Skin care 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 skin care routine to help keep it under control.

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 skin care ingredients for greasy skin:
Skin care routine for oily skin
Is there a difference between oily skin in men and women?
NIVEA Clear Up helps to regulate excess oil
Summary
FAQs

Oily skin is a common skin type that produces excess sebum, a natural oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. While sebum helps keep the skin moisturised and protects against environmental stressors, an excess amount can lead to various skin issues. Oily skin often appears shiny or greasy, particularly in the T-zone area, which includes the 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 is a good chance you might have it too. Your genes play a significant role in determining how much oil your skin produces.

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

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

4
Climate:
Hot and humid climates can cause your skin to produce more oil. Even in cooler weather, indoor heating can dry out your skin, causing it to overproduce oil to compensate.

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

6
Skin care habits:
Using harsh cleansers or scrubbing your face too hard can strip your skin of natural oils, causing it to produce even more to compensate. It is important to use gentle, non-oily products 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 several common signs and characteristics. Here are five key indicators to help you determine 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 encounters 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 accompany oilier skin types.

4
Blotting paper test:
Press a blotting paper against different areas of the face. If it picks up a lot of oil from most areas, the 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 maintain hydration.

2
Blot excess oil:
Keep blotting papers handy to 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 hobbies can help reduce oily skin.

5
Stay hydrated:
Drink enough water throughout the day to help maintain skin hydration and balance.

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

Facts overview

Oily skin

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

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

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

5 skin care ingredients for
greasy skin:

1
Hyaluronic acid:
Can boost hydration without making the 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 keep pores clear and help prevent blemishes.

5
Aloe vera:
Soothes and hydrates the skin naturally.

Introducing ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide into your skin care routine could also help those with oily, blemish-prone skin. They complement each other as salicylic acid penetrates deep into the skin's pores to clear excess oil and dead skin cells, while niacinamide helps soothe skin and make it more radiant. These two ingredients work together to make your skin clearer and more radiant.

Skin care routine for
oily skin

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

1. Cleanse (AM and PM)

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

NIVEA face cleanser

2. Scrub (2–3 times a week – PM only)

The NIVEA Clear Up Anti Blemish Scrub is ideal for use right after your cleanser to achieve a deeper cleanse and get rid of dead skin cells. Also formulated with salicylic acid and niacinamide, it helps to unclog pores and refine skin texture. Incorporate it into 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 aids in maintaining the skin's pH balance and eliminates excess dirt, oil and makeup. The NIVEA Clear Up Toner could help you rebalance and hydrate the skin without clogging pores. You can see a visible skin improvement in just 7 days.

4. Chemical exfoliation (PM only)

This helps to remove dead cells by breaking the ties that bind them together, to unblock the pores and support the skin's natural renewal process. For the evening routine, opt for the NIVEA Clear Up Night Exfoliator and leave on overnight. Enriched with salicylic acid, glycolic acid and niacinamide, it helps to clear your skin complexion in just 7 days*. Although it is intended for daily use, some people may be more sensitive to chemical exfoliation. If this is your case, don't hesitate to space out the applications, particularly 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 added hydration. While oily skin naturally produces more sebum, using a moisturiser can help balance moisture levels without clogging pores. This could actually reduce excess oil production, as skin that's too dry may compensate by producing more oil. For some, a lightweight sunscreen with hydrating properties may provide enough moisture on its own, offering both protection and hydration in one step.

6. Sun protection (AM only)

The skin's reaction to being dried out by the sun is to produce more sebum, which can lead to clogged pores. What's more, the alpha-hydroxy acids contained in exfoliating skin care products can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Therefore, it is essential to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every morning and to renew the application regularly during the day. The UV FACE SPECIALIST Derma Blemish Control SPF 50+ helps to 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 have thicker skin and larger pores. This difference in skin type means that men's skin care routines typically need to focus more on oil control, incorporating products that manage excess sebum and help prevent clogged pores.

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

NIVEA Clear Up helps to
regulate excess oil

Selecting the ideal skin care products for oily skin can be a challenge. The NIVEA Clear Up range has been formulated to help manage blemish-prone skin and regulate excess oil production, helping to achieve a healthier-looking complexion. This range features three key ingredients — niacinamide, salicylic acid and glycolic acid — known for their efficiency to revitalise and care for greasier, blemish-prone skin.

Summary

Oily skin, resulting from excess sebum production, can cause shine, breakouts and visible pores. Understanding the causes — such as genetics, hormones, age, climate, diet, stress and skin care habits — can help manage it effectively. Developing and maintaining a consistent skin care routine is crucial for keeping greasy skin healthy and balanced. Explore products containing salicylic acid to exfoliate and clear pores, niacinamide to regulate sebum production and hyaluronic acid for hydration. Regular exfoliation and sun protection are also essential steps in effectively managing oily skin.