The Nighttime Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Dirt, excess oils, and impurities can build up on the surface of your skin throughout the day—which means that it's super important to end your nighttime skin care routine with as fresh of a face as possible, especially if you tend to have oily skin. If you don’t use a facial cleanser to wash your face before going to bed, all of those impurities that have built up can clog your pores, which can lead to breakouts and blackheads, as well as a shinier-looking complexion. Um, not exactly our idea of fun! Caring for oily skin before bed doesn’t have to be difficult, though. Below, find an easy nighttime skin care routine for oily skin, with tips on finding the right makeup remover, facial cleanser, face mask, and moisturizer for your skin type.

NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #1: REMOVE MAKEUP WITH MICELLAR WATER

The first step in your nighttime skin care routine should be removing your makeup. One easy and gentle way to do so is with micellar water. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. Look for a micellar water that is formulated for oily skin, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, which purifies and mattifies your complexion while it works to remove makeup. To use, saturate a cotton pad with your micellar water, then sweep it across your face until all of your makeup is totally gone. If you sometimes get too tired before bed to take off your makeup, keep the bottle of micellar water along with a pack of cotton pads near your bed so that you can easily access it—since it doesn’t need to be rinsed off, you can use micellar water just about anywhere.

NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #2: CLEANSE WITH A CLAY FACIAL CLEANSER

Just as you shouldn’t go to sleep angry, you shouldn’t let your head hit the pillow if your oily skin isn’t completely clean. Oftentimes, you may find that one round of cleansing isn’t enough—which is why you might want to consider double cleansing as part of your nighttime skin care routine for oily skin. After you’ve finished wiping your face with micellar water, pick up a clay facial cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Cleanser. Formulated to seamlessly transform from clay to mousse, this clay facial cleanser removes everyday impurities from the surface of your skin without over-drying it. Immediately, skin is purified of dirt, oil, and pollution and left with a clean, clear look. Skin also feels purer with a matte finish. Before bed, squeeze the facial cleanser into your hands and add water to transform it from clay to mousse. Gently massage the facial cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #3: APPLY A FACE MASK

Face masks aren’t only a part of a spa experience—you can also use one a few times a week to take your nighttime skin care routine to the next level. Sit down with a calming cup of tea, kick up your feet, and apply the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Face Mask to your skin post-cleansing. Formulated with three types of clay and eucalyptus leaf extract, this face mask helps draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the appearance of excess shine. Apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. For best results, use three times a week.

Editor's note: Think there's room in your nighttime routine for more than one mask? Consider adding a charcoal mask into the mix! For everything you need to know, click over to our article, Our Best Charcoal Mask: It's Time to Brighten Up.

NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEP #4: FINISH WITH MOISTURIZER

News flash: All skin types need to use moisturizer—and that includes oily skin. If oily skin becomes dries out because you skip out on using moisturizing skin care products, it might compensate by producing more oil, which can leave you looking overly shiny. So, look for a lightweight facial moisturizer specifically formulated for oily skin. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water, helps provide long-lasting hydration with a matte finish. Smooth it onto your face and neck as the last step in your oily skin nighttime routine. Now, go ahead and catch those Z’s!

For more advice on caring for oily skin, check out our 13 Skin Care Rules for Oily Skin.