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The best makeup tips for oily skin

Managing makeup can be tricky when we have oily skin because the wrong technique or product can lead to caking or even worse, breakouts for the next few weeks. This is especially so when we’re out and about, and exposed to environmental stressors.

In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through makeup tips to manage oily skin and achieve a flawless, acne-free complexion.

Oily skin symptoms

Oily skin is generally caused by the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands in our skin. This causes the buildup of dirt and dead skin that block the pores, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive, which eventually leads to acne and breakouts. Other factors also play a part in acne, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and even stress.

Oily skin symptoms include:

Shiny appearance — Experiencing shiny skin, especially along your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) could be a sign of oily skin. This shouldn’t be confused with “glowy skin”, which has a luminous appearance. Oily skin often appears more greasy or slick, with an uneven shine.
Enlarged pores — Pores that are large, or visible to the naked eye, are often indicators of oily skin. This is because when the sebaceous glands produce more oily than necessary, the pores become filled and stretched, creating a larger appearance.
Frequent acne breakouts — Frequent acne breakouts are probably the most prominent indicator of oily skin. As explained earlier, oily skin is more prone to acne due to sebum mixing with dirt and dead skin cells hence, clogging pores.
Rough skin texture — Rough skin texture could mean the accumulation of dead skin cells and oil due to an overproduction of sebum.
Blackheads or and whiteheads — Consistent blackheads and whiteheads could be a sign of blockages in the pores as a result of oily skin.
Makeup that does not stay — Oily skin can create a slick, greasy surface that makes it difficult for makeup to stay on and adhere on the skin evenly. The excess oil can also mix with the makeup product, breaking it down and causing it to wear away faster.

Prepping your skin

If you have oily skin, preparation is essential in ensuring a smoother application, enhancing the longevity of your makeup, and preventing future breakouts.

Cleansing

A thorough cleanse helps rid your skin of the excess oil and dirt, creating a clean base for applying your makeup. By removing the impurities, you also lower your chances of a breakout.

Remember to pick a gentle, oil-free cleanser specially formulated for oily skin. This prevents you from stripping the skin off its natural oils to prevent your skin from overcompensating and producing more sebum, which can lead to even oilier skin. Avoid alcohol-based cleansers that can irritate your skin.

For good measure, you can adopt a double cleansing method, which starts with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser for a deeper cleansing. You can also opt to gently exfoliate the skin once a week.

Toning

Toning is a very important step — it helps balance pH levels in the skin, which helps maintain your skin’s natural protective barrier. For oily skin, it is especially beneficial because it helps tighten and refine pores, creating a smoother texture.

Opt for toners with ingredients such as aloe vera or witch hazel, which helps calm the skin and has oil control properties.

Moisturising

Although it may seem counterintuitive, moisturiser is necessary even for oily skin. Well hydrated skin prevents the overproduction of sebum, hence, preventing even oilier skin. Moisturiser also helps improve the natural skin barrier function to lower, lowering your chances of breakouts.

When picking a moisturiser, choose gel formulas that are lightweight and non-comedogenic to prevent further clogging your pores.

primer

Just like when painting a blank canvas, primer helps provide an even base before makeup, improving its adherence to the skin and smoothing skin texture by filling in pores and fine lines.

Apply the primer evenly across your face, focusing on your T-zone and other oilier areas. If you don’t wish to slather primer everywhere, just applying on zits or your T-zone will do. Choose primers that have the following properties:

Non-comedogenic — Primers that are labelled non-comedogenic to prevent clogging pores and causing acne.
Oil-free — Primers that are lightweight and specifically formulated without oils to prevent additional greasiness and extra weight.
Mattifying — Primers with mattifying agents that absorb excess oil and control excess shine.

foundation

Foundation helps even out skin tone and hide imperfections on the skin, such as scars and dark spots. When it comes to foundation, it is important to apply the product sparingly and build coverage as needed, allowing the skin to breathe.

Picking the right foundation helps ensure a long-lasting finish to your overall makeup regime. Opt for foundations with the following properties:

Water-basedformulations — Water-based formulations are comparatively lightweight and do not contribute to oiliness. They also tend to work better on an oilier face, while powder formulations can emulsify with the oil on your face, causing a cakey look.
Buildable coverage — Foundations with buildable coverage allow for more autonomy over the level of coverage, allowing you to apply foundation without it feeling too heavy on the skin.
Transfer-resistant — Transfer-resistant foundations are less likely to slip off the face, which is helpful for oily skin.
Non-comedogenic — Non-comedogenic foundations pose less risk of acne or breakouts.

Pro tip: We recommend steering away from the dewy and wet look or any base that has a glow-like finish in general. For oily skin, choosing matte formulations would always be your best bet.

What do you put under makeup for oily skin?

To ensure longevity of your makeup, apply setting spray before your base. This not only sets your foundation in place but hydrates your face.

For powders, choose one with oil-control properties. If you do use powder, though, skip the primer and vice versa. Less is always more.

When out and about, especially in the sunny Singapore weather, it helps to carry your essentials with you. Ideally, this should include:

Blotting paper
Press powder
Sunscreen

It’s also important to remember not to touch your face throughout the day to prevent introducing dirt, oil and bacteria to the skin. Make sure your hands are clean first.

Get treatment for oily skin

SkinLab specially designed a Oxygeneo Carbon Intense Facial, clinically proven to purify and soothe oily skin, to help you achieve a clear complexion.

This 120-minute treatment utilises patented Geneo OxyPods technology to balance oily skin, improve skin texture and create a shine-free, mattified face. It also involves an extraction and serum with ultrasound application for holistic cleansing.

Apart from facials, the right skincare products will also go a long way in managing your oily skin symptoms. Shop our line of oily skincare products here.

You don’t have to manage your oily skin alone.

Book a consultation with us for a thorough skin analysis and personalised treatment plan.