The Best Skincare Routine for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: Step-by-Step

If you’ve got oily, acne-prone skin, building the right skincare routine can feel like walking a tightrope. Use too much product, and your face turns into a grease trap. Use too little, and breakouts come roaring back. But with the right balance of oil control, barrier support, and targeted actives, it is possible to reduce acne, prevent future breakouts, and get your skin back on track.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the ideal daily skincare routine for oily and acne-prone skin, step by step — with dermatologist-backed product and ingredient recommendations along the way.

 

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Step 1: Cleanser – Start with a Pore-Clearing Base

Oily skin often overproduces sebum, which traps dead skin cells and leads to clogged pores and acne. A good face wash for pimples doesn’t just foam up and smell fresh — it should actively remove oil, reduce acne-causing bacteria, and support your skin barrier.

What to Look For:

• Sulphur: A multi-tasker that clears pores, fights bacteria, and reduces excess oil — without being overly harsh.
  
  

• Salicylic Acid: A BHA that penetrates deep into pores to unclog them.
  
  

• LHA or Zinc: Gentler alternatives that help reduce sebum production.
  
  

Try:

HiPer Acne Eradicate Sulphur Cleanser
Formulated with 3% sulphur, barrier-repairing ceramides, and oat β-glucans — it’s effective on oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin without the tight, dry feeling after.

 

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Step 2: Toner (Optional) – Calm, Clarify, and Balance

Toners can help balance oil and prep your skin to absorb the next steps in your routine. But not all toners are acne-friendly.

What to Look For:

• Witch hazel or niacinamide for oil control
  
  

• Green tea or cica for inflammation
  
  

• Alcohol-free formulas (avoid anything that stings or tightens too much)
  
  

If your cleanser already balances your skin well, this step can be skipped or used only a few times a week.

 

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Step 3: Serum – Treat Acne at the Root

This is the power step in your routine — where concentrated actives target breakouts, post-acne marks, and inflammation.

For Active Breakouts:

HiPer S46 Succinic Zit Fix
A triple-action spot treatment serum with succinic acid (anti-inflammatory), salicylic acid (exfoliating), and sulphur (clarifying). Unlike harsh benzoyl peroxide creams, this one flattens pimples without over-drying.

For Oil Regulation & Post-Acne Marks:

Look for serums with niacinamide (great for oily skin), azelaic acid, or zinc PCA. These ingredients help fade dark spots, shrink pores, and regulate excess oil production — all while calming redness.

 

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Step 4: Moisturizer – Yes, Even for Oily Skin

Skipping moisturizer is one of the most common mistakes people with oily skin make. When your skin is dehydrated, it actually produces more oil to compensate — which leads to more clogged pores and breakouts.

What to Look For:

• Lightweight, gel-based textures
  
  

• Ceramides to support the skin barrier
  
  

• Non-comedogenic formulas (won’t clog pores)
  
  

Try:

HiPer T56 Ceramide Cream
A featherlight moisturizer that hydrates deeply without the grease. It’s packed with ceramides, panthenol, and calming extracts — perfect for skin that’s oily, inflamed, or going through active breakouts.

 

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Step 5: Sunscreen – The Most Underrated Acne Care Step

SPF isn’t just about sun damage — it protects healing acne and prevents dark spots from getting worse. Many acne sufferers skip sunscreen thinking it’ll clog pores. But there are excellent non-comedogenic options designed specifically for oily skin.

What to Look For:

• Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
  
  

• Matte or gel finish
  
  

• Oil-free, non-comedogenic labels
  
  

Daily sun protection is essential if you’re using actives like salicylic acid or retinoids — since these can make your skin more sun-sensitive.

Final Thoughts: Skincare Is Routine, Not Magic

The best face wash for pimples or oil-control serum in the world won’t work if you’re not consistent. Acne-prone skin needs structure — gentle cleansing, targeted treatment, and long-term barrier repair.

Stick to your routine for at least 4–6 weeks before switching things up. If your skin starts looking calmer, less oily, and less red — you’re on the right track.

HiPer’s acne-focused formulas are designed to support this long game. With sulphur, succinic acid, and barrier-supporting actives, your skin has what it needs to clear — and stay clear.