Your face is shiny by noon. Your pores look like craters. Blackheads are setting up permanent residence on your nose. If you’ve got oily skin, you already know the frustration of trying products that either don’t work or make things worse.
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Here’s what most skincare advice gets wrong: they tell you to strip your skin dry with harsh products, which just makes your oil glands panic and produce even more sebum. The right oily skin routine men can actually regulate oil production instead of fighting a losing battle against it.
This guide covers exactly what you need to control oil, minimize pores, and get rid of blackheads without the generic skincare blog bullshit.
Why Your Skin is Oily (And Why That’s Not All Bad)
Oily skin happens when your sebaceous glands produce excess sebum. Genetics play the biggest role, but hormones (particularly androgens like testosterone and DHT), diet, stress, and even weather affect how much oil your face produces.
Before you curse your genetics, understand this: oily skin ages slower than dry skin. The extra sebum keeps your skin more hydrated and protected from environmental damage. Studies show that people with oily skin develop fewer fine lines and wrinkles as they age compared to their dry-skinned counterparts.
The problem isn’t the oil itself. It’s managing it so you don’t look like you rubbed your face with a stick of butter by 2 PM.
Your skin produces more oil when it’s dehydrated. This sounds backwards, but when you strip your skin with harsh cleansers, your sebaceous glands overcompensate by producing even more oil. This is why so many guys get trapped in a cycle of over-cleansing and getting progressively oilier.
The Core Oily Skin Routine That Actually Works
Stop making this complicated. A proper routine for oily skin has four non-negotiable steps: cleanse, treat, moisturize, protect. Everything else is optional optimization.
Morning Routine
Cleanse with a gel or foam cleanser that contains salicylic acid (BHA). Unlike physical scrubs that just irritate your skin, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, meaning it penetrates your pores to break down the sebum and dead skin cells that cause blackheads and clogged pores.
Look for cleansers with 0.5-2% salicylic acid. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Effaclar are solid options. Wash for 60 seconds minimum. Most guys wet their face and rinse off in 10 seconds, which does nothing.
Apply a lightweight serum with niacinamide (vitamin B3). Research published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that 2-5% niacinamide significantly reduces sebum production after 2-4 weeks of consistent use. It also helps minimize pore appearance and reduces inflammation.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the standard recommendation for a reason. It’s cheap, effective, and the zinc helps with oil control and reduces acne-causing bacteria.
Moisturize even if you’re oily. This is where most guys mess up. Skipping moisturizer doesn’t reduce oil production; it makes it worse. Your skin needs hydration, not oil removal.
Use a gel-based or water-based moisturizer that’s labeled “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic.” Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which hydrates without adding heaviness. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly work well for oily skin.
Sunscreen is mandatory. UV damage increases oil production and enlarges pores over time. Use a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or a chemical sunscreen labeled as matte-finish or oil-control.
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 contains niacinamide and works well under other products. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 60 is another solid option that won’t make you look greasier.
Evening Routine
Double cleanse if you’ve been outside or sweating. Start with an oil cleanser (yes, really) to dissolve sunscreen, excess sebum, and any buildup from the day. Then follow with your salicylic acid cleanser.
This seems counterintuitive, but oil dissolves oil. An oil cleanser removes the day’s buildup without stripping your skin, so your regular cleanser can work more effectively. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm are both good.
Use a chemical exfoliant 2-3 times per week. This is your heavy-artillery pore minimizer. After cleansing, apply a leave-on BHA treatment with 2% salicylic acid. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the gold standard here.
Apply it to clean, dry skin, wait 20 minutes, then continue with your routine. This penetrates deeper than your cleanser and keeps pores clear of the debris that makes them look larger. Chemical exfoliation also prevents the buildup that turns into blackheads.
On nights you don’t use BHA, consider adding a retinoid. Adapalene 0.1% (Differin Gel, available over the counter) regulates oil production, increases cell turnover, and prevents clogged pores. Start with 2-3 times per week to build tolerance.
Night moisturizer can be slightly heavier than your morning one, but still keep it lightweight. Your skin repairs itself at night, so this is when hydration matters most.
How to Actually Get Rid of Blackheads
Blackheads are oxidized sebum and dead skin cells stuck in your pores. The black color isn’t dirt; it’s oxidation when the clog is exposed to air. Squeezing them causes inflammation and can permanently enlarge your pores, so stop doing that.
Consistent chemical exfoliation is the only sustainable solution. Daily salicylic acid cleansing plus 2-3 weekly BHA treatments will clear most blackheads within 4-6 weeks. The key is consistency, not intensity.
If you want faster results, use a clay mask once or twice a week. Bentonite or kaolin clay physically absorbs excess oil and draws out impurities from your pores. The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mixed with apple cider vinegar is absurdly effective and cheap.
Leave it on for 10-15 minutes until it’s fully dry, then rinse with warm water. Your face will be red for 20-30 minutes afterward, so do this at night.
For stubborn blackheads, pore strips are a temporary band-aid, not a solution. They remove the surface plug but don’t address the underlying cause. Use them before an important event if you need quick results, but don’t rely on them.
The Best Pore Minimizer for Men
Let’s be clear: you can’t permanently shrink your pores. Pore size is genetic. But you can make them appear smaller by keeping them clear and maintaining firm skin around them.
Niacinamide is your best long-term pore minimizer. The research is solid. A 2006 study in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed that topical niacinamide reduced pore appearance in 12 weeks through improved skin elasticity and reduced sebum production.
Retinoids are the other heavy hitter. Prescription-strength tretinoin is most effective, but over-the-counter adapalene works well too. Retinoids increase cell turnover, which keeps pores from getting clogged and stretching out. They also boost collagen production, which firms the skin around pores.
Start slow with retinoids. Apply a pea-sized amount to your entire face 2-3 times per week for the first month, then increase frequency as your skin adapts. Always use sunscreen during the day when using retinoids since they increase sun sensitivity.
Keep your skin hydrated. Dehydrated skin makes pores more visible. When your skin is properly moisturized, it looks plumper and pores appear less prominent. This is why moisturizing matters even if you’re oily.
Advanced Tactics for Controlling Oil Production
Once you’ve got the basics down, these additional strategies can further reduce excess oil.
Diet and Oil Production
High glycemic foods (refined carbs, sugar) spike insulin, which increases androgen production, which increases sebum production. A 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low-glycemic diet significantly reduced acne lesions and sebum production in young men.
Cut back on white bread, pasta, sugary drinks, and processed snacks. Focus on protein, vegetables, and whole grains. This isn’t just bro-science; the research backs it up.
Dairy, particularly skim milk, is associated with increased acne and oil production due to hormone content and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Try eliminating it for 30 days and see if your skin improves.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or algae supplements may help reduce inflammation and regulate sebum production. The evidence is mixed, but supplementing with 1-2g of EPA/DHA daily shows promise in some studies.
Hormones and Oil Control
Oily skin is partially androgenic. Higher testosterone and DHT levels increase sebum production. This is why oily skin and acne often improve when guys start taking DHT-blocking medications for hair loss (finasteride), though that’s not a recommended approach just for oil control.
Managing stress reduces cortisol, which indirectly affects androgen levels. High cortisol is associated with increased sebum production. Get your sleep, manage stress, and maintain stable hormones for better skin.
Blotting Papers and Emergency Fixes
Keep oil-absorbing sheets in your bag. They remove surface oil without disturbing your skincare or makeup. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets work fine and cost almost nothing.
Don’t wash your face multiple times during the day to remove oil. Over-cleansing triggers more oil production. Blot instead.
If you need an emergency fix before an event, splash your face with cold water (don’t use cleanser) and reapply a matte moisturizer or primer. Some guys use a light dusting of translucent powder, though this is more advanced territory.
Products to Avoid When You Have Oily Skin
Heavy oils and occlusives like coconut oil, shea butter, or petroleum jelly will make you greasier. Save those for elbows and heels.
Alcohol-heavy toners strip your skin and trigger more oil production. If it stings and makes your skin feel tight, stop using it.
Physical scrubs with harsh particles damage your skin barrier and cause micro-tears. Chemical exfoliation (BHA) is more effective and less irritating.
Fragrant products often contain irritating ingredients that trigger inflammation and more sebum production. Keep it simple and fragrance-free when possible.
Building This Into Your Looksmax Stack
Skincare is just one piece of your overall improvement. Clear, matte skin improves your baseline facial aesthetics, which compounds with everything else you’re doing.
If you’re serious about a comprehensive approach to improvement, check out the best looksmaxxing skincare products for specific product recommendations that work with different skin types.
Oily skin control matters more during cuts when you’re trying to lean out and reveal facial definition. Excess oil and inflammation can make your face look puffy and undefined, which undermines the work you’re putting in at the gym. Once you’ve got your routine locked in, focus on foods that debloat to maximize facial definition.
Timeline for Results
Week 1-2: Your skin might get worse before it gets better, especially if you’re introducing active ingredients like salicylic acid or retinoids. This is called purging. Stick with it.
Week 3-4: Oil production starts to stabilize. You’ll notice you’re less shiny by midday. Blackheads begin clearing.
Week 6-8: Significant improvement in oil control, pore appearance, and overall skin texture. This is when consistency pays off.
Week 12+: Maximum results from actives like niacinamide and retinoids. Your skin has adapted, cell turnover is optimized, and sebum production is regulated.
The key is consistency. This isn’t a two-week fix. Building a proper oily skin routine men can maintain long-term is what separates guys who improve from guys who stay stuck.
The Bottom Line
Control oily skin by working with your sebaceous glands, not against them. Use salicylic acid to keep pores clear, niacinamide to regulate oil production, and lightweight moisturizers to prevent dehydration that triggers more oil.
Your routine needs four things: a BHA cleanser, a niacinamide serum, an oil-free moisturizer, and sunscreen. Everything else optimizes from there.
Stop stripping your skin, stay consistent for at least 8 weeks, and you’ll see legitimate improvement in oil control, pore size, and blackhead reduction. The genetics that gave you oily skin also protect you from aging, so learn to manage it properly and you’re ahead of the game long-term.