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If you’ve got oily skin, don’t skip serum application in your skincare routine because it’s a game changer!
Contrary to popular belief, the right serums can be your oily skin’s good friends.
Your skin has sebaceous glands, responsible for producing sebum, which contains a mix of substances that are essential for skin health, such as squalene and fatty acids.
Sebum production isn’t constant throughout life. Babies start with high sebum production, which decreases until puberty and surges again.
The average sebum production in adults is 1mg/10cm2 every 3hours. Too little leads to dry skin, while excess, over 1.5mg/10cm2, results in oily skin. (1)
Oily skin is simply due to the overproduction of sebum, but this doesn’t mean it cannot benefit from serums.
However, your choice of serum might influence skin health. Using the right serum that pairs well with your skin type is necessary. (2)
Continue reading to learn how serums may benefit oily skin and which serums you should look for if you have oily skin.
What Makes Serums Good for Oily Skin?
Now that you know serums are good for oily skin too, you may be wondering why is that so.
First, serums have a light consistency, which ensures they don’t clog pores or feel greasy. They penetrate deeply into the skin, delivering nutrients where they’re needed without exacerbating oiliness.
First, serums provide moisturization. Contrary to common belief, oily skin needs hydration too. When your skin lacks moisture, it compensates by producing more oil.
Serums with the right ingredients can be fantastic hydrators without causing the heavy feel of traditional moisturizers, thus striking the perfect balance for oily skin. Gel-based serums arethe best type for people with oily skin. (2)
Third, serums are formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients, making them potent allies against specific skin concerns. (2)
For oily skin, serums containing ingredients such as niacinamide work wonders in regulating oil production and refining pores. (3)
What Type of Serums Are Good for Oily Skin?
Here are some serums you can try for oily skin.
Retinol serums
Retinoid products, derived from vitamin A, are good for your skin. They interact with specific receptors in the skin, promoting repair, growth, and inflammation reduction.
These serums, including retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid, form a dynamic squad that can effectively tackle skin concerns.
Even in the world of oily skin, retinoids play important roles. They partner with receptors in the sebocytes (the cells that produce sebum) and work their magic by significantly reducing sebocyte activity, limiting the production of excess oil. (3)
While retinoids are known for causing dry skin as a side effect, this dryness is often a sign of normalized skin function.
Notably, retinoids may contribute to reducing facial pore size, hinting at their positive impact on oily skin. (3)
Niacinamide serums
In a trustworthy study, a 2% niacinamide product caused a significant decrease in sebum (skin oil) after just 2–4 weeks. Thus, it can be a promising solution for those dealing with oily skin. (4)
The exact process of how niacinamide works for optimal results requires further research, but it is a good place to start with serums for oily skin.
Green tea serums
Green tea has been known for its amazing health effects for centuries now. What may be new to you is this ingredient is also effective for those with oily skin.
In one study, the application ofa 3% green tea emulsion for 8weeks significantly reduced sebum (oil) production in the participants. (5)
Another study that included 22 individuals showed a noteworthy decrease in sebum secretion after 60 days of using a topical green tea emulsion.
These findings hint at the potential benefits of incorporating green tea into your skincare routine if you have oily skin. The antioxidants in green tea may help regulate oiliness, offering a natural solution for a shine-free complexion. (5)(6)
How to Use Serums for Oily Skin?
For people with oily skin, using serums can be a game changer with the right approach.
Opt for oil-free serums or those labeled “noncomedogenic” to avoid clogging pores. Look for ingredients known for controlling oil and maintaining hydration.
How to use:
- Cleanse your face, and then gently pat it dry.
- Apply a small amount (pea sized) of the serum.
- Don’t skip your moisturizer, but choose a lightweight, oil-free option to seal in the serum without feeling greasy.
Do serums clog pores on oily skin?
No, good-quality serums specially formulated to be noncomedogenic don’t clog pores or exacerbate oiliness.
Final Word
Serums are game changers for oily skin and they provide hydration without clogging the pores. Oily skin needs moisture to balance oil production.
Gel-based serums that contain active ingredients such as niacinamide regulate oil production and refine pores. Retinol and green tea serums are also effective.
Apply a small amount of serum to a clean face, and then apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer for optimal results.
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