Oily skin can be a little tricky when it comes to picking a skin care routine. Unlike your dry skin and normal skin counterparts, you can’t simply load up on uber-moisturizing ingredients or skip a cleanse (we definitely don’t recommend that) just because you feel like it. An oily complexion is a balancing act and, as many people with this skin type know, using the right skin care products is key to helping reduce the look of oil and preventing blemishes.

So, what skin care products should you incorporate? Before we talk about skincare must-haves, it is important to understand what the cause of an oily complexion could be. Most often, oily skin is just what it sounds like—the result of the skin producing too much oil (i.e. sebum). The good news is that oil helps naturally hydrate and condition the skin, potentially leading to a healthier and smoother-looking appearance, even in later years. The bad news is that excess oil can promote congested pores, blemish-prone skin, blackheads… and general frustration.

Help take charge of oil and help balance your complexion with  3 skin care products COSMEDIX recommends every oily skin woman (and man) needs in a skin care routine:

Multi-Tasking Exfoliator

Exfoliating is an important step for every skin type, but it is a VITAL step for oily skin types. As we mentioned before, oil sitting on top of your skin can cause an array of skincare problems that can lead to blemish-prone skin. Using a gentle exfoliator 2-3 times a week will help lift away dirt, oil and other pore-clogging impurities while helping to clarify the complexion.

Reach For: Purity Detox Scrub Multi-Layer Detoxification System is the ultimate exfoliating cocktail, containing both physical and chemical exfoliants to help polish the look of skin. Poppy, jojoba and date seeds combine with Salicylic Acid for a multi-tasking exfoliator that helps smooth the look of skin and promote a clearer-looking appearance over time.

Oil-Free Moisturizer

One of the biggest mistakes made by people who have oily skin is skipping on a moisturizer. It makes sense why some would assume that lathering oily is skin in an ultra-hydrating lotion could be troublesome, but in fact, choosing not to moisturize can cause the skin to produce MORE oil. Again, it’s all about balance. Pamper your skin to proper hydration with an oil-free moisturizer that is formulated to nourish the complexion without causing excess shine.

Reach for: Shineless Oil-Free Moisturizer was specially made with oily and blemish-prone skin types in mind. Powered by Liliac Stem Cells and Niacinamide, this green tea scented moisturizer helps tame excess oil, brighten the appearance of skin, and lock in long-lasting hydration without making the skin feel greasy.

Purifying Mask

The secret to managing an oily complexion is finding that skincare sweet spot that helps refine skin without stripping it of essential oils. Incorporating a weekly mask into your skincare routine can help add an extra boost of “clarity” to your complexion. Look for a face mask that contains purifying ingredients and will help exfoliate the skin without causing it to become dry, tight or irritated.

Reach for: Detox Activated Charcoal mask is a weekly face mask that is both uber gentle and ultra-purifying. Kaolin Clay and Charcoal do the dirty work for you by helping to draw out pore-clogging impurities and refine the look of pores while Diatomaceous Earth gently exfoliates the skin. Combined, this plant-based skincare formula helps hydrate the skin and removes daily impurities for a smoother, clearer-looking complexion.