How to stop your skin from getting oily throughout the dayUpdated a year ago
Managing oily skin in the long term is all about finding balance. In severe cases, you can also speak to your doctor about medications that can reduce oil production, like oral isotretinoin.
But if you want to stop your skin from becoming oily day to day, mattifying and oil-absorbing cosmetics are your best bet.
Certain silicones, and especially cyclopentasiloxane, leave the skin with a powdery matte finish, almost like a makeup primer.
If you’d rather keep your routine as simple as possible, a mattifying sunscreen with cyclopentasiloxane is the best choice. Sunscreens from Asian brands are often made with this silicone, resulting in an excellent oil-controlling formula.
Other options for controlling oil include using mattifying primers (again, cyclopentasiloxane is your friend) and even translucent face powders (especially ones with SPF, which can reinforce your protection throughout the day).
One option we don’t necessarily recommend is blotting sheets. They’re okay at night or if you’re indoors and away from windows. Research shows that these oil-absorbing papers, though effective at reducing sheen, will also take off layers of your sunscreen and compromise your protection.
Embrace your natural glow
Oily skin isn't something to be eradicated; just managed. For your skin to look and feel its best, you don’t need to force it into dryness. Instead, it’s all about finding balance by cleansing gently and keeping your skin lightly hydrated.
With those basics covered, you can start to focus on your real skin goals, whether that means refining your skin texture, controlling acne breakouts, preventing signs of aging, or anything else!
If you’re ready to start tackling real concerns, our SMOL collection makes it easy. It includes the Protocol Lab range of highly-active, gentle, and non-comedogenic skincare products, with oily skin-friendly ingredients like retinal (the most potent yet ultra-gentle cosmetic retinoid), our powerfully protective vitamin C serum, skin-clarifying AHA cleanser, and niacinamide-enriched hydration cream.