Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Ultimate Guide to Benefits & How to Use It

First things first – is sunscreen even good for oily skin? If you think about it, for skin that's already oily, why would I apply another layer of cream on it even if it's sunscreen?

Overexposure to UV rays can cause skin damage in the form of sunburn. Using sunscreen helps prevent redness, peeling, and discomfort while keeping your skin healthy.

Oily skin is often more prone to acne because there is excess oil production. Sun exposed skin becomes dehydrated and our bodies compensate for that by producing even more oil. This condition can aggravate skin irritation. To combat this, use sunscreens with non-comedogenic formulas, that are formulated to not cause clogged pores. Novology Acne Deep Clearing Cleanser is a lightweight gel formula that cleanses without stripping moisture. It uses Thymol and Terpineol to target only acne-causing bacteria while maintaining your skin's natural balance. Then carry on with your skincare routine of moisturiser and sunscreen.

Did you know that UV rays can accelerate ageing and cause hyperpigmentation? This further leads to dark spots and uneven skin tone. Sunscreen helps prevent these effects by shielding the skin from harmful UV radiation, keeping your complexion even and preventing premature ageing.

Sunscreens formulated for oily skin often come in gel-based, oil-free, or matte-finish options. These formulas control excess oil production while providing sun protection. By choosing the right sunscreen, you can prevent that unwanted greasy shine, giving you a more matte and balanced look throughout the day.

Sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful UV radiation, which is a leading cause of skin cancer. By using sunscreen regularly, especially on oily skin prone to clogged pores, you can reduce your risk of developing dangerous conditions such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.

If you have oily skin, you're looking for a formula that's light-weight, non-greasy and oil-free. You don't want a sunscreen that'll clog your pores or give excess shine. 1. Gel based sunscreen: A gel formula absorbs quickly and is lightweight, perfect for oily skin. 2. Matte-finish sunscreen: This type helps control oil production while reducing shine. 3. Water based sunscreen: Similar to the gel formula but not the same, a water-based sunscreen uses water as its main base. This allows it to be lightweight and quick absorbing to the skin. 4. Tinted sunscreen: I personally love a good tinted sunscreen for oily skin. They're designed with lightweight, non-comedogenic ingredients that absorb excess oil and deliver a matte finish. Since they offer coverage, tinted sunscreens can replace heavy makeup, reducing the number of layers on your skin and minimizing clogged pores. Talk about a win-win situation! ***Lakme Sun Expert Tinted Sunscreen with *50 SPF PA+++ is one of the best face sunscreens for oily skin, that blocks up to 97% UVB rays while giving an even tone, natural finish. Enriched with cucumber and lemongrass extracts, its light texture doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy and heavy.

• Oil-Free: Look for sunscreens labeled as oil-free to avoid excess shine and breakouts.
• Non-Comedogenic: Choose sunscreens that are non-comedogenic to ensure they don't clog your pores.
• Mattifying Ingredients: Opt for products with mattifying properties to control shine throughout the day.
• Niacinamide: This ingredient helps balance oil production and soothes the skin, keeping it hydrated without feeling greasy.
• Zinc Oxide: A must-have for broad-spectrum sun protection, zinc oxide ensures you're shielded from both UVA and UVB rays.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Provides hydration without making the skin oily, helping to maintain moisture balance.
• SPF Strength: For indoor daily activities (office or home), choose SPF 30+ and for outdoor activities or long sun exposure, go for SPF 50+ to ensure maximum protection.

For oily skin, choosing the right sunscreen is essential to protect your skin without clogging pores or making it greasier. Look for lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic formulas that provide broad-spectrum protection. Gel-based or matte-finish sunscreens are great options as they absorb excess oil and leave a smooth, shine-free finish. Apply sunscreen as the final step of your skincare routine, after moisturizer, and be sure to reapply every two hours, especially if you're outdoors. This way, you can keep your skin protected and balanced, without compromising on your oily skin needs.

You've only won half the battle when you've found the right sunscreen, the other half is about knowing how to apply it. We've compiled a guide with some simple but essential steps to follow for a flawless skin, even if its nature is oily. Incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine is essential, even for oily skin. Start by cleansing with an oil-free cleanser, followed by a lightweight moisturizer. Apply a generous amount of oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and mattifying properties as the final step. Ensure you reapply every 2-3 hours for continued protection. This simple routine will protect your skin from UV damage without causing greasiness or breakouts.

Start with cleansing your face with a cleansing solution dedicated to oily skin. You can try the Novology Acne Deep Clearing Cleanser for that squeaky clean canvas.

A lot of people think that we already have oily skin so why layer up the skin with a moisturiser and sunscreen both. When oily skin is moisturised well, it won't allow over-production of oil as it is well hydrated already. When the skin feels dry, even oily skin, it produces more oil to make up for the dryness. It's best to go for a gel-based moisturiser as it'll be easy on the skin, delivering hydration without making it greasy. Glow & Lovely Glass Bright Ultra Light Gel Creme can be the perfect addition to your skincare routine.

Follow up your moisturiser with sunscreen and then go for your makeup products. A tinted sunscreen is the best for oily skin simply because it'll require less product application in the day. It would even out the skin tone while working its sun magic. This will mean less foundation application. You can even just go for a concealer and skip the foundation altogether. Minimal makeup would ensure lesser clogged pores at a stretch of 5-6 hours.

Most skip this step. Sunscreen must be reapplied throughout the day for maximum coverage. You can go for a spray sunscreen in this case or simply take some formula in your hand and dab lightly. Reapplying after every 2-3 hours ensures maximum coverage.

In case you're wondering what you're doing wrong even when you're using sunscreen daily, here are some possible mistakes that you may be making.

If you're thinking that sunscreen is also hydration so why should I layer a moisturiser under it, think again. You may be doing more harm than good. Even oily skin needs hydration to prevent the overproduction of oil.

There are no boundaries to creativity but please don't mix your sunscreen with foundation! It can reduce its sun protection effectiveness.

While this thought may seem logical, a pea-sized amount of sunscreen won't provide enough protection to the skin. Aim for a nickel-sized amount and focus on sun protection.

A. If you choose the right formula then it won't make your skin worse. Look for oil-free, mattifying, and lightweight sunscreens with gel or water-based textures.

A. Not at all! A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer helps balance oil production. Skipping it can cause your skin to overcompensate with more oil.

A. Some hydrating sunscreens can double as a moisturizer, but if your skin feels dry or tight, it's best to use a lightweight gel moisturizer first.

A. For your face, use a nickel-sized amount. Don't forget to cover your neck.

A. Every 2-3 hours, especially if you're outdoors. For easy reapplication, try powder sunscreen, sunscreen on stick, SPF setting sprays, among others.

A. Yes! Sunscreen will shield you from blue light and UV rays that may penetrate through windows. Daily SPF is necessary even if you're inside.