Best Brightening Serum For Oily Skin – We independently review all of our recommendations. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive a fee.
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer covering all things fitness and health. You can also find his work in Elite Daily, MyDomaine, Thought Catalog, etc.
Best Brightening Serum For Oily Skin
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York who specializes in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. He is a Castle + Connolly Top Doctor and Super Doctor of NY 2021-2023.
Best Face Serums For Achieving A Flawless Complexion
From glow boosters and exfoliators to plumpers and anti-agers, there’s a serum for almost every skin purpose and concern. But more than what you would like to find, your skin type should also be taken into consideration when looking for products. If you have oily skin, you already know that it doesn’t play well with all formulas.
“Oilier skin types should avoid oil-rich serums and other comedogenic (blackhead- and whitehead-forming) products,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. like vitamin C for radiance-boosting, alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids for light exfoliation, and retinoids for, well, everything is good.
We’ve done hours of research on the best serums, evaluating them on active ingredients, skin sensitivity, absorption, and overall results. After consulting an anesthesiologist, dermatologic surgeon, dermatologist, and considering many options, we landed on these top serums for oily skin.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, M.D., is a fan of niacinamide (vitamin B3) in fatty acids, and this serum from Naturium serves it with a generous 12%. Not only is this antioxidant helpful in balancing oil production, but it can also reduce inflammation, prevent breakouts, and provide a round-the-clock glow to the skin.
Best Serum For Oily Skin In 2024 (reviewed)
It also contains zinc PCA (short for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) to maximize the benefits of niacinamide while reducing irritation. Finally, you’ll find hyaluronic acid, arguably the most popular ingredient found in serums, and for good reason. “Hyaluronic acid is a large molecule that resides on the surface of the skin,” Dr. Mack says. “It draws water to the cells, making a pipe, it’s slippery.” We just wish it was easier to tell when we’re running out of serum (opaque bottle).
You can always count on The Inkey List for unique formulas at wallet-friendly price points, and this pure serum is no exception. It calls for niacinamide and squalane, a natural moisturizer, to balance your skin’s oil production, then adds hyaluronic acid. The downside is that it’s not well organized, so if you have a large number of beauty products regimen, this might not be for you.
Dr. Engelman recommends fan-favorite Good Genes to those in the market for an exfoliating formula especially because of one special feature. “Lactic acid, derived from milk, is gentle on the skin and safe enough to be used during pregnancy,” she says. “It improves color and age spots, and corrects pH imbalances.”
We love that this formula includes licorice extract and lemongrass to treat dark spots and prickly pear extract to soothe redness and sensitivity. However, keep in mind that exfoliators such as lactic acid can aggravate overly dry skin—so if your skin is hyper-reactive, gradually incorporate the product into your routine.
Brightening Serum (30 Ml)
Monat’s Hydration Booster Serum is ultra-hydrating, but the oil-free formula won’t cover shiny, flaky skin. “Products like Monat’s Hydration Booster serum make skin softer, smoother, and more youthful in appearance without increasing oil production or clogging pores,” Dr. Mack says. “Coconut water mixed with hyaluronic acid is like a tall glass of water on the skin.” The product also boasts antimicrobial marine algae to fight breakouts and vegan collagen for a younger look.
Dr. Mack likes vitamin C for oily skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage, evens skin tone, and promotes collagen production, giving it a soft and radiant appearance. You’ll see visible results with Sephora’s Ultra Glow Serum, which combines vitamin C with anti-inflammatory vitamin E and peptides (amino acids known to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen) to deliver glowing, healthy-looking skin.
Retinol’s ability to increase cell turnover—all the while unclogging pores and debris—makes it the most important ingredient for oily skin. Among serums with vitamin A extracts, Fusion PM shines above the competition. It uses time-released retinol that works slowly, reducing irritation and other potential side effects while increasing skin-smoothing, retexturizing, and color-improving effects. If you have sensitive skin, be aware of the early side effects of using retinol, known as the “purge.” This may cause breakouts at first, but they will eventually whiten to a beautiful color.
Oily skin can be very sensitive too, and if that works for you, you’ve probably come across serums that keep oil at bay but also irritate the skin. That’s when you turn to a lightweight serum like this one from Paula’s Choice. It contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C, three of the ingredients recommended by Dr. Mack and Dr. Engelmann. The serum is gentle enough to use morning and night, providing refreshing hydration, soft skin, and a dewy finish.
Best Vitamin C Serums For Your Skin
Oily mature skin can be difficult to maintain as many mature skin serums are loaded with moisturizing ingredients that can also clog pores. Boasting a proprietary complex of retinol, peptides, rice protein (helps maintain moisture and elasticity), and hyaluronic acid, No7 Protection & Complete covers all the bases for mature skin without adding oil. Apply the product to your face and neck before bed and you should wake up with soft, plump skin.
If your oily skin is also pimple-prone, this little pink tube is your best bet. It relies on tranexamic acid and azelaic acid—which is much gentler than it sounds—to provide gentle chemical exfoliation, smooth uneven texture, and improve the appearance of acne. The combo also helps prevent early breakouts from occurring. Surprisingly, for an anti-acne product, it is not oil-free. It doesn’t seem to affect the results, but if you go out with oil-based products it may not work for you.
We also like Glossier Super Pure for skin that tends to develop oily areas. Niacinamide and zinc PCA (an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from inflammation) are the heroes of this water-gel formula, they help balance the production of oil and decongest pores while increasing your overall glow. Note that the bottle is not UV protected, meaning that the ingredients can be damaged or expire if placed in the sunlight. So if you go out on a trip, keep it in a sunscreen bag.
We love Korean skincare products because they often have more than one benefit, and this serum is no different. This serum is purchased from Good Skin when we tried it at home. The super-lightweight formula contains niacinamide and vitamin C to balance oil production, increase shine, even out discoloration, and provide a grease-free shine. The ingredients are preferred by our dermatologists and work well together. Our only complaint is that this one has an artificial fragrance, which may cause discomfort for friends with sensitive skin.
Buy The Best Face And Skin Brightening Vitamin C Serum Online
After testing it, three editors agreed the hydrating, plumping, skin-enhancing effect of Fenty Fat Water is superior. This toner-serum hybrid is great for oily-skinned skin as it minimizes the appearance of pores and balances oil production without drying you out. We love how easy it is to apply—take your palms and rub it on your face until the product is absorbed. Although Sephora sees this as a pure product, it has a fragrance that can irritate the skin.
Acne and oily skin often go together, which means hyperpigmentation is often (unfortunately) on the way. To treat hyperpigmentation and prevent future breakouts at the same time, use this serum from Eadem. It contains niacinamide to soothe inflammation and reduce active scarring, as well as vitamin C to promote even skin tone. As the name suggests, it contains milky milk that feels refreshing on the skin and keeps the color hydrated. Rounding out the formula are pineapple and papaya enzymes, which can exfoliate the skin and lift dark spots without causing irritation. We also like that the formula is designed with women of color in mind, so it can lift hyperpigmentation on deep and dark skin tones.
This serum from celebrity esthetician Shani Darden uses lactic acid to gently—but effectively—exfoliate skin for smoother, softer skin. It is especially good for oily skin because it can balance the oil in the skin and treat acne and hyperpigmentation, all while keeping the skin soft (thanks to the inclusion of aloe vera and green tea). We love that it has a light weight that absorbs easily into the skin, and that it can keep oily skin types hydrated without causing congestion.
Theresa Holland is a freelance beauty writer and dermatologist with extensive experience in research, testing, and.
