Woman's right side face with greasy skin

What is oily skin? Recognize the characteristics and discover the best skincare

Oily skin is a common skin type that can lead to shine, blemishes, and clogged pores. Luckily, there are many things you can do to balance your skin. In this blog, we’ll explain what oily skin is, how to recognize it, and which skincare products for oily skin really work.

What is oily skin?

Oily skin occurs when your sebaceous glands are overactive and produce too much sebum (oil). While sebum serves an important function—it protects and hydrates your skin—too much oil can lead to shine, breakouts, blackheads, and enlarged pores.

How do you recognize oily skin?

Are you wondering if you have oily skin? Below you will find the most common characteristics:

  • Your skin shines especially on your forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone)

  • Your pores are visibly enlarged

  • You often suffer from pimples or blackheads

  • Make-up doesn't stay on as well or 'slides' off your face

  • Your skin feels greasy even after cleansing

Causes of oily skin

Oily skin can be caused by several factors:

  • Genetics : Your skin type is largely determined by heredity

  • Hormonal fluctuations : for example during puberty, menstruation or pregnancy

  • Wrong skincare : cleansers that are too aggressive can actually stimulate your skin to produce more oil.

  • Diet and stress : both can affect your sebum production

The best skincare routine for oily skin

With oily skin, it’s all about balance: you want to regulate oil production without drying out your skin. Here’s an ideal routine:

1. Cleaning (2x per day)

Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide. These help unclog pores and reduce excess sebum.

View an overview of our cleansers here.

2. Exfoliate (2-3x per week)

Use a chemical exfoliant with BHA (such as salicylic acid). This will help remove dead skin cells and prevent blockages.

View an overview of our exfoliators here.

3. Hydrate (yes, even for oily skin!)

Use a light, oil-free moisturizer . Hydration prevents your skin from producing extra oil to compensate.

View an overview of our moisturizers here.

4. Sun protection (every day!)

Use a non-comedogenic SPF (won't clog your pores). UV rays can irritate the skin and lead to increased sebum production.

View an overview of our SPFs here.

Ingredients to look for (and avoid)

✅ Do use:

  • Salicylic acid (BHA)

  • Niacinamide

  • Zinc PCA

  • Clay (kaolin or bentonite)

  • Hyaluronic acid

❌ Better to avoid:

  • Alcohol denat. (can dehydrate and trigger overproduction)

  • Thick oils such as coconut oil

  • Perfume or fragrances (may irritate)

Oily skin? No need to panic

Oily skin also has advantages: your skin often stays young longer and wrinkles develop more slowly. By using the right skincare for oily skin , you can balance your skin type without aggressive agents or expensive products.

At Rooby , we believe that skincare can be effective, fair and sustainable. That’s why we offer top brands for oily skin — at lower prices, with less waste.