If you have oily skin, you’re probably familiar with the cycle: powder in the morning, blotting sheets by noon, and a shiny T-zone by afternoon anyway. The good news is that managing oil doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job. What makes the biggest difference isn’t constant touch-ups, but being intentional about the ingredients you bring into your routine.
Is Oily Skin the Same as Acne-Prone Skin?
The short answer is no. Oily skin and acne-prone skin are related but distinct. You can have one without the other—you might experience shine every day without breakouts, or develop acne even if your skin isn’t particularly oily. While they can occur together, each can also exist independently.
Oily skin is primarily caused by excess sebum production. While an oversupply of sebum may lead to acne-causing factors such as clogged pores, this alone doesn’t guarantee that your skin will break out. There are other factors that cause acne: bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance.
Sebum Isn’t the Enemy
While sebum plays a key role in maintaining your skin’s health, an excess of it is what leads to the usual concerns associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, congestion, and breakouts.
Sebum is your skin’s natural blend of oils. It’s produced by the sebaceous glands and forms a light, conditioning layer on the skin and hair. This thin film protects the skin from everyday environmental irritants such as pollutants, bacteria, and even UV rays. At the same time, it helps keep skin hydrated by slowing down water loss.
It also reinforces the skin barrier by keeping the outermost layers working at their best. When the barrier is weaker, it becomes more prone to dryness and irritation. This often happens as we age and the skin’s pH levels become more alkaline. Sebum helps counter that by breaking down into free fatty acids, helping maintain the skin’s natural acidity and supporting a stronger barrier.
Shine Happens—Here’s How
Oily skin often comes down to genetics, hormones, and climate. If one (or both) of your parents has oily skin, then it’s likely you inherited the same skin type. Hormones also play a role, as androgens such as testosterone stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This is why you probably noticed that your skin started getting oily once you hit puberty, or during other hormonal shifts.
Another factor behind unwanted shine is the weather. Given that we are in a tropical country, the hot, humid conditions can lead to excessive oil production. But even short-term rises in skin temperature—like walking outdoors or exercising—can have the same effect.
While these factors can’t be helped, there are a few things you can do to help regulate sebum production. One way is to reduce your sugar intake, as a high-glycemic diet can increase oil production and inflammation. Another is to not over-cleanse the skin, as this strips it of its natural oils, triggering it to produce even more sebum.
Playing the Long Game
The goal is to have clearer, smoother, less-greasy skin over time. With a solid, ingredient-driven skincare routine, you’ll likely notice less midday shine and longer-lasting makeup. Your skin may also experience fewer breakouts, thanks to less-clogged and more-refined pores. Overall, properly managed sebum also supports barrier strength, which leads to skin that is more resilient and less reactive.
The key to dealing with oily skin really is balance. And to achieve that, choose products with hardworking—not to be confused with harsh or aggressive—ingredients that keep the oil at bay in the long run.
For oily skin, the core ingredient combination is salicylic acid and niacinamide. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that not only cleanses the skin’s surface but also goes deep into the pores to clear buildup. Niacinamide, on the other hand, helps regulate sebum production and improve the skin’s texture.
If you have more sensitive skin, replace salicylic acid with a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) like gluconolactone, which gently exfoliates the skin. But if your skin can handle it and you want something more potent, a nighttime retinoid can further refine the appearance of pores and support cell turnover. It’s best to consult a dermatologist for this, so you know if you will need a stronger, prescription-only product like tretinoin or if a milder, over-the-counter formula like retinol would suffice.
The key to a healthy skin barrier is optimal hydration, which even oily skin needs. Go for hyaluronic acid—this moisturizes the skin and keeps hydration locked in.
A Quick-but-Effective Routine for Oily Skin
And from there, putting together a routine is easier than you think. Start with a gentle cleanser with salicylic acid. CKIN The Skinfulness Gel Cleanser features this ingredient, together with panthenol (a form of vitamin B5 that moisturizes, heals, and protects).
CKIN The Skinfulness Gel Cleanser
₱750, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
After cleansing, add niacinamide to your routine through a toner, essence, or serum. Tip: You may use all three products to incorporate other ingredients made for oily skin. The key is to start with the lightest texture (toner) and work your way up to heavier consistencies, ensuring your skin absorbs each layer without feeling greasy.
Use a toner to prep your skin for the essence. Consider Popique Take A Sip Multi-Peptide Toning Essence, which serves as both a toner and an essence.
Popique Take A Sip Multi-Peptide Toning Essence
₱499, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
Follow with a serum like Pure Culture Wild Algae Glow Up Serum. This includes both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which balance and hydrate the skin when paired together.
Pure Culture Wild Algae Glow Up Serum
₱599, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
To moisturize your skin, opt for a lightweight, oil-free formula such as VMV Hypoallergenics Spring Fresh Oil-Free Nourisher for Oily Skin. This includes monolaurin, a coconut-derived ingredient that helps treat acne, control oil, and calm the skin.
VMV Hypoallergenics Spring Fresh Oil-Free Nourisher for Oily Skin
₱1,250, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
Lastly, don’t forget your sunscreen! Make sure to choose one with broad-spectrum protection (shields both UVA and UVB rays). Try Small Steps Skin Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ with Allantoin, which not only defends but also helps calm and moisturize the skin through a comfortable, water-based formula.
Small Steps Skin Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ with Allantoin
₱449, The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio
Going From Grease to Peace
Caring for oily skin isn’t about completely stripping it of its shine. It’s about understanding what your skin needs and helping it work with you instead of against you. With the right ingredients and a routine that supports balance, oily skin can actually look its best: smoother, clearer, and comfortably hydrated.
Think of it as a long-term partnership with your skin. Small daily habits—cleansing gently, choosing the right ingredients, keeping your barrier strong, and never skipping sunscreen—add up to a complexion that stays steady no matter the weather or on shine-prone days. Oily skin will always produce oil, but with the right approach, it becomes something manageable, predictable, and even beneficial.
At the end of the day, healthy skin isn’t about being oil-free. It’s about feeling balanced, confident, and in control of your glow.
Shop these products and discover more at The Beauty Edit Gallery at Spatio, located on the 3/F of Opus Mall, Bridgetowne Destination Estate, Quezon City. An editorial-led retail concept—and the first-of-its-kind in the local scene—the gallery spotlights indie innovators, cult icons, and niche trailblazers shaping F-beauty today.
