Afternoon Oily Skin: How to Stop Oily Face During the Day?

Do you walk out the door in the morning with perfect skin, and by that afternoon find yourself battling shininess, runny makeup, and blotching? Battling an oily face throughout the day can be frustrating, but there are effective ways to manage it.

• Proper skin care routine with gentle, pH balanced products.
• Proper makeup application with non-toxic foundations.
• Use blotting papers for on-the-go oil control.
• Weekly beauty treatments like exfoliation and masks.
• Lifestyle adjustments such as stress management and hydration.

Read on for a detailed breakdown of each strategy and learn how to effectively implement these techniques to keep your face oil-free all day long.

Why Does My Face Get Oily and Greasy Throughout the Day?

Though you may think oily skin is limited to those with an oily skin type, this isn’t necessarily true. Though some people are genetically programmed to produce more skin oil, anyone can experience breaththrough shine and excess oil throughout the day. Here are some of the reasons why your skin gets oily throughout the day:

Internal Factors

• Oily skin: Some people have genetically larger or more active sebaceous glands, leading to increased oil production throughout the day. So even though you may wash off that oil in the morning, it comes back by the afternoon.
• Stress makes greasy skin: You become stressed by something during the day, which can trigger the release of cortisol and  stimulate oil production in your pores.
• Hormones change: During your monthly cycle, you may be more likely to experience breakthrough shininess by the afternoon hours. Pregnancy can also cause changes in your skin.

External Factors

• You simply forgot: If you forgot to moisturize in the morning, your skin is likely to react by trying to compensate for the lack of moisturization with more of its own natural oils—hello, shininess.
• Medication Side Effects: Were you sick recently? New medications can throw your body out of whack, causing the overproduction of skin oils.
• Over-treatment skin care routine: If you’ve gone on a “skin care frenzy” lately, you may have piled on too many products and treatments for your skin to handle at once. Many times, oiliness is your skin’s reaction to stress, which it may be experiencing because of too many treatments.
• Changes in Climate: If you travel to a different climate, or experience sudden changes in weather patterns, your skin may react with an attempt to moisturize and protect itself.
• Using the wrong products for your skin type: Sometimes, we use the wrong products for our skin type. If you’re oily, for instance, you need products that contain ingredients that help balance the skin’s natural oils. If you’re a dry skin type, you need deep moisturization—we recommend something with a base of jojoba oil. Using the wrong products can result in afternoon oily skin.

The Basics of Skin Care Routine to Stop Oily Face During the Day

No matter what may be causing your shiny skin, the goal is to get rid of it. We will show you how to prevent oily skin throughout the day. But before we start, you need to determine your skin type first.

If you need help, check with your local dermatologist or makeup artist. Determining your basic skin type will help you tailor your skin care routine to what your skin needs. You can read more about the basic types on our posts—oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin.

Use a Gentle Cleanser

Cleansing is key to controlling oil production, so don’t skimp on your cleanser. You need something effective but gentle. Being too aggressive or drying in your cleansing can actually backfire, as your skin will produce more oil in the afternoon to compensate for the stress and dryness.

So don’t over wash—just twice a day should do it, unless you’re involved in exercise or other activities that make you sweat, after which another cleansing will be required. Be careful, as many common over-the-counter products contain harsh sulfates that can cause afternoon shininess. Try our Aloe Herb Facial Cleanser or Citrus Mint Facial Cleanser for thorough cleansing that helps gently clean without stripping or stressing.

Additional tips:

• Use lukewarm water instead of hot water.
• Choose a gentle, non-foaming cleanser.
• Cleanse twice daily with proper cleanser, but avoid over-washing.
• Pat dry, don’t rub.

The Right Toner Helps Prevent Afternoon Oily Skin

Your toning step is also more important than you may think. An alcohol-based toner is likely to be drying, which may feel good in the morning, but will encourage your skin to produce more oil by the afternoon.

Use a moisturizing toner that helps control shininess without dryness. Our Rosemary Toning Mist is a good option, as it helps balance skin oils.

Additional tips:

• Look for alcohol-free formulas.
• Focus on T-zone and oily areas.
• Don’t rinse off.

Moisturizing Is an Important Step in Afternoon Skin Care Routine

No matter what type of skin you have, moisturization is important. If you have oily skin, however, you’ll want to choose a light, balancing formula. Dry skin types will need a little more moisturization.

Always look for products that are free of mineral oil and other petrolatum-based products, as they clog pores and stimulate shininess. Try our Herbal Facial Oil for Normal and Combination Skin, or our Herbal Facial Oil for Oily Skin.

Additional tips:

• Opt for lightweight formulas specially made for your skin type.
• Apply to slightly damp skin, after serum.
• Don’t skip this step, even if the skin feels oily.

Exfoliate to Get Smoother Skin

Regular exfoliation gives you a smoother, softer skin surface to work with. Try our Ayurvedic Facial Scrub 1-4 times a week. If your skin is in the middle of a break-out, exfoliate less frequently to avoid additional irritation until the skin heals.

Additional tips:

• Limit to 1-2 times per week.
• For a chemical exfoliant option, use gentle exfoliants (AHA) for oily skin, like a honey-derived lactic acid.
• For physical exfoliants, apply gently to avoid irritation.
• Follow with toning mist, serum, and moisturizer.

Using a Mask to Absorb Excess Oil On Your Face

Using a mask to absorb excess oil a couple times a week can help your skin to adapt and adjust to changing conditions, and can help balance natural oils. Try our Purifying Mud Mask, which contains mineral rich clays that remove excess oil and impurities.

Additional tips:

• Choose clay or charcoal masks for oil absorption.
• Apply only to oily areas if needed.
• Start with less time and slowly build up—don’t leave on longer than skin can tolerate. This can dry out the skin (potentially causing the skin to produce more oil).
• Use 1-2 times per week maximum.

How to Reduce Oily and Greasy Skin with Makeup

Sometimes, no matter how good a job you do at taking care of your skin, you can still end up with afternoon shininess. Here are some makeup tips to help you deal with this problem.

Beware of Your Moisturizer

If you’re experiencing afternoon shininess, you may not be hydrating enough, or you may be hydrating too much. Your best bet—try a light, skin balancing moisturizer under your makeup. Even dry skin types that are experiencing afternoon shininess may need to switch to a lighter moisturizer for a while. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Use a Mattifying Primer

If you haven’t tried a primer under your foundation, this may be a good time to do that. Just be choosy—you need one that allows your skin to breathe (avoid dimethicone and other silicone ingredients) but that will help absorb oil.

Use an Absorbing Foundation

Mineral oil foundations work well for many with oily skin, so this may be one to try for you. Maybe you can try it in our Mineral Makeup Collection and give us a feedback if it work well on you

Don’t Overdo the Powder

Our natural inclination when we see shininess is to use powder. Be careful, however, as powder on oily skin can highlight pores, and can highlight any fine lines or wrinkles you may have. Blotting paper (below) may be a better option.

Carry Blotting Tissues By Your Side

These are easy to carry in your handbag, as they come in booklets you can take anywhere. In a pinch, use one to simply blot away the excess oil without disturbing your makeup. Press on the oily area, then roll off the skin (don’t rub).

Properly Remove Makeup at the End of the Day

Proper makeup removal is a crucial step in managing oily skin and maintaining overall skin health. Here’s why it’s so important:

• Prevents clogged pores: Leaving makeup on overnight can lead to clogged pores, which exacerbates oiliness and can cause acne breakouts.
• Allows your skin to breathe: Removing makeup lets your skin breathe and undergo its natural renewal process during sleep.
• Enhances product effectiveness: Clean skin absorbs nighttime skincare products more effectively, maximizing their benefits.
• Reduces bacteria buildup: Makeup can harbor bacteria throughout the day, which can lead to skin irritation and infections if left on overnight.
• Prevents premature aging: Sleeping with makeup on can lead to free radical damage, potentially causing premature aging and fine lines.

Tips for proper makeup removal:

• Use a gentle, oil-based cleanser or micellar water to break down makeup
• Double cleanse if necessary, especially for waterproof products
• Pay extra attention to eye area and lash line
• Use lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel
• Follow with your regular nighttime skincare routine

Have you found yourself a way to prevent afternoon greasy skin? Please share your thoughts with us! We also offer natural products for oily skin that help balance the skin’s natural oils to tame excess shine. You can shop some of the top sellers from that collection below!