Your Oily Skin Routine

Sebum (or skin oil) is created by receptors in the sebaceous glands binding to the testosterone hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excess DHT - or higher-sensitivity oil glands to DHT - is common in adolescence whilst transient oiliness and enlarged pores are caused by fluctuating hormones, which is why it is often observed after puberty.

The best skincare ingredients to regulate excess oil and minimise pore size are Vitamin A, niacinamide (Vitamin B3), AHA/BHA’s, and barosma betulina (buchu leaves).

Vitamin A reduces excess oil production by reducing division of sebocytes - the sebum or oil-producing cell in the sebaceous gland.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) assists in regulating oil glands and minimising inflammation. This ingredient has been shown to be even more effective than topical antibiotics.

AHA and BHA’s (such as malic and salicylic acids) are excellent solutions for those with oily skin as well as folliculitis sufferers, since they will both exfoliate and remove dead skin cell debris trapped inside the pores.

Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract is a plant-derived ingredient high in the active molecule diosmin, which has been shown to inhibit sebocyte differentiation and decrease lipogenesis (oil production) in the oil gland, thereby regulating oil production. It is also clinically proven to reduce pore volume and diameter, which in turn, reduces debris build-up, resulting in refined pores and a balanced complexion.

Oily Skin Routine FAQS

How to reduce oily skin?

To reduce oily skin, we recommend using gentle cleansers, exfoliants, and products that regulate oil production consistently—every morning, every night, and a select few products every week. 

Incorporate products with ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, and clay masks to control excess oil and minimise pores. You might feel tempted to wash your face to feel ‘rid’ of the oils; however, over-washing can strip your skin of natural oils and trigger even more oil production in the long term. Therefore, only wash your face with a cleanser in the morning and evening as recommended. 

What are the best products to use for oily skin?

The best products for oily skin include gentle gel cleansers that remove impurities without stripping natural oils, exfoliants with AHAs and BHAs to unclog pores and promote cell turnover, and toners and serums with niacinamide to regulate oil production. 

Additionally, weekly clay masks to absorb excess oil and purify the skin, and oil-free moisturisers to provide hydration without clogging pores are essential and must be used consistently.

What is a good skincare routine for oily skin?

• Morning: Cleanse with a gentle gel cleanser, apply a microbiome complex, use a pore-refining tonic, apply a Vitamin C serum, and finish with an oil-free moisturiser with SPF.
  
  

• Evening: Cleanse with a gentle gel cleanser, apply a microbiome complex, use a Vitamin A serum, follow with a Vitamin B serum, and finish with an oil-free moisturiser.
  
  

• Weekly: Exfoliate with an AHA/BHA serum once or twice a week, and use a detox clay mask once a week to control excess oil and purify the skin.
  
  

Should oily skin types use moisturiser?

It’s a myth that moisturisers add an extra layer of oil to oily-prone skin. 

However, like all other skin types, oily skin should also consistently use a moisturiser in their oily skincare routine. Opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturisers that provide hydration without clogging pores. Moisturisers help maintain the skin’s moisture balance and prevent it from producing excess oil to compensate for dryness.

Which Synergie Skin’s solar protecting formula is best for oily skin?

For oily skin, Synergie Skin’s ÜberZinc is an excellent choice. This lightweight, protective daily moisturiser contains zinc oxide for broad-spectrum sun protection, along with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients to keep your skin balanced and protected without clogging pores.