10 Skin Care Hacks for Oily Skin

Let’s face it: Oily skin can be challenging. Oftentimes, you put on your makeup only to have it start melting away by the middle of the day. Ugh, what gives? It’s time to upgrade your skin care routine! The good news is, there are a few easy skin care hacks you can add to your arsenal to help make managing oily skin a little bit easier. Don’t let greasiness get you down! The following 10 skin care hacks are worth incorporating into your beauty routine if you have oily skin. It’s time to stock up on skin care products formulated for your skin type, like facial cleanser and moisturizer. Sayonara, excess shine. 

HACK #1: USE skin care PRODUCTS FORMULATED FOR oily skin

When it comes to your skin care routine, you should look for products formulated for your specific skin type—and that’s especially the case if you have oily skin. After all, if you had straight hair, you wouldn’t use shampoo and conditioner designed for curly strands, would you? Nope! As far as oily skin goes, you may be able to get away with using a lightweight moisturizer, whereas dry skin might need something heavier. Before you spend your hard-earned money on new skin care products, be sure to check the labels and see if they’re formulated for oily skin. Looking for the word “matte” is a good idea—matte skin care products (and makeup) can help to reduce the look of excess shine. 

HACK #2: CLEANSE WITH MICELLAR WATER

Micellar water is a French-favorite cleanser that’s finally starting to become buzzy stateside—and for good reason. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. The best part about using a micellar water is that you don’t have to rinse it off—all you have to do is saturate a cotton pad with it and wipe the pad across your face! It’s that simple. If you have oily skin, try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, which purifies and mattifies. Cleansing should be the first step in your morning and evening skin care routine. You should especially focus on removing your makeup at night, since sleeping in it can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts. And that’s the last thing you want to deal with when you have oily skin, right? Since micellar water is so easy to use, keep a bottle on your night table (along with a pack of cotton rounds!) so that you can cleanse your complexion before bed, even when you’re too exhausted to haul yourself to the bathroom sink. If you have a little extra time to spare, consider adding the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Cleanser to your skin care routine so that you can double cleanse. Designed to both cleanse skin and help absorb excess oil, you can expect a shine-free complexion post-wash.

HACK #3: TRY A WATER-BASED MOISTURIZER

Yes, you do need to use moisturizer if you have oily skin, so don’t skip out on this step! If you find many moisturizers to be too heavy, consider using a lightweight water-based one. In normal and oily skin, external factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage skin’s moisture barrier, causing loss of moisture and an increase in oil production. As a result, your complexion can end up looking overly shiny. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin is a water-based moisturizer formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration. Bonus: It has a matte (a.k.a. non-shiny finish)! 

HACK #4: APPLY A PRIMER BEFORE MAKEUP

Do you always notice your makeup slipping and sliding halfway through the work day? It’s time to start using a primer before you apply your makeup! Primer can help make your makeup last longer and create a smooth base. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lock Primer has a lightweight, silky formula that glides onto skin, helping to smooth lines, hide pores, and banish imperfections. Importantly for oily-skinned ladies, it has a matte finish! After finishing your skin care routine, apply the primer dot by dot and blend it in a gentle circular motion over your whole face or to targeted areas (under your eyes to smooth over fine lines, nose and cheeks to minimize the appearance of pores and blemishes, and your T-zone for a matte result). 

HACK #5: APPLY AN EYE AND LIP PRIMER, TOO

In addition to using a face primer before you put on foundation, consider using an eye makeup primer and lip primer as well if you want to avoid your eye shadow, eyeliner, or lipstick migrating to different areas of your face. They can help make your makeup stay put and also create an even canvas for application. If you don’t have these primers, you can use a little bit of foundation or concealer in a pinch to get the job done. 

HACK #6: STICK TO POWDER MAKEUP

Liquid and cream makeup often has a radiant finish—which can leave oily skin looking overly greasy. That’s why you should stick to powder formulas as much as you can. Below are our powder makeup picks for oily skin! 

Foundation: If you have oily skin, look for a foundation that has a matte finish to avoid taking your complexion into super-greasy territory. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder has a long-lasting formula and is available in eight shades. You can wear it alone or on top of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. 

Highlighter: Get in on the strobing craze without ending up looking like a disco ball! The L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator comes in three shades: Golden, Ice, and Rose. Simply take your pick and swipe the colors of your choice onto the high points of your face for a well-lit visage wherever you go.

Contour: Craving the look of sculpted cheekbones? Reach for the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Bronze It Bronzer.

Blush: It’s easy to go overboard with blush, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Look for a shade that’s natural. The L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Blush is available in 12 easy-to-wear hues. Sweep it on where the sun naturally hits your face—your forehead, cheeks, chin, and the bridge of your nose. 

Eye Shadow: The L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadows has a gel-to-powder formula and is available in 15 gorgeous shades ranging from gray to teal. So pretty! 

HACK #7: FINISH OFF YOUR MAKEUP WITH A SETTING SPRAY

To help ensure your makeup stays put, spritz on a setting spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray. Shake the bottle well first. Then, holding it 8-10 inches away from your face, spray it in an X and T motion 4-6 times.

HACK #8: OR USE A SETTING POWDER

No one likes having to touch up their foundation midday. An alternative to makeup setting spray is translucent loose setting powder. Once you’re done applying all of your makeup, take a big fluffy makeup brush, dip it into the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder (a little goes a long way!), and lightly dust it all over your face to help set your look. 

HACK #9: ADD A face MASK TO YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE 

Go ahead and treat yourself! Using a face mask after a long day is the perfect way to unwind—and it could be just the thing your oily skin has been craving. Day after day, dirt, makeup, and excess oils can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion looking overly oily. Oftentimes, a cleanser isn’t enough to solve this issue. Enter the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Purify & Mattify Face Mask. It’s formulated with three types of clay (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan) and infused with eucalyptus leaf extract to help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the look of excess shine. To use, apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with water. Use three times a week for best results. Who needs a spa when you can get your Zen on in the comfort of your own home? And why not set the mood by lighting a few candles and playing some chill tunes? 

HACK #10: CARRY BLOTTING SHEETS IN YOUR PURSE

Sick of all that excess grease? Toss a pack of blotting sheets in your tote so that you can sop up excess shine whenever you need to. Blotting papers are great because they’re so slim. Have a night out planned? You can easily fit a pack of blotting sheets in a small clutch. Just lightly press one onto your face to help absorb the extra grease. They shouldn’t interfere with your makeup, so don’t worry!

Looking to learn more about how to care for oily skin? Check out our article, 3 Tips for Moisturizing Oily Skin.