Oily skin — how to balance it, not battle it

Oily skin produces more sebum than average, which can mean a shiny T-zone by midday, enlarged-looking pores and more frequent breakouts. The good news: well-cared-for oily skin tends to age more slowly than dry skin. The trick is to balance sebum, not to strip it.

Signs of oily skin

• Shine returns within a couple of hours of cleansing.
• Visible pores across the nose, forehead and chin.
• Frequent congestion, blackheads or breakouts.
• Makeup slides or breaks down through the day.

How to care for oily skin without stripping it

• Stop using harsh foaming cleansers — they trigger more oil, not less.
• Use a low-pH gel cleanser morning and night.
• Hydrate. Dehydrated oily skin produces even more oil to compensate.
• BHA (salicylic acid) 2–3 nights a week to keep pores clear.
• Niacinamide daily to regulate sebum and calm redness.
• Lightweight, oil-free moisturisers — gel-creams suit oily skin best.
• Daily SPF, ideally a fluid or gel sunscreen so it doesn't feel heavy.

A balancing routine for oily skin

Morning

1. Low-pH gel cleanser.
2. Hydrating toner.
3. Niacinamide serum.
4. Oil-free gel moisturiser.
5. Lightweight SPF 50.

Evening

1. Oil cleanser → water cleanser (yes, oil cleansers are great for oily skin).
2. BHA 2–3 nights a week, hydrating essence on alternate nights.
3. Lightweight hydrating serum.
4. Gel moisturiser, or a clay mask 1× a week.