Serum for Oily Skin: How to Choose the Right One for Your Skin?

As you can see, oily skin comes with a number of minor annoyances. Excess sebum not only hinders the skin’s natural renewal process, but more importantly, it tends to clog pores, which are often enlarged in oily skin. This skin type is therefore prone to breakouts because the skin feels suffocated. And as if that weren’t enough, excess sebum also causes makeup to not stay on the skin as well as it should... 

Good news: Oily skin ages better than other skin types, since the sebum film naturally protects it from external aggressors. And best of all, it responds very well to treatment with the right products.

Moisturizing Dehydrated Oily Skin

Contrary to popular belief, oily skin can be dehydrated. Dehydration can even exacerbate excess sebum production, as the skin instinctively tries to protect itself. Ahydrating serum for oily skinprovides a targeted hydration boost—the first step toward rebalancing any skin concern.

Regulate sebum production

Moisturizing alone isn't enough. A serum for oily skin should also contain sebum-regulating active ingredients such as zinc, niacinamide, or even salicylic acid to help control excess sebum production and allow the skin to breathe.

Treating blemishes and redness

Once the skin is hydrated and balanced, the serum can also address other concerns: blemishes, scars, and redness. That’s the strength of concentrated formulas—they allow you to tackle multiple issues at the same time.

Using a serum for oily skin is good. Having a complete skincare routine tailored to this skin type is (even) better. Here are the three essential steps to get off to a good start.

Can you use a serum for oily skin every day? Yes, most serums for oily skin are designed for daily use, in the morning and/or at night. In the morning, it’s best to use a hydrating or sebum-regulating serum. At night, you can opt for a more active serum (retinol, acids) depending on your skin’s needs.

Does oily skin really need hydration? Absolutely . Oily skin can definitely be dehydrated—these are two distinct things. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands; hydration refers to the skin’s water content. A lightweight, hydrating serum for oily skin is essential for balancing the skin without weighing it down.

 Serum or cream: in what order should you apply skincare products for oily skin? Always apply the serum before the cream. Thanks to its small molecules, the serum penetrates deeply and prepares the skin. The cream then seals in moisture and protects the skin. For oily skin, choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic cream.