Our Best Serums for Oily Skin

While you may already know that serums can target skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, dehydration and signs of ageing, they can also bring some much-needed balance to oily skin types. You just need to know what ingredients to look for and when to apply yours. 

What is oily skin? 

If your face is prone to being on the shiny side, especially later on in the day, and your makeup can be known to slide off mid-afternoon, your sebaceous glands are probably working overtime. Everyone has oil in their skin to keep it hydrated and healthy but too much sebum can cause skin, especially on the T-Zone, which makes up your forehead, nose and chin, to feel greasy and be more prone to breakouts and acne. 

What causes oily skin? 

Unfortunately, some causes of oily skin are in your control and some are not. Genetics can play a big part. If one of your parents has oily skin, the chances are you will too. Androgens are the hormones predominantly responsible for producing oil – increased androgen production, which can happen during puberty, menstruation and pregnancy, can encourage an increase in sebum production. Stress and rising levels of the stress hormone cortisol can also stimulate an increase in oil production. 

Scrubbing your face too many times a day and using products that are too harsh for your skin can also strip away the natural oils that need to keep it healthy. This can then trigger the overproduction of sebum as your body creates more oil to replace what is lost. Continually overwashing your skin can therefore encourage the continued over production of oil. 

Where you live and the time of year can also have an impact on how oily your skin is. Hot, humid climates and warm weather during the summer months can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, too. Using blotting sheets throughout the day and the right skincare routine can help to soak up excess oil though. 

How to apply serum 

Follow with a serum for oily skin rich in ingredients such as sebum-controlling niacinamide, like our Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, which targets oily skin at the source by slowing down how much oil your skin releases. Salicylic acid serums also help to deep clean pores of excess oil and prevent breakouts. Apply on the face and neck in the morning and night using outward and upward motions and follow with your daily moisturiser to trap in the active ingredients and all their benefits. 

Every morning skincare routine should finish with a layer of high-factor broad-spectrum SPF to keep your skin protected from damaging UV rays. Look for mattifying formulas to keep oily skin shine-free. 

Our best serums for oily skin