12 Best Serums For Oily Skin To Look Out For In 2021

Call it a luxury or an indulgence, a serum happens to be the most hardworking skin care product of all. It keeps your skin hydrated and nourished. You may wonder why oily skin would need any more hydration. Well, a serum contains active ingredients that seep deeper into your skin than any cream and moisturizer. It also rebalances the excess sebum on your face and keeps it looking nourished. It goes a long way to helping you achieve clear and healthy skin.

However, to reap the maximum benefits of a serum, you need to pick the right formula for your oily skin. Here, we have listed some helpful tips to pick the right serum for your skin. We have also compiled a helpful list of amazing serums that can do wonders for oily skin. Don’t forget to check them out!

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment

It’s Skin Power 10 VB Effector

Kypris Clearing Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

OdaciteGr+G Serum Concentrate

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother

CaudalieVinopure Skin Perfecting Serum

The Inkey List Retinol Face Serum

Mizon Original Skin Energy Hyaluronic Acid

First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum

In This Article

How To Find The Right Serum For Oily SkinTop 12 Serums For Oily SkinBest Tips For Applying Serum Correctly

How To Find The Right Serum For Oily Skin

Sometimes, the right product is all it takes to transform troublesome skin issues. You don’t need to keep holding out for a magical potion, especially if your oily skin is triggered by underlying issues in diet, lifestyle, or makeup.

While those problems cannot be tackled overnight, serums with intensive formulas that can reach deep within your skin can go a long way to helping you achieve a clearer complexion. But how do you know which serum will work best for you? Look at the pointers below, which will help you when you go shopping for a new serum.

Active Ingredients: Check the list of active ingredients in the serum. A good serum for oily skin should contain ingredients like vitamin C for skin brightening, hyaluronic acid for moisture retention, salicylic acid to kill acne-causing bacteria, glycerin for added moisture, niacinamide for overall skin health, and lactic acid for mild exfoliation. Also, avoid ingredients like artificial preservatives and fragrances that may cause an allergic reaction.Skin Concerns: Choose a serum as per the skin concern you are trying to address. If you are looking for a serum for dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or acne spots, go for a vitamin C serum. If you are looking for anti-aging benefits, pick one that contains retinol. If your skin has become dull and rough, choose one that has AHA and BHA.Features: Ensure that the serum that you are buying has certain tags like hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, dermatologically approved, or clinically tested. This is particularly important if you have sensitive skin. Additional features like a vegan formula or a cruelty-free product are also important for ethical reasons.Price: Keep your budget in mind and remember that you can find quality products at any price point. A higher price does not automatically guarantee better quality.

Note: Oily skin and acne cannot be dealt with products alone. Consulting a dermatologist will help you tackle the root cause of the problem. They can identify unique factors that may be contributing to your skin troubles.

Now that you know what to watch out for when shopping for a serum for oily skin, let’s get on with the 12 best serums we have rounded up. These are excellent for treating and nourishing oily skin. Check them out below!

Top 12 Serums For Oily Skin

1. Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment

The Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment is a complete AHA treatment for your skin. It contains lactic acid that helps shrink the size of the pores, improves skin texture, reduces dark spots, clarifies your skin, and makes it smooth. The licorice root extracts and prickly pear help brighten and purify your skin, lemongrass boosts radiance, and aloe soothes the skin.

Active Ingredient: Lactic acid

Skin Concern: For deep exfoliation to uncover instant glow and radiance

How To Use: Apply 1-3 pumps on clean, dry skin, followed by a moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin, use the treatment as a mask and rinse it off after 15 minutes.

Pros

Clinically testedSulfate-freeParaben-freePhthalate-freeMineral oil-freeCruelty-free100% veganGluten-freeRecyclable packaging

Cons

None

2. It’s Skin Power 10 VB Effector

The It’s Skin Power 10 VB Effector is a skincare gem from the world of K-beauty. It offers impressive sebum control and pore-tightening benefits. The oil-free formula leaves your skin with a shine-free finish. It contains vitamin B6 that calms and rejuvenates stressed skin. The refreshing after-effects make it a summer essential for oily skin. If you are looking for something to help you tackle large pores and acne, this is the perfect serum for you.

Active Ingredient: Vitamin B6

Skin Concern: For acne-prone skin and large pores

How To Use: Apply a few drops on cleansed skin before applying moisturizer.

Pros

Helps tighten poresControls sebum productionHydrating formulaNo artificial colorsFragrance-freeAlcohol-freeCruelty-freeAffordable

Cons

None

3. Kypris Clearing Serum

Have oily skin that is sensitive to specific ingredients? If yes, the Kypris Clearing Serum is your bae. The formula is a harmonious blend of quinoa that nourishes the skin with amino acids, zinc and lilac leaf stem cells that balance oil production, chaparral that soothes and heals the skin, and essential oils of tea tree and lavender that reduce blemishes.

Active Ingredient: Zinc and Lilac leaf stemcells

Skin Concern: For sensitive, oily skin with blemishes

How To Use: Apply to oily areas on the face as well as on blemishes or ingrowns.

Pros

LightweightGets absorbed quicklyContains plant extractsContains tocopherolNo synthetic fragrancesVegan formulaCruelty-free

Cons

Expensive

4. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is no ordinary serum. It is a cult favorite that offers a ton of benefits for oily skin. This serum’s more significant results include oil and sebum control, reduced scarring, and pores caused by acne. The formula contains vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide, which reduces skin congestion and blemishes. The 1% zinc balances sebum production.

Active Ingredient:  Niacinamide and Zinc

Skin Concern: For oily, acne-prone skin with inflammation and scarring

How To Use: Apply a few drops every morning and night before moisturizer.

Pros

Controls oilinessReduces large poresSilicone-freeAlcohol-freeGluten-freeOil-freeCruelty-free

Cons

May cause breakouts while the skin is adjusting to the product.

5. OdaciteGr+G Serum Concentrate

If you prefer organic formulas, try this deeply nourishing serum. It contains grapeseed oil that regulates sebum production and keeps your skin clear and vitamin E that nourishes and moisturizes your skin. The astringent properties of grapefruit oil refresh and smoothen your skin.This fast-absorbing serum controls excess shine and helps improve the appearance of pimples and clogged pores.

Active Ingredient: Grapeseed oil and Grapefruit oil

Skin Concern: For stubborn acne

How To Use: Apply 2-3 drops every morning and night.

Pros

Fast-absorbing formulaVeganCruelty-free100% naturalGMO-freeGluten-freeDermatologist-testedPleasant fragrance

Cons

Not enough quantity for the price

6. The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother

Using vitamin C on oily skin can never go wrong! This light and refreshing serum from The Body Shop is one of the best serums for oily skin. It contains Amazonian CamuCamu berry extracts that protect your skin from the damaging effects of environmental pollution and improve its radiance. This serum evens out your skin tone and keeps it feeling fresh the entire day. However, if you are using it during the day, don’t forget to use sunscreen.

Active Ingredient: Vitamin C

Skin Concern: For dull and tired skin

How To Use: Apply once a day after moisturizer, before getting on with your makeup.

Pros

• Lightweight formula
• Gets absorbed easily
• Helps prime the skin before makeup
• Evens out the skin tone
• Made using fair price ingredients
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Contains added fragrance

7. Caudalie Vinopure Skin Perfecting Serum

The Caudalie Vinopure Skin Perfecting Serum ranks high on any list of splurge-worthy serums out there. It has a tested and proven formula that includes natural salicylic acid, organic grape water, and a complex of essential oils. The serum works to unclog and tighten pores and moisturize and soothe your skin while helping tone and purify the skin barrier.

Active Ingredient: Salicylic acid

Skin Concern: For eliminating blackheads

How To Use: Apply every morning and night on cleansed skin before moisturizer. You can also use it as an overnight spot treatment.

Pros

• Lightweight formula
• 98% natural
• Visibly tightens pores
• Reduces blemishes and blackheads
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Expensive

8. The Inkey List Retinol Face Serum

The Inkey List Retinol Face Serum helps you achieve a smooth and radiant complexion with less irritation for your skin. It contains 1% retinol, a derivative of vitamin A that helps revitalize the surface of your skin, and squalene that hydrates and soothes the skin. It leaves you with an even skin tone and visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles. The formula is water-based and contains glycerin, which helps make your skin even smoother.

Active Ingredient: Retinol

Skin Concern: For even skin tone and reducing signs of aging

How To Use: Apply a pea-sized amount at night, 2-3 times a week. Massage into the face and neck over cleansed skin.Remember to apply a heavy-duty sunscreen as retinol tends to make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Pros

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• No synthetic fragrances
• Paraben-free
• Water-based formula
• Affordable
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• May cause slight irritation

9. Mizon Original Skin Energy Hyaluronic Acid

The Mizon Original Skin Energy Hyaluronic Acid is a blend of hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts. It has a deeply moisturizing formula and is ideal for oily skin. Hyaluronic acid helps train oily skin to produce the proper amount of oil for hydration. The serum contains peptides and five vitamins that work to improve the skin’s elasticity and texture. It provides an oil-free finish and reduces the appearance of your skin pores.

Active Ingredient: Hyaluronic acid

Skin Concern: For moisture balance and deep skin hydration

How To Use: Apply a few drops of the serum after cleansing and toning. Tap gently into skin until absorbed.

Pros

• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Provides deep hydration
• Non-greasy
• Paraben-free
• Fragrance-free
• No artificial colors

Cons

• No noticeable results

10. First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum

Retinol formulas are good for oily skin. If you are new to retinol, you can start with The First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum that has a relatively low percentage of retinol. It contains vitamin C and other skin-soothing ingredients, such as ceramides, aloe vera, allantoin, and oatmeal extracts, which take care of all your skin concerns.

Active Ingredient: 0.25% Retinol

Skin Concern: Foraging, sensitive skin

How To Use: Start by applying 1-2 pumps at night on cleansed skin up to 3 times a week. Gradually increase usage to every other night, eventually going up to every night if tolerable.

Pros

• Dermatologist-tested
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Gluten-free
• No artificial color and fragrance
• Mineral oil-free
• Vegan

Cons

• • Expensive
  • May cause initial redness, flaking, or dryness

Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, and an New York-based dermatologist says, “Retinol is a great option for those with oily skin which can help to regulate skin cell turnover and prevent pores from getting clogged. This is a particularly good option for those with sensitive skin as it contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and other soothing ingredients. ”

11. Neutrogena Shine Control Matte Booster

Neutrogena is one of the most reliable skincare brands on the market, and this serum plus primer is just one of their many trusted offerings for oily skin. The Shine Control Matte Booster is enriched with rice protein, which helps absorb excess oil and leaves you with a mattified complexion. It keeps your skin shine-free, blurs pores, and preps the skin for smooth makeup application. This serum also leaves your skin looking and feeling healthier with regular use.

Active Ingredient: Rice protein

Skin Concern: For long-lasting shine control

How To Use: Apply after cleansing and toning, either mixed with moisturizer as a primer or on its own as a serum.

Pros

• Can be used as primer or serum
• Matte finish
• Blurs the appearance of pores
• Non-greasy formula
• Paraben-free
• Lightweight

Cons

• No long-lasting effects

12. TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Poresol Ampoule

The TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Poresol Ampoule is yet another K-beauty cult favorite, formulated for oily skin. It helps clear clogged pores and fights excess sebum. The vitamin H in the product nourishes your skin and imparts the glow. The formula contains ingredients like salicylic acid, lactic acid, and tea tree oil, all of which soothe, tone, and balance oily skin. It is naturally colored with vitamins and plant extracts, so you won’t have to worry about aggravating sensitive skin.

Active Ingredient: Vitamin H, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil

Skin Concern: To minimize pores and control excess oil

How To Use: Apply a few drops on cleansed and toned skin before moisturizer.

Pros

• Visibly reduces pores
• Paraben-free
• No artificial fragrances
• No color additives

Cons

• May feel greasy
• May irritate sensitive skin

While all the serums recommended above have specific benefits for oily skin, you must know the right order to apply skin care routine to reap the maximum benefits. Read on for a few helpful tips that will help you gain the most from your serums.

Best Tips For Applying Serum Correctly

• Exfoliating before applying a serum is critical. Removing the top layer of debris, dirt, and dead skin cells from your face through exfoliation will help the serum soak into the dermis and deliver all its goodness more effectively. Start with an exfoliating cleanser or face scrub to get rid of any impurities.

• Based on the instructions on the specific product you are using, apply the serum on cleansed and toned skin. Some serums can be mixed with others or a moisturizer for better results. You can try these methods to find what works best for you.

• Finish off with a moisturizer, and don’t forget sunscreen if your serum contains retinol. Certain ingredients require a trial period where your skin will adjust before settling down to the new product. Discontinue use if you have a severe or stubborn reaction.

That was our round-up of the 12 best serums for oily skin. All these serums contain potent combinations of ingredients that repair your damaged skin and keep it healthy. Pick any of these incredible serums and make your oily skin look and feel better than ever!