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Teresa Holland is a freelance writer covering all things fitness and health. You can also find his work at Elite Daily, MyDomaine, Thought Catalog, and more.
Best Serum For Oily Skin
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, specializing in advanced facial rejuvenation techniques. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He is a Castle + Connolly Top Doctor and NY 2021-2023 Super Doctor.
Best Vitamin C Serums 2024
From brighteners and exfoliators to fillers and anti-aging serums, there’s almost every skin care goal and concern. However, in addition to what you want, your skin type should also be considered when looking at products. If you have oily skin, you probably know that it doesn’t play well with all formulas.
“Oily skin types should avoid serums with oil and other comedogenic (blackhead and whitehead-causing) ingredients,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Leanne A. Mak. Vitamin C to boost radiance, alpha and beta-hydroxy acids for light exfoliation, and retinoids, well, for just about everything.
We’ve spent hours researching the best serums, evaluating them on active ingredients, skin feel, absorption, and overall results. After consulting with an esthetician, a dermatologic surgeon, a dermatologist, and reviewing dozens of options, we came across the top rated serums for oily skin.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman is a fan of niacinamide (vitamin B3) for oily skin, and this serum from Naturium serves it up at a 12% concentration. Not only does the antioxidant help balance oil production, it can also reduce inflammation, prevent breakouts, and provide an all-around radiant complexion.
The Best Serums For Oily Skin · Care To Beauty
It also contains zinc PCA (short for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) to minimize potential irritation and optimize the benefits of niacinamide. Finally, you get hyaluronic acid, the most popular ingredient in serums. “Hyaluronic acid is a large molecule that sits on top of the skin,” says Dr. Mack. “It draws water into the cells, creating a plumping, smoothing effect.” We just want it to be easy to tell when our serum is running low (the bottle isn’t transparent).
You can always count on Inkey List for exceptional formulas at wallet-friendly prices, and this pure serum is no exception. It claims to use niacinamide and squalane, a natural moisturizer, to balance your skin’s oil secretion, and then to plump with hyaluronic acid. The downside is that it doesn’t layer well, so if you have a multi-product beauty regimen, this isn’t for you.
For those in the market for an exfoliating formula based on one key ingredient, Dr. Engelman recommends fan favorite Good Genes. “Lactic acid from dairy products is gentle on the skin and safe to use during pregnancy,” she says. “It improves discoloration and age spots and corrects pH imbalances.”
We love that this formula contains licorice extract to fight dark spots and lemongrass and prickly pear extract to soothe redness and sensitivity. However, remember that exfoliators like lactic acid can aggravate sensitive skin — so if you have ultra-reactive skin, work the product into your routine slowly.
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Monat’s Hydration Booster Serum is ultra-hydrating, yet its oil-free formula is non-sticky for radiant, breakout-prone skin. “Products like Monat’s Hydration Booster Serum help plump, smooth, and younger-looking skin. “Coconut water combined with hyaluronic acid is like a tall glass of water for skin.” The product also boasts antimicrobial seaweed and vegan collagen to fight youthful-looking skin.
Dr. Mack is a fan of vitamin C for oily skin. A powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage, evens out skin tone, and promotes collagen production for a smoother, more radiant appearance. You’ll see visible results with Sephora’s Ultra Glow Serum, which combines vitamin C with anti-inflammatory vitamin E and peptides (certain amino acids that stimulate the production of elastin and collagen).
Retinol’s ability to boost cell turnover—clearing all clogged pores and debris—makes it an especially beneficial ingredient for oily skin. Among serums containing a vitamin A derivative, Fusion PM stands out from the competition. It uses a time-release version of retinol that works slowly, reducing irritation and other potential side effects while maximizing skin-smoothing, reshaping, and toning results. If you have acne-prone skin, beware of the initial side effects of using retinol, known as “clearing.” This may cause sores at first, but they will eventually turn into a beautiful complexion.
Oily skin can also be sensitive, and if this applies to you, you’ve probably seen serums that treat oil but 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 ingredients recommended by Dr. Mack and Dr. Engelman. The concentrate is gentle enough to use morning and night, providing soothing hydration, softening skin and a dewy finish.
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Oily, mature skin can be difficult to manage because most mature skin serums are packed with moisturizing ingredients that can clog pores. Boasting a proprietary complex of retinol, peptides, rice protein (helps retain moisture and elasticity) and hyaluronic acid, No7 Protect & Perfect covers all the essentials for mature skin without adding oil. Apply the product to your face and neck before bed and you should wake up with smooth, even-toned skin.
If your oily skin is also prone to acne, this little pink tube is your best option. It relies on tranexamic acid and azelaic acid to provide a gentle chemical peel, uneven texture and improve the appearance of acne. The combo also helps prevent the explosion from occurring in the first place. Interestingly, for an acne-fighting product, it is not oil-free. It doesn’t seem to negate the results, but it may not work for you if you use petroleum-based products.
We also like Glossier Super Pure for oily skin. Niacinamide and zinc PCA (an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from inflammation) are the heroes of this water-gel formula, helping to balance oil production and unclog pores, improving your overall complexion. means that the ingredients may spoil or be exposed to direct sunlight. So if you are going to travel outside, pack it in a waterproof bag.
We love Korean skincare products because they often have more than one benefit, and this serum is no different. This affordable serum from It’s Skin was a hit when we tried it at home. The super-lightweight formula contains niacinamide and vitamin C to balance oil production, boost radiance, reduce discoloration, and provide an oil-free shine. The ingredients are favorites of our dermatologists and work together. Our one gripe is that it contains a synthetic fragrance that may be off-putting for friends with sensitive skin.
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After trying it for the first time, three editors agreed that Fenty Fat Water’s hydrating, plumping, skin-enhancing effects are top-notch. This toner-serum hybrid is especially great for oily skin, as it minimizes the appearance of pores and balances oil production without inadvertently drying you out. We love how easy it is to use—just take a small amount in the palm of your hand and gently pat onto your face until the product is completely absorbed. .
Acne and oily skin often go hand in hand, so hyperpigmentation is usually (unfortunately) on the way. To heal hyperpigmentation and prevent future breakouts, use this serum from Eadem. It contains niacinamide to reduce inflammation and reduce active blemishes, as well as vitamin C for even skin tone. As the name suggests, it has a milky consistency that soothes the skin and keeps the face hydrated. Rounding out the formula are pineapple and papaya enzymes, which are capable of exfoliating the skin and removing dark spots without causing further irritation. We also love that the formula is made for women of color, so it can handle hyperpigmentation on deeper and darker skin tones.
This serum from celebrity esthetician Shani Darden uses lactic acid to gently but effectively exfoliate for smoother, softer skin. It’s great for oily skin as it balances sebum, treats acne and hyperpigmentation, while also soothing the skin (due to the addition of aloe vera and green tea). We love that it has a light texture that absorbs easily into the skin and that it can lock in moisture without causing congestion for oily skin types.
Teresa Holland is a freelance beauty writer and bona fide skincare expert with extensive experience in research, testing and research.