I’m one of the oiliest people around. I wash my face and immediately afterward my face feels super tight and dry (man I love that feeling). After about 2 hours, however, I’m an oil slick. I don’t just mean my T-Zone either, I mean my whole face. It’s so frustrating. I can have no makeup on at all and I look like I smeared butter all over my face. With makeup, depending on the type, I can look ruddy as it oxidizes on my face or like I applied extra highlighter all over my face.

Though there is a way to control oil and shine with cosmetics, it’s more effective if you’ve treated your face with the proper skincare. It acts like a 1-2 punch for your skin. Here’s how to do that with a simple step by step.

  1. Wash your face with face wash or soap that’s for your skin type. In this case, oily skin.
  2. Use a toner to help tighten up the pores so they appear smaller.
  3. Moisturize with a lotion for oily skin and eye cream.
  4. Every other day use a face mask for oily skin

Don’t rush to start applying your makeup if that’s your next step. Let the moisturizer sit on your face and absorb.

If you’re applying makeup, be sure to choose a face primer for oily skin. This will help combat any excess oil that might try to seep through. The primer will also help with making pores appear smaller and the makeup will glide on flawlessly.

Now you’re going to want to choose a foundation that’s for oily skin too. There are a LOT to choose from so this will be personal preference. I have a few different ones I keep in a rotation that works for my skin. Temptu Perfect Canvas Airbrush Foundation, Wunder 2 Last & Foundation, Becca Foundation, Face Atelier Pro Foundation & Makeup Forever Stay Matte. You can go to your local Sephora and request samples of different foundations in your shade. This way, you can see which one works best for you and you’re not just wasting money on random foundations that won’t work for you. If you opt for the drug store foundations, remember that if you buy one and it doesn’t work for you, you CAN return it. Just hold on to your receipt and let them know that it didn’t work for you when you bring it back.

After applying foundation, setting powder, bronzer, blush, eyes, etc. Seal your work with a setting spray. My favorite is Skindinivia setting spray. Others you can try are Ben Nye, Mehron & Urban Decay De-slick. These work amazingly well at keeping shine at bay and your makeup on point.

Do this daily and you’ll start to teach your skin to produce less oil which will keep your face under control.