If your skin appears shiny and greasy with frequent breakouts of blackheads, pimples and spots, your skin is oily. Though oily skin it is one of the problematic types, with precautions and special care, you can minimise these skin problems.

Here we discuss a few tips to take care of oily skin.


  • Wash your face at least twice a day: once in morning and once at evening. Do not excessively wash your face as it may strip your skin of all the natural moisturizers and increase oil production. But in case you are sweating,you can wash your face more than twice.
  • You may use a cleanser specifically meant for oily skin and acne to wash your face. Such cleansers usually contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Most of these are usually marketed for acne, these products work well for oily skin too.
  • Gentle exfoliation once in 15 days is usually recommended for oily skin. It helps to loosen and remove dirt and oil from your pores.
  • Avoid harsh scrubbing of face as it may cause rebound increase in oil production. Scrubbing should also be avoided in active acne as it may increase inflammation.
  • If you have oil build up in between facial washings, use a medicated wipes to remove excess oil and freshen up your face.
  • Oily skin needs moisturization too, you should be careful about your choice of moisturiser formulation. The formulations applicable for oily are gels or serums or lotions. You shouldn't use thick creams or ointments.
  • While choosing sunscreens or foundation or other cosmetics, make sure to pick up water-based and noncomedogenic formulations that do not clog pores and increase oiliness.
  • No matter how tempted, don’t pick or squeeze your pimples as this can cause scarring and leave red spots on your face.

With proper care, you can minimise problems of acne prone oily skin. You would happy to know that while oily skin is a problematic one, it too has some benefits. Oily skin ages slowly and less prone to wrinkling as compared to dry or normal skin.

If you like this post, don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow me

Dr Monika Misra

Consultant cosmetologist at Dermacosm clinic
Dr Monika Misra is a consultant cosmetologist at Dermacosm clinic. She possesses more than 5 years of experience in dermatosurgical procedures, chemical peels, microneedling, and radiofrequency.
Follow me

Latest posts by Dr Monika Misra (see all)