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Sep 18, 2026
How to Reduce Oily Skin: A Doctor’s Guide to Managing Sebum and Shine
Medically reviewed by Dr Amaris Lim. Last updated September 2026.
Oily and acne-prone skin is one of the most common skin concerns we see in clinic, especially in Singapore’s hot and humid climate. But what causes our skin to be oily, and how can we control oily skin better?
What is Oily Skin?
Oily skin happens when your sebaceous glands produce more sebum (natural oil) than your skin needs. It typically results in a persistent shine and enlarged, visible pores, most noticeably across the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
Skin can also feel thicker, and pores are more prone to becoming clogged with oil and dead skin cells. These clogged pores result in whiteheads (closed comedones), blackheads (open comedones) and acne breakouts.
There is a silver lining: people with naturally oilier skin tend to develop fewer fine lines and wrinkles over time, since the extra sebum helps preserve the skin’s moisture barrier as it ages.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Several overlapping factors influence how much oil your skin produces:
- Genetics
If oily skin runs in your family, your sebaceous glands are prone to produce more oil as well.
- Hormones
Androgens (sex hormones) stimulate the sebaceous glands. As a result, oil production tends to spike during puberty, and some women notice more oiliness around ovulation, before their period, or during pregnancy.
- Age
Sebum production is typically highest in the teens and twenties, then gradually declines.
- Climate
Heat and humidity stimulate the sebaceous glands. As such, skin often feels noticeably oilier in tropical climates than it does in cooler, drier climates.
- Skipping moisturiser
Although it may feel counterintuitive to moisturise oily skin, skin that is dehydrated (even if oily) can overcompensate by producing more sebum.
- Diet
Oily foods do not directly cause oily skin. However, diets high in refined sugar, processed carbohydrates, and dairy have been linked to increased breakouts in some people.
How to Control Oily Skin
Recommendations:
- Cleanse your face up to twice daily, and again after sweating or exercise
- Choose products labelled “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic”
- Apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser every day, even if your skin feels oily
- Choose an oil-free sunscreen for sun protection
- Remove all makeup thoroughly before sleeping
- Use blotting papers to manage midday shine
Avoid:
- Scrubbing your skin to remove makeup
- Using oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers
- Skipping moisturiser because your skin feels oily
- Sleeping with makeup on
- Touching your face throughout the day, as this transfers dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your face
4 Steps for an Effective Oily Skin Routine
A simple, consistent routine matters far more than an expensive one:
- Remove makeup and surface impurities
Before washing your face, use a makeup removed to cleanse off makeup, sunscreen, and the day’s grime.
Clinskin’s Gentle Cleansing Water removes makeup and sunscreen effectively, and doubles as a quick no-rinse skin skin cleanser during the day (after a workout or a sweaty commute).
- Cleanse with a face wash
Cleanse your face twice a day with a face wash formulated for oily and acne-prone skin.
Clinskin’s Antibacterial Facial Cleanser targets acne-causing bacteria and excess oil, and is a good fit if you are also dealing with acne breakouts.
- Hydrate the skin
Opt for a lightweight, non-comedogenic facial gel that hydrates without adding greasiness, and helps your skin maintain its water balance (which in turn can help regulate oil production).
Clinskin’s Hydrating Facial Gel contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid that draw moisture into the skin, while lighter humectants such as glycogen and xylitol support hydration without clogging pores or leaving a greasy feel.
- Protect with an oil-free, broad-spectrum sunscreen
Sunscreen is non-negotiable, especially in Singapore’s high-UV climate, but the wrong formula can leave oily skin looking greasier and more prone to breakouts.
Clinskin’s Oil-free UV Defense SPF50 is a hybrid physical and chemical sunscreen with broad UVA and UVB coverage. It also has built-in mattifying agents to control shine throughout the day, while ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin E support the skin barrier and calm visible redness.
Treatments for Oily Skin
Topical niacinamide
- Reduces sebum production and has anti-inflammatory effects
- Generally well tolerated with only mild stinging reported
- Safe in pregnancy
Topical retinols
- Available over the counter
- Less potent effect compared with prescription topical retinoids
- Less skin redness and irritation compared with prescription topical retinoids
- Not safe in pregnancy
Topical retinoids (adapalene, tretinoin etc)
- Requires a prescription
- Suppresses sebum production by binding retinoic acid receptors
- Normalizes how your skin sheds dead cells, preventing them from blocking your pores
- May cause skin redness and irritation
- Causes the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight (using sunscreen is strongly recommended)
- Not safe in pregnancy
Oral Isotretinoin
- Usually prescribed by a doctor for severe acne with nodules and cysts
- Reduces sebum output by shrinking oil-producing (sebaceous) glands
- Normalizes the shedding of dead skin cells, preventing blocked pores
- Reduces inflammation
- May cause raised liver enzymes and triglyceride levels, skin and lip dryness, dry eyes and increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Not safe in pregnancy
When to See a Doctor?
Most oily skin can be managed well with a consistent, appropriately formulated routine. Consider seeing a doctor if you have:
- Persistent or worsening acne despite a good skincare routine
- Sudden changes in how oily your skin is
- Painful, cystic, or scarring breakouts
- Skin that feels oily but is also red, irritated, or flaking
A professional assessment can help identify whether hormonal factors, medication, or an underlying skin condition is contributing to your skin issues, and tailor a treatment plan beyond over-the-counter skincare.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you have ongoing concerns about your skin, please consult a doctor or dermatologist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does drinking more water reduce oily skin?
No, oily skin is caused by sebaceous gland activity, not a lack of water intake. However, keeping your skin's surface hydrated with moisturiser can help regulate oil production, since dehydrated skin tends to overproduce sebum.
Is oily skin bad for you?
No, oily skin is not inherently harmful, but increases the risk of clogged pores and acne.
Can oily skin cause acne?
Oily skin does not directly cause acne, but excess sebum combined with dead skin cells and bacteria does create ideal conditions for clogged pores, blackheads, and breakouts. This is why cleansing and using non-comedogenic products matters more for oily skin than for other skin types.
Should I use a moisturiser if I have oily skin?
Yes. Skipping moisturiser is one of the most common mistakes people with oily skin make. A lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser hydrates without adding excess oil, and helps prevent the rebound oiliness that comes from dehydrated skin.
How often should I wash my face if I have oily skin?
Aim to wash your face twice daily, in the morning and night, as well as after sweating or exercise.
Does going for facials reduce oily skin?
Facials can temporarily improve the appearance of oily skin as steaming, extractions, and clay masks physically remove built-up sebum and debris from pores. However, there is little clinical evidence that facials meaningfully or permanently change how much sebum your glands produce. Some facial treatments may also irritate the skin barrier, which may worsen breakouts.
Does applying makeup cause my skin to be oilier?
Makeup itself does not change how much sebum your skin produces, but certain formulations can make oiliness worse in practice. Oil-based, heavy, or comedogenic makeup can trap sebum and dead skin cells against the pore, making skin look shinier and increasing the risk of clogged pores and breakouts. Sleeping in makeup, or not cleansing thoroughly, also lets oil, product residue, and bacteria sit on the skin overnight, which is much more strongly linked to breakouts than wearing makeup during the day.
Does applying sunscreen cause my skin to be oilier?
Sunscreen itself does not increase sebum production. However, the wrong formula can make oily skin look and feel greasier, as many traditional sunscreens use heavy emollients designed for normal-to-dry skin. On the other hand, oil-free formulas with mattifying agents are designed specifically to sit on oily skin without adding to the shine.
Author
Dr Amaris Lim
MBBS, MMed (Fam Med), GDip (Sports Med)
Dr Amaris is a Family Physician at Frontier Healthcare with a special interest in Sports Medicine. She also contributes as one of the Core Faculty for the Family Medicine Residency Program with the National University Health System (NUHS). She currently practices at Canberra and Bukit Batok.
