As a beauty editor with oily skin, I must have spent hundreds of hours researching and testing the very best products to care for my congested and . From that hydrate without exacerbating shine to that gently exfoliate, I’ve carefully curated a routine that helps to keep my sebum levels in check, minimises breakouts, and keeps my skin tone looking even. But there’s one step that I’ve spent more time perfecting than any other—the best serum for oily skin.
Despite not using a serum for most of my 20s (I incorrectly believed that the extra skincare step would be too heavy for my skin and could exacerbate my acne) I am now a huge advocate of adding a to your routine—whatever your skin type. And experts agree that oily skin will particularly benefit from using one. “Serums are lighter on the skin and hydrate without the heaviness of a moisturiser,” explains consultant dermatologist .
“They offer faster absorption into the skin, do not clog pores, and are packed with active ingredients that target specific concerns like reduction of sebum production, pigmentation and inflammation.” With so many serums on the market, knowing what to look for when you’re choosing the best serum for oily skin is crucial and, thankfully, there are a few key ingredients that experts suggest seeking out. A hero ingredient when it comes to looking after oily skin, is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin.
“Oily skin is usually prone to acne, inflammatory spots and clogged pore.