Oily Skin 101: This Skin Care Routine Helped Us Control Shine, Minimize Pores, and Prevent Breakouts

I tested this face wash and loved its light and foamy consistency. It rinses off easily and leaves my pores feeling ultra clean and fresh without overstripping my skin. One big caveat: Using this cleanser twice daily alongside my nightly application of tretinoin — a prescription-strength, topical retinoid — caused temporary dryness and irritation. Reducing my use to every other day was the sweet spot for my complexion.

And while we’re on the topic of irritation, this cleanser isn’t compatible with the eye area. If you need to remove eye makeup, try something ultra-gentle, like a swipe of micellar water, instead.

Sarah Garone, a licensed nutritionist and writer who tested this product, appreciated the fresh “zingy feeling” this cleanser provided after every wash. “My skin feels very refreshed after using this, clean without feeling dry, and brighter,” she explains. Although the product is free from fragrance, Garone says the witch hazel scent may be a little overpowering for sensitive noses.

Kara Wahlgren, a writer who tested this cleanser, was impressed with how well it cleared her pores — even her trouble spots improved. The product has a light, foamy consistency and rinses off easily, and she appreciated that it left her skin feeling fresh and soft, with just the right amount of hydration.

Formulated with hyaluronic acid — an ingredient Dr. Allen recommends for oily skin types — this weightless gel moisturizer delivers long-lasting, nongreasy hydration for up to 24 hours.

According to health and wellness writer Jen Sinclair, it has a pleasant whipped texture that absorbed into her skin quickly, with no greasy residue left behind. The formula was hydrating enough for her dry cheeks, but it didn’t make her oily T zone break out. She also noticed her complexion felt “tighter, smoother, and softer” overall.

On top of that, the moisturizer layered nicely under makeup, and it had a light, clean scent that wasn’t overpowering.

Plus, with its broad-spectrum SPF 30 — the minimum level of coverage recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation — you won’t have to worry about adding sunscreen on top, streamlining your morning skin care routine.

Editor Nicole Bonaccorso describes the formula as having a light-to-medium consistency that absorbed easily into her skin, leaving it “hydrated and happy.” She appreciated that the moisturizer is oil-free and noncomedogenic, meaning it doesn't clog pores. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.

Tori Martinet, MS, RD, loves the formula’s lightweight texture, which was soft and cooling and kept her complexion matte without drying it out. It absorbed quickly and layered seamlessly under skin care and makeup products. “I loved the texture, both during application and after. It helped my skin feel moisturized without feeling greasy at all,” says Martinet, who struggles with acne.

Although she didn’t notice a reduction in the frequency of her breakouts, the formula seemed to help balance her oily skin and clear acne lesions faster than usual.

While many serums can be worn during the day, this one is designed for nighttime use. YSE Beauty’s potent formula combines a gentle time-release retinol with niacinamide, helping accelerate cell turnover and reduce oil production, resulting in clearer, more even-textured skin.

Our editor Ally Hirschlag, who tested the pads, adored how effective yet gentle they are. “I love these pads so much,” she says. “They make exfoliating so incredibly easy and painless. I used to have such a hard time exfoliating; my skin would get really irritated and red. These wipes are soaked in glycolic and lactic acid, which are some of the gentlest chemical exfoliators. They never bother my skin, but they do leave it looking brighter and smoother.”

Medik8’s Crystal Retinal Night Serum is available in six strengths, from a sensitive and beginner-friendly 0.01 percent retinal to expert-level 0.24 percent. “[I] was impressed with how well it absorbed and how glowing it left my skin,” says writer Jill Di Donato.

This broad spectrum mineral SPF 40 sunscreen protects skin against UVA and UVB rays. It includes 17.68 percent zinc oxide and 1.33 percent titanium dioxide, which sit atop the skin instead of being absorbed, reflecting harmful rays away from it.

If you need a sunscreen that will hold up well during all kinds of outdoor adventures, this pick is for you. The brand claims its SPF 45 sunscreen absorbs quickly and stays put, even in water or during intense exercise.

Crucially, it’s oil-free, too, so your skin won’t feel greasy or slick while you’re out and about.

This affordable facial sunscreen is perfect for acne-prone complexions. The oil-free, hypoallergenic formula is lightweight and dries down to a breathable, shine-free finish, helping prevent breakouts.

This sunscreen contains SPF 30, and the brand advises reapplying every two hours. “I do wish the SPF was slightly higher, especially as we enter the spring and summer months,” Olsen says. Although she was impressed with the product overall, Olsen had two small gripes: Despite being fragrance-free, the formula has a detectable sunscreen scent — not unpleasant, but definitely there. Additionally, be careful to avoid the sensitive eye area when applying, as it tends to sting.