If you're battling the daily oil slick on your face, you are no stranger to matte finish skincare – oil-zapping cleansers and gel-based moisturisers. But did you know that serums can also be a part of skincare for oily skin?
Yep, these lightweight products tend to be packed with active ingredients that can help keep your skin clear and glowy, without looking greasy. Whether you want to tackle pimples, dark spots or just need help minimising excess oil, there's a serum for you. So, let's take a look at how they work on your face and help you find the best serum for oily skin.
01What To Look For In A Serum for Oily Skin
Serums are formulated to absorb quickly into the skin without feeling sticky or greasy. So, technically, their texture is perfect for oily skin types. You just need to make sure the active ingredients present in a particular serum are helping you with your specific skincare concern. So, say the best vitamin C serum for oily skin would help you fight dullness and dark spots, whereas a hyaluronic acid serum would help boost your skin's hydration levels.
If you are looking for something that specifically helps oily skin, then there are serums that target sebum control as well. BHAs like salicylic acid are good ingredients to look for in a serum for oily skin. Salicylic acid stops the sebum from clogging your pores and in turn, reduces the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. You could also try exfoliating serums with AHAs like glycolic acid, as they help exfoliate the top layer of your skin.
Surat-based dermatologist Dr Aanchal Panth thinks that people with oily skin should also consider niacinamide, as it deals with the side effects of having this skin type, such as dark spots and dullness. It also helps reduce excess sebum, so it's worth adding it to your skincare routine if you need help controlling oil production.
Top-Rated Serums for a Matte Finish
So, which serum is best for oily skin? We've listed our favourites below.
Even oily skin needs hydration to keep it plump and healthy. For hydration, we love the Pond's Hydra Light Hyaluronic Acid Complex 2%Serum. It is like a tall drink of water after a tiring day – for your face! But the best part? It hydrates without worsening the oiliness. And it does it all with the help of hyaluronic acid which seals in and retains moisture in your skin.
Even oily skin girls want to look glowy! But how do you achieve glow without stepping into oily territory? For this, the Pond's Bright Beauty 12% Vit C+E+A Serum has your back. We consider this to be one of the best serums for oily skin. It is packed with vitamins C, E and A to even out your skin tone and give you that radiant glow. Another vitamin C serum we love is the Lakmē 9 To 5 Vitamin C+ Serum. Along with sodium and ascorbic acid, it has vitamin E and glycerine to keep your skin happy. On top of that, the formula is infused with Kakadu plums, the richest source of vitamin C.
What better way to get clear skin than to simply exfoliate away the top dull layer? The Lakmē Glycolic Illuminate Serum does just this. This glycolic acid serum is perfect for beginners as it gently exfoliates to reveal smoother, brighter skin.
If you have sensitive skin, opt for something like the Simple 10% Niacinamide Booster Face Serum as it is free of artificial fragrance, parabens and dyes. The niacinamide in the formula works to fade dark spots to give you smooth, clear skin.
Another serum we love for sensitive oily skin types is the Simple Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Booster Face Serum. This serum combines hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to give your skin an instant hydration boost. Oh, did you know that vitamin B5 also has anti-ageing properties? So, this serum also works to prevent premature wrinkles and fine lines.
Here's how you can use multiple serums as well:
All About That Dropper
Picked out the best serum for oily skin but need a little help applying serums? It's all in the skincare layering. Here's what you should know.
- For any effective skincare routine, the first step is to always wash and clean your face.
- What goes on before serum? Cleansers, exfoliating scrubs, toners and essence. Then comes serum.
- No need to drench your face in serum – two to three drops usually do the trick. Squeeze the dropper in your palm. Alternatively, you could also directly drop the serum onto your cheeks and forehead but ensure the dropper doesn't touch your skin.
- Press the product into the skin gently with your fingertips to get an even layer and let it absorb before moving on to your next skincare step.
- Gentle and hydrating serums can be used once or twice a day – think niacinamide or hyaluronic acid serums. However, go slow with exfoliating serums that contain AHAs and BHAs like salicylic or glycolic acid. Use on alternate days and only at night before bed so you don't have to worry about the sun or any oxidizing effects. Remember to apply SPF the following day! Here's a visual guide on how to apply serum:
02FAQs about Serums for Oily Skin
Q1. Is it necessary to apply moisturiser after serum for oily skin?
You should definitely apply moisturiser after a serum even if you have oily skin. It not only moisturises your face, but it also keeps your skin hydrated and seals in all the benefits of your serum.
Q2. Can serum cause pimples?
Serums don't directly cause pimples. If you do experience breakouts, it is most likely an allergic reaction to the serum. As always, do a patch test before trying anything new. Turn to gentle serums with less concentration of the active ingredients if you have sensitive skin.
Q3. Can serum damage your face?
No, serums are crafted to improve your skin, not damage it. However, serums tend to contain active ingredients that can often be potent, which is what makes them effective! While they can do wonders for your skin problems, if your skin is especially sensitive, a strong formula can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. So, make sure you choose gentle formulas if you have sensitive skin.
