Skincare for Oily Skin:
Causes, Tips and Routine

Suffering from greasy skin? Discover the main causes of oily skin, tips to reduce excess oil and a NIVEA skincare routine to help you manage it day to day.

Read Time

5 min

In short:

What Is Oily Skin?
7 Causes of Oily Skin
5 Ways to Recognise Oily Skin
6 Tips to Reduce Oily Skin
Facts Overview
5 Skincare Ingredients for Greasy Skin:
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Is There a Difference Between Oily Skin in Men and Women?
NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Helps to Regulate Excess Oil
Summary

Oily skin is a common skin type that produces excess sebum, a natural oily substance made by the sebaceous glands. While sebum helps keep your skin moisturised and protects it from environmental stressors, too much of it can lead to different skin issues. Oily skin often looks shiny or greasy, especially in the T-zone area, which includes your forehead, nose and chin.

7 Causes of
Oily Skin

1
Genetics:
Oily skin often runs in families. If your parents or siblings have greasy skin, there’s a good chance you might have it too. Your genes play a big role in deciding how much oil your skin produces.

2
Hormones:
Hormonal changes can cause your skin to produce more oil. This is especially common during puberty, menstruation and pregnancy. Hormones called androgens increase oil production, which can lead to oily skin.

3
Age:
Younger people, especially teenagers, tend to have oilier skin because of higher hormone levels. As you age, your skin naturally produces less oil, which is why older adults often have drier skin.

4
Climate:
Hot and humid climates can make your skin produce more oil. Even in cooler weather, indoor heating can dry out your skin, causing it to overproduce oil to make up for the dryness.

5
Diet:
Diets high in sugar, dairy, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates can increase oil production.

6
Skincare Habits:
Using harsh cleansers or scrubbing your face too hard can strip your skin of its natural oils, pushing it to produce even more oil to compensate. It’s important to use gentle, non-oily products that are designed for oily skin.

7
Stress:
Stress can trigger your body to produce more hormones like cortisol, which can increase oil production.

5 Ways to recognise
Oily Skin

Oily skin can be identified through a few common signs and characteristics. Here are five key indicators to help you figure out if your skin type falls into this category:

1
Midday Shine:
If your face tends to become shiny and greasy by midday, especially in the T-zone, you likely have oily skin.

2
Frequent Breakouts:
Regular breakouts with blemishes, blackheads or whiteheads may suggest that your skin is prone to oiliness.

3
Visible Pores:
Large, noticeable pores, particularly around the nose and cheeks, often go hand in hand with oilier skin types.

4
Blotting Paper Test:
Press a blotting paper against different areas of your face. If it picks up a lot of oil from most areas, your skin is most likely oily.

5
Skin Texture:
A thicker, coarser texture, rather than a smooth feel, is often associated with oily skin.

6 Tips to reduce
Oily Skin

1
Use non-oily and light products:
Use oil-free, mattifying products, and choose lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers to control oil and still keep your skin hydrated.

2
Blot excess oil:
Keep blotting papers handy to gently absorb excess oil throughout the day.

3
Diet:
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help keep your skin in check.

4
Stress management:
Managing stress through activities like exercise, meditation or your favourite hobbies can help reduce oily skin.

5
Stay Hydrated:
Drink enough water throughout the day to help maintain your skin’s hydration and balance.

6
Avoid touching your face:
If you have a greasy face, touching it frequently can transfer oils and bacteria, leading to clogged pores and even infections and pimple outbreaks.

Facts Overview

Oily Skin

Causes: Genetics, hormones, age, climate, diet, stress and skincare habits.

Recognition: Shiny T-zone by midday, frequent breakouts, visible pores and a greasy feel.

Skincare Routine: Cleanse gently twice daily, moisturise with lightweight, non-comedogenic products, exfoliate regularly and always use SPF 30+ sunscreen.

5 Skincare ingredients for
Greasy Skin:

1
Hyaluronic acid:
Can boost hydration without making your skin oily.

2
Glycolic acid:
Helps exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells and excess oil, promoting a clearer, smoother complexion.

3
Niacinamide:
May help control oil production and reduce inflammation.

4
Salicylic acid:
Can help keep pores clear and prevent blemishes.

5
Aloe vera:
Soothes and hydrates the skin naturally.

Introducing ingredients such as Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide into your skincare routine can also help if you have oily, blemish-prone skin. They complement each other: Salicylic Acid penetrates deep into the skin's pores to clear excess oil and dead skin cells, while Niacinamide helps soothe skin and makes it look more radiant. These two ingredients work together to make your skin clearer and more glowing.

Skincare routine for
Oily Skin

While a normal level of oil is healthy, excessive amounts can cause problems. The following routine, using products from NIVEA's Derma Skin Clear range, could help you regulate excess oil production and minimise blemishes as a result.

1. Cleanse (AM and PM)

Choose a gentle cleanser and wash your face twice daily to effectively remove excess oil and impurities. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel deeply cleanses and helps clear out pores while also removing excess grease.

2. Scrub (2–3 times a week – PM only)

The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti Blemish Scrub is ideal to use right after your cleanser for a deeper cleanse and to get rid of dead skin cells. Also formulated with Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide, it helps unclog pores and refine skin texture. Add it to your evening routine 2–3 times a week for the best results.

3. Toning (optional – AM and PM)

Round off cleansing by adding a gentle, hydrating toner to your routine. It helps maintain your skin's pH balance and removes leftover dirt, oil and makeup. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Toner can help rebalance and hydrate your skin without clogging pores. You can see visible skin improvement in just 7 days.

4. Chemical exfoliation (PM only)

This helps remove dead cells by breaking the bonds that hold them together, unblocking pores and supporting your skin's natural renewal process. For the evening routine, opt for the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Night Exfoliator and leave it on overnight. Enriched with Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide, it helps clear your skin complexion in just 7 days*. Although it's intended for daily use, some people may be more sensitive to chemical exfoliation. If that’s you, feel free to space out applications, especially at the start of treatment.

^{*Consumer test, 97 volunteers}

5. Moisturise (AM and PM)

If your skin feels dry or tight, consider applying a light, non-oily moisturiser for extra hydration. While oily skin naturally produces more sebum, using a moisturiser can help balance moisture levels without clogging pores. This can actually reduce excess oil production, because skin that’s too dry may compensate by producing more oil. For some people, a lightweight sunscreen with hydrating properties may provide enough moisture on its own, offering both protection and hydration in one step.

NIVEA Moisturisers

6. Sun protection (AM only)

Your skin’s reaction to being dried out by the sun is to produce more sebum, which can lead to clogged pores. On top of that, the alpha-hydroxy acids in exfoliating skincare products can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. So it’s essential to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every morning and to reapply it regularly during the day. The NIVEA Sun UV Face Specialist Derma Skin Clear SPF 50+ helps absorb excess oil from the skin's surface while protecting against UVA/UVB-induced skin damage.

Is there a difference between
oily skin in men and women?

Men are generally more prone to oily skin than women because their sebaceous glands often become overactive during puberty due to increased testosterone production. Men also tend to have thicker skin and larger pores. This difference in skin type means that men’s skincare routines usually need to focus more on oil control, with products that manage excess sebum and prevent clogged pores.

When shaving, it’s also important to use a sharp razor and choose a shaving cream and after-shave care suited to your skin type, and to keep beards clean with regular washing and conditioning.

NIVEA Derma Skin Clear helps to
Regulate Excess Oil

Selecting the ideal skincare products for oily skin can be a bit of a challenge. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear range has been formulated to help manage blemish-prone skin and regulate excess oil production, helping you achieve a healthier-looking complexion. This range features three key ingredients—Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid—known for their ability to revitalise and care for greasier, blemish-prone skin.

Derma Skin Clear Range

Summary

Oily skin, caused by excess sebum production, can lead to shine, breakouts and visible pores. Understanding the causes—such as genetics, hormones, age, climate, diet, stress and skincare habits—can help you manage it effectively. Developing and maintaining a consistent skincare routine is crucial for keeping greasy skin healthy and balanced. Look for products containing Salicylic Acid to exfoliate and clear pores, Niacinamide to help regulate sebum production and Hyaluronic Acid for hydration. Regular exfoliation and daily sun protection are also essential steps in managing oily skin well.