Skin concern
Oily / Shiny Skin
Midday shine, make-up sliding off and a persistent T-zone glow. Oily skin still needs moisture — stripping it usually makes oil worse.
What causes it
Why this happens
Genetically larger sebaceous glands, hormonal fluctuation, humid weather and over-cleansing which prompts the skin to compensate with even more oil.
Habits & ingredients to avoid
- Alcohol-heavy astringents
- Twice-daily clay masking
- Heavy creams
- Skipping moisturiser entirely
Key helpful ingredients
What to look for on the label
Niacinamide
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for oily / shiny skin, and appears in 5 of the products below.
Salicylic acid (BHA)
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for oily / shiny skin, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Zinc PCA
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for oily / shiny skin, and appears in 3 of the products below.
Green tea extract
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for oily / shiny skin, and appears in 4 of the products below.
Lightweight gel moisturisers
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for oily / shiny skin, and appears in several of the products below.
Recommended
9 products for oily / shiny skin
Verdant Lab
4.8BHA Pore Refining Liquid
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Verdant Lab
4.6Clarifying Willow Bark Gel Cleanser
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Verdant Lab
4.6Oil-Free Gel Hydrator
Glycerin is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Verdant Lab
4.6Invisible Gel SPF 40
Chemical UV filters is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. Non-negotiable for this concern — daily UV and visible-light protection prevents everything else undoing itself.
Verdant Lab
4.510% Niacinamide Pore Serum
Niacinamide 10% is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Golden Hour Skin
4.4Rice Water Hydrating Essence
Fermented rice water is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.3Green Clay Deep Clean Wash
Kaolin clay is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Verdant Lab
4.2Sulphur & Clay Weekly Mask
Sulphur 3% is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Verdant Lab
4.2Green Tea Mattifying Serum
Green tea polyphenols is one of the most reliable choices for oily / shiny skin. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.