Why Is My Skin So Oily? The Complete Guide to Oily Skin Causes

This guide covers everything you need to know about oily skin: the biology behind it, every meaningful cause from genetics and hormones to your daily routine, how to tell oily skin apart from dehydrated skin, which ingredients actually work, and how to build a routine that keeps shine in check. Oily skin is one of the most common - and most mismanaged - skin types. Understanding what is driving yours is the first step to managing it effectively. You cannot eliminate oil production, but you can regulate it very effectively with the right approach. For a broader overview of the skin type itself, visit our complete oily skin guide. To get started straight away, the three core products for oily skin are our Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£12), our 10% Niacinamide Serum (£10), and our Omega Water Cream (£11).

What Oily Skin Actually Is - and How to Know If You Have It

Before addressing what causes oily skin, it is worth being precise about what oily skin actually means at a biological level - because a lot of the confusion around how to manage it comes from misunderstanding what is happening beneath the surface.

Oily skin is a skin type characterised by the overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands. It is not a skin condition. It is not a reflection of how clean or careful you are with your skin. It is a physiological baseline - the rate at which your skin’s oil glands produce their natural output - and for people with oily skin, that rate is simply higher than average.

Sebum itself is not the enemy. It is a complex mixture of squalene, wax esters, triglycerides, and free fatty acids that the skin produces for good reason. Sebum lubricates the surface of the skin, supports the integrity of the skin barrier, and has mild antimicrobial properties that help defend the skin from environmental pathogens. The problem with oily skin is not sebum’s existence - it is excess. When the sebaceous glands overproduce, the result is shine, enlarged-looking pores, congestion, and a tendency towards breakouts.

Understanding the anatomy helps here. Every pore on the face is connected to a sebaceous gland sitting in the dermis beneath it. When sebum is produced, it travels up through the follicle and onto the skin surface. The T-zone - the forehead, nose, and chin - contains the highest density of sebaceous glands on the face, which is why oiliness almost always concentrates there first. This is also why people with combination skin experience shine only in the centre of the face, while those with genuinely oily skin tend to find it spreading to the cheeks as well.

There is one genuine upside to oily skin worth acknowledging: higher natural sebum levels are associated with slower development of fine lines and visible ageing. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that oily skin does tend to show fewer wrinkles over time. This does not remove the need for a proper skincare routine - quite the opposite - but it is a factual observation that the perceived disadvantage of oily skin comes with a long-term trade-off that often works in the oily-skinned person’s favour.

How to Confirm You Have Oily Skin

The signs of oily skin are fairly distinctive once you know what to look for. Persistent shine that returns within an hour or two of cleansing is the most consistent indicator. Enlarged-looking pores - particularly across the nose and forehead - are another, because pores that are consistently filled with sebum stretch visibly over time. Oily skin types also tend to experience frequent blackheads and blemishes, and often find that makeup does not last as long as it does on drier skin types.

The most reliable way to confirm your skin type at home is the blotting paper test. An hour after cleansing with no products applied, press a clean blotting paper or tissue to different areas of your face. Significant oil transfer across the full face - including the cheeks - indicates oily skin. Oil transfer only in the T-zone, with drier or normal cheeks, suggests combination skin. Use our skin type guide if you are unsure which category you fall into.

The Oily-But-Dehydrated Skin Misunderstanding

One of the most important distinctions in oily skin management is this: oil and hydration are not the same thing. Your skin’s oil content and its water content are entirely separate parameters, and oily skin can be simultaneously dehydrated - lacking sufficient water - while overproducing sebum. In fact, dehydration frequently makes oily skin worse, because when the skin is short of water, the sebaceous glands ramp up oil production as a compensatory response.

This is why people with oily skin who use harsh, drying products often find their skin becomes more oily rather than less. They are dehydrating the skin while triggering greater sebum output - a cycle that is very easy to fall into but very straightforward to break once you understand the mechanism. For a full breakdown of what dehydrated skin looks and feels like, visit our dehydrated skin guide.

With the biology clearly established, it is time to address the specific factors that determine how active your sebaceous glands are - and which of them you can actually do something about.

Why Is My Skin So Oily? The 7 Root Causes

This is the section that answers the question directly. Oily skin does not have a single cause - it sits at the intersection of several factors, some of which are fixed and some of which are entirely within your control to change. Understanding which category your trigger falls into is the most efficient way to manage it.

1. Genetics - the Baseline You Were Born With

The size and activity level of your sebaceous glands is largely inherited. If oily skin runs in your family, the chances are high that your glands are either physically larger than average or more responsive to the signals that stimulate sebum production - or both. This is the baseline. Genetics do not determine your outcome, but they do determine your starting point.

This is also why oily skin is so prevalent in adolescence. Research published via the NIH suggests oily skin affects 66 to 75 percent of people aged 15 to 20 - a figure driven by the interaction between inherited gland activity and the hormonal changes that characterise that life stage. Genetics-driven oily skin cannot be permanently altered, but with the right routine and the right ingredients, the output can be regulated very effectively.

2. Hormones - the Primary Driver of Sebum Production

If genetics set the hardware, hormones are the software that runs it. Androgens - specifically testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - are the primary hormonal drivers of sebum production. They work by directly stimulating the sebaceous glands, increasing their size and secretory activity.

The mechanism is well documented. An enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, found inside the sebaceous glands, converts testosterone into DHT - a more potent androgen that amplifies gland stimulation further. This is why sebum production surges during puberty, when androgen levels rise sharply across both sexes. It also explains the cyclical oiliness many women experience around ovulation, when androgens are at their monthly peak, as well as the skin changes associated with pregnancy, hormonal contraceptive changes, and perimenopause. NIH research into androgens and sebum production confirms this pathway as the dominant regulatory mechanism for sebaceous gland output.

This is also the most common explanation for sudden-onset oiliness - if your skin has become noticeably oilier in recent weeks without a clear lifestyle change, a hormonal shift is the most likely culprit.

3. Age - Why Oily Skin Often Changes Over Time

Sebum production is not fixed across a lifetime. It peaks during the teenage years and early twenties, then gradually declines. In women, the most significant reduction typically occurs post-menopause. In men, a comparable shift happens around the age of 60. StatPearls’ reference on sebaceous gland physiology documents this trajectory clearly.

The practical takeaway for younger readers: oily skin often improves naturally with age. The glands that feel relentlessly productive right now will, in most cases, slow down over time. This does not mean waiting it out is the strategy - the right routine makes oily skin manageable at every age - but it is genuinely reassuring context.

4. Over-Cleansing and Barrier Stripping - the Routine Mistake That Makes Oiliness Worse

This is the cause that most directly results from trying too hard to fix the problem. Washing the face too frequently, or using harsh, stripping cleansers, removes not just excess sebum but the skin’s natural oils entirely. The sebaceous glands interpret this as a signal that the barrier is compromised and respond by producing more sebum to compensate. This is sometimes called the rebound effect, and it is documented by the American Academy of Dermatology as one of the primary reasons oily skin can worsen despite aggressive cleansing.

Alcohol-based toners, harsh foaming cleansers that leave the skin feeling tight, and over-exfoliation all trigger the same cycle. The skin is not being cleaned into balance - it is being stripped into a state of overproduction.

The solution is not less cleansing. It is smarter cleansing. A pH-balanced BHA cleanser removes excess oil and clears congestion without disrupting the barrier - which means the sebaceous glands receive no distress signal and do not compensate. Our Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£12) is formulated specifically for this purpose: 92% of users agreed their skin did not feel tight or stripped after use, and 90% said their skin looked visibly clearer within three days.

5. Skipping Moisturiser - the Myth That Damages Oily Skin Most

The belief that oily skin does not need moisturiser is one of the most persistent and most damaging myths in skincare - and it directly causes the problem people are trying to solve. When oily skin is left without moisture, the skin surface becomes dehydrated. In response, the sebaceous glands increase sebum output to compensate for the perceived deficit. Skipping moisturiser does not reduce oiliness. It reliably worsens it.

The distinction is critical: oil and hydration are not interchangeable. A lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser hydrates the skin with water-based ingredients and humectants without adding a heavy occlusive layer or clogging pores. Our Omega Water Cream (£11) is clinically proven to help balance oil output, and 100% of users reported that their skin felt deeply hydrated after 14 days of consistent use. It is non-greasy, absorbs quickly, and gives oily skin the water content it needs to stop compensating with sebum.

6. Stress and the Cortisol-Sebum Connection

Stress does not just feel like it affects your skin. It measurably does. When the body is under psychological stress, it releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which directly stimulates sebaceous gland activity. Cortisol also plays a role, increasing inflammation and amplifying the skin’s sensitivity to androgen signals. The result is a clinically documented pathway from emotional stress to increased sebum production - as outlined in the StatPearls reference on sebaceous gland physiology.

Skincare cannot eliminate the stress response - that is a systemic issue requiring systemic management. But a well-chosen routine that uses oil-regulating actives consistently acts as a buffer, keeping sebum output as controlled as possible even when cortisol is elevated. This is one of the clearest arguments for maintaining your routine through stressful periods rather than abandoning it.

7. Diet and Environment - Contributing Factors, Not Primary Causes

The relationship between diet and oily skin is real but frequently overstated. NIH research into sebaceous gland lipids and diet shows that high-glycaemic-index foods and high dietary fat intake are associated with increased sebum production in some individuals - but the effect varies considerably between people. Diet is a contributing factor at the margins, not a primary driver for most.

Environment plays a clearer role. Heat and humidity increase sebum output directly, which is why many people notice their skin becoming oilier in summer or in humid climates. Sweat mixing with surface sebum also amplifies the visual appearance of shine, even when underlying sebum production has not changed significantly. Adjusting to seasonal conditions - using lighter products in summer, cleansing after heavy sweating - helps manage the environmental contribution without changing your core routine.

Now that every meaningful cause has been addressed, the next section turns to two follow-on questions that are commonly asked once the basics are understood.

Still Oily After Washing - and Why Oiliness Can Change Suddenly

Why Is My Skin Still Oily Even After Washing?

This is a frustrating experience, and understanding it properly makes it far less so. There are two distinct scenarios here, and they have different explanations.

If your skin feels oily immediately after cleansing - or while you are still in the process of rinsing - the most likely cause is that the cleanser is stripping the barrier, triggering a rapid rebound sebum response. The skin is essentially producing oil faster than you can remove it because it is responding to the perceived threat of barrier disruption. This is the over-cleansing cycle described in cause four above - and the fix is switching to a gentler, pH-appropriate BHA cleanser rather than escalating to something harsher.

If your skin becomes oily within one to two hours of cleansing, that is a different matter entirely. For oily skin types, this is completely normal. The sebaceous glands do not stop producing sebum because you washed your face - they continue at their genetically and hormonally determined rate. The goal of a morning cleanse is not to achieve an oil-free state for the rest of the day. The realistic goal is to extend the window before noticeable shine returns, and to ensure the oil that does accumulate is not mixing with congestion, dead skin cells, or comedogenic residue.

The most effective technique for extending that window is contact time. Massaging our Salicylic Acid Cleanser for a full 60 seconds on damp skin - rather than rinsing off within ten seconds - allows the salicylic acid sufficient time to penetrate the pore lining and break down the sebum and debris inside. This meaningfully reduces the rate of visible shine returning post-cleanse. What to avoid at this stage: scrubbing aggressively, using very hot water (which further strips the barrier), and layering stripping products immediately afterwards. What follows the cleanser matters as much as the cleanser itself - an oil-regulating serum and a lightweight moisturiser are what lock in the results.

Why Has My Skin Suddenly Become Oilier?

Sudden-onset oiliness has a cause. It is rarely random, and identifying the trigger is the most efficient path to resolving it - far more efficient than simply escalating the aggression of your routine, which often makes things considerably worse.

The most common triggers for a sudden increase in oiliness are hormonal changes - a new contraceptive, a shift in the menstrual cycle, the onset of perimenopause, or pregnancy. These can occur with relatively little warning and produce a noticeable change in skin behaviour within days. A new skincare product that is disrupting the barrier is another frequent culprit, as is a seasonal shift into warmer, more humid conditions. Increased stress, or a significant change in diet, can also tip the balance.

The practical approach is to think backwards from when the change started. What changed in your routine, your environment, your health, or your personal life around that point? In most cases, one factor will stand out as the probable cause. Once identified, the response is targeted: address the trigger where possible, and in the meantime, keep the routine simple and consistent - cleanser, oil-regulating serum, lightweight moisturiser. Do not add more aggressive products in response to a sudden flare. The rebound effect is real, and more stripping reliably produces more oil.

With causes and triggers fully covered, it is now time to address the most important practical question: which specific ingredients are clinically supported to regulate oily skin effectively.

The Ingredients That Actually Work for Oily Skin

Skincare for oily skin is most effective when it is ingredient-led - built around actives that have a documented mechanism of action at the level of the sebaceous gland or the pore, rather than products that simply feel matte or absorb shine superficially. This section gives an overview of the key ingredients to look for. For the full picture of what works and what to avoid, visit our complete oily skin guide.

Niacinamide - the Upstream Oil Regulator

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is one of the most well-evidenced active ingredients for oily skin because it works at the level of the sebaceous gland itself - regulating sebum production upstream, before the oil has been produced and expressed through the pore. At a 10% concentration, niacinamide delivers daily oil control that accumulates with consistent use, while also visibly reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and calming the redness associated with post-blemish marks.

Our 10% Niacinamide Serum (£10) is the simplest, most direct way to incorporate this ingredient into a daily routine. It is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and works well with every other active in an oily skin routine without the risk of irritation. For a deeper understanding of how niacinamide works, visit our niacinamide ingredient page.

Salicylic Acid - the Pore-Clearing BHA

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) - and its defining characteristic is that it is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate inside the pore rather than working only on the skin surface. Once inside, it dissolves the mixture of sebum and dead skin cells that causes congestion, blackheads, and the visible pore enlargement associated with oily skin. There is no more directly effective ingredient for clearing congestion and reducing the visible appearance of oiliness. For the full science behind how it works, visit our salicylic acid ingredient page.

Our Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£12) delivers this as the first step in the routine, using the cleanse to clear the pore before any treatment actives are applied. For a more intensive approach, our Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum (£10) provides a leave-on salicylic acid formula that works overnight, making it ideal as an additional treatment step used two to three nights per week.

Zinc - the Amplifier

Zinc has a well-documented role in reducing sebum output at the skin surface and works synergistically with salicylic acid when the two are used together - which is why it is included in the formulation of our Salicylic Acid Cleanser. It is not an ingredient that needs to be sought out separately; rather, it is worth knowing it is doing additional work within the cleanser formula.

Glycerin and Humectants - Hydration Without Weight

Glycerin and other humectants attract and bind water to the skin without adding any oil or heavy occlusive ingredients. For oily skin, this is the form of hydration that serves the skin best: maintaining the water content that prevents compensatory sebum production, without contributing to the surface shine that heavier creams or oils would cause. Look for these in your moisturiser and serum formulations.

What to Avoid

Alcohol denat strips the barrier and triggers rebound sebum production. Heavy occlusive oils - coconut oil being the most widely referenced example - block pores in oily skin types. High-wax formulas and richly emollient creams designed for dry skin create a surface layer that oily skin does not need and cannot tolerate comfortably. Layering multiple exfoliating actives in the same routine step pushes the skin past its tolerance threshold and reliably produces inflammation, sensitivity, and increased oil production as a response.

If you are concerned about dehydration alongside oiliness, our guide on whether hyaluronic acid is good for oily skinaddresses the compatibility of hydrating actives with oily skin types directly.

Building a Simple, Effective Routine for Oily Skin

A routine for oily skin does not need to be complex. In fact, complexity is one of the most common ways oily skin routines go wrong - too many actives, too many steps, too much product all working against each other. The routine below is a clear, evidence-led starting point. For the full guide including sub-type variations and more advanced routine building, visit our complete oily skin guide.

The most important principle before you start: give any new routine at least two to four weeks before assessing results. Sebaceous gland regulation is not instant - it occurs through consistent, cumulative signalling to the gland over time. Start with the three core steps. Add additional treatment steps only once the foundation is established and your skin has settled.

Morning Routine for Oily Skin

Step 1 - Cleanse: Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£12). Apply to damp skin and massage for a full 60 seconds before rinsing. The contact time is where the pore-clearing happens - do not rush it.

Step 2 - Treat: 10% Niacinamide Serum (£10). Apply to clean skin before moisturiser. This is the oil regulation step - it works upstream at the sebaceous gland to reduce sebum output over time with daily use.

Step 3 - Moisturise: Omega Water Cream (£11). Lightweight, oil-free, and clinically proven to help balance oil. Apply a pea-sized amount across the full face. This is the step that prevents the compensatory oil response from dehydration.

Step 4 - Protect: Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 (£15). SPF is non-negotiable for oily skin. UV exposure darkens post-blemish marks and degrades every active ingredient in the routine above. A lightweight, non-comedogenic SPF applied as the final morning step protects everything you have just applied.

Evening Routine for Oily Skin

Step 1 - Cleanse: Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£12). Use the same 60-second technique as the morning cleanse to clear the day’s sebum, environmental debris, and any residual SPF or makeup.

Step 2 - Treat: 10% Niacinamide Serum (£10). Apply as per the morning routine. Consistent twice-daily use produces better results than intermittent application.

Step 3 - Optional Treatment: Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum (£10). This leave-on salicylic acid formula provides deeper pore clearing overnight. Begin two to three nights per week and build to nightly as your skin adjusts. Do not use on the same nights as other exfoliating actives.

Step 4 - Moisturise: Omega Water Cream (£11). Seal in overnight hydration with the same lightweight moisturiser used in the morning.

INKEY Pro Tip: The 60-second cleanse is not optional. Most people rinse their cleanser within ten seconds of applying it - far too quickly for any active ingredient to do meaningful work at the pore level. Setting a timer for the first week builds the habit.

If your primary concern is blackheads and clogged pores rather than general shine, our blog on what causes clogged pores provides a detailed breakdown of the specific factors that drive congestion and how to address them within this routine framework.

Five Persistent Myths About Oily Skin - and the Facts That Replace Them

Misinformation about oily skin is widespread, and much of it actively makes the condition harder to manage. The following five myths are the most common and the most damaging.

Myth 1: “Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturiser”

FALSE. This is the single most harmful myth in oily skincare, and it causes measurable damage to skin health. Skipping moisturiser dehydrates the skin surface. The sebaceous glands respond to dehydration by producing more sebum as compensation. The result is that oily skin becomes more oily when moisturiser is consistently avoided - the exact opposite of the intended outcome.

Oil and hydration are not the same parameter. A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser hydrates the skin with water-based ingredients without adding any occlusive layer or comedogenic risk. It is an essential step for oily skin, not an optional luxury for dry skin only. Our complete oily skin guide covers exactly what to look for in a moisturiser for oily skin types.

Myth 2: “Washing Your Face More Often Will Reduce Oil”

FALSE. Washing more frequently - or switching to a harsher cleanser in pursuit of a cleaner, drier feel - strips the skin barrier and triggers the rebound sebum response. The sebaceous glands interpret the removal of all natural oils as a threat and compensate by producing more. Twice daily with the right cleanser is optimal. More frequent cleansing, or cleansing with a stripping formula, reliably produces the opposite of the desired result.

Myth 3: “Oily Skin Ages Better, So You Can Skip SPF”

PARTLY TRUE - but dangerously incomplete. The science does support the observation that oily skin types tend to develop fine lines more slowly than drier skin types, because higher natural sebum levels help maintain the skin’s surface lipid layer. This is a real benefit. But UV damage, hyperpigmentation, and the darkening of post-blemish marks are just as real for oily skin as for any other type. Sun exposure degrades active ingredients in your routine and causes cumulative structural damage to the skin over time. SPF is non-negotiable regardless of skin type.

Myth 4: “Only Teenagers Get Oily Skin”

FALSE. Androgens stimulate sebaceous gland activity across every life stage, not just during adolescence. Adult oily skin is driven by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, contraceptive changes, stress responses, perimenopausal hormonal shifts, and poor product choices. Many adults who did not have noticeably oily skin in their teens develop it in their twenties or thirties in response to hormonal or lifestyle changes. Oily skin is not a phase that ends at 20.

Myth 5: “Harsh Products Will Dry Out the Oil and Clear the Skin”

FALSE. Alcohol-based toners, aggressive exfoliants, and foaming cleansers with a high pH all strip the skin barrier. The sebaceous glands respond to barrier stripping by producing more oil. The skin essentially protects itself against what it perceives as a threat by ramping up sebum output - which is the precise opposite of the outcome these products promise. Gentler, targeted formulations that work with the skin’s physiology produce far better long-term results. Visit our salicylic acid ingredient page and niacinamide ingredient page to understand exactly what effective, non-stripping oily skin ingredients look like in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oily Skin

Why is my skin so oily in the morning?

Sebum production continues throughout the night while you sleep. Because there is no blotting, makeup, or product absorption happening during sleep, sebum accumulates on the skin surface and is visibly present when you wake. An evening routine that includes oil-regulating actives - specifically niacinamide - and a lightweight moisturiser helps reduce this overnight build-up over time. The morning cleanse removes the accumulated sebum and resets the skin for the day ahead.

Why is my skin so oily but also dry and tight?

This is oily and dehydrated skin occurring simultaneously - and it is more common than most people realise. Oil and water are entirely separate skin parameters: the skin can overproduce sebum while being genuinely short of water content. When this happens, the skin often feels tight or uncomfortable despite being visibly shiny. The fix is hydration - lightweight humectants and an oil-free moisturiser - not more aggressive stripping, which would worsen both the dehydration and the compensatory oiliness. For a full breakdown of this skin state, visit our dehydrated skin guide.

Can oily skin become dry as you age?

Yes. Sebum production naturally decreases with age, particularly in women post-menopause and in men from their sixties onwards. Many people who had consistently oily skin in their teens and twenties find their skin shifting towards combination or even normal as they move through their thirties and forties. If this happens, the routine simply needs adjusting - a richer moisturiser may become appropriate where a lighter one was previously sufficient.

Does diet affect oily skin?

Partially. High-glycaemic-index foods and high-fat diets are associated with increased sebum production in some people, and the mechanism is documented in NIH research on diet and sebaceous gland lipids. However, the effect varies considerably between individuals. Diet is a contributing factor, not a primary cause - adjusting it may help at the margins, but it will not resolve oily skin on its own if genetics and hormones are the dominant drivers.

Is oily skin genetic?

Yes, primarily. The size and secretory activity of the sebaceous glands is largely inherited. Genetics establish the baseline level of sebum production; hormones, environmental conditions, and routine habits determine how far above or below that baseline your skin operates on any given day. If oily skin runs in your family, this is not a problem with your skincare routine - it is a starting point that the right routine can effectively manage. Use our skin type guide to help confirm your baseline.

Can stress make your skin more oily?

Yes, directly and through a documented clinical pathway. Stress triggers the release of cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), both of which stimulate the sebaceous glands. This is one of the most common explanations for sudden-onset oiliness with no obvious lifestyle or product change - and one of the clearest reasons to maintain a consistent routine through stressful periods rather than abandoning it.

Why does my skin get oilier in summer?

Heat and humidity both directly increase sebum output. As temperatures rise, the sebaceous glands become more active, and sweat mixing with surface sebum creates an amplified appearance of shine even when underlying sebum production has not increased as dramatically as it feels. Switching to a slightly lighter base, cleansing thoroughly after exercise or heavy sweating, and maintaining your niacinamide and salicylic acid routine consistently through the warmer months are the most effective responses to this seasonal pattern.

What You Now Know - and What to Do Next

Oily skin has causes that are understandable, a biology that is predictable, and a set of management strategies that are genuinely effective. Genetics and hormones establish the baseline - the rate at which your sebaceous glands produce sebum. But your routine, your ingredient choices, and your habits determine how far that baseline is amplified or moderated in daily life.

The three most important changes to act on: stop stripping the skin barrier with harsh products and excessive cleansing. Start hydrating consistently with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser. Use oil-regulating ingredients - particularly niacinamide and salicylic acid - daily and consistently, giving them the weeks they need to produce results. Oily skin cannot be switched off, but it can be brought into balance. The difference between unmanaged and well-managed oily skin is almost entirely down to understanding what is causing it.

For the complete oily skin guide including advanced routine variations and ingredient deep-dives, visit our full oily skin guide. For a personalised routine built around your specific skin, take the quiz below.

Take our Skincare Quiz - get a routine built for your skin