The 10+ Best Natural Products for Oily Skin

Suffering from acne and breakouts? These natural products for oily skin are tried and tested lifesavers!

By Courtney Yalen

Whether you’ve been dealing with oily or acne-prone skin for one week, one month, or one decade (like myself), we can all probably agree that you’ve longed to find the best natural products for oily skin.

At one point or another, you’ve been less confident in your skin because of its shine. Maybe you’ve even tried some pretty radical treatments – which in the end, are bad not only for your skin, making it worse – but bad for your health, too.

For example, many acne and oily skin care products contain chemicals like benzoyl peroxide, such as Brevoxyl or Triaz, which has been related to skin cancer and cellular damage.  Then there’s salicylic acid, found in  Propa pH or Stridex, and this has been related to respiratory illnesses and more.

Some topical retinoid medicines, such as tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac) may work to stop severe acne, but are all related to skin thinning and cannot be used if you are pregnant or planning to be.

And girl, don’t even get me started on topical and oral antibiotics, such as clindamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and tetracycline – taking these not only dramatically lowers your immunity, it also makes bacteria more immune to antibiotics, paving the room for ‘superbugs’ and making your resistance to bacteria lower, too.

After a decade of trial and error, these are a few of my top tips and best natural products for oily skin that are bound to improve your complexion.

My 7 Best Oily Skin Care Tips

• Use honey, honey! Raw honey is one of the best natural products for oily skin. It’s incredibly antimicrobial, antibacterial, moisturizing, and so much more. What’s best, too, is that you probably already have this in your pantry. You can use honey as a mask on its own after cleansing, as a spot treatment for pesky pimples, to honey cleanse, or even use it as the base of a clay mask (such as this one). It helps calm my oily skin during breakouts, and my roommate uses it on her eczema with fantastic results, too.
• Know your dosha. This is an Ayurvedic method of balancing your body, inside and out, via diet and wellness. Many dosha quizzes are similar, give or take a few specific questions, and you will likely find that most yield the same results. Learning how to  balance  your dosha can benefit your skin and general health.
• If you have an underground volcanic pimple or you couldn’t resist and popped one (BAD!), put ice on the area. So simple, so easy, so effective. Wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and press on the inflamed area until the swelling diminishes.
• For oily skin, DO NOT try to mattify skin by using harsh toners, stripping exfoliators or pure essential oils. You need to balance oil and keep your skin hydrated to reduce sebum production, even if this may seem counter-productive.
• Wash your pillowcases and face towels often! Both  absorb an immense amount of dead skin cells and oils from your skin and hair. Sleeping on your stomach or side with your face on your pillow can and will trigger breakouts. I don’t recommend washing with normal detergent if you can avoid it, especially if you have sensitive skin. Try  washing with soap nuts and dry everything in high heat at least once a week.
• Try before you buy! Many shops that carry  natural and organic  products will often offer samples if you simply ask. Do  your research and only sample products you are serious about for your skin.  The Detox Market and LoveLula have great sample offers, especially for finding the right foundation.
• Lastly, never  compare yourself to others. Remember: models on Instagram have flawless skin because it’s their job, and many literally have a team of people to make sure they look absolutely flawless.

Lifesavers! 10+ Great Natural Products for Oily Skin

MORNING

1. Replere Deep Clean & Clarify Face Wash

This foamy wash lis one of the best natural products for oily skin for a face that feels tight, toned and clean without being dry. The combination of natural exfoliating acids and potent antioxidants work together to dissolve any impurities left in pores, brighten dull skin and even out skin tone and texture. Coffea Arabica, Guarana, green tea and other potent ingredients leave my skin fresh for the day ahead, while rosemary extract calms inflammation.

This is the only morning cleanser I’ve found that I can use to effectively diminish oil production on my face, and it has gained my loyalty. The Replere line went through clinical trials and has been clinically proven to improve skin firmness, clarity, hyper pigmentation, blotchy redness, overall brightness and more!

MAKEUP

2. PHB Ethical Beauty Pressed Mineral Primer

Highly recommended for oily skin and shiny t-zones, this pressed primer gives your makeup incredible staying power -something those of us with oily skins crave, as makeup never seems to last. PHB Mineral Primer also blurs pores, absorbs excess oil, prevents shine and fills in fine lines & wrinkles to create the perfect base. It’s definitely one of the best natural products for oily skin in terms of makeup!

 

3. Sappho Liquid Foundation

While it does make sense to not put foundation on your face during a breakout (you wouldn’t put anything on a fresh wound, right?), there are times you just don’t want pimples stealing the spotlight. When applied with a foundation brush, Sappho goes on smoothly and provides thin yet even coverage.

It smells incredible, and is one of the cleanest foundations on the market! The only problem I have is that it’s quite water soluble. As long as you don’t splash water on your face at work or expect to look flawless while sobbing during a movie, this foundation is one of the best natural products for oily skin.

 

 

4. Jane Iredale Amazing Base SPF 20 Mineral Powder

Known for being the first line of face makeup products that actually benefits the skin, Jane Iredale Amazing Base is the most effective powder I have found in terms of multifunctionality while not making my skin oily or, more importantly, over drying it. It really does feel like silk and offers broad spectrum SPF 20.

For lighter acne scars or to even out skin tone, here’s a little trick: mix one or two drops of Odacite Face Serum (Papaya Geranium  for hyperpigmentation, or Black Cumin Cajeput) to your face powder to create a light liquid foundation and control breakout-causing bacteria. These serums are fabulously versatile – you can add a drop to your day or night cream for an added boost, use as a spot treatment, use alone over entire face, or mix with powder makeup to make a silky liquid foundation.

 

 

 

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY

5. ESK Skincare Kit

Friends, this is the Holy Grail for those of us with oily or acne-prone skin! It may be one of the pricier natural products for oily skin, but no matter what your age, you’ll love – and need – everything in this kit.

ESK only uses ingredients with the strongest scientific evidence, but at the same time, all their products are free of all perfumes, harsh chemicals and preservatives.

This skincare kit has everything you need to regulate your skin’s oil production, protect it from sun damage and to manage breakouts. It’s got:

• A Hydroxy Cleanser
• B Calm Light Moisturiser
• Zinc Shade SPF
• Smooth Serum
• Ultimate A+, a Vitamin A (Retinal – 0.1%), B3 (Niacinamide – 4%) and AHA (Glycolic Acid – 2%) based night cream

EVENING

6. Living Libations Seabuckthorn Best Skin Ever

I had no idea what plump skin really meant (and that I did not have it) until the morning after I used this product to oil cleanse. Packed with seabuckthorn, tamanu, palmarosa, and jojoba oils among others, this skin-saving elixir will actually give you your best skin ever and it can be used as a cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer, all in one! It’s one of my fave of all the best natural products for oily skin.

I find that after oil cleansing with this, I no longer have to use a night cream. There’s a reason this miracle worker has over 400 reviews on their website, and is considered one of the best natural products for oily skin, ever! It got rid of the little skin-colored bumps on my forehead within the week and has completely balanced my skin. This is another product I use on my roommate’s eczema and it has saved her skin!

The Living Libations website also has a plethora of information about each ingredient used in the product, how-to’s, audio interviews with information on sun protection and other topics, and a wonderful ingredient glossary.

7. Skin Kissed Hydrating Aloe Vera Face Cleanser

Looking for a non-soapy, all natural face and body wash? Sun Kissed aloe face cleanser is gentle on the skin and effectively removes all traces of makeup while cleansing your skin gently. Thanks to the presence of natural oils, the cleanser helps retain moisture and keeps your skin fresh and clear.

This is a fully vegan product that’s great for everyday use, but the best part? In addition to leaving your skin soft and cleaner, Sun Kissed claims to remove acne scars and pigmentation – and if it doesn’t, they have a money-back guarantee!

 

 

 

8. May Lindstrom: The Problem Solver

Everything you’ve ever wanted for clearing your skin, in one mask. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, which makes it one of the best natural products for oily skin, but dyes anything it touches orange. Not in this mask, though!

Detoxifying ingredients such as raw cacao, clays, and bamboo charcoal are combined with soothing and anti-inflammatory roots to provide a potent yet calming mask.

I use this during my worst breakouts or the night before an important event. This may be one of the priciest of all the best natural products for oily skin, but it smells incredible and will last forever when used weekly or bi-weekly.

 

 

 

9. Odacite Mint & Green Tea Pore Purifying Toner

This is a great, simple, straightforward product that refreshes and tones your skin. It’s perfect for hot days! I keep this product in my bag and on my desk at work as a midday pick-me-up if  I’m feeling oily or drained. Willow Bark and Aloe Vera calm and treat acne, while peppermint and green tea extracts refresh.

It can also be used as a makeup setting spray or applied on a cotton pad and used as a toner during your morning wash routine.  

 

10. Living Libations Zippity DewDab

Another LL product I never want to live without. Not only does this potent spot treatment have antiseptic and antibacterial ingredients such as Niaouli (a milder alternative to Tea Tree!) and Thyme Linalool to clear pesky pimples once and for all, but it also offers healing and protecting ingredients, wild Carrot Seed essence and Immortelle.

Use it at night, during the day or even add it to a serum as a booster. Great news: Living Libations even offers a Blemish Bundle so you can purchase my two absolute favorite products with an awesome cleansing cloth!