If you’re sick of dealing with excess shine and oil on your face throughout the day, you may want to incorporate some new products into your skincare routine. Give The Ordinary for oily skin a try.
All my oily skin fellow over there, I know exactly what you’re going through. Greasy forehead, enlarged pores, occasional pimples, blackheads… The struggle is real.
But luckily, there are some fantastic products that can help you tackle these skin concerns and treat some of these persistent issues.
The Ordinary skincare products offer a variety of effective formulas, clean ingredients, and low prices. So, if you want to try something new on your oily skin, I suggest you try The Ordinary.
Today, I want to walk you through some of the best The Ordinary for oily skin formulations so that you can find the best ones for your skin type.
Key Takeaways
- Oily skin is perfectly normal; it happens when your sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, leading to clogged pores, acne breakouts, and excess shine.
- You can manage your oily and acne-prone skin by putting together a suitable skincare regimen. Look for The Ordinary products with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide, AHAs, BHAs.
- Some of the best The Ordinary for oily skin products are The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, No products found., and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.
Is The Ordinary Good for Oily Skin?
I’ve already talked about the tremendous benefits that The Ordinary skincare products can deliver on several occasions. Their peeling solution has quickly become their signature product.

But what can The Ordinary do for oily and acne-prone skin? So, so much!
The brand has a variety of skincare products that work perfectly for almost every skin type. The Ordinary’s portfolio consists of powerful acne-targeting ingredients such as niacinamide, salicylic acid, AHAs, BHAs, hyaluronic acid, etc.
As you probably already know, each of these ingredients works in its own way to reduce sebum production, improve cell turnover, and fight clogged pores.
So, if you want to tackle any of these skin concerns, The Ordinary is an excellent place to start.
Related: The Ordinary recommended lactic acid products
Which The Ordinary is Best for Oily Skin?
If you’re unsure about which product to use, no need to worry. Check out the seven best The Ordinary for oily skin that you can easily implement into your skincare routine.

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Salicylic Acid Masque is one of the best skincare ingredients for oily skin. It’s specially formulated to target uneven skin tone, excess oils, and textural irregularities.
Salicylic acid is an excellent ingredient that targets the removal of dead skin cells and reveals a more radiant skin beneath. Infused with charcoal and clays, the formulation aims to smoothen the skin and leave it feeling revived.
Charcoal and clay are popular cleaning ingredients that help remove facial impurities, get rid of clogged pores, and deeply cleanse the skin.
Use the masque once or twice a week on clean and dry skin. Apply evenly across the face using your fingertips and stay away from the eye area. Leave it on for around 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Don’t use this product on compromised or sensitive skin. Patch testing is always recommended for products that contain chemical exfoliators, such as salicylic acid.
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2. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Another fantastic product from The Ordinary’s portfolio is this high-strength vitamin and mineral formula. It contains a high 10% formulation of niacinamide (vitamin B3) that targets skin blemishes and congestion.
It’s powered by a 1% concentration of zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid that helps balance oil activity. This multi-tasking serum visibly regulates sebum production and minimizes enlarged pores.
Because of its brightening properties, niacinamide is an excellent ingredient for treating acne and skin with blemishes. If you want a product to help you get rid of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, this lightweight serum is a great product for you.
If you have vitamin C-infused products in your skincare routine, use this product on separate days. Otherwise, they might affect each other’s integrity.
You can use this serum every day as part of both your morning and evening routine. Apply it before heavier creams. If you notice any skin irritation, stop using it and consult a dermatologist. Use only on healthy and unbroken skin.
Related: The Ordinary Buffet review
3. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
When you say The Ordinary, this is the product you think of. There’s a reason this peeling solution is their signature product. It’s a powerful chemical exfoliating peel that’s made of 30% alpha hydroxy acids, 2% beta hydroxy acid, vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid crosspolymer, black carrot, and Tasmanian pepper berry.
This peeling solution is one of the best The Ordinary products for oily and acne-prone skin. AHAs exfoliate the skin’s surface, promoting a brighter skin appearance and targeting uneven skin tone. On top of that, BHAs also exfoliate the skin and provide the added benefit of clearing pore congestion.
The combination of 30% AHA and 2% BHA provides a deep skin exfoliation, helps fight blemishes, and gets rid of excess oil. With continued use, this potent formula improves texture and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
Since this is a strong peeling solution, it’s not recommended for newbies to chemical exfoliation, only experienced users.
You should use this peel as a masque by applying it evenly across the face and neck using your fingertips. Avoid the eye area. Leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Don’t use it on compromised, peeling, or sensitive skin.
4. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
This 100% Plant-Derived Squalane product is an exceptional hydrator. And oily skin craves hydration!
The trick with oily skin is to hydrate it without adding any extra oil. Without moisture, your skin would start over-compensating by producing more sebum so it’s important to give it some much-needed hydration.
That’s where squalane comes in. It’s a saturated and stable hydrocarbon found naturally in the skin. It provides outstanding moisture retention properties and prevents ongoing loss of hydration.
Non-comedogenic and suitable for every skin type, this plant-derived squalane product is a great product for oily skin to add to your skincare routine. You can even apply it to your hair to enhance heat protection, add shine and minimize breakage potential.
Feel free to use this hydrator daily or as needed. Apply a few drops of it after water-based treatments. Use it only on unbroken and healthy skin. If any irritation happens, stop using it immediately and consult a doctor about it.
5. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Another great hydrating product is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. Since it’s incredibly hydrating but at the same time lightweight, it’s ideal for those with oily skin.
Natural moisturizing factors are elements that protect and hydrate the outer layer of the skin using amino acids, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerin, saccharides, and many other compounds that are naturally found in the skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors offers non-greasy and immediate hydration with long-term results. Using a blend of hydrating ingredients, it’s suitable for dehydrated and dry skin as well.
Use this natural moisturizer as the last step in your skincare routine, ideally after serums and other treatments. If you notice a sudden irritation on your skin, cease use immediately and contact a doctor.
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Marine Hyaluronics is a powerful and lightweight hydrating serum. The non-sticky, non-greasy texture of this serum makes it so much better for oily skin. It hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling refreshed.
Supported with marine-derived vegan water reservoirs, this product attracts and holds water like hyaluronic acid. The only difference is in a lighter texture than HA.
Marine Hyaluronics serum provides intense hydration to the skin without causing excess oil production. It feels smooth and watery on the skin, which is why it’s one of the skincare favorites.
You can use it every day, both in the morning and evening by applying it to the entire face before heavier creams. It absorbs quickly so you will be able to proceed with your skincare routine in no time. Just like with all skincare products, cease use immediately if you spot any irritation.
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If you have oily skin, you’re probably familiar with the struggle of that afternoon excess shine that always finds its way out even when you have your makeup on. Well, that’s why you should try this High-Adherence Silicone Primer.
This lightweight cream is a matte, pore-filling primer that will keep all that shine away during the day and make your face brighter. You can also use it as a non-greasy hydrator because it can effectively minimize the appearance of pores and skin irregularities.
Just like all primers, this product should be used as the last step in your beauty regimen. If any unexpected irritation occurs, stop using it immediately.
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Is The Ordinary Niacinamide Good for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is one of the best products for oily and acne-prone skin because its formula helps reduce the appearance of congestion and skin blemishes.
Niacinamide has brightening and antibacterial properties, so it’s an excellent ingredient for tackling hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and acne breakouts.
However, this product is not an acne treatment; it’s just a complementary acne product. If you have problems with acne or acne scarring, I suggest you talk to your dermatologist about the best possible treatments.
Can You Use The Ordinary Moisturizer on Oily Skin?
Moisturizers are an important part of every skincare routine. Even if you have oily skin, you shouldn’t avoid moisturizers and hydrators.
Just like I mentioned, even oily skin types need hydration. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is an excellent moisturizer for oily skin.
The lightweight and non-greasy texture will make your skin feel refreshed and healthy. With continued use, you will see a decrease in sebum production and pore congestion.
How to Use The Ordinary Products for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin?
The Ordinary offers a variety of effective acne-targeting serums and products for oily skin. If you want to get rid of excess oil, you need to take effective steps without overdrying the skin.
Every skincare routine should consist of these components: cleanser, toner, moisturizers, sunscreen, and exfoliator.
It’s up to you to find the most suitable products for your skin type. The best thing about The Ordinary is that you can find anything you need for an affordable price.
Once you find your products, remember the general rule of thumb when applying different products in the same routine. Apply by consistency, so from thinner to thicker. In the following section, you’ll find an example of a routine for oily skin.
The Ordinary Skincare Routine For Oily Skin
Here’s an example of The Ordinary skincare routine for oily, acne-prone skin:
AM routine:
Step 1. Squalane Cleanser
Step 2. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Step 3. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Step 4. Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Step 5. Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants
PM routine:
Step 1. Squalane Cleanser
Step 2. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Step 3. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Step 4. Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Step 5. 100% Plant-derived Squalane
Weekly routine:
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is one of the most renowned products from this brand. But you shouldn’t use this product every day.
It’s recommended to use it no more than twice a week as a part of your weekly routine. Make sure you use sun protection while using this product.
Another great product to use on a weekly basis is Salicylic Acid 2% Masque.
Final Thoughts
Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns and it comes with a set of challenges such as excess shine and acne breakouts.
The key to managing your oily and acne-prone skin is to create the right skincare routine and to use suitable products
The Ordinary brand has plenty of products for those with oily and acne-prone skin. It’s just a matter of finding the best formulas for your skin.
I hope you will try some of the products that I mentioned above and that you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Until then, may your skin glow and your skincare game be strong!