The Best The Ordinary Products For Oily Skin

When it comes to The Ordinary, they’ve got affordable, effective, front-of-the-bathroom-shelf-worthy skincare down to a perfect T. With new launches racking up 10,000+ strong waitlists and hero products selling out within hours of a restock, it’s no wonder they’re staple in so many people’s skincare routines. But out of their reams of products, how do you know which will be best for your skin type? And in particular, the best The Ordinary products for oily skin?

If you have oily skin and want to combat symptoms like enlarged pores, clogged pores, blackheads, greasiness, and shine, then you’re in the right place. We spoke with Joe Basham, The Ordinary’s Scientific Communications Manager and skin expert, to find out which ingredients and The Ordinary products are best for oily skin.

Niacinamide ticks a lot of boxes for those with oily skin, as it helps to minimise excess oil to create a more balanced appearance. Joe told us: “It can be found within Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% which is the perfect solution for those wanting to target excess shine and pore appearance while supporting the skin barrier.”

It’s a common misconception that if you have oily skin, you should avoid hydrating products. But in fact, oily skin often shows lower hydration levels than other skin types, including dry skin. Joe’s advice, The Ordinary’s skin expert, is: “While our instincts may tell us to skip the moisturiser, it’s in fact an extremely important step in caring for oily skin. Ensure you incorporate hydrating ingredients and moisturisers to your regimen if you are prone to excess oil.”

It can be tempting with oily skin, but one of the worst things you can do is use products that strip your skin. Anything like a stripping cleanser or soap with a high pH, as well as over-exfoliating, can cause disruption to the skin barrier and leave skin feeling irritated and tight. “Opt for gentle cleansers and avoid over-using direct acids within your routine to minimise disruption to the skin barrier” are Joe’s golden words of wisdom to maintain healthy, hydrated, and nourished skin.

From fast-acting exfoliants that won’t strip your skin, to hydrating serums, discover the best products from The Ordinary for those with oily skin.

It’s important to use the right type of cleanser if you have oily skin – anything too strong will strip not only excess oil but also the skin’s natural hydrating molecules that can leave it feeling tight and dry. The refreshing gel texture of The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser was formulated and proven to be suitable for babies, making it an ideal gentle cleanser that cleans without disrupting the skin barrier.

This Salicylic Acid 2% Masque from The Ordinary combines charcoal, kaolin clay and salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin and oil that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. The clay and charcoal help to draw out impurities while salicylic acid targets pore congestion. Use it all over as a weekly mask for smoother, more radiant skin.

As we’ve mentioned above, it’s easy to fall into the trap of avoiding moisturisers if you have oily skin – you might feel that your skin already has enough moisture of your own. But, it’s highly likely that your skin is lacking in hydration. This lightweight The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + BETA Glucan moisturiser will do just that. It contains aloe, glycerin, and lactic acid to hydrate skin without making it look or feel greasy.

Everyone knows that chemical exfoliants (also known as exfoliating acids) are great for when you need skincare that works fast. While favourites like glycolic and lactic acid (both AHAs) are great for dry skin and surface issues, they’re not oil-soluble, which means they’re not going to have much impact when it comes to reducing excess oil. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is another story though. Apply this lightweight serum all over or on oily patches.

Although it has multiple benefits for multiple skin types, niacinamide is a dream come true for oily skin, since it reduces excess sebum production, which in turn helps to prevent congestion and blackheads from forming. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a lightweight serum that with the addition of zinc, supports the niacinamide in minimising excess oil. Apply it day and night, after cleansing and before moisturising for best results. 

This hardcore skincare treatment is not one for daily use (check out our guide for the best ways to use it here), but it does yield impressive results. Combining three forms of acid, the serum-textured mask of the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution acts like a hard-reset button for the skin, helping to clear pores and improve skin texture.

The key to hydrating oily skin is to opt for lightweight formulas that won’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. With a formula that acts like hyaluronic acid (drawing moisture into skin and retaining it), this super smooth Marine Hyaluronics serum is perfect for boosting hydration without triggering oiliness. It has a thin (almost watery) texture which absorbs fast and won’t interfere with other products. 

FYI: This article was previously published at an earlier date and has since been updated