Men’s Skincare Routine for Oily Skin: 5 Essential Steps + Products
Here’s a skincare routine for men with oily skin:
- Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser
- Moisturize twice daily with an oil-free moisturizer
- Spot-treat any trouble areas
- Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen
- Exfoliate twice per week
Does your face look greasier than a frying pan every day by lunchtime? You’re not alone. Up to 35% of dudes say their skin feels “oily,” “slimy,” or “greasy” according to one study. Your gut instinct is to dab your face with a napkin or scrub it down with soap and water to get rid of the grime—but those quick fixes can actually screw you over in the long run.
The root cause of oily skin is your sebaceous glands churning out excess sebum: a slick, sticky substance that protects and lubricates your skin (you can blame your genetics for that.) And while oily skin is definitely annoying AF, you’re not doomed to look like a greaseball forever. You just need the right skincare routine.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a daily routine with dermatologist-approved tips to keep your complexion healthy and balanced 24/7.
1. Wash Your Face Twice Daily
In the battle against oily skin, your best weapon is a face wash that gets rid of gunk and excess oil without over-drying your skin. Dermatologists recommend cleansing your face two times every day: once in the morning to wash away the oils and dead skin cells that accumulate while you sleep; then again before bed to remove the buildup of dirt, sweat, and bacteria.
Please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t wash your face with 3-in-1 body wash or hand soap.
The best face cleanser for oily skin is a gentle, water-based formula—ideally with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to protect your skin barrier and balance your moisture levels.
Steer clear of cleansers that are designed for dry skin, since these may have heavy oils that clog your pores
2. Spot-Treat Trouble Areas
Oily skin is a breeding ground for blackheads and zits. Accordingly, you probably have an acne treatment on deck to handle breakouts. We recommend applying acne treatments (like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinol) to targeted areas after washing your face and before applying a moisturizer.
That said, you should always defer to your dermatologist, depending on the product instructions and your skincare needs.
3. Moisturize Twice Daily
Moisturizing oily skin might sound dumb, but it’s an essential step in any dude’s skincare routine—regardless of your skin type.
Fact: oily skin and moisturized skin are not the same thing. When your skin is dehydrated, your sebaceous glands go into overdrive, pumping out more sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture. However, moisturizing your face sends a signal for your oil glands to calm down.
When you’re a dude with oily skin, opt for a lightweight, water-based moisturizer. Also make sure your moisturizer doesn’t have any harsh chemicals or fragrances, or oils that will clog the pores you’re trying to unblock. Revival checks all those boxes (and more) with a 6-in-1 formula that keeps sebum production under control, stops early signs of aging, and prevents acne breakouts.
For the best results, moisturize your face right after you wash your face (once in the morning and again at night). Damp skin is 10x more absorbent than dry skin, so this is prime time for your skin to soak up the ingredients.
4. Apply Sunscreen (SPF 30+) Every Day
It doesn’t matter if it’s rainy, cloudy, or the sun is beating down in the dog days of summer—you should always be rocking sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to protect your face from the sun’s UV rays. So many guys skip this step, even though it’s one of the best things you can do to prevent early signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin.
Now, here’s the kicker: You can’t just slap on the cheapest sunscreen you find on the bottom shelf. A lot of sunscreen formulas are loaded with oils that can negate all the hard work you’ve done to de-grease your mug. Instead, invest in a non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreen that’s specifically designed for your face.
5. Exfoliate Twice Per Week
Exfoliation is like giving your skin a fresh start. For oily skin, it's extra important because all that excess oil can clog up your pores like rush hour on a Monday morning. Twice a week is the sweet spot—right before you moisturize. Exfoliating helps to unclog your pores, slough off dead skin cells, and prevent breakouts without going overboard and irritating your skin.
So, how do you do it right? First, pick an exfoliant that's gentle on your skin, like one with salicylic acid. Don't scrub like you're trying to sand down a deck—gentle circles are the way to go. And hey, remember your T-zone, that's grease city. Give it some extra love.
After you've exfoliated, don't forget to moisturize. Remember, even oily skin needs hydration. Just use a lightweight moisturizer like Revival to keep things balanced.
3 Bonus Skincare Tips to Manage Oily Skin
You’ve got the game plan for managing oily skin—now let’s cover a few bonus tips to level up your skincare game even more.
1. Stay Away from Greasy Food
We know, the late-night T-Bell run is so tempting. But greasy junk food can mess with your skin's oil levels and lead to breakouts. Save the munchies for special occasions.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out and can actually help regulate oil production. Slug at least 15 cups of water per day and you’ll be golden.
3. Don’t Touch Your Face
When you’re prone to oily skin, the last thing you should do is touch your face with fingers that are teeming with dirt and bacteria. Always wash your hands before diving into your skincare routine. “Nothing will undo a great skin care regimen faster than a pair of dirty hands,” the Cleveland Clinic explains.
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