Can You Use Face Oil on Oily Skin? Oily Skin Routine and Recommended Products

Is your skin oily? (Quick test)

☑️ My T-zone gets shiny by the afternoon

☑️ I worry about pores and blackheads

☑️ My cheeks feel tight but my nose is oily (dehydrated oily skin)

☑️ My makeup turns shiny by mid-afternoon

☑️ Even when I moisturise, my skin dries out right away

If you recognise yourself in two or more, you probably have oily skin, just like me, the editor.

Have you ever been tempted by face oil recommendations on TikTok, only to scroll past thinking: “This isn't for my oily skin”? I've been there myself.

But is that thought — “it won't work for me“ — really true? Let's go through the misconceptions about oils on oily skin one by one. 📝

Reference

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) – Skin Types & Care Guide

Don't oils suit oily skin? 3 common myths 🤔

Misconception 1. Doesn't applying oil make oily skin shinier?

• Not necessarily. The structure varies from oil to oil, and if used in a small amount and lightly, it's also worth trying on oily and combination skin. However, it's hard to conclude that it is “effective for oily skin”. What matters in the end is controlling the ingredients and the amount used.

Misconception 2. Don't skincare products with oil clog pores?

• Oils have different textures and ingredients, so you can't generalise.
  That's why “which oil, how much and in what order” you use matters.

Misconception 3. Isn't oil a product only for dry skin?

• If it's used to create a protective layer after replenishing hydration with toner and serum, it's fine to use it even on combination skin. Here too, though, controlling the amount for oily skin is the key.

Reference

International Journal of Cosmetic Science – Skin Surface Lipids and Facial Conditions

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI PMC) – Sebum Regulation Study

✅ Why I tried face oil with oily skin, and my review

I'm the typical oily-skin person: by the afternoon my T-zone is shiny and I always keep extra blotting paper to hand. So my criterion when choosing skincare products has always been just one: “Something light, not sticky, that doesn't create more oil.” (I didn't want to add more sebum to skin that already shines.)

At first, I thought oil went completely against that. However, since it bothered me that my cheeks felt tight despite moisturising thoroughly, I decided to try face oil “just one or two drops, only in the last step”.

These are the three rules I followed:

1. Do a patch test along the jawline first
2. Use only one or two drops, warm them in your palms and press in
3. Apply after prepping the skin with cleansing and toner

When I pressed it in with my palms, it absorbed much faster than I expected, even on oily skin. As a result, when I looked in the mirror in the morning, my cheeks felt less tight and my skin's hydration seemed more balanced.

After using it consistently for about 2 weeks, I personally felt my skin stayed much more comfortable until the afternoon compared with when I used only moisturiser.

💡 How should oily and combination skin choose a face oil?

It's a good idea to compare the ingredients and characteristics of each oil to choose the right texture for your skin type. In this case, jojoba oil can be a good option for those with oily skin.

Because it's a single ingredient, it's easy to tell whether it suits your skin, and since it belongs to the wax family (similar to sebum), it can be used lightly.

• FAQ: 🔗What is squalane?

Both jojoba and squalane are usually considered good options for oily skin, as long as you use a small amount.

Between them, I chose jojoba because on Piyonna (the global K-beauty platform launched by KakaoStyle) I found a 100% single-ingredient product (according to the brand) that can also be used instead of a cleansing oil, and I wanted to introduce it to you! ✨

Reference

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology – Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin

(🥇 Editor's pick) So which face oil should I use if I have oily skin?

→ CELLBN Jojoba Oil 100% Face Oil 100ml

click! See the product

📢 Why is jojoba oil recommended?

According to the brand, this product is made with organic jojoba oil supplied exclusively by KERFOOT, a British supplier with 37 years of tradition. In particular, since it's a pure oil (100% jojoba oil) with no added preservatives, silicones, synthetic fragrances or colourants, it was easy to tell whether it suited my skin compared with blended oils that mix several things.

• Although jojoba oil is fairly resistant to oxidation, it's best stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Below 7°C the oil may solidify; this is a natural characteristic of pure jojoba oil, and it will return to a liquid state at room temperature. (No cause for concern: it's a natural characteristic of jojoba oil and it will return to its liquid state at room temperature.)

✅ Is it OK for oily skin? Won't the oil clog pores?

According to the brand, the molecular structure of jojoba oil is similar to that of human sebum, so it absorbs quickly. With a light, non-sticky finish, it can help form a protective layer that reduces moisture loss and helps keep the skin feeling balanced.

• According to the brand, this product is designed for both dry and oily skin. For dry skin, mixing one or two drops into your cream can help keep even the driest areas hydrated.

🤔 Can sensitive skin use face oil too?

According to the product page, it holds organic certification from the UK Soil Association and is presented as a gentle product that can also be an option for sensitive skin. If you're pregnant or plan to use it on children, consult a healthcare professional first.

You can also soak a cotton pad with it to use as a makeup remover, or apply it to the ends of damp hair after shampooing to help nourish damaged hair. Gently massaged into nails, cuticles or dry areas, it can help provide intensive hydration.

✏️ Which concerns is it especially recommended for?

• Those who hesitate to use oil because of a shiny T-zone in the afternoon.
• Combination skin with tight cheeks and an oily nose.
• Those who want to care for pores and blackheads before and after cleansing.
• Those who feel their skin dries out right away despite moisturising.

📝 Is there an oily-skin skincare routine the editor recommends?

The key is “don't strip when you cleanse, and replenish without heaviness”.

In the last step of your skincare, pour one or two drops into your palms, warm them slightly with your body heat and apply by gently pressing to wrap your face. Any leftover oil can go on dry areas such as the neck or the backs of your hands.

This product can also be used instead of a cleansing oil if you gently massage it into areas with blackheads before cleansing.

• Morning: Gentle cleanser → Light hydrating toner → Soothing serum (niacinamide, panthenol, etc.) → One or two drops of oil → Sunscreen.
  * 💡Tip: If you mix a small amount into your moisturiser, it can help makeup sit better. Don't mix the oil into your sunscreen: it could alter the formula and reduce protection.

• Evening: (If you wore makeup, oil cleanse → cleanser) → BHA cleanser → Toner → Intensive care serum → Light moisturiser → One or two drops of oil (optional).
  * 💡Tip: On days of intense dryness, using it on its own is enough.

In the end, oil isn't a product that “restores” hydration; its role is to “cover” and keep the hydration you applied earlier from evaporating, so it's always better to use a small amount in the last step.

In fact, I, the editor, have tried various routines so far.

After many attempts, following this routine, I found my skin felt fully hydrated without getting oilier. If you're hesitating about face oils, I recommend adding one naturally between the steps of the routine above. ✨

🚨 However, on days when you use active ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C, reduce the amount of oil. We recommend always adjusting it while watching how your skin reacts.

References

INCI Decoder & Industrial Crops and Products – Jojoba Oil Profile

International Journal of Molecular Sciences – Squalane and Wax Esters in Dermatology

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology – Jojoba Oil Effects on Sebum Regulation

Soil Association Certification Standards – Organic Standards and Safety

So how can you buy K-skincare products like this face oil in Europe?

If you're looking for simple, gentle products that can suit your skin, like the ‘CELLBN Jojoba Oil’ recommended by the editor, take a look at 🔗Piyonna (the global K-beauty platform launched by KakaoStyle)!

You can compare at a glance real reviews from Korean users, application tips and detailed information on each product to find the one that best suits your skin.

A range of picks and tips from the editor to help you complete your own light skincare routine are waiting for you.

This autumn, dare to rethink the misconception that “oily skin shouldn't use oil” and discover how to add it to your routine for skin that feels hydrated and comfortable! ✨

Piyonna Global Beauty Supporters - Esencia · Juwon Kang