5 Mistakes You’re Making with Oily Skin And How to Fix Them

Do you feel like your skin is always shiny, greasy, or breaking out? You might be making some skincare mistakes that are actually making your oily skin worse. Many people with oily skin unknowingly use the wrong products or skip important steps in their skincare routine.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the top 5 mistakes you might be making with oily skin and exactly how to fix them.

We'll also recommend some tried-and-tested products that work great for oily and acne-prone skin. Let’s get your skin looking fresh, clear, and balanced!

It seems logical to use a strong cleanser to remove oil, right? Wrong.

When you use harsh or drying cleansers, they strip your skin's natural oils.

Your skin sees this as a threat and tries to protect itself by producing even more oil. This leads to greasy skin, clogged pores, and more breakouts.

What to do instead

 Use a gentle, pH-balanced foaming cleanser that removes oil without over-drying.

 Look for ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help unclog pores.

Recommended products like CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser—great for oily and acne-prone skin. Cleans without stripping moisture.

Pro Tip: Cleanse your face twice a day only—morning and at night. Over-washing can trigger more oil production.

If your skin is oily, why use a moisturizer? Many people skip this step—but it’s a big mistake.

When you skip moisturizer, your skin becomes dehydrated. In response, it overproduces oil to make up for the lack of moisture. This leads to more shine and even clogged pores.

What to do instead

 Use an oil-free, lightweight, or gel-based moisturizer.

 Choose products labeled "non-comedogenic" (won’t clog pores).

Recommended product, like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel—lightweight, absorbs fast, and hydrates without grease.

Pro Tip: Add this to your morning and evening routine after cleansing and serums.

Many people with oily skin skip sunscreen because they think it makes their skin greasier or causes breakouts. But this mistake can harm your skin in the long run.

Without sunscreen, UV rays damage your skin barrier. This causes inflammation, dark spots, and faster aging. Your skin may try to repair itself by producing more oil, which worsens breakouts and shine.

What to do instead

Use a non-greasy, matte-finish sunscreen.

Look for sunscreens made for oily or acne-prone skin.

Recommended Product: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46—Lightweight, non-comedogenic, and loved by dermatologists.

Why it matters: Sunscreen protects your skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and prevents oil-triggering sun damage.

Using too many actives or exfoliators can damage your skin barrier. You might think you're helping your skin, but you're actually irritating it.

Over-exfoliation removes your skin’s protective layer. This causes tiny cracks in your barrier, letting in bacteria and pollutants. Your skin then becomes red, inflamed, and oilier as it tries to protect itself.

What to do instead

Exfoliate only 2–3 times a week with a gentle BHA (salicylic acid).

Avoid layering too many harsh products (retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs all at once).

Recommended Product:- 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant for Face, Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant—Unclogs pores, smooths texture, and balances oil.

Routine Example: Cleanser → BHA 2x/week → Moisturizer → Sunscreen (AM only)

Heavy foundation, oily primers, and comedogenic ingredients can block pores and make oily skin worse.

When you use pore-clogging makeup, it mixes with your skin’s natural oils and dirt. This creates a layer that traps bacteria inside your pores, leading to breakouts, bumps, and even more oil production.

What to do instead

Use lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup products.

Always remove makeup completely before bed.

Recommended Products

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + poreless foundation, e.l.f. Power Grip Primer ,

CeraVe Hydrating Makeup Remover Wipes, Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes, Daily Facial Cleanser Towelettes,

Pro tip: Removing makeup with the right product is key to controlling oily skin.

Drink enough water throughout the day.

Use blotting papers instead of overwashing.

Try clay masks 1–2x a week.

Avoid touching your face frequently.

Eat a balanced diet rich in omega-3s and antioxidants.

The key to managing oily skin is balance, not over-stripping or skipping steps. When you treat your skin kindly and use products that work with your skin, not against it, you’ll see lasting improvement.

Start small: fix one mistake at a time. Use products formulated for oily skin. Stick to a simple, consistent routine.

Ready to Build Your Oily Skin Routine?

Click the links above to grab dermatologist-recommended products from Amazon or any other recommended ones you find and start your journey to clear, balanced skin today.

A: Genetics, hormones, diet, and over-cleansing are common causes.

A: No! Oily skin can age slower. It just needs balance and the right care.

A: No. Twice a day is enough. Overwashing causes rebound oiliness.

A: Not if you use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer.

A: Look for the term "non-comedogenic" on the label.

A: Yes, some oils like jojoba and rosehip help balance oily skin.

A: No. Just use lightweight serums with ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.

A: Not if you use one made for oily skin, like EltaMD UV Clear.

A: No, but exfoliate only 2–3 times per week with gentle acids.

A: Matte, oil-free foundations like Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless work great.