When you have oily skin, finding skincare products that are hydrating and nourishing without causing the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive is not always the easiest task.
Sebum is essential for a healthy complexion but when the glands are overactive, it can lead to excess shine, clogged pores and may result in nasty breakouts too.
You will find that if your skin is feeling greasy at the end of the day, makeup doesn’t stay put and you are constantly prodding, squeezing and picking blackheads, spots or acne in oilier areas (no judgement here!) than you most likely have an oily skin type. If this is confined to just the T-Zone aka the nose, chin and forehead than you may have combination skin.
While oily skin is typically genetic or a result of changing hormones in which there is not a lot you can do to change it, filling your bathroom cabinets with high-powered serums can go a long way for the healthy complexion of your dreams.
Are serums good for oily skin?
Nathan Moore, brand expert at Soho Skin explains, “serums are great for oily skin types – they can replace moisturisers, act as a lightweight layering option, and/or target specific concerns that moisturisers do not”.
What ingredients are good for oily skin?
There are lots of great ingredients for oily skin e.g. niacinamide, which helps to regulate oil levels and minimise the appearance of pores as well as hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycogen, which help to provide the skin with essential hydration without leaving a greasy residue.
How to use face serum for oily skin
Always apply your serum after cleansing. Depending on your skin needs, you might wish to follow with moisturiser – listen to your skin and if it’s telling you that it needs extra nourishment (especially during the winter), seal in your serum with a lightweight moisturiser.
Shop the best serums for oily skin below
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VICHY Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Don’t confused oily skin with hydration as it may in fact be dehydration that is exacerbating sebum production. This lightweight serum from Vichy should help balance oil production and inject moisture into the skin without leaving it feeling more greasy. The brand has kept the ingredient line-up minial and so you’ll simply find a high concentration of volcanic mineralising water set alongside natural-origin hyaluronic acid that is cooling, soothing and brings hydration for up to 24 hours.
Buy now £25.74, lookfantastic
Elemis Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum, 15ml
Retinol is not always the most easily tolerated ingredient but has renowned anti-ageing benefits. For this reason, Elemis has created a formula that mimics its smoothing effect with no downtime. The label has called on Padina Pavonica, Red Microalgae, Alfalfa and Stevia Extracts to turn back the clock on sun damage, uneven skin tones and to minimise enlarged pores, all while remaining gentle and free from irritation.
Buy now £70.00, John Lewis
Biossance Squalane and Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
While this is technically a serum and not a moisturiser, it contains both skin-loving squalane, Biossance’s signature hydrating ingredient, as well as peptides, a copper form that boosts elasticity and collagen production for smoother skin. Combined with hyaluronic acid, the winning cocktail is a tall glass of water for dehydrated complexions.
Buy now £52.00, Cult Beauty
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum for Oily, Blemish-Prone Skin
Skinceuticals is renowned for its science-backed efficiacious product line-up and the Silymarin CF is one of the most lauded in its collection. Targeted specifically for oily and blemish-prone complexions, it’s an anti-ageing powerhouse that combats oil oxidation. This is through its antioxidant-based formula that protects against free radical damage that is one of the biggest causes of skin ageing. With its non-greasy texture, it can be applied onto oily skin without furthering this, smoothing and evening out skin tones and leaving it clear and with blemishes reduced.
Buy now £150.00, Skinceuticals
Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum
This multi-tasking product from Rihanna’s Fenty Skin collection was created in order to control excess sebum production with witch hazel water and Australian lemon myrtle. First and foremost, it reduces oil and shininess in the role of a toner but it goes far beyond this and has a brightening and pore-minimising effect too. Unlike the typical second step toning, it has the serum-like ability to hydrate, plump and smooth. This is one you’ll want in your arsenal on those extra oily skin days.
Buy now £27.00, Boots
Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum
With two of the most buzzed about beauty ingredients at its heart, this is a serum that ticks a lot of boxes. You have fine line-fighting retinol for signs of ageing that already exist as well as antioxidant-rich vitamin C that shields against external aggressors that could cause future ageing. It’s a win-win. The potent combination may be irritating to sensitive skin, but build up slowly and opt for usage two to three times a week to maximise its benefits - namely the tightening and brightening.
Buy now £94.00, Space NK
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum
Vitamin C has the ability to neutralise free radicals like pollution and UV rays, and so when incorporated into skin, strenghten’s the skin’s barrier and leaves you with a healthier - and more radiant - compleixon. It is found in this serum from Japanese label Tatcha and set alongside gently exfoliating AHAs. So while it’s treating your skin to a brighter appearance, it is also buffing away debris and dead skin cells that may clog pores. The ingredients are pure and fragrance-free.
Buy now £80.00, Space NK
Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum
It may seem counterproductive to incorporate oil into a serum for oily skin but in this formula from Drunk Elephant, it has a soothing and moisture-enriching effect that will be welcomed. Think back to GCSE Chemistry and the hydrophobic properties of oil. The Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum is all about balancing with slight exfoliation from the lactic acid and anti-ageing from the peptides. Best of all, it’s incredibly lightweight so absorbs quickly into the skin without exacerbating that greasy feeling.
Buy now £69.00, Space NK
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Niacinamide is a lesser known ingredient but for those in the loop, it is one of the most important in their beauty cabinet. It has the miraculous ability to calm redness but, best of all for those with oily prone skin, it balances sebum production, and decogests and minimises the appearance of pores. In this product from The Ordinary, it is set alongside zinc that has a collagen-boosting and healing effect for damaged skin.
Buy now £10.00, Space NK
Medik8 Crystal Retinal
When it comes to retinol, there is a reason that Medik8’s line-up always comes up trumps. The brand has a selection of products with varying percentages so that no matter where you are at with your retinol journey (beginner or seasoned applicator) or if you have sensitivities, you can still get in on the smoothing action. It is also great for those with blemish-prone skin as it works to purify and balance.
Buy now £49.00, Medik8
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Korean skincare label Glow Recipe is front and centre of the latest K beauty trends and so it will come as no surprise that their Watermelon Glow radiance-giving formula contains niacinamide. Get the glow by applying as the last step in your skincare or even over makeup as it doubles up as a highlighter. This will help you nail the skinimalism no makeup makeup trend for a fresh complexion.
Buy now £31.00, Cult Beauty
