Taking care of oily skin can feel like a full-time job. One minute your complexion looks radiant, and the next it’s a mirror reflecting midday shine. If your skin tends to overproduce oil, you’re not alone. Oily skin tends to be one of the most common skin types, and while it often comes with its fair share of frustration — breakouts, clogged pores, makeup that won’t stay in place — it’s not unmanageable.
The key to supporting oily skin lies in the proper habits and the right products. You don’t have to strip your skin to keep it balanced; doing so can backfire. A consistent approach using gentle, nourishing methods makes all the difference. So if you’re wondering how to control oily skin, keep reading and give your complexion the balanced support it deserves.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Oily skin happens when the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than the skin actually needs. Sebum is a natural oil crucial in keeping your skin soft, supple, and protected, but when that production ramps up too much, it becomes a problem. You may notice clogged pores, visible shine, and breakouts.
The causes of oily skin vary. For many people, it’s genetics. If oily skin runs in your family, chances are your glands are more active by default. Hormonal shifts can also affect skin, particularly during puberty, menstruation, or stress. And speaking of stress, your body’s cortisol levels can increase oil production, making your skin more reactive. Environmental factors like humidity, heavy makeup, and even over-cleansing can also send your oil glands into overdrive.
But don’t worry. Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean it’s out of your hands. The proper care can help rebalance your skin and support it naturally.
8 Daily Skincare Tips to Help Reduce Oily Skin
It starts with small, consistent changes. Your skin doesn’t need a complex, 10-step plan. It needs intention, consistency, and ingredients that respect its needs. These eight skincare tips will help support oily skin without disrupting its protective balance.
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1. Cleanse Gently, But Thoroughly
Start with a gentle cleanser designed specifically for oily skin types. A harsh product might promise to remove excess oil, but it can strip your skin of its natural moisture and trigger increased oil production as a rebound effect. Instead, use a natural skin cleanser that purifies the skin without over-drying it. A cleansing routine that balances clarity with comfort is essential.
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2. Use a Gentle, Foaming Face Wash
Look for a gentle face wash that creates a light lather without relying on harsh surfactants. Foaming doesn’t have to mean drying. A well-formulated product will lift away dirt, sweat, and oil without damaging your skin's natural moisture barrier. Consider formulas that include ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, or even salicylic acid for a mild exfoliating effect.
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3. Tone Without Alcohol
Toners can be helpful in refining pores and balancing the skin, but avoid any formula that contains alcohol. Alcohol may feel refreshing at first, but it dries out the skin and disrupts the skin’s protective barrier, leading to more oil. Choose toners with calming botanicals like rose water or witch hazel to balance without stripping.
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4. Use a Natural Moisturiser
One of the biggest myths about oily skin is that it doesn’t need hydration. In reality, skipping moisturiser can cause your skin to overcompensate by producing even more oil. That’s why using natural moisturisers is so important. Look for oil-free or gel-based options that hydrate without heaviness and help keep your skin balanced throughout the day.
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5. Skip Harsh Skincare Products
Avoid exfoliators with gritty textures, strong acids, or alcohol-based astringents. These can create microtears in the skin or disrupt its barrier, leading to irritation and more oil. When you're building a skin care routine for oily skin, focus on ingredients that nurture and protect instead of over-correcting.
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6. Makeup Matters Too
Makeup doesn’t have to be the enemy of oily skin, but it needs to be chosen wisely. Use oil-free foundations, powders, and primers that won’t clog pores. Always remove makeup thoroughly as part of your evening cleansing routine to prevent oily skin and buildup that could lead to breakouts. Keeping your base clean will help your skin look more refined and act as a natural skin smoother throughout the day.
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7. Stay Hydrated (Inside and Out)
Hydration plays a bigger role in keeping skin healthy than most people realise. Drinking enough water keeps your body and skin hydrated, which supports overall balance. When the skin is dehydrated, it can actually result in excess oil as your skin attempts to compensate. Support your skin’s hydration both internally and with topical products that seal in natural moisture.
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8. Manage Stress Holistically
Stress isn’t just a mental or emotional challenge — it can also show up on your skin. When stress hormones spike, so does oil production. Regular stress management practices like breathwork, quality sleep, and time outdoors can make a noticeable difference in how your skin behaves over time.
Weekly Treatments to Rebalance Oil
Even the best daily skincare routine benefits from an occasional boost. Weekly treatments can support your skin’s clarity and help rebalance oil production.
Start with a natural clay mask once or twice a week. Clay masks help draw out impurities, tighten pores, and absorb excess oil without drying out the skin. Look for natural face masks made with ingredients like kaolin or bentonite clay, and ideally ones that also include soothing components such as calendula or lavender.
Gentle exfoliation is also key. A mild exfoliant, such as one containing fruit enzymes or lactic acid, can help remove buildup and keep pores clear. This encourages a smoother skin texture and allows your daily products to absorb more effectively. Over-exfoliating, however, can harm your skin’s protective barrier and lead to increased oiliness, so less really is more.
Supporting your skin with the right products makes these weekly rituals more effective. When you're shopping for treatments, always prioritise quality over trend and look for clean, botanical-rich formulations you can trust.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
It’s easy to get impatient, especially when your skin isn’t cooperating. But when making changes to your skincare routine, consistency is more important than speed.
Most people notice minor improvements within a couple of weeks, such as reduced shine, fewer breakouts, or better texture. Real, lasting results usually take a full skin cycle, which is about 28 to 40 days. If you’ve been relying on harsh treatments, your skin may also go through a rebalancing phase.
The best thing you can do is give your skin time. Don’t switch products too quickly or overload your routine. Stick with gentle, supportive care that helps your skin regulate itself rather than forcing it to behave.
A Fresh Start for Oily Skin
Managing oily skin doesn’t have to feel like a constant battle. When you shift the goal from stripping away oil to nurturing balance, your skin responds more calmly, clearly, and with renewed resilience. Every skin type deserves care rooted in quality and intention.
That’s where Rhug Wild Beauty comes in. Our range of natural skin care products is consciously crafted to support oily skin types without disrupting its natural balance. From our gentle natural skin cleanser to our lightweight natural moisturisers and plant-based natural face masks, each product is formulated to help you care for your skin in a way that feels good and works.
Explore our natural skin care store online to discover products made with wild foraged and organic ingredients, grown and gathered with intention on the Rhug Estate. If you're ready to support your skin with natural solutions that align with your values, this is the perfect place to begin.
Your journey to more balanced skin starts with what you choose next.
