How to Build a Morning and Night Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

1. Cleanse your face

Start your morning skincare routine by cleansing your face with a gentle face wash to clear away excess oil and impurities that may have built up while you slept.

Even if your skin feels clean from the night before, it’s been hard at work overnight — shedding dead skin cells and producing oil. That’s why using a mild exfoliating cleanser, especially one with salicylic acid, is a great way to refresh your skin and keep breakouts at bay.

2. Tone

Toners are super helpful when it comes to oily skin. They clear away any remaining impurities, minimize the appearance of pores, rebalance your skin’s pH after cleansing, and calm the skin. Plus, they prime your face to absorb the rest of your skincare products more effectively. Once your face is free of makeup, dirt, and oil, go in with an exfoliating toner that contains ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid.

Also See: 5 Must-Have Skincare Products for Oily and Dark Skin That Radiate Glow

3. Apply a serum

Serums are made to tackle specific skin issues, so it's important to choose one based on your skin’s needs. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a salicylic acid serum is a great choice. For anyone wanting to even out their skin tone, niacinamide is perfect it helps fade dark spots, improves clarity, and brightens the skin over time.

4. Use an oil-free moisturizer

Even oily skin needs moisture skipping it can actually make your skin produce even more oil. The key is choosing a lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizer that won’t clog pores. Look for one that absorbs quickly, dries matte, and feels light on the skin. A great option is the CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream, which hydrates while controlling shine. It's non-greasy, fragrance-free, and works well under makeup. Another great pick is the Hydrating Light Moisturiser from Simple Skincare. It offers all-day hydration with soothing ingredients like glycerin, borage seed oil, and pro-vitamin B5 giving your skin a healthy glow without the greasy feel.

Step 5: Apply eye cream

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face, which means it can get dry even if you have oily skin overall. To care for this delicate area, apply a light eye cream or serum before finishing your routine. A good option is the Simple Protect N Glow Vitamin C Brightening Under Eye Gel it helps reduce puffiness, hydrates instantly, and fades dark circles over time.

6. Finish with sunscreen

The last and most important step in your morning routine no matter the weather is sunscreen. Yes, even on cloudy days! If you wear makeup, choose a sunscreen that sits well under your base without causing it to peel or flake. One great option is the NYX Professional Makeup Blurscreen SPF 30 Primer. It not only offers broad-spectrum sun protection but also blurs imperfections, grips makeup for long-lasting wear, and feels lightweight without leaving a greasy or white finish.

Nighttime Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

The basic steps in a skincare routine for oily skin are quite similar for both morning and night. However, the products you use in the evening may change a bit. Here’s how to take care of your oily skin before bedtime.

1. Wash your face

Just like in the morning, your nighttime routine should start with washing your face to get rid of dirt, oil, and buildup that can clog pores. The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is a great option for evenings, as it helps remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. If you’ve used waterproof makeup like mascara, begin with a cleansing balm or micellar water to break it down before using your regular cleanser. This method is called double cleansing and ensures your skin gets a deep, thorough clean.

Also Read: Aloe Vera for Skin - 7 Proven Benefits You Shouldn’t Miss

2.Tone

Toning is just as important at night as it is in the morning. Use the same toner you applied earlier in the day to clear away any leftover residue from cleansing and get your skin ready for the rest of your nighttime routine.

3. Smooth on a clay mask

Adding a clay mask to your routine once a week can really boost your oily skin care, especially if you're struggling with clogged pores or blackheads.

Step 4: Apply retinol

Once you’ve cleansed, toned, and used a face mask (if it’s part of your routine that night), consider applying a retinol serum. While retinol is often known for its anti-aging benefits, it also gently exfoliates making it a good option for oily skin. If you're just starting out with retinol, begin slowly to avoid irritation.

5. Apply eye cream

As you finish your nighttime skincare routine, remember to moisturize the delicate skin around your eyes with a rich eye cream. A great choice is Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream, which deeply hydrates and helps smooth the under-eye area. For added moisture, you can also layer it over an eye serum if you like.

To wrap it up

Start your morning skincare routine for oily skin with a cleanser, then apply a toner, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and finish with sunscreen.

At night, cleanse your face, follow up with a serum, apply eye cream, and complete your routine with a night cream. 

And lastly the product you can use once in a week can be your scrub and your clay mask