"OILIER SKIN" we'll define as skin that, if you didn't apply a lotion, a few hours after washing your face you'd see noticeable shine from oiliness
The first part of your daily routine would consist of a gentle gel cleanser in the morning (like ours) mixed and splashed off with cool water (warm water causes redness and stimulates oil production--not helpful!), followed by either a salicylic or mandelic acid (like we have in our Pore Perfect Toner) liquid exfoliant using a cotton pad.
You'd apply these acids wherever you tend to get clogged pores. Avoid areas prone to dryness like your under eye area and maybe your nose crease. Even oilier skin has sensitive areas, and because salicylic and mandelic acids help dissolve oil, you want to avoid using them places where you're not actually oily.
Whether you choose salicylic BHA or mandelic AHA depends in part whether you're sensitive or allergic to aspirin, since salicylic acid is in that family [people who are allergic to BHA get dermatitis (small little bumps that aren't acne, it's a rash), and you probably won't know until you use it and get that reaction!
It's probably best to try a sample to see if you've never used a salicylic product before. Our Pore Perfect Toner, at 0.49% salicylic concentration, is very mild, less drying than most options on the market, and meant for daily use. Mandelic acid is less oil-reducing than salicylic acid and can be good for more sensitive skin types.
After applying your exfoliant, if you're also interested in anti-aging, you could apply a retinol serum (like our Serum A), which can help with breakouts as well as fine lines. Then, for a moisturizer you'd choose a lightweight option, like our Moisture Serum, which won't contribute to shine during the day but will add protective hydration.
If you're extra oily and prone to redness, you could then apply a niacinamide treatment like our Five Factor Gel, which is anti-inflammatory and does a great job of decreasing oil production. If you're dealing with our prone to breakouts, you can use our Spot Solver preventatively over areas prone to blemishes or you can use it as a spot treatment. Finally, a lightweight SPFwill keep skin protected without clogging pores.
If you follow the above daily recommendations, you'll notice your skin looks fresh all day and oiliness is no longer a big issue for you. A facial peel is a great way of giving yourself a boost of exfoliation that will leave your skin feeling fresh and pores looking great. But we don't recommend facials generally. Why??
Typical facials include heat and steam and massage, all of which worsen oiliness and contribute to swollen capillaries, which makes the face red. You may also think of facials as including face masks with exotic ingredients or make your own from things in the fridge, but more often than not those contain irritants that will cause you more trouble, especially if they are food-based (hello bacteria!).
And finally, one of the absolute most important things when considering oily skin, and for any skin type, is avoiding irritation. If a product smells really "great," especially if it has perfume or essential oils, that's not great. So stick with fragrance-free products and keep temperatures low and rubbing to a minimum and your skin will behave more like your friend.
-FCB
