Managing oily and acne-prone skin can feel like an uphill battle. Between the shine that could double as a mirror and the seemingly endless breakouts, it’s easy to get frustrated. Trust me, I’ve been there. And while there’s no magic potion to instantly clear your skin (if only), crafting the right skincare routine will help you get closer to the healthy complexion you’ve been dreaming of.

So, let me take you through the steps of the best skincare routine for oily and acne-prone skin, based on what actually worked for me—and the countless mistakes I made along the way. Spoiler alert: I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.

The Lowdown on Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

Oily and acne-prone skin? It’s a combination of things, really. First off, your sebaceous glands go into overdrive, pumping out way too much oil. This might sound like a blessing to someone with dry skin, but in reality, it means your face gets more shine than a freshly waxed car.

Add clogged pores into the mix, and now you’ve got a recipe for acne. I remember the first time I got a painful cystic pimple—right on my cheek, the size of a small mountain. Yep, not fun. Acne-prone skin means you’re more likely to experience breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, and all the other joys of adult skin. But, don’t worry, there’s hope. Your routine just needs to focus on two things: controlling oil production and preventing clogged pores. Simple, right? Not quite, but we’ll get there.

Crafting Your Skincare Routine for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

Alright, enough of the background. Let’s dive in. Here’s your step-by-step guide to the best skincare routine for oily and acne-prone skin. And don’t worry, I’ve been through the trenches of bad cleansers and broken dreams, so I got you.

1. Cleanser: Start With a Fresh Slate

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. You’ve gotta get rid of all that grime, oil, and leftover makeup. I’ll tell you from personal experience, using a harsh scrub with walnut shells or whatever the trend was in 2010 will just make your face redder than a lobster. Trust me—been there, done that, never again.

Instead, go for a gentle foaming or gel cleanser that won’t strip your skin but still does the job. Here’s the kicker: You need a formula that cleans deep into the pores to prevent breakouts, but one that doesn’t dry you out. Oil-stripping cleansers might feel like they’re getting rid of everything, but they often make your skin produce more oil as a rebound reaction. Talk about sabotage.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Salicylic acid: This stuff goes deep into your pores and works wonders on acne. A few weeks of salicylic acid, and you’ll notice fewer blackheads. I still remember the first time I tried a salicylic acid cleanser. My face? Glowing (in a good way).
• Tea tree oil: It’s got that natural antibacterial magic. Think of it as nature’s acne warrior.
• Benzoyl peroxide: Good for reducing acne-causing bacteria. (But also, don’t go overboard, or you’ll end up with that chalky face look. Not cute.)

Recommended Cleansers:

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash – If you’ve been through breakouts, you know this one. It’s reliable.
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel – Gently cleans without turning your face into a desert.

Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it with cleansing. Once or twice a day is plenty, otherwise you risk irritating your skin. And trust me, irritated skin is like setting off a firework that doesn’t stop.

2. Toner: Balance Is Key

So, your skin’s been cleansed, but now what? You need toner. Wait—don’t leave—I know toners sound like an extra step you don’t need. But hear me out. A toner restores your skin’s pH balance (you know, that “acid mantle” thing that sounds like a medieval weapon), while also helping with excess oil.

Toners can be a little tricky, though. I once grabbed a toner with alcohol in it—big mistake. My skin was so dry I looked like a raisin. Not kidding. Anyway, find one that’s gentle and calming but still gets the job done.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Witch hazel: This natural astringent works wonders to tighten pores. It’s also super calming for acne-prone skin. Fun fact: my Aunt Margaret swears by it. She’s 72, and her skin looks better than mine. I’m jealous.
• Niacinamide: If you’ve ever wanted to make your skin look smoother and more even, niacinamide’s your hero. My skin used to get so red around my T-zone, but niacinamide has helped even that out.
• AHA: These acids exfoliate the surface, removing dead skin cells that can clog your pores.

Recommended Toners:

• Thayers Witch Hazel Toner – A cult classic, and for good reason.
• Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner – Because nobody likes giant pores staring back at them.

Pro Tip: Apply toner with a cotton pad or just tap it in with your hands. The hand method feels way more luxurious anyway.

3. Exfoliation: Scrub (But Not Too Hard)

You don’t want to skip exfoliation. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. My first attempt at exfoliating was with a physical scrub. The beads were, well, more like rocks. My face burned—lesson learned.

Exfoliation gets rid of dead skin cells and helps your pores stay clear. But listen, don’t over-exfoliate! I’ve tried to scrub my face into submission before, and all it got me was red, angry skin and breakouts. Two or three times a week is ideal.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Salicylic acid: My favorite exfoliant for acne-prone skin. It dives into the pores and unclogs them—no more blackheads.
• Glycolic acid: It helps with texture and evens out skin tone. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin; it can sting.

Recommended Exfoliants:

• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution – This stuff works wonders, but make sure you’re not using it every day.
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Exfoliating Cleanser – Fast-forward past three failed attempts, and this was my go-to exfoliant. It works.

Pro Tip: If you have sensitive skin, go easy on the exfoliation. No one wants a red, irritated face—well, except maybe my 2019 sourdough starter, Gary. RIP.

4. Serum: The Secret Weapon

Serums are like those surprise guests at parties—once you try one, you’ll never look back. They’re packed with active ingredients that target specific concerns. For oily and acne-prone skin, serums can help with oil control and acne prevention.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Niacinamide: Besides soothing redness, it regulates oil. If I could marry this ingredient, I would.
• Salicylic acid: Yes, again—this is the gold standard for acne control.
• Retinol: It’s a powerful ingredient that boosts skin turnover. My first encounter with retinol? My skin peeled for days. But it was worth it.

Recommended Serums:

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – It’s cheap, and it works. What more do you need?
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Serum – Clearer skin in weeks. Believe me.

Pro Tip: If you’re using retinol, avoid using it with other strong actives. It can cause irritation (and trust me, you don’t need another layer of red).

5. Moisturizer: Hydrate Without Clogging

I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, I thought oily skin didn’t need moisture?” Nope. Big myth. Even oily skin needs hydration. The trick is finding a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that won’t clog your pores.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Hyaluronic acid: It’s like a sponge for your skin. It draws moisture in without leaving you greasy.
• Oil-free formulas: Y’all, you don’t need any extra oils in your life. Go for gel-based moisturizers that hydrate but don’t overwhelm.

Recommended Moisturizers:

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – This is the one. Hydrating but not sticky.
• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion – Simple, effective, and affordable.

Pro Tip: Never skip this step. Trust me, I did once, and my skin felt like a shriveled raisin by the end of the day.

6. Sunscreen: Protect What You’ve Worked For

Last, but definitely not least: sunscreen. If you don’t wear sunscreen, your skin might look great for a minute, but UV rays will come back to haunt you later. I learned this the hard way after a summer of forgetting sunscreen. My forehead now has enough spots to resemble a constellation.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Zinc oxide: It’s one of the gentlest, non-comedogenic sunscreens out there.
• Titanium dioxide: Another mineral sunscreen that’s great for acne-prone skin.

Recommended Sunscreens:

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Dermatologist-approved and gentle on acne.
• Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 55 – My go-to, especially during peak summer.

Pro Tip: Apply sunscreen every morning, even if it’s cloudy. UV rays are sneaky like that.

Final Thoughts

The best skincare routine for oily and acne-prone skin isn’t complicated—it’s all about balance. And look, I get it. I’ve made every mistake in the book. But over time, I figured out what worked for me—and I know you’ll find what works for you too. Just stay consistent, and remember: no routine will be perfect right out of the gate. It’s a journey, but trust me, your skin will thank you.