Let’s be honest — oily skin can feel like a full-time job. You wash your face, and just when you think it’s looking matte and fresh, bam! By 11 a.m., it’s like your forehead went swimming in mustard oil. Sound familiar? Here is simplest Skincare Routine for Oily Skin you should follow.
But oily skin isn’t a curse. In fact, it means your skin is actively trying to protect you — it’s just a little too enthusiastic about it. The key isn’t to strip it dry or overload it with powders. It’s about balance. And that’s exactly what this routine will help you achieve.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
What oily skin really is
How to confirm if you have it
Why your skin behaves this way
And finally: a calm, balanced daily & weekly routine that fits your Indian lifestyle (yes, including spicy food, humidity, and stress!)
Let’s dive in.
Understanding Oily Skin: Yeh Chip-Chip Kyu Hoti Hai?
What Actually Is Oily Skin?
Our skin has sebaceous glands that produce sebum (oil). This oil protects, hydrates, and maintains the skin barrier. But when these glands get a little overzealous, they produce extra oil that:
Makes your face look shiny
Enlarges the appearance of pores
Traps dirt and bacteria, leading to pimples or blackheads
Imagine your skin as a dosa tawa — a little oil keeps things going smoothly, but too much? Sticky, messy, and just not right.
How to Know If You Have Oily Skin
Still confused if your skin is oily or just sweaty? Here’s how you can tell—without running to a dermatologist.
Try these simple checks:
Blotting Paper Test: Mid-day, take a blotting paper or even a basic tissue and gently press it on your forehead, nose, and chin (your T-zone). If the paper comes away with visible oil patches, chances are you’re dealing with oily skin.
Shine Check: Wash your face in the morning and don’t apply anything for a couple of hours. Does your face look shiny or feel greasy within 2–3 hours? That’s a red flag.
Pore Patrol: Stand in front of a mirror with good lighting. Are the pores on your nose and cheeks clearly visible or look a bit stretched out? Enlarged pores are classic oily skin markers.
Breakouts: Are you dealing with recurring whiteheads, blackheads, or small pimples—especially around the nose, forehead, and chin? These spots are oil-prone zones, and clogged pores love to throw tantrums here.
If you nodded ‘yes’ to most of these, welcome to the Oily Skin Club (or at least Combo Oily territory). Don’t worry, we’ve got the tools to manage it!
Why Do You Have Oily Skin & What’s Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin?
Reasons You Can’t Control (But Can Manage)
Sometimes your skin is oily because of things you were simply born with—or stuff that’s out of your hands.
Genetics: If oily skin runs in the family, there’s a good chance your skin’s oil production is inherited. If your mom, dad, or chachu had shiny foreheads in college photos, now you know.
Hormones: Puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, PCOS, and even stress can trigger a hormonal rollercoaster. One of the side effects? Sebaceous glands start behaving like they drank three cups of chai—hyper and unstoppable.
You can’t eliminate these causes, but you can manage the symptoms smartly with the right routine.
Things You Might Be Doing Wrong (No Judgement!)
Here’s where we often go wrong—not because we’re careless, but because we’re trying too hard to fix things.
Overwashing: If your face feels greasy, it’s tempting to keep washing it multiple times a day. But this strips your skin’s natural barrier. The skin panics and produces more oil to protect itself. It’s like trying to quiet a toddler by yelling—it just backfires.
Skipping Moisturizer: This one’s a classic mistake. Many think oily skin doesn’t need moisturizing. But when your skin lacks hydration, it actually pumps out more oil to compensate. A lightweight, water-based moisturizer is your bestie here.
Wrong Products: Using heavy cold creams, thick oils, or alcohol-based toners can clog pores or irritate the skin. If it smells like nail polish remover or feels like butter, it probably isn’t right for oily skin.
Diet & Stress: Let’s face it—Indian food isn’t always light. Add fried snacks, late-night Maggi, minimal water, and stress from deadlines or exams, and your skin throws a tantrum. This combo causes internal inflammation and external greasiness.
Fixing these habits doesn’t mean changing your entire life. It just means smarter choices and consistency.
Myths That Need to Retire
Let’s bust some age-old oily skin myths doing the rounds in parlor gossip and aunties’ advice circles.
“No moisturizer for oily skin.”
Truth: Big fat myth. Oily skin can still be dehydrated. When your skin lacks water content, it overproduces oil to compensate. It’s like your body thinking it’s in a desert, so it sends more reinforcements. A light, hydrating gel-based moisturizer actually calms down that oil party.“Use soap to dry it out.”
Truth: This one needs to retire ASAP. Harsh soaps strip your natural oils and mess up your skin barrier. What happens next? Your skin freaks out and produces even more oil to protect itself. It’s like trying to put out a fire with kerosene.“Oils cause oiliness.”
Truth: Not all oils are your enemies. Some, like squalane or rosehip oil, actually help balance sebum production. They’re lightweight and skin-friendly. It’s the thick, pore-clogging ones (hello, coconut oil on oily zones) that are the problem. Pick smartly.
The Actual Skincare Routine (No Fancy Product Names, Just Steps)
We keep things simple with a 4-part plan:
Cleanse
Hydrate/Moisturize
Treat
Protect
Let’s go over each one, desi-style.
Cleanse (Morning + Night)
Why: To get rid of all the oil, gunk, and sunscreen from your face without scrubbing it raw. This is your skin’s fresh start.
How:
Use a gentle gel-based or foaming face wash.
Your skin should feel clean—not stretched like plastic wrap.
Look for salicylic acid (0.5–2%), niacinamide, or green tea for oil control.
Avoid sulfate-heavy or grainy scrubs. If it foams like dish soap or feels like sandpaper, skip it.
Dr Sufi Tip: Wearing makeup or sunscreen? Use micellar water or a cleansing balm first, then face wash. That’s your double cleanse.
Hydrate / Moisturize (Yes, Even Oily Skin Needs It)
Why: Hydration cools down your oil glands. When skin is thirsty, it overcompensates by making more oil.
Pick This:
Gel moisturizers or water-based lotions
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or panthenol
Bonus: Ceramides or niacinamide for extra barrier support
Avoid This:
Heavy or buttery creams
Coconut oil (especially in humid weather)
Strong perfumes that may irritate oily, sensitive skin
How to Apply: Take a small amount, dot it across your face, and pat it in gently. Do it twice a day, every day.
Treat (Targeted Stuff – 2 to 3 times a week)
Why: This is your skin’s problem-solving zone — be it breakouts, scars, or redness.
Choose only ONE or TWO of the following:
Salicylic Acid: Clears out pores, controls oil.
Niacinamide (5–10%): Shrinks pores, fades marks, and evens tone.
Azelaic Acid (10–20%): Reduces redness and post-acne pigmentation.
Spot Treatments: Dab directly on zits, not all over your face.
Don’ts:
Don’t layer all actives together. It’s not a thali.
Don’t overuse — two to three times a week is enough.
Protect (Sunscreen – Every. Single. Day.)
Why: The sun is sneaky. It worsens oiliness, darkens spots, and speeds up aging.
Go for:
SPF 30 or higher
Gel-based or matte sunscreens
Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formulas
Dr Sufi Tip: If sunscreen makes you sweat or breaks you out, switch formulas — don’t ditch it. There’s one for every skin type. Keep hunting.
Weekly Extras (Your Sunday Facial Vibe)
If your daily routine is your regular thali, these weekly extras are like Sunday biryani — optional, but oh-so-satisfying when done right.
1. Exfoliate (1–2x a week)
Why: Your skin sheds dead cells naturally, but sometimes it needs a little nudge to prevent buildup that leads to dullness and breakouts.
How:
Choose a mild exfoliant with BHA (like salicylic acid) or PHA. These go deep into oily pores without scrubbing your skin raw.
Avoid walnut or apricot scrubs — they’re like using sandpaper on your face. Your skin isn’t a kitchen tile.
If you have red, irritated, or broken-out skin — skip exfoliation for the week. Healing comes first.
2. Clay Mask (1x a week)
Why: Clay masks help soak up extra oil, clear pores, and calm the skin — especially in Indian humidity or post-gym sweat.
How:
Pick ingredients like multani mitti, kaolin, or bentonite clay.
Apply only on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) if you’re combo-oily.
Always rinse it off when it’s semi-dry — not bone-dry and cracking like dry cake. That’s when it starts pulling moisture out of your skin.
3. Hydrating Mask (As needed)
Why: Skin feeling burnt, tired, or dull — like it just returned from a Goa trip? This step is your skin’s mini vacation.
How:
Choose soothing, gel-based masks with ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, green tea, or chamomile.
Use it after sun exposure, exfoliation, or anytime your face is screaming “I need a break!”
Dr Sufi Tip: Do your exfoliating and clay mask earlier in the day, then apply your hydrating mask in the evening. Think of it as cleanse → detox → soothe.
Lifestyle Habits (The Non-Creamy Part of Skincare)
Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your face. It’s also about what you eat, drink, touch, and do every day — the behind-the-scenes stuff no cream can fix alone.
Drink enough water: No, it won’t magically “flush out toxins” or clear acne overnight, but staying hydrated keeps your body (and skin) running smoothly. Think of it like oiling your cycle chain — it won’t fly, but it’ll move better.
Eat balanced meals: Too much fried food, processed snacks, or sugar-heavy chai breaks? That shows up on your skin. Aim for more fiber (fruits, veggies, dal-chawal), and reduce oily, spicy overload. Basically, less pakora, more palak.
Sleep! Scrolling Instagram till 2 a.m. is fun… until your skin looks like it pulled an all-nighter too. Skin heals while you sleep — 7–8 hours of proper rest really does wonders.
Clean pillowcases & towels: Your face touches them daily. If they’re dirty, your skin is basically lying on a germ buffet. Wash pillow covers 1–2 times a week, and keep your face towel separate from your body towel.
Don’t touch your face all day! You may not realize how often your hands travel from phone → face. And guess what? Phones are dirtier than toilet seats. Keep your hands away unless they’re freshly washed.
Your Easy Routine Cheat Sheet
We get it — you’re busy. You want a plan that fits into real life. Here’s a breakdown you can follow even on auto-pilot.
Morning Routine:
Start your day fresh and protected.
Cleanser: Gentle gel or foaming face wash to remove oil and sleep sweat.
Treatment: Only if it’s something mild like niacinamide. Skip actives if your skin feels sensitive that day.
Hydration: A light gel or water-based moisturizer. Think aloe vera or hyaluronic acid.
Sunscreen: This is your daily non-negotiable. SPF 30 or more, gel-based if you hate sticky feels.
Night Routine:
Time to repair and reset.
Cleanser: Remove all the day’s grime. Double cleanse if you’ve worn makeup or sunscreen.
Treatment: Use salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or any other actives — but rotate, don’t layer. Use only 2–3x a week.
Hydration: Reapply your moisturizer. This helps your skin recover overnight.
Spot Treatment: Dab benzoyl peroxide or sulfur-based gel on active breakouts (if needed). Not all over your face.
Weekly Boosters:
Exfoliate (1–2x/week): Use a mild BHA or PHA. Keep it gentle and skip broken skin.
Clay Mask (1x/week): Apply to oily zones. Wash when semi-dry — never fully cracked.
Hydrating Mask (as needed): When your skin feels drained, sun-exposed, or meh.
This cheat sheet is your mini roadmap. Save it, screenshot it, stick it on your mirror — whatever works. The more consistent you are, the better your skin will behave!
Skincare FAQs
Nope. Skipping it is the biggest mistake! Use a lightweight gel or water-based moisturizer. Hydration helps reduce excess oil, not increase it.
Sounds like combination skin. Use a gel-based moisturizer all over, and apply clay masks just on the T-zone. It's all about balance, not extremes.
Been there! Too much of a good thing can backfire. Cut back to 2–3 times a week and pair it with calming hydration. Your skin needs TLC, not a chemistry experiment.
Try switching to a gel-based, non-comedogenic sunscreen. Apply a thin layer and let it absorb fully before stepping out. The right formula won't feel heavy or sticky.
Yes — but only the right ones! Look for non-comedogenic oils like squalane, rosehip, or jojoba. They can actually regulate sebum without clogging pores.
Not always. Your skin evolves with age, lifestyle, hormones, and weather. Many people notice their skin gets less oily in their late 30s or after major lifestyle changes.
Not really. In summer, stick to lightweight, mattifying formulas. In winter, your oily skin might feel tight — so you'll need slightly more hydration (without heaviness).
Twice a day is enough — morning and night. Overwashing can dry your skin, triggering even more oil. Post-gym or after sweating, just splash with water or use a gentle cleanser.
Choose a gel or foam-based cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree, or green tea. Avoid harsh soaps or scrubs — they strip your skin and worsen oiliness.
Not if you use the right products! Look for matte, non-comedogenic, and powder-based makeup. Always prep with primer and finish with setting powder or spray to stay fresh longer.
Final Thoughts: Your Skin, Your Rules (But With a Little Science!)
If you’ve made it this far — give yourself a high-five! 
Managing oily skin isn’t about scrubbing it raw or skipping moisturiser. It’s about understanding what your skin truly needs (hint: it’s not punishment, it’s pampering).
Remember:
Oil is not the enemy — imbalance is.
Hydration is key — even if you shine brighter than your future by noon.
Consistency beats chaos — small daily steps win over weekly SOS fixes.
Think of your skincare like your morning chai. It doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs the right ingredients, in the right order, with a little patience.
So whether your forehead could fry a pakora by 4 PM, or your T-zone throws tantrums on weekends — now you’ve got the game plan to handle it. And if you need gentle, effective, dermatologist-formulated solutions made just for Indian skin? You know where to find us — at Dr Sufi’s Wellness. 
Your skin’s oily, not difficult. You’ve got this.
You can view our post on Normal Skincare Routine.
