How to prevent oily face throughout the day (Even in Summer!)
Let’s be real—there’s nothing worse than starting the day with a fresh, matte face and ending up looking like a glazed donut by lunchtime. 😩 Oily skin can be a struggle year-round, but when summer hits? Game over. The heat, humidity, and extra sweat can turn even the best makeup day into a shiny mess.
If you’re constantly blotting your T-zone, powdering every hour, or just feel like your face is in a never-ending battle with oil, you’re not alone. The good news? With the right skincare routine, smart product picks, and a few easy habits, you can stay shine-free all day—yes, even in the middle of a heatwave.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to prevent an oily face throughout the day without going overboard or drying out your skin. Get ready to keep that glow intentional, not greasy.
10 tips to stop oil during day
Here’s everything you need to prevent an oily skin throughout the day:
1. Start with the Right Cleanser
First things first—cleansing. If you’re waking up with an oily face or you feel greasy by midday, your cleanser might not be doing its job. That doesn’t mean you need something super harsh though (please skip the squeaky-clean, stripping stuff). The goal is to remove excess oil and buildup without throwing your skin into panic mode.
Look for gel-based or foaming cleansers that are labeled oil-free or made specifically for oily or acne-prone skin. Bonus points if they contain ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil to help keep pores clear.
Don’t overwash!
Washing your face more than twice a day can dry you out and actually cause your skin to produce more oil to make up for it. Stick to cleansing in the morning and at night—no more, no less.
2. Use a Lightweight, Oil-Free Moisturizer
It might sound backwards, but skipping moisturizer is one of the worst things you can do for oily skin. When your skin feels dry or stripped, it kicks oil production into overdrive. That’s the opposite of what you want.
The trick is to pick a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer—meaning it won’t clog your pores. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid are amazing because they hydrate without adding heaviness, and niacinamide is a rockstar for balancing oil over time.
If your moisturizer feels greasy or never fully sinks in, it’s probably too rich for your skin type. Look for terms like “oil-free,” “matte finish,” or “gel-cream” when shopping for the right formula.
3. Apply a Mattifying Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must, even if you’re indoors most of the day. But if you’ve been skipping it because it makes you feel extra oily or causes breakouts, you’re probably using the wrong one. Go for a sunscreen made specifically for oily skin. These formulas are usually labeled “matte,” “oil-free,” or “gel-based.” They sink in fast, don’t leave a greasy film, and some even double as a primer. Look for SPF 30 or higher, and try something with ingredients like zinc oxide, which is naturally mattifying.
One extra tip? If you’re reapplying throughout the day (which, yes, you should!), try a powder sunscreen or a setting spray with SPF. It won’t mess up your makeup and helps keep that mid-afternoon shine in check.
4. Use an Oil-Controlling Primer
If you’ve never tried a primer, this might just be your new secret weapon. A good mattifying primer helps create a smooth base for your makeup and keeps oil at bay for hours. It basically acts like a barrier between your skin and your foundation, so oil doesn’t break through and ruin your look.
Focus on applying it mainly to your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), since that’s where most of the shine shows up. Look for primers that say “oil-control,” “blurs pores,” or “mattifying” on the label. Silica-based or clay-infused ones tend to do a great job.
5. Avoid dewy Makeup Products
Oily skin and makeup don’t always get along, but with the right products, they can totally be besties. The trick? Avoid anything that says “dewy,” “glow-enhancing,” or “radiant” on oily days. Those will just highlight the shine you’re trying to tone down.
Instead, go for matte, oil-free, and long-wear foundations or BB creams. Powder foundation can work great, too, especially in summer. Set everything with a good translucent setting powder—especially around your nose and forehead.
And if you wear concealer, choose one that sets quickly and doesn’t slip. A good setting spray at the end can also lock everything in (look for one that says “matte finish” or “controls oil”).
6. Blotting and Touch-Up Essentials
Let’s be real—even with the best products, a little shine might sneak through, especially on hot days. That’s where blotting papers come in handy. They soak up excess oil without smudging your makeup. Just press gently—no rubbing!
Keep a pack in your bag and use them mid-morning and mid-afternoon. After blotting, you can touch up with a pressed powder compact; something with a bit of coverage if needed, or a translucent one just to mattify. (A travel-size mattifying setting spray is great to refresh your face and kill shine on the go!)
7. Try Oil-Control Skincare Ingredients
If you’re dealing with oily skin regularly, your long-term skincare routine matters just as much as your daily touch-ups. Certain ingredients can help regulate oil production over time—not just temporarily cover it up.
Here are a few MVPs to look for:
- Niacinamide – Helps reduce sebum production and minimizes pores.
- Salicylic Acid – A BHA that gets deep into pores to unclog and control oil.
- Zinc – Has anti-inflammatory and oil-regulating properties.
- Clay (like kaolin or bentonite) – Great in masks for soaking up excess oil.
You don’t need to use all of these at once—just a couple in your routine can make a big difference. The key is consistency. Give a product a few weeks before deciding if it works for you.
8. Avoid These Habits That Make Your Skin Oilier
Even with the best products, some everyday habits can make your skin oilier without you even realizing it. Watch out for these:
- Over-washing or using harsh products – Stripping your skin just makes it pump out more oil to compensate.
- Touching your face constantly – Your hands transfer dirt, bacteria, and oil onto your skin. Try to keep them off!
- Skipping moisturizer – Like we mentioned earlier, skipping it actually triggers more oil.
- Layering too many products – Especially in the summer, heavy layers can clog pores and make things greasy fast.
Small changes in your routine can lead to major improvements in how your skin behaves throughout the day.
9. Adjust Your Routine Seasonally
What works in winter might be way too heavy for summer. As the weather heats up, your skincare needs to lighten up too. So, you need to swap rich moisturizers for gel creams, use lightweight SPF, and cut back on heavy foundations. Think breathable, oil-free, and fast-absorbing. Also, don’t be afraid to switch products every few months to match the climate—your skin will thank you.
10. At-Home Oil-Control Face Masks (2x a Week)
When your skin feels extra greasy, a good face mask can help reset things. Clay-based masks are a total game-changer for oily skin. They soak up excess oil, deep-clean pores, and leave your face feeling fresh (not tight or dry, though—big difference!). Find ingredients like:
- Kaolin clay or bentonite clay. It absorbs oil like a pro!
- Charcoal, which helps draw out impurities and extra sebum.
- Sulfur; responsible for targeting clogged pores and acne
You don’t need to go overboard with these masks; just 1–2 times a week is plenty. And always follow up with a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin balanced. If you’re into DIYs, mixing clay powder with rose water or aloe vera gel can make a simple, clean mask at home.
Conclusion
Oily skin can be frustrating, especially when you’re doing everything “right” and still end up shiny by lunchtime. But the good news is, with the right products, a few smart habits, and a routine that works with the weather, you can keep your face looking fresh and matte all day long.
These tips and tricks won’t completely eliminate oil (your skin needs some!), but will manage it so it’s not taking over your day—or your makeup. Whether it’s switching to a gel moisturizer, adding blotting papers to your bag, or finally trying that mattifying primer, little changes really do add up.
So go ahead—shine bright in life, not on your forehead. 😉✨
