A Summer Survival Guide for Oily Skin

Summer means beach, sand, sun… and for oily skin babes it may also mean an extra-shiny complexion. I’ve put together a daily routine with my go-to DIY recipes and some favorite product picks, both intended to tame the shine and target excess sebum (isn’t that the grossest word?!).

Don’t let summer leave your skincare routine behind, usually it just takes a few adjustments in products to keep skin looking clear and fresh. 

Summer Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Your skincare routine should consist of five components:

1. Cleanse

It’s important to cleanse properly twice daily for all skin types, but especially for oily skin. That said, you need to be careful not to strip the skin, causing pH to be out of balance. Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser is 5.9 pH, fragrance free, and it dissolves both oil and makeup.

Oil cleansers are often overlooked by oily babes thinking it will just make their skin look shinier. But a little known secret is oil dissolves oil, it can remove makeup easily, and can easily be made at home. Jojoba is often a good choice for the base of an oil cleanser, but you can also experiment with what you have on hand. 

Oil Cleanser for Oily Skin 

-4 tablespoons jojoba oil
-2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
-2 tablespoons avocado oil
-few drops of an essential oil (try tea tree, frankincense, chamomile, etc. )

Combine oils in a glass bottle, give it a good shake before each use. Use 1-2 teaspoons each time, warming the oil in the palm of your hand and then gently massaging the cleanser into your skin, pulling dirt and makeup along as you go. A warm washcloth is ideal for removal. Feel free to cleanse a second time if needed. 

2. Tone

After cleansing, a toner helps prep the skin to absorb all your active skin care ingredients, balances pH, and removes any traces of leftover cleanser. This Odacite Cleansing Water is my top pick, with natural ingredients like aloe vera juice, grapefruit and salicylic acid. If you prefer to DIY a toner, an alcohol-free witch hazel can be applied with a cotton pad or spritz on the face. 

DIY Toner for Oily Skin

-3/4 cup steeped green tea
-1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

After steeping a green tea bag in hot water, bring the tea to room temperature then discard the tea bag. Add the apple cider vinegar and mix. You can apply with a cotton ball, or spritz with a spray bottle. Store the remainder in the refrigerator for no longer than 10 days.

3. Exfoliate

Gentle scrubs can help rid the skin of excess oil that would clog pores and lead to blackheads. This gentle rice flour exfoliant is both easy to make and only requires a few ingredients.

Rice Flour Scrub

-1/4 cup rice flour
-1 tablespoon raw honey
-1 tablespoon yogurt
-1 teaspoon dried chamomile, rose or jasmine blossoms
-5 drops tea tree oil
-1 – 2 tablespoons water (enough to make a fine paste)

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Apply the scrub to freshly cleansed skin and use gentle circular motions to slough away dead skin cells. Rinse with warm water and follow with moisturizer.

If you’re looking for a scrub that will knock your socks off, and expense is no issue, this Osea Vitamin C Polish is out of this world. The pure Vitamin C and probiotic mixture is activated with just water, and after several circular motions all over your face and neck, you will immediately come back to this post to thank me for introducing you to this stellar scrub!

If you would rather use an exfoliating mask, Dermalogica’s Sebum Clearing Masque uses clay to deep clean pores and remove oil congestion. Depending on your skin type, exfoliation is necessary 1-3 times a week.

4. Moisturize

A common misconception is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer. It might be harder to find the right moisturizer that won’t clog the skin, but your skin will thank you for the much needed hydration to promote oil balance. A gel moisturizer, such as Bioelements Beyond Hydration, will help bind moisture to the skin without becoming greasy or clogging.

Another light and hydrating moisturizer that will nourish without clogging is Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream. Use daily in the morning on cleansed skin, follow with a sunscreen. 

5. Treat

A mask once or twice a week can do wonders to tighten skin, hydrate, and even skin tone. Whether you purchase one like Tatcha’s Violet-C Radiance Mask, Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask or mix up your own using the instructions below, don’t skip this crucial step in your routine!

Clay Facial Mask for Oily Skin

-1 tablespoon witch hazel
-1 teaspoon bentonite clay

Combine ingredients and stir until blended. Don’t use metal spoons or bowls to mix. Apply to skin with clean fingers and leave on for 10 minutes. Super oily skin types can leave on for up to 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.