How to Control the Oil on Your Face Naturally

Although oily skin is often maligned, associated with clogged pores and an increase in breakouts, it also has many benefits, says the American Academy of Dermatology. “Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles,” the AAD adds. The key is to strike the right balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture, notes the AAD, which is a tricky thing to accomplish. Below we dive into dermatologists-recommended tips and products that naturally control oil on your face.

Oily Skin 101

What causes oily skin in the first place? And how do you treat skin that produces excess oil? The sebaceous glands under the skin are secreting sebum, which naturally lubricates the skin, protecting it from drying out. Think of it as your skin’s natural moisturizer. But sometimes sebaceous glands can produce excess sebum, causing the skin to look excessively shiny or pores to become clogged. This can often be due to genetics but can also be caused by heightened hormone levels, stress, environmental factors, dietary triggers, and more, says the Cleveland Clinic.

How To Control Oil On the Face

If you have oily skin or an oily T-zone area, your skin produces extra sebum that can lead to clogged pores and potentially breakouts. The following oily skin tips and products can help bring harmony back to the skin.

Wash—Don’t Scrub

Cleansing the skin is vital for all skin types, but especially oily skin. And there are very specific cleansers designed for each skin type. From starting the morning fresh to unburdening the skin at the end of the day, cleansing helps wash away impurities, dirt, and other buildup accumulated throughout the day and night. Cleansing is beneficial for the health of the skin, too, helping to minimize excess oil, unclog and lessen the appearance of pores, and leave skin soft and ready for the next steps in your oily skincare routine. The AAD recommends cleansing twice a day, but also suggests washing the face after excessive sweating, too.

While dermatologists are fans of cleansing, they don’t appreciate scrubbing. Resist the temptation to aggressively scrub your skin, which irritates the skin, says the AAD. Instead, they recommend a gentle, foaming cleanser. Why is a gentle, yet effective cleanser so important? A harsh face wash can dry out the skin, triggering additional oil production, they note. That’s why we’ve developed a line of gentle yet effective Japanese facial cleansers and exfoliators.

Try: The Matcha Cleanse

Tatcha’s newest cleanser is a game-changer for oily skin. The daily clarifying gel cleanser not only purifies and decongests pores without stripping skin, but it also rebalances skin’s natural oil production. The refreshing watery-foam texture addresses the skin’s tone and reduces makeup slip-off for longer wear all day long. The formula includes ceremonial-grade matcha (sourced directly from the famous Uji region in Japan), powerhouse coix seed (used in herbal medicines for centuries to decongest pores), and Japanese Mugwort (to support barrier function).

Exfoliate — Gently

Oily skin loves exfoliation. Why? Exfoliating makes pores less noticeable and curbs excess oil, says the AAD. This is because when pores are clogged, they look more noticeable, and effective exfoliation basically ‘cleans out’ and unclogs pores, helping to eliminate excess oil, sebum, and dead skin cells while visibly tightening and minimizing the appearance of pores. This can be accomplished with physical exfoliation (scrubs or washcloths) or liquid exfoliating treatments (formulas with AHAs and/or BHAs). Check the product’s packaging to get the recommended usage tips, as some exfoliants are designed to be used anywhere from weekly, nightly, and even twice a day.

Try: The Texture Tonic

This AHA-powered liquid exfoliating formula was designed to be used daily, helpful at reducing excess oil and sebum, while also improving skin’s moisture levels. The formula has niacinamide and Japanese mugwort to visibly even skin tone, while also calming visible redness and irritation.

Moisturize — Carefully

Although you have oily skin, it’s still important to apply moisturizer daily to keep skin hydrated, says the AAD. Skipping face lotion can backfire, causing the skin to produce even more sebum. That said, an effective moisturizer is one of the most difficult products to discover for oily skin. Too occlusive and it drowns skin in hydration, too light and it might cause skin to produce excess sebum. A moisturizer is not a one-size-fits-all product, says the AAD. They note that a moisturizer can come in several different formats, including lotions, gels, thick creams, or ointments. For oily skin, consider a lightweight, clarifying moisturizer for morning and night, applying right after a serum (or cleanser, if you’re skipping a serum).

Try: The Water Cream

This lightweight, clarifying, water-based moisturizer was specifically designed for oily skin. The gel cream releases a burst of hydrating nutrients and pore-refining botanicals for healthy-looking, balanced skin. The unique formula delivers hydration, without leaving skin sticky or greasy thanks to a few powerful botanicals, including wild rose (to minimize the look of pores) and leopard lily (to calm).

Use Sunscreen—But Only Noncomedogenic Formulas

Sunscreen is vital. It helps prevent sun damage that could eventually lead to wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancer, says the AAD. But sunscreen often has the reputation of thick, pore-clogging formulas, so much so that you might be tempted to skip SPF altogether to spare your oily skin – but don’t. Modern sunscreens are brilliantly lightweight, protective, and soothing. Some can even include pore-refining ingredients, like niacinamide, that have the ability to minimize the look of pores, reduce redness, and visibly even skin tone.

Labeling on a skincare product is important to consider for oily skin. Look for sunscreens (and all products touching your face) that are labeled “noncomedogenic”—a classification that means it won’t clog your pores or cause acne. And, of course, the SPF protection number is vital to consider, as well. The AAD suggests looking for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Try: Silken Sunscreen SPF 35

This non-comedogenic and non-irritating sunscreen features skin-loving ingredients that not only protect the skin, but also help improve the appearance of pores, smooth skin texture, and calm visible irritation—making it one of the best sunscreens for oily skin. The Silken Pore Perfecting SPF also features our beloved silk extract for a smooth feel, allowing the sunscreen to apply flawlessly.

Don’t Touch Your Face—Except for Blotting Papers

Do not touch your face throughout the day, suggests the Cleveland Clinic. The dirt, oil, and bacteria on hands can spread to the face. They suggest only touching your face—with clean hands—when applying skincare products. Excess oil throughout the day? Blotting papers are the perfect solution to control the oil on your face. We’ve long thought blotting papers are incredible: Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers were Tatcha’s first-ever product. And the AAD is a fan of using blotting papers throughout the day, too. “Gently press the paper against your face and leave it on for a few seconds to absorb the oil,” they note. “Don’t rub the paper on your face, as this will spread the oil to other areas.”

Try: Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers

These 100 percent natural abaca leaf fiber papers help to address unwanted oil production and absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup or the skin’s natural hydration. Our blotting papers are a brilliant product for those with oily skin and perfect while on the go.