays) and have at least an SPF of 30 or higher. Additionally, seek out formulas that both don’t trigger a breakout and are enjoyable to wear (Tatcha has two beloved sunscreens, detailed below, that are both ideal for oily skin.)
Best Products for Oily Skin
Now that you’re familiar with the causes of oily skin and the best practices, let’s get to the fun part: the best skincare products for oily skin. From cleansers to masks to sunscreens, here’s everything you need to know about managing oily skin.
Best Cleanser for Oily Skin
The Matcha Cleanse. Those with oily and combination skin often believe they need to over-wash their faces to rid themselves of excessive oil and prevent breakouts—but this skin-stripping step can actually do the opposite, causing skin to produce even more oil and potentially breakouts. Instead, choose a cleanser designed with oily skin in mind. This is where The Matcha Cleanse steps in to save the day. The daily clarifying gel cleanser purifies and decongests pores without stripping skin, while also rebalancing skin’s natural oil production. The refreshing foam texture smooths the skin while also addressing oil for better makeup wear. The formula includes premium matcha (sourced directly from Uji Tahara in Kyoto), powerhouse coix seed (used in herbal medicines for centuries to detox pores), and Japanese mugwort (to support barrier function).
Best Liquid Exfoliating Treatment for Oily Skin
The Texture Tonic. This AHA-powered liquid exfoliating formula was designed to be used daily, helps reduce excess oil and sebum, and can help improve skin’s moisture levels. The formula has niacinamide and Japanese mugwort to visibly even skin tone, while also calming visible redness and irritation. But the formula doesn’t just work wonders on the skin, it also has emotional benefits, too. The liquid exfoliant is scented with a functional fragrance blend of sweet fennel and rosemary – two botanicals known to increase focus and mental clarity.
Best Face Mask for Oily Skin
The Clarifying Clay Mask. The pore-targeting mask pairs Japanese konjac (for gentle exfoliation) with Okinawa Kucha clay and volcanic ash to minimize excess oil and sebum for smoother and clearer skin in mere minutes. In clinical studies, 100 percent of users noticed a reduction in sebum and noted that skin felt less oily after just a single week of usage.*
*Based on a clinical study & bio-instrumentation study conducted on 40 panelists after 3 applications over 1 week.
Best Exfoliator for Oily Skin
The Rice Polish: Deep. The Rice Polish exfoliator is a one-of-a-kind experience. The water-activated exfoliating scrub has a handful of multitasking Japanese ingredients that transform into a creamy, cloud-like foam with just a few drops of water. Finely ground rice bran and papaya enzymes promote natural skin turnover, while the amino acid-base of the formula provides effective cleansing without stripping the skin of essential moisture or breaking the skin’s barrier function. Plus, the Deep iteration has the potent powers of wild rose to help tighten the look of pores and clarify skin, making it a great fit for exfoliating and purifying oily skin.
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin
The Water Cream. Choosing the right moisturizer for oily skin is one of the most difficult tasks for those with oily skin. Too occlusive and it drowns skin in hydration, too light and it might cause skin to produce excess sebum. But this lightweight, clarifying, water-based moisturizer was specifically designed for oily skin. The gel cream releases a burst of hydrating nutrients and pore-refining botanicals for healthy-looking, balanced skin. The unique formula delivers hydration, without leaving skin sticky or greasy. And the cream employs a few powerful botanicals, including wild rose (to minimize the look of pores) and leopard lily (to calm).
Best SPF for Oily Skin
For a more matte appearance, grab the Silken Pore-Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35. The non-comedogenic and non-irritating sunscreen features skin-loving ingredients that not only protect the skin, but also help improve the appearance of pores, smooth skin texture, and calm visible irritation—making it one of the best sunscreens for oily and acne-prone skin. The Silken Pore Perfecting SPF also features our beloved silk extract for a silky feel, allowing the sunscreen to apply flawlessly.
If you prefer a silky, lightweight sunscreen with 50+ mineral coverage, consider The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50. This formula provides physical sun protection with 10 percent zinc oxide for a mineral, reef-safe filter. Not only does the Silk Sunscreen feel impossibly light (ideal for oily skin), but the formula also soothes skin—ideal for all skin, but especially those with sensitivity (making it one of the best skincare products for oily sensitive skin).
Best Primer for Oily Skin
The Liquid Silk Canvas. While a makeup primer can often be overlooked, the right kind of primer can be endlessly beneficial for every skin type. The right primer for oily skin, in particular, can instantly diminish the look of pores, fine lines, and texture so makeup applies better and lasts longer, while also shielding skin from makeup and pollutants that clog pores, leading to acne and breakouts.
Best Setting Powder for Oily Skin
The Silk Powder. This talc-free, protective setting powder isn’t just helping makeup last longer. The multipurpose powder also blurs pores, cocoons skin against pollution, and provides a translucent, soft-radiant finish. Plus, the powder has been clinically shown to help makeup last eight hours**, while also helping to instantly improve the appearance of pores, fine lines, and texture***.
**Based on a clinical study of 26 women using a long-wear foundation and the Silk Powder for a duration of 8 hours.
***Based on a clinical study of 41 subjects, using The Silk Powder on bare skin.
Best Oil-Absorbing Tool
Aburatorigami Blotting Papers. Japan has been singing the praises of abaca leaf papers for centuries. In Kyoto centuries ago, gold artisans used the soft, strong, and absorbent paper to protect their gold leaf. Geishas discovered the papers were brilliant at wicking away traces of oil without stripping moisture from the skin or disturbing their intricate makeup. The wonderfully absorbent and strong paper is just as effective at absorbing excess oil today, without irritating skin or disturbing makeup.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
One product can be wonderfully helpful, but true change comes from the collective whole of a skincare routine specifically designed for oily skin. Here are a few small tips that can make a big impact for oily skin.
For an AM oily skincare routine, choose products that will control oil and provide mattifying coverage, allowing you to conquer the day without an excessive amount of oil. An ideal morning oily skincare routine includes cleansers that balance the skin, moisturizers that provide lightweight (but sufficient) hydration, and sunscreens that both protect from UVA and UVB rays and also feel light as air.
For a PM oily skincare routine, choose products that will unclog pores and exfoliate. This is also the perfect time to utilize serums and moisturizers that will heal and repair the skin. The best evening oily skincare routine includes a cleanser that removes makeup and sunscreen (but doesn’t strip the skin), an exfoliant that helps balance the skin and address the appearance of pores and breakouts, and a moisturizer that feels nourishing. (Anything else that’s added to this routine is just a cherry on top of the ‘best skincare products for oily skin’ sundae.)
Best Ritual Set for Oily Skin
Starter Ritual for Oily Skin. Take the guesswork out of planning a ritual with this perfected set of products ideal for combo to oily skin. This two-week introductory set helps visibly tighten and minimize pores for smooth, balanced skin. To start, the collection includes the perfect pairing for the Kyoto Double Cleanse—The Camellia Cleansing Oil and The Rice Polish: Deep—so you can gently remove makeup and debris while also polishing skin to a healthy glow. Then, follow up with our famed Essence, made entirely from our proprietary Hadasei-3 complex, which is proven to resurface, soften, and plump skin instantly. For moisture, flood skin with our award-winning Water Cream, a weightless gel cream that was formulated for combo to oily skin—providing the perfect blend of balanced hydration to the skin. Finish off skin with The Silk Peony, an eye cream that locks in moisture around the delicate eye area for radiant, hydrated skin.
Oily Skin Products for Acne
Oily skin doesn’t always equate to acne-prone skin, but for those that are prone to blemishes, there are a handful of products that can help keep pores clear. Grab the Matcha Cleanse, which targets excess oil production, helping to clear pores over time. Consider incorporating The Texture Tonic into your daily skincare routine as well, thanks to its notable benefits in reducing excess oil and sebum. Finish with the award-winning Water Cream, which won’t clog your pores, feel sticky, or weigh the skin down.
Oily Skin Products for Large Pores
Enlarged pores are famously finicky, requiring a regimen of skincare products that work together to minimize their appearance. Start and end the day with The Matcha Cleanse to help purify and decongest pores, which accomplishes this impressive task without harsh scrubs or ingredients. Incorporate The Rice Polish: Deep into your routine, too (but assess how often is ideal for your skin). This deeply clarifying exfoliant is clinically proven to visibly tighten pores, as well as improve skin texture and smoothness.** Finish with the beloved Water Cream for a lightweight, nourishing, and hydrating experience.
**Based on an expert grading clinical study on 40 panelists.
Oily Skin Products for Sensitive Skin
Oily and sensitive are a tricky pair. Standard oily skin responds well to frequent exfoliation, while sensitive skin loves to be pampered—the two don’t always see eye to eye. But, all hope is not lost. The trick to finding the best skincare products for oily sensitive skin is to cleanse effectively and then moisturize with calming ingredients. Try the Matcha Cleanse, which purifies and decongests pores—but also calms and soothes. Then add the Rice Polish: Calming exfoliant into your routine (experiment to uncover the frequency that’s right for your skin). This will properly exfoliate, ideal for oily skin, but do so in a gentle and calming manner, ideal for sensitive skin. Then follow up with The Indigo Calming Cream, a game-changing therapeutic cream that relieves redness, itchiness, and visible irritation.
Wanna learn more about oily skin? We have everything you need to know, from the best skincare routine for oily skin to the basics of learning to love your oily skin. Or, if you’d like help customizing your daily ritual for your specific skin type, consult our Ritual Finder.
