The Best Serums For Oily Skin

If you’re looking for the best serum for oily skin, stop right here. Anyone with oily or acne-prone skin knows that finding effective skincare products that suit their skin can be a challenge. Why? Because if the skin is clogged up by a product, it’s likely to increase breakouts rather than help them.

Oily skin can be caused by genetics, living in a humid or warm climate, or because the body is lacking in its own natural oil and is trying to make up for it with overproduction. Oil can also be stripped from the face when we cleanse or exfoliate too much, which can trigger the skin to overproduce oil – but the right serum could help control oil and nourish the skin at the same time. We spoke to skincare expert Ridah Syed, Senior Medical Aesthetician at Skinfluencer London, for her advice on finding the best serum for oily skin.

What is a serum?

A serum is like an intense beauty shot for your skin. Serums are packed with active ingredients such as antioxidants and they often tackle specific skin issues – for example, salicylic acid serums target oil, vitamin C serums help with brightening the skin and hyaluronic acid serums hydrate the skin.

Serums are usually thinner in texture, making them easier to absorb for the skin. They’re a great addition to any skincare routine, upgrading it to make it more nourishing and effective.

What does a serum do for your face?

As well as delivering active ingredients to your skin, serums can also help to balance oily skin. “Your skin’s oil glands produce a slick, waxy substance called sebum,” explains Syed. “But too much of this can lead to breakouts. By adding a serum to your skincare routine, you can control oil production without clogging the pores,” she continues.

It is important, however, to ensure the serum you use contains ingredients proven to reduce oil and balance skin that’s prone to acne.

How to choose a face serum

“Serums that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs, such as glycolic acid, or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, can be a good choice for oily or acne-prone skin,” says Syed. “These ingredients tend to unclog pores and help to clear acne, as well as prevent new acne and blackheads from forming,” she adds. “Another option of serums for oily skin is to use a serum with niacinamide, as it can regulate sebum production and decrease redness and inflammation caused by acne.”

Top 5 best serums for oily skin

Clarins Pore Control is a serum for oily skin that can minimise pore, containing tamarind pulp acid which naturally exfoliates pore-clogging debris. The mattifying serum also formulated with firming Vine Flower cells and mattifying Organic Strawberry Tree fruit extracts that purify enlarged pore, smooth and refine skin’s texture for a boost of rediance.

If you are looking for an anti-aging serum for oily skin, Clarins Double Serum Light Texture is the one.Luxurious and light, this formula is undoubtedly one of the best serums for oily skin that can renew skin texture, nourish skin with nutrients, purify skin, hydrate and protect skin from external stressors. It contains a blend of plant-based ingredients that helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

Enriched with organic apple extract and exfoliating salicylic and glycolic acids, this face serum for oily skin helps to reduce excess sebum and the appearance of blemishes and visible pores. After using, you can witness the disappear of imperfection, your skin complexion is more even and softer.

Hydration is even more important for oily skin. Clarins Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Bi-Phase Serum has a duo hydric and lipidic texture that provides intense hydration. At the heart of its formula is the [HYALURONIC POWER COMPLEX +], a duo of hyaluronic acids with organic leaf of life extract, which provides continuous, multi-level and long-lasting hydration. Plus, the serum not only provides intense hydration but also help balance the microbiata with saffron flower polyphenols. The silky and non-greasy formula absorvs easily and nourishes the skin, without causing any problem to oily skin.

Clarins Precious Le Serum is probably the best face serum for oily skin that can lift and target sagging skin. The lift serum is enriched with a duo of lifting active ingredients, organic oat sugars + organic white lupin extract. The albizia extract helps restore radiance and a vine flower cell extract helps to refine the skin texture. Hence, the skin will be plumped and hydrated with hyaluronic acid complex.

Serums for oily skin FAQs

Do you apply a serum before or after a moisturiser?

“Always apply serum before moisturiser,” Syed advises. “Serums are usually water-based formulas and are lightweight products that are easily absorbed into the skin. In many instances, moisturisers are oil-based and thicker than serums. Because oil repels water, applying an oil-based moisturiser before a water-based serum might prevent the skin from absorbing the active ingredients in the serum,” she continues. “Furthermore, the active ingredients in serums can penetrate deeply into the skin, ensuring they are optimally effective,” she concludes.

How often should you use a serum for oily skin?

Serum can be applied daily and incorporated into your normal skincare regime. Apply serum after a cleanser for oily skin but before a moisturiser suitable for oily skin for best results.

Should I use serum if I have oily skin?

No matter how oily your face is, your skin need hydration. Apart from a moisturiser, a non-grasy hydrating serum for oily skin is important. Keeping your skin well-hydrated will help balance your oil production.