Summer Skincare Routine To Tackle Oily Skin and Breakouts

Last Updated on April 2, 2024

In the blink of an eye, winter has ended and the hot gaze of the summer sun is already upon us. So it’s time to kickstart our summer skincare routine to tackle all the summer skin problems.

Summer can be harsh on all skin types. It can lead to heat rashes and cause breakouts even for dry-skinned people. But it’s oily skin folks who bear the brunt of the harsh sun.

The increased humidity levels and soaring temperatures trigger our skin to produce more oil which in turn leads to frequent pimples and increased blackheads and whiteheads. But a consistent skin care routine with the right products can help protect your skin from the summer sun.

If you don’t know what steps to include in your summer routine or need skincare recommendations, here’s a simple yet effective routine you can follow for clear, glowing and healthy skin this summer.

Step-By-Step Summer Skin Care Routine

1. Cleanser

With our skin getting all greasy and sweaty during summer, cleansing is perhaps the most important step of the skincare routine. But instead of using harsh cleansers that leave your skin tight and stretchy, you need to use a hydrating facewash to balance your skin.

Yes, dehydration can make your skin oilier so it is best to stick to gentle cleansers if you have oily skin. In the morning routine, a soap-free powder cleanser works great as it provides mild exfoliation while the herbs help brighten and soothe our skin.

In the evening, use a makeup remover first to remove makeup properly and then follow up with a foaming face wash that removes dirt while also hydrating your skin.

Mask sure you massage the cleanser for at least 30 seconds before rinsing it. And then gently pat(don’t rub) your skin with a soft, clean towel.

Top Picks:

The Moms Co. Natural Clay Facewash

A concentrated facewash that removes dirt and oil effectively without drying out the skin. It has Moroccan lava clay, activated charcoal, plant AHAs, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin E that brighten, hydrate and clarify your skin. Read full review here

Waasana Brightening Facewash

This gentle facewash does a great job cleansing and removing light makeup as well. It has glycerin and lavender hydrosol which soothe and soften skin while Kakadu plum extract and lactic acid add a visible glow.

Raw Beauty Neemoi Daily Cleanser

This soap-free herbal powder soothes acne-prone skin and provides a gentle cleanse. It balances oiliness and has acne-fighting ingredients like neem, magnolia bark, white turmeric and tulsi. Read review here.

Also Read: Must Have Summer Skincare Products to Tackle Oily Skin

2. Toner

Toners may seem like an extra step in your skincare routine but the right product will make your oily skin easier to manage in summer. Keep one at your desk or carry it in your tote for a quick, mid-day refresh.

If you’re struggling with breakouts, go with a soothing, antibacterial toner that helps calm inflamed skin. Or you can opt for a witch-hazel toner if you want to tighten pores and control oil secretion. 

And you can never go wrong with hydrating mist if your skin feels dull or dehydrated. After cleansing your skin, spray some toner on your face and gently pat it into the skin. 

Top Picks:

Juicy Chemistry Aloe Vera Juice

This aloe vera toner helps hydrate and soothe all skin types. It is made from pure aloe vera juice and is also a great remedy to treat sunburnt or irritated skin. Read review here.

Vilvah Tea Tree Hydrosol

This is a great toner for acne-prone skin. Tea tree water has antibacterial and soothing properties that help reduce acne, redness and itching.

Bonsoul Witch Hazel Toner

This astringent toner helps minimize oil secretion by tightening the pores. It’s a great choice if you have excessively oily skin and large pores. Read review here.

Also Read: Breeze Through Summer With These Amazing Skincare Tips

3. Serum

Whether your skin is getting too oily and breaking out, or you need some extra protection against sun damage, a serum can help address your concerns.

Using a serum with antioxidants like Vitamin C and E in the morning routine will help fight pigmentation and signs of ageing caused by free radicals formed due to environmental stressors (sun rays, pollution, etc).

Or you can use a niacinamide serum to help reduce oiliness, fight breakouts and strengthen the skin barrier while also fading acne spots. After toning, apply 3-4 drops on your skin and gently pat it in before proceeding with a moisturizer.

Top Picks:

Koko Chemistry Niacinamide Serum

This serum helps reduce oiliness and acne while minimizing dark spots and large pores. It has 10% niacinamide, zinc PCA, hyaluronic acid jojoba oil and witch hazel extract which hydrate, calm and treat acne-prone skin. Read review here.

Vaunt Vitamin C Water

This beginner-friendly Vitamin C serum helps brighten, hydrate and even out skin. It has 5% vitamin C, licorice and amla extracts which lighten hyperpigmentation and help fight sun damage to boost collagen levels. Read review here.

Plum Vitamin C Serum

This antioxidant-rich serum has 15% vitamin C, Kakadu plum and mandarin extracts. It helps fight pigmentation and boosts collagen production in the skin by fighting sun damage.

Fiducia Botanicals Daily Brightening Concentrate

This serum helps soothe and brighten your skin. The key ingredients like 5% niacinamide, seabuckthorn juice and alpha-arbutin help fade acne spots and even out skin tone. Read review here.

4. Moisturizer

Even oily skin needs moisturizer to stay hydrated so didn’t skip it in your daily routine. All those acne-fighting ingredients can irritate or dehydrate your skin so a moisturizer is a must for a healthy barrier. 

But instead of creams and lotions, opt for lightweight, soothing moisturizers with gel or gel creme consistency during summer. They will provide ample hydration without making your skin greasy, shiny or sticky. Take the required quantity and dot it all over the face and blend it with circular movements or a patting motion.

Top Picks:

Raw Beauty Margarita Gel

This 2-in-1 serum gel helps lighten pigmentation and melasma while hydrating and strengthening your skin barrier. It has 5% niacinamide, 3% azelaic acid, Blue agave and Rumex Occidentalis Extract as key ingredients to improve skin tone and texture. Read review here.

Juicy Chemistry Pure Aloe Vera Gel

This non-sticky aloe vera gel makes a great hydrating moisturizer. It is made from pure aloe vera juice which hydrates and soothes irritated skin. Read review here.

Also Read: How To Pick Right Moisturizer for Oily Skin

5. Sunscreen

The ultraviolet radiation in sun rays tends to be at its peak during the summer months. So to reduce dun damage or minimize the risk of sunburns, apply sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine.

Your sunscreen should offer broadspectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and should have at least an SPF of 25-30. If you spend plenty of time under direct sunlight, pick an SPF 50 sunscreen for higher protection. 

Remember, you need to apply your sunscreen generously to get proper protection. And reapply it every 2-3 hours if you are outdoors.

Top Picks:

Qurez Mineral Sunscreen

This mattifying sunscreen has SPF 30 PA+++ protection and offers broadspectrum protection without leaving a white cast. It also has matcha green tea, seabuckthorn juice, aloe vera, and allantoin to soothe and protect skin from sun damage. Read review here

Skinvest Sunny Side Up

This SPF 35 sunscreen controls oiliness and helps with hyperpigmentation since it has niacinamide. It leaves no white cast and has antioxidants to protect the skin from photoaging.

Earth Rhythm Phyto Mineral Sunscreen

This lightweight SPF 50 PA+++ sunscreen has a lightweight, primer-like finish. It suits all skin types and has avocado and almond oil to help moisturize the skin. Read review here.

Also Read: Best Sunscreens For Oily Skin in India

6. Exfoliation

Our pores get clogged more easily during summer due to excess oil and sweat released by our skin. The oil, dirt and dead skin cells accumulate in our pores leading to blackheads and pimples and even an overall dull look. 

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that clog our pores. So use a gentle scrub or a salicylic acid serum 1-2 times a week to unclog pores and prevent breakouts.

If you don’t want to add an additional step to your summer skincare routine, you can also use an exfoliating facewash on alternate evenings to decongest your pores.

Top Picks:

Chemist At Play Ex Acne Serum

This exfoliating serum has some potent ingredients to unclog pores and treat active acne. It has 2% salicylic acid, azelaic acid and gluconolactone which exfoliate the skin while niacinamide, gotu kola and cinnamon bark help soothe and treat pimples.

Neemli Naturals Deep Clean Concentrate

This beginner-friendly BHA serum gently unclogs pores and removes dead skin to reduce pimples. It has 2% salicylic acid which deeply exfoliates pores while a blend of botanicals helps minimize irritation and soothe irritated skin.

Vaunt Complete Care Exfoliating Cleanser

This AHA/BHA foaming face and body cleanser instantly softens and brightens skin. It has 7% mandelic acid and 2% salicylic acid which helps slough away dead skin cells, and remove blackheads while saccharide isomerate helps hydrate the skin. Read review here.

7. Mask

Using a clay mask can be a great aid in tackling those pesky summer breakouts and excess oil. Clays help absorbs all oil and impurities from the pores to minimize their appearance and leave your skin brighter, smoother and tighter too.

If you enjoy DIY face masks you can pick among gentle kaolin clay, the humble multani mitti or the robust bentonite clay. Mix it with your favourite face mist and rinse after 10-15 minutes. 

Top Picks:

Blend It Raw Apothecary Bentonite Clay

This clay is made from aged volcanic ash and has super-absorbent properties. It helps control breakouts by removing excess oil from pores and leaves skin softer by mildly exfoliating skin.

Love Organically Anti-Acne Mask

This clay mask helps fight and treat pimples by deep cleansing the skin. It has bentonite clay, tea tree oil and neem extract which absorb oil and kill acne-causing bacteria to clear up skin. Read review here.

Raw Beauty Muddly In Love

This clay-based mask helps balance sebum levels and brighten the skin. It has ingredients like Manicouagan Mud, burdock root, olive leaf, acai berry and lingonberry extract which helps lighten blemishes to even-out skin tone. Read review here.

Quick Summer Skincare Tips

1. Cleanse your skin well, but don’t overdo it as it can dehydrate your skin.
2. If you are using exfoliating actives like AHA/ BHA, use them in the PM routine only and use SPF during the day.
3. Don’t skip moisturizer in your skincare routine as your skin needs hydration even in summer.
4. If you have acne-prone skin, pick water-based makeup and skincare to avoid greasy skin.
5. Shield your skin from the sun with a hat, scarf or sunglasses if you spend long hours in the sun.
6. Reduce intake of sugary drinks and foods that can increase inflammation in the body. But drink lots of water to stay hydrated.