_edited.jpg){kind=small}
The Best Morning Skincare Routine for Black Women with Oily Skin
Oily skin can present unique challenges, especially when combined with the needs of melanin-rich skin, which can be more prone to hyperpigmentation. A tailored skincare routine for oily skin is essential, but it’s important to incorporate products that address oil control while also catering to the health of your skin tone and texture.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
If you want to start your day right, here’s a step-by-step guide to the best morning skincare routine for Black women with oily skin, keeping in mind both oil production and the prevention of dark spots or acne scarring.
Skip to the section you're most interested in: Start with a Gentle Cleanser, Oil-Free Cleanser - Use a Toner to Balance Your Skin - Serum with Targeted Treatments - Moisturizer (Yes, Even for Oily Skin!) - Sunscreen – A Must-Have for Melanin-Rich Skin - Optional: Add an Exfoliating Product (2-3 Times a Week)
Best Morning Skincare Routine for Black Women with Oily Skin
1. Start with a Gentle Cleanser, Oil-Free Cleanser
Cleansing your skin is the first and most important step in any skincare routine. For Black women with oily skin, it’s crucial to choose a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that won’t strip the skin but will help remove excess oils and impurities. Look for cleansers that include salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which help control oil production without causing irritation or overly drying out the skin. These ingredients also help prevent clogged pores, reducing the likelihood of acne.
Tip: Avoid harsh cleansers with alcohol or fragrance, as they can disrupt your skin’s moisture balance and trigger more oil production.
Product Recommendations:
It's a luxurious yet gentle facial cleanser that deeply purifies the skin while promoting a brighter, more even complexion. Infused with turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich properties, this foaming cleanser helps to calm irritated skin, reduce redness, and restore a healthy glow.
How to Use: Pump a small amount onto damp skin and gently massage it into your face in circular motions, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Follow up with your regular skincare routine for glowing, refreshed skin. For best results, use consistently as part of your daily routine to achieve glowing, even skin.
It's a multi-functional skincare product designed to cleanse, exfoliate, and brighten the skin in one simple step. This bar is specially formulated to target uneven skin tone, dark spots, and discoloration, making it a great option for those seeking a more radiant and uniform complexion.
How to Use: Wet your face and the bar, then massage it onto your skin in circular motions. Leave it on for up to 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
It's a gentle yet effective foaming cleanser designed to deeply cleanse the skin while helping to control excess oil and minimize pores. Infused with heartleaf extract and quercetin, this cleansing foam provides soothing and antioxidant-rich benefits, helping to calm irritated or sensitive skin.
How to Use: Apply a small amount to damp skin, gently massage in circular motions, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use once a week to avoid over-exfoliating and maintain healthy, balanced skin.
2. Use a Toner to Balance Your Skin
After cleansing, follow up with a toner to restore your skin’s pH balance and control oil production. A toner containing ingredients like witch hazel, niacinamide, or rose water can reduce inflammation, tighten pores, and keep the skin matte without causing dryness. These ingredients also help refine skin texture and prevent clogged pores, which is essential for those with oily skin. Niacinamide is especially great for melanin-rich skin, as it also helps to fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, which is a common concern for Black women with oily skin.
Tip: Use a toner with a balance of hydration and oil control, ensuring it doesn’t dry out your skin, which could lead to more oil production.
Product Recommendations:
It's a multitasking skincare product designed to tone and hydrate while refining pores. Infused with niacinamide, it helps brighten and even out the skin tone, while Barbados cherry provides antioxidants for added protection.
How to Use: Apply a few pumps to a cotton pad or directly to your hands and gently press it into your face after cleansing.
It's a hydrating and brightening toner designed to give your skin a healthy, radiant glow. This essence combines the benefits of a toner and a serum, providing deep hydration while improving skin tone and texture.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to a cotton pad or directly onto your palms, then gently press and pat it onto your face after cleansing. Let the essence absorb fully into your skin before continuing with the next steps in your skincare routine. Use it daily to achieve glowing, hydrated skin.
3. Serum with Targeted Treatments
Now that your skin is clean and balanced, it’s time to apply a serum that targets your specific concerns. If you struggle with breakouts, look for a serum containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide serum, or retinol. These ingredients are excellent for controlling oil, clearing pores, and preventing acne. Additionally, serums containing vitamin C or niacinamide can help brighten your complexion, fade dark spots, and even skin tone—essential for keeping skin glowing and healthy while addressing hyperpigmentation.
Tip: Use a lightweight, oil-free formula to prevent clogging your pores while still getting the benefits of the active ingredients.
Product Recommendations:
It's a nourishing serum designed to strengthen and rejuvenate the skin by incorporating six different peptides, each with its unique benefits. Peptides are known for their ability to promote skin elasticity, enhance collagen production, and improve overall skin health.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to your face after cleansing and toning, gently patting it into the skin until fully absorbed. Follow with your moisturizer and sunscreen if using in the morning, or other treatments in your routine. Use daily for a more youthful, plump complexion.
It's a highly concentrated serum designed to deliver intense hydration and moisture to the skin. Made with 100% pure hyaluronic acid, it deeply penetrates the skin to replenish lost moisture, plumping and smoothing the skin for a more youthful appearance.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to your clean, toned face and gently massage it in until fully absorbed. Follow with your moisturizer to lock in hydration, and use daily for plump, hydrated skin.
Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Super Glow Serum with 10% L-Ascorbic Acid + Kojic Acid
It's a potent serum formulated to brighten, exfoliate, and even out skin tone.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to clean, dry skin in the morning or evening, gently massaging it into your face and neck.
4. Moisturizer (Yes, Even for Oily Skin!)
It may seem counterintuitive, but moisturizing is essential even for oily skin. When you skip moisturizing, your skin can overcompensate by producing even more oil. Opt for a water-based, oil-free moisturizer that won’t add to your skin's oiliness but will provide essential hydration. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent ingredient for oily skin because it draws moisture into the skin without adding any grease or shine. Plus, a good moisturizer will create a protective barrier against environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays, which can lead to premature aging and uneven skin tone.
Tip: Gel-based or non-comedogenic moisturizers are ideal for oily skin as they hydrate without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
Product Recommendations:
It's a nourishing moisturizer designed to restore and strengthen the skin's natural barrier. The formula combines peptides, which promote skin elasticity and repair, with niacinamide, an anti-inflammatory ingredient known for its ability to reduce redness, even out skin tone, and enhance the skin's barrier function.
How to Use: Apply a generous amount to your face and neck after cleansing and toning, gently massaging it in until fully absorbed. Use it daily, both morning and night, to strengthen and hydrate your skin’s barrier.
It's a 100% pure, natural oil that provides deep moisture and nourishment to the skin, hair, and nails. Extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, this oil is known for its similarity to the skin's natural sebum, which makes it an excellent moisturizer that absorbs easily and helps balance oil production.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to your clean face or body and gently massage it in until absorbed. Since it's non-comedogenic, it’s safe for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, and can be used daily to hydrate and nourish your skin.
5. Sunscreen – A Must-Have for Melanin-Rich Skin
Sunscreen is essential in any skincare routine, especially for Black women with oily skin. Broad-spectrum SPF protects against both UVA and UVB rays, preventing dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging. It’s a common misconception that people with darker skin tones don’t need sunscreen, but melanin-rich skin is still susceptible to sun damage and discoloration.
Choose a mattifying, oil-free sunscreen that offers protection without making your skin greasy. Opt for a non-comedogenic sunscreen that won’t clog your pores, and go for a lightweight, gel-based or water-based formula that won’t leave a greasy residue.
Tip: Sunscreen should be reapplied throughout the day, especially if you’re spending time outdoors.
Product Recommendations:
It's a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen designed to provide effective sun protection while keeping the skin hydrated and nourished.
How to Use: Apply a generous amount to your face and neck as the last step of your morning skincare routine. Gently massage it into your skin, ensuring even coverage, and reapply throughout the day for continued sun protection.
It's a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays while leaving the skin feeling fresh and hydrated.
How to Use: Apply a generous amount to your face and neck as the final step in your morning skincare routine. Gently massage it in for even coverage, and reapply every 2 hours for continued protection, especially if you're spending time outdoors.
6. Optional: Add an Exfoliating Product (2-3 Times a Week)
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and can prevent clogged pores, which is essential for managing oily skin. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant with AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHA (beta hydroxy acids) like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, which are great for oily skin and help with cell turnover. Exfoliating 2-3 times a week, once per day can help clear up acne and smooth out rough patches, while also preventing dark spots from forming.
Tip: Don’t over-exfoliate, as this can irritate your skin and lead to more oil production.
Product Recommendations:
It's a cult-favorite exfoliating treatment designed to refine skin texture, clear pores, and improve skin tone. This product contains salicylic acid (BHA), a powerful exfoliant that works deep within the pores to remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and debris, preventing breakouts and promoting smoother, clearer skin.
How to Use: Apply a small amount to a cotton pad and gently swipe it across your face after cleansing, avoiding the eye area. Use it 2-3 times a week or daily depending on your skin's tolerance, followed by your usual skincare routine. Always apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher after using any exfoliant during the day.
A consistent, customized skincare routine is the key to managing oily skin while ensuring that your skin tone remains balanced and radiant. The right balance of cleansing, toning, treating, and hydrating will help control excess oil, prevent breakouts, and reduce hyperpigmentation that many Black women experience.
Be sure to use products that are non-comedogenic, gentle, and hydrating, and don’t forget your sunscreen! Stick to this morning routine, and you’ll see a noticeable difference in how your skin feels and looks.
What are your favorite products or steps in your morning skincare routine? Feel free to share your tips for managing oily skin!
Comments