Guide to natural products for oily skin and combination skin

Natural products and ingredients are the best option for oily or combination skin. Harsh, chemical-based products strip the skin of natural oils and make oiliness worse. Use this guide to find the best natural essential skin care products for oily or combination skin types.

Skin type is genetic and can be classed into four main types: oily, ‘normal’, dry and combination. These can include ageing, congested, dehydrated and sensitive.

You might be wondering: how do you know if you have combination skin? If your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is shiny but your cheeks are dry, you probably have combination skin.

Combination skin is the most common skin type. However, it is also the hardest to care for. This is because of both, oil and dryness. If your face feels shiny and oily all day, you probably have oily skin.

What natural products are good for oily skin?

Natural skincare products with antioxidant properties are great for oily skin. In fact, one of the worst things you can do to oily skin is use harsh, chemical-based products that will strip your skin of all-natural oil. Over-drying can make the skin produce more oil. This can make skin oiliness worse.

The goal of oily skin care routine is to reduce the overproduction of oil. You may want to use natural products to help reduce and treat breakouts, acne, acne scars and skin irritation. These issues are common for people with oily or combination skin.

Cleanser

An oil-free cleanser tends to have a foaming or gel-like consistency and it won’t contain any oils. The Acure Incredibly Clear Cleanser with charcoal and cleansing clay is a good choice instead of an oil-free cleanser.

A cleanser formulated with salicylic acid is an excellent choice for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). It works by going deep into the pores. This helps dissolve excess oil, dead skin cells, and impurities.

This helps to reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts while leaving the skin feeling refreshed and clean.

Moisturizer

Many people with oily skin tend to use an oil free moisturizer. An oil-free moisturizer is a water-based product. It uses hydrating ingredients like water and aloe vera.

These ingredients help soothe and hydrate the skin without using oil. That said, there are plenty of cleansers and moisturisers that might contain plant-based oils but are still mattifying and good for oily skin.

Tea tree oil is great for reducing and treating breakouts. We love the Acure Mattifying Moisturiser for oily skin – it's lightweight but hydrating. 

Sunscreen

No skincare routine is complete without sun protection. If you’re looking for a sunscreen for oily skin, then we recommend choosing one that’s non-greasy. Our favourite sunscreen for oily skin is the Eco by Sonya vegan face sunscreen as it fights against acne and doesn’t clog pores.

Do and don'ts for oily skin?

Firstly, do always use a moisturiser. You might be tempted to not moisturise as your skin feels oily. A moisturiser locks in moisture and helps hydrate your skin. Without it, your skin will produce more oil on its own to compensate, which can lead to breakouts.

Do use a peel or a gentle exfoliating product once a week to reduce congestion and clogged pores. And do commit to a skincare routine – our skin likes consistency.

Now the don’ts: don’t pick at your skin or spots. Don’t over cleanse or use harsh face scrubs as both will strip your skin of natural oil. Don't forget to wash your clothes and pillowcase often. Bacteria from fabrics can make your skin oilier and cause breakouts.

What is good for combination skin?

Taking care of combination skin is slightly different to taking care of oily skin. The challenge with combination skin is striking the balance between reducing oil and hydrating your cheeks.

If you have combination skin, it’s best to use a gentle, oil-balancing cleanser. You should avoid an oil-free cleanser. Instead, choose a cleanser with essential oils like tea tree oil and willow. These key ingredients will keep your skin moisturized and help fight acne and oiliness.

You might be wondering what type of moisturiser is best for combination skin? Although it can be hard to find, the best moisturiser for combination skin is a multitasking one. A moisturizer for combination skin should hydrate dry areas. It should not make the oily T-zone worse.

The Jojoba Co’s Water Gel Cream is the best moisturizer for combination skin. Made to balance oil in the T-zone, it also helps reduce redness and hydrate dry skin.

Can you use face oil if you have oily skin?

Yes! Face oil can actually be great for oily skin and combination skin.

Using a face oil can restore your skin’s natural oils. It can also reduce the extra oil your skin makes. This extra oil often happens when your skin feels dry.

If you only use oil-free products, your skin health may not improve. Over time, it might produce more oil to make up for the missing oil.

The Butt Naked Hemp Blemish Face Oil is great for oily skin as its formulated to balance and hydrate. Jojoba oil is a great face oil. It can reach the deeper layers of your skin and assist with anti aging. It also helps balance your natural oil production.

Choose fragrance free oils, wherever possible.

Makeup for oily or combination skin

With your skincare now sorted, you might be wondering what makeup is best for oily or combination skin. If you have oily or combination skin you might have trouble finding a foundation that works to control shine and stay put all day.

If you are looking for the best foundation for oily skin in Australia, we have great options. Wotnot 40 SPF Natural Face Sunscreen, BB Cream & Mineral Makeup is ideal for oily skin. This mineral makeup provides medium to full coverage. Additionally, it won't appear cakey or dry.

If you’re looking for a foundation for combination skin, then we recommend choosing a liquid foundation. Benecos Mineral Powder is a great foundation for combination skin. This is because it gives moisture and nutrients while also creating a matte look. You can always use a setting powder in the T-zone or all over to prevent oiliness and prolong the wear time.

Final thoughts

The best natural products contain important ingredients that fight free radicals. They have important ingredients, including strong antioxidants. They help improve skin tone, smooth skin texture, and reduce dark spots.

At the end of the day, you may want to use a gentle makeup remover. The Antipodes has a great makeup remover for oily and combination skin. It dissolves makeup and gets the skin ready for cleansing.​