Here It Is! The Only Oily Skin Care Routine You’ll Ever Need

I’m a certified organic skincare formulator and I’m here to help you.

Not sell you another product. Not overwhelm you. Just guide you with the right ingredients that work without messing up your skin.

If you’ve probably tried every scrub, foam, toner, spot treatment, and oil-free gel on the shelf, and your skin is still angry, greasy, or breaking out…

You’re not alone!

In fact, most of what’s sold to oily skin types is either:
– Too harsh and strips your skin
– Full of fillers and fragrance
– Or makes things worse in the long run

The skincare industry knows oily skin is common, especially when you’re young. So they push “solutions” that keep you buying, and keep your skin off balance.

Trust me. I’ve been making skincare (organic and natural) since 2018 and I’ve realised that a lot of brands are a scam.

Anyway, it is important to know that oily skin ISN’T a flaw.

I tell all the people that come to my stall at the market who are worried about their oily skin.

I tell them it is not something they need to punish or dry out.

It just needs to be understood.

So, this guide will hopefully help you take care of oily skin gently, using natural ingredients, simple steps, and real logic. Not hype.

That’s how I’ve been doing it for years and it works.

For starters, let’s fix the routine. You might be shocked how quickly your skin responds when you stop fighting it.

Ready?

How to Stop the Oil Spiral: A Simple Morning Routine That Works

Oily skin often feels fine after washing… then turns shiny again by lunch.

That’s not your fault. It’s your routine.

Let’s fix it.

1. Cleanse

Start with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t foam or sting. If it leaves your skin feeling tight, it’s too harsh.

Go for a natural gel or cream-based option. This step removes overnight oil and sweat without stripping your skin.

Great natural ingredients to look for:

• Aloe vera
• Chamomile extract
• Calendula
• Green tea

(Aloe vera is FANTASTIC for oily skin!)

2. Tone

Not essential, but helpful. A calming toner can prep your skin and reduce oil later in the day.

Choose something alcohol-free with soothing botanicals.

Helpful natural options:

• Rose water
• Witch hazel (alcohol-free only)
• Green tea infusion
• Cucumber water
• Lavender hydrosol

3. Moisturise

Skipping this step tells your skin to make more oil (more on this in my dedicated article here). The right moisturiser hydrates without clogging pores.

Go for lightweight, non-greasy, plant-based formulas.

Best natural ingredients:

• Jojoba oil (mimics skin’s own oil – you’ll love it)
• Aloe vera gel – always a winner in my opinion
• Squalane (plant-derived). I love squalene! Great for mature skin also.
• Hemp seed oil. Also amazing for mature skin.
• Calendula-infused oil

4. SPF

Sun damage makes oily skin worse and slows healing. Choose a mineral sunscreen made with clean ingredients. It should be non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.

Look for:

• Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (my favourites for SPF)
• Natural oils like jojoba or sunflower in small amounts
• Aloe vera-based SPF formulas
• Tinted mineral SPFs for added comfort and mattifying although I’m not keen on anything that’s not 100% natural, so check these thoroughly!

What to expect…

• Skin that feels soft, not stripped
• Less shine by midday
• Fewer breakouts as your skin learns it’s safe to calm down

What to Do at Night When You Have Oily Skin

Your skin does most of its repair work while you sleep.

That’s why your night routine is the perfect time to support it, without clogging it up or drying it out.

1. Cleanse

Start by removing the day: oil, sunscreen, pollution, makeup.

If your skin feels congested or rough, this step really matters. Use a gentle cleanser that won’t disrupt your skin barrier.

Natural ingredients to look for:

• Aloe vera
• Oat extract
• Clay-based cleansers (mild ones like kaolin)
• Cold-pressed oils for oil cleansing (like jojoba or hemp, as mentioned above)

2. Exfoliate (1–2 times a week only!)

This is optional but helpful if you have clogged pores or rough texture. Be gentle.

Overdoing this step makes oily skin WORSE.

Gentle natural exfoliants include:

• White clay or French green clay masks
• Fruit enzymes (like papaya or pineapple)
• Powdered oats
• Willow bark extract (a natural source of salicylic acid)

3. Moisturise or repair

Your skin needs support overnight. A moisturising oil or a calming serum can help balance oil and reduce breakouts.

Best ingredients for night repair:

• Jojoba oil or hemp seed oil
• Squalane
• Evening primrose oil (soothes inflammation)
• Rosehip oil (helps with marks and texture)
• Aloe-based gel serums – check that they don’t have strong preservatives like phenoxyethanol

What to expect

• Clearer, calmer skin in the morning
• Breakouts that fade more quickly
• Less of that oily buildup when you wake up

You’re giving your skin what it needs to do its job. No more stripping. No more harsh fixes. Just balance.

Tips for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin That Actually Help

Here’s what really makes a difference when your skin is oily, acne-prone, or both.

>> Stop overwashing

Washing your face too often or too harshly confuses your skin. It responds by making more oil.

Twice a day is enough. Use a gentle cleanser and avoid foaming or gritty formulas.

>> Moisturise daily

Even oily skin needs hydration. Skipping moisturiser will backfire.

Choose a non-comedogenic moisturiser with natural ingredients that support balance, not dryness.

Helpful ingredients (again, as a reminder):

• Aloe vera
• Jojoba oil
• Green tea
• Squalane

>> Use oil-based products the right way

Some oils clog pores. Others calm skin and reduce breakouts.

Don’t fear oil—just use the right ones.

Best for oily, acne-prone skin:

• Jojoba oil
• Hemp seed oil
• Squalane
• Tamanu oil (spot treatment only)

Don’t overload your routine

More products don’t mean better skin.

Stick to a few well-chosen steps.

Let your skin breathe and reset.

Avoid these common triggers

• Alcohol-based toners
• Heavy makeup not made for oily skin
• Products with synthetic fragrance
• Scrubs that scratch or irritate
• Overdoing treatments like masks or acids

Support skin from the inside

This matters more than most people realise. Poor sleep, stress, junk food, and not drinking enough water all show up on your face.

Get your basics right first.

Simple Homemade Skincare That Works for Oily Skin

You don’t need a cupboard full of products.

Sometimes, the best skin care is the one you mix in your own kitchen.

These homemade options are gentle, effective, and made with ingredients that oily skin actually likes.

1. Soothing clay mask

Draws out excess oil and calms breakouts.

What to use:

• 1 tsp white clay or French green clay
• 1 tsp rose water or cooled green tea
• Optional: 1 drop tea tree oil (if tolerated)

Mix into a paste and apply for 5 to 10 minutes. Use once a week.

2. Balancing face mist

Refreshes skin without overloading it.

What to use:

• Cooled green tea
• A splash of witch hazel (alcohol-free)
• A few drops of aloe vera juice

Store in a clean spray bottle and keep in the fridge. Mist your face throughout the day.

3. Jojoba and tea tree spot blend

A simple way to calm breakouts without drying them out.

What to use:

• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 1 drop tea tree oil

Apply a tiny amount to blemishes only. Always patch test first.

4. Oat cleansing powder

Cleanses gently while softening the skin.

What to use:

• 1 tablespoon finely ground oats
• A pinch of clay or dried chamomile
• A few drops of water to make a paste

Massage onto damp skin, then rinse off. Use 2 to 3 times a week.

These DIY recipes are just the beginning.

Simple, natural ingredients can do a lot, without harming your skin barrier or confusing your oil production.

Still Oily? Still Breaking Out? Here’s What Might Be Going On

If you’ve tried every product, followed all the routines, and your skin is still oily, still breaking out, still full of clogged pores, you’re not doing anything wrong.

There’s more to it than surface-level fixes.

It might be your skin barrier

If your skin has been stripped too often, it loses its ability to hold onto moisture and protect itself.

This results in constant oiliness, redness, and breakouts.

What helps:

• Take a break from active ingredients like acids or retinoids
• Use calming oils like jojoba or squalane
• Focus on moisturising and protecting, not treating

Your pores aren’t the problem

Large pores aren’t dirty or broken. They just show more easily on oily skin.
Scrubbing or squeezing won’t shrink them. But calming the oil can make them look smaller.

Try this instead:

• Gentle clay masks once a week
• Green tea or niacinamide-based products
• Natural toners like witch hazel or cucumber water

Very oily skin could mean your routine is too harsh…

If you’re still cleansing with foaming gels, using alcohol-based toners, or avoiding moisturise, you’re keeping your skin in PANIC mode.

Start small:

• Use fewer products
• Focus on hydration
• Give your skin two weeks to adjust

Hormones and stress matter

No skincare product can fix hormonal breakouts or chronic stress. These show up in the skin, but they start deeper.

What might help:

• Reduce sugar and processed foods
• Prioritise sleep
• Add calming routines like walks or herbal teas

Sometimes, oily skin hangs on because it hasn’t felt safe enough to let go.

Gentle, steady care (especially natural care) can shift that.

Real Skincare Advice for Men and Teens with Oily Skin

Mainstream skincare advice often assumes everyone has the same needs.

That’s not true. And oily skin doesn’t play by one set of rules.

Let’s keep this simple, clear (and hopefully useful!).

1. For men with oily skin

Shaving, thicker skin, and sweat mean your face needs more care than most realise, but without the fuss.

What helps:

• Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser
• Moisturise after shaving, even if your skin feels oily
• For beard breakouts, try jojoba oil or aloe with a drop of tea tree oil
• Skip strong aftershaves or cologne-based products—they just irritate your skin

2. For teens

Hormones make oily skin worse, and so does panic-buying five new acne products at once.

You don’t need to scrub your skin into submission.

What works better:

• Wash your face twice a day, no more
• Use a basic clay mask once a week
• Keep your hair and hands off your face as much as possible
• Use one moisturiser and stick with it for a few weeks before switching

Don’t chase “perfect” skin. Aim for calm, steady progress.

The Right Routine Order for Oily Skin

You don’t need ten products.

You just need the right steps, in the right order, with ingredients that respect your skin.

Here’s your basic routine—morning and night—done properly.

1. Morning routine

Cleanse
Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser to remove oil and sweat without stripping.

Tone (optional)
If you like it, use a soothing alcohol-free toner with something like rose water or green tea.

Moisturise
Use a lightweight moisturiser with aloe, jojoba, or squalane. Your skin will feel calmer and less oily over time.

SPF
Choose a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide. It protects without clogging.

2. Night routine

Cleanse
Use the same gentle cleanser—or try oil cleansing if your skin is very sensitive or feels stripped.

Exfoliate (1–2 times a week only)
Use clay masks, fruit enzymes, or gentle powders. Skip the scrubs.

Moisturise or treat
Use a calming facial oil or gel-based serum. Keep it simple.
Look for jojoba, rosehip, evening primrose, or aloe.

You don’t need to do anything fancy.

Just follow this structure consistently.

The fewer products, the better your skin can regulate itself.

How to Choose Natural Products for Oily Skin

Most products marketed for oily skin make things worse.

They’re full of alcohol, fragrance, or ingredients that strip your skin barrier.

Here’s how to choose natural products that actually help.

Look for these ingredients

These are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and help calm oily, acne-prone skin.

Oils and hydrators that work:

• Jojoba oil (balances oil naturally)
• Squalane (plant-based, absorbs fast)
• Aloe vera (hydrating and calming)
• Hemp seed oil (rich in omega-3, great for breakouts)
• Green tea extract (anti-inflammatory, helps with redness)

Cleansers and toners should include:

• Chamomile or calendula
• Oat or clay base
• Rose water or cucumber water
• Witch hazel (only alcohol-free)

Avoid these if you have oily or acne-prone skin

These ingredients either clog pores, dry out your skin, or irritate it over time.

Avoid:

• Synthetic fragrance
• Alcohol (denatured, SD, or isopropyl)
• Petroleum-based ingredients
• Sulphates or foaming agents
• “Matte” finish products with drying agents

Not sure if something’s natural?

Keep it simple.

If it has a long list of complicated names, it’s probably not what your skin needs right now.

Start with just one product swap at a time.

Let your skin adjust. See what it likes.

What to Expect When You Switch to a Natural Routine

You’ve been told your skin needs fixing.

But oily skin doesn’t need to be fixed. It needs to be UNDERSTOOD.

If you’re switching to a natural routine, especially after years of harsh products, your skin might feel different at first.

That’s normal.

In the first week

• Your skin might feel calmer or slightly confused
• You may still get some oil or spots—that’s okay
• Don’t add more products. Stick with the plan.

After two to three weeks

• Less oil by midday
• Fewer breakouts
• Skin feels softer and more stable

After one to two months

• Pores look calmer
• Redness fades
• Your skin looks healthier, even without products

This isn’t a miracle fix. It’s a reset.

You’re teaching your skin to trust you again.

And when you stop fighting oily skin and start caring for it gently, that’s when everything begins to change.

That’s it!

Thanks for being here.

If you’ve read this far, I know you care about your skin, and you’re probably tired of the trial and error, the breakouts, and the products that never deliver.

You don’t need to fight your skin anymore.

You just need to care for it in a way that actually makes sense.

If you’re ready to simplify, slow down, and try something that works with your skin (not against it) this routine is your starting point.

Take what you need. Come back to it whenever you want.

Your skin’s not broken.

And you’re not doing it wrong.

Patri xx