Keep your summer skin fresh and dewy, not shiny! Uncover essential skincare for oily skin and enjoy a radiant look all season long.
Ahh, that sought-after summer skin: golden, fresh, and just the right amount of dewy-ness… but what about when the glow goes too far? We’ve all been there. Asking a loved one to capture a beloved summer memory, only to realise you can practically see their reflection on your forehead. Hot, sweaty, and sticky - that’s not the look you were after!
For oily skin types, especially, summer can lead to an increase in skin problems. Oily skin tends to over-produce sebum, leading to excess oil on the skin, enlarged pores, and increased likelihood of breakouts – add heat, humidity, and SPF, and you’ve got a greasy mix to contend with.
In this post, we’ll help you straddle the fine line between dewy and glowy and hot and sticky. We’ve busted some summer skincare myths, shared our best skincare for oily skin, and thrown in some bonus tips for caring for your skin type this season. Honestly, don’t sweat it!
Caring for Oily Skin in Summer
Oily skin is where overactive sebaceous glands produce excess sebum (oil), making skin appear shiny, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). This can be due to many factors, such as genetics, hormones, or lifestyle factors like stress and diet.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Those with oily skin tend to show signs of ageing more slowly, as their skin retains moisture more easily. So you might be more prone to breakouts, but your skin will make up for it with fewer lines and wrinkles.
Now, let’s get to summer. Heat and immunity stimulate the already-overactive sebaceous glands, meaning more oil. Add sweat and SPF, and you’ve got a breeding ground for bacteria and clogged pores. So should you skip the sun altogether, ditch the SPF, and wash your skin every few hours? Not at all! Here’s how to best care for your oily skin this summer.
5 Summer Skincare Myths
Myth 1: Oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser.
In summer months, you want to keep your skincare routine minimal and avoid slathering your skin with thick products. That said, moisturiser isn’t one you want to skip, even if you have oily skin. Skipping moisturiser can actually cause the skin to produce more oil to compensate - just go a little lighter than you would in winter!
Myth 2: You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days.
If you can’t see the sun, it can be tempting to think it can’t get to you, but that’s not true! Up to 80% of UV rays penetrate clouds, so whatever the weather, a daily SPF is still a must. As our summer tote bag says, ‘‘nothing looks better in your sixties than sunscreen in your thirties’’.
Myth 3: Sweating clears your pores
Sweating isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s a natural way for your body to detox and help you cool off. However, the idea that sweating clears your pores isn’t strictly true. Sweat mixes on the surface of your skin with pollution, makeup, oil, bacteria, and whatever else lands there as you enjoy long summer days. Not washed off properly, it can lead to clogged pores and acne. It’s best to cool off and deep cleanse at the end of the day!
Myth 4: The more you cleanse, the better
When you feel hot, sweaty, and sticky, it can be tempting to constantly reach for the face wash, but be careful not to overdo it. Over-cleansing can damage the skin barrier and worsen oiliness and sensitivity, leading to shiny and irritated skin. You can read more in our guide to gentle cleansing for sensitive skin.
Myth 5: Sunscreen causes breakouts if you have oily skin
Not all sunscreens are created equally. Heavy, greasy formulas can clog pores, but there are plenty of non-comedogenic and lightweight natural sunscreens (like ours!) suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
Best Summer Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
The steps in your summer skincare routine will depend on how much time you have and how many products you like to use, but these 3 core steps for AM and PM skincare are a good place to start.
AM Routine:
- Start with a gentle oil cleanser
We know what you’re thinking, ‘‘an oily cleanser for oily skin, surely not?’’, but hear us out.
Like dissolves like. Oil-based cleansers work by breaking down excess sebum, sunscreen, and makeup more effectively than water-based ones, without stripping the skin. They also cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier, which helps prevent the rebound overproduction of oil, and use lightweight oils that don’t clog pores.
For example, our Gentle Cleansing Oil transforms from oil to a light milk upon contact with water, breaking down grime without leaving a greasy residue. It’s formulated with apricot kernel, hemp seed, and grape seed oils, which are known to be non-comedogenic and help balance the skin's natural oil production, making it beneficial for oily skin types. Perfect fresh skin for a fresh day!
2. Apply a lightweight facial oil
Yep, another oil-based product! Packed with potent natural vitamins and powerful antioxidants, our lightweight and fast-absorbing facial oil helps regulate sebum production. This means glowy (not shiny!) skin, and the perfect canvas for makeup wearers.
3. Apply a lightweight mineral sunscreen (SPF 30+)
We left the best until last: sunscreen! Whatever the weather, and whatever your skin type, SPF is always the most important AM skincare step. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA rays (responsible for sunburn) and UVB rays (responsible for premature ageing), with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30.
For oily skin types, opt for a lightweight formula with active ingredients that prevent inflammation and promote an even skin tone. Our Defend+Restore Mineral SPF50 Serum is ideal for oily skin types, with a non-clogging serum-like texture that absorbs effortlessly into the skin and powerful antioxidant Orpheus Flower and Calendula Stem Cells that strengthen the skin barrier. 
PM Routine:
-
Double cleanse (especially if you wear makeup and SPF)
If your skin is feeling oily and sticky at the end of the day, you might want to double-up on your evening cleanse… but remember, overcleansing leads to overcompensation, and even oilier skin!
So, how do you find the balance? At Mazillo, we’ve come up with a natural double cleansing method that deeply cleanses oily skin without stripping it, causing it to overcompensate and produce excess oil. Follow your gentle oil cleanser (step 1 in your AM routine!) with our Regenerate + Protect Essence Toner.
This will remove the remaining traces of makeup, oil, and dirt, and is packed with amazing antibacterial properties. With Mursalski (or shepard’s) tea, found only in Bulgaria, it makes for a gentle cleansing effect ideal for oily skin.
-
Use a clay face mask 1-2 times a week
To absorb excess oil and unclog the pores, why not treat your skin to a clay face mask? With Bulgarian brown clay, and infused with Bulgarian Rose water, our Purify+Nourish Face Mask purifies the skin, balances out its natural sebum production, and promotes a healthy skin microbiome - perfect for oily, congested, or acne-prone skin!
-
Use a small amount of lightweight, replenishing moisturiser
For oily skin, you don’t want to go OTT with hydrating products, but a replenishing moisturiser before bed can make a huge difference. Go for options with active ingredients that repair and replenish the skin cells, and use sparingly (a little goes a long way!).
Our moisturiser contains high-performance Orpheus Flower Stem cells that facilitate skin’s natural regeneration, stimulate collagen synthesis and help fight pigmentation, for youthful-looking skin. Better yet, you can save when you buy it in a bundle with our SPF!
Bonus Summer Skin Tips
There you go, the best summer skincare for oily skin! Here are a few more quick tips before you glow:
-
Stay hydrated
Skin health always starts from the inside, out. Internal hydration helps regulate oil production. -
Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants
Think tomatoes, summer berries, leafy greens, omega-3s from nuts, seeds, and seafood (sounds like a good picnic to us!) -
Use a silk or bamboo pillowcase
to reduce bacteria and oil buildup overnight. -
Keep makeup minimal
or use non-comedogenic/ tinted SPF products. -
Avoid touching your face
This transfers oil, dirt, and bacteria from your fingers. -
Don’t skip lip care
Use an SPF lip balm to protect against sun damage.
You Might Also Like:
Why You Need A Daily SPF
Morning vs Night Skincare: What’s The Difference
Leave a comment