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If you have oily skin, you've probably already tweaked your skincare routine to try to minimize oil, whether that means an oil-free moisturizer or sunscreen. But serums can be a little less straightforward. Serums are more targeted treatments, so while they can address oil itself, they can also tackle things like skin tone, acne, and fine lines—it just depends on what you and your skin are looking for.
Shop the Best Serums for Oily Skin
To compile our list of the best face serums for oily skin—for every skin concern—we consulted board-certified dermatologists Nazanin Saedi, founder of Sobel Skin, Howard Sobel, and Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Advanced Care, for their expert picks, and included some highly reviewed best-sellers as well. Read on to find the best face serum for your routine, and more tips from the trio of derms.
Related: The Best Face Serums of All Time
Pros
- Contains salicylic acid to address breakouts
Cons
Rather than the ultra-popular C E Ferulic, Saedi says those with oily skin should try this serum from SkinCeuticals instead, saying, "It is a vitamin C product that has salicylic acid that will help unclog pores and help with oil production."
Customer Review: "I love how this addresses congestion and anti-aging, very gentle!" —Jenna
| Skin Concerns | Acne, Aging Skin, Free Radical Damage, Large Pores, Oiliness |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Salicylic Acid, Vitamin C, Silymarin |
Pros
- Helps even skin tone and texture
- Hydrating
Cons
Sobel recommends, "Minimalist formulas that are non-comedogenic and contain, clean natural active ingredients. This gel serum from his own skincare line fits the brief.
Customer Review: "I really, really like this serum. It feels so nice on my face right before I go to bed. It’s very liquidity and not greasy, which I enjoyed. I feel it contributed to reducing some lines on my forehead, as well as between my eyebrows. It is a little on the pricey side, but I’m only one month in and feel like the bottle is still full! I appreciate that it is fragrance-free as some products that have fragrances in them irritate my skin" —HalieParker
| Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, Allantoin Extract, Ginger Root Extract, Cucumber Extract |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Pores, Aging, Puffiness |
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Vitamin E Salicylic Acid Serum
Pros
- Contains salicylic acid to address breakouts
Cons
- Some found the scent overwhelming
Saedi recommends this affordable, multitasking serum from L'Oréal Paris. "It contains vitamins C and E which are great antioxidants but also salicylic acid to unclog your pores," she says.
Customer Review: "This serum has a very nice consistency. Made my skin feel moisturized and so soft!" —Megan
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Salicylic Acid |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Uneven tone, fine lines |
Pros
- Alcohol & fragrance-free
Cons
- Reviewers said the dropper can't reach the bottom of the bottle
This multipurpose—and affordable—serum has a tri-ceramide complex to strengthen the skin barrier, along with skin-soothing blue tansy, PHA, and zinc to help combat breakouts.
Customer Review: "I started using this serum about two weeks ago, and I can already see a difference in my skin; it's much more glowy and clear, and this product has helped me clear my acne while on my period. Great buy!" —Liss
| Key Ingredients | Tri-Ceramide Complex, Blue Tansy, PHA + Zinc |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Pores, Inflammation, Balance |
The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Budget-friendly
Cons
Here's a popular serum that can be used morning and night, and is even gentle enough for sensitive skin. It also happens to layer well with your go-to hyaluronic acid.
Customer Review: "This is pure magic in a bottle. I have combo/sensitive/acne-prone skin. After just one week of using this serum, I noticed that it helped to clear my acne, reduce redness and oiliness and it didn’t irritate my skin at all. Love it and will keep repurchasing over and over." —Anonymous
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Redness, breakouts |
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
Softer skin and smaller-looking pores, please: This booster serum—meaning you mix it directly with your moisturizer—is made with willow bark, a natural alternative to salicylic acid, as well as caviar lime to gently exfoliate and unclog pores.
Customer Review: "I definitely have acne, and oily skin. but this product has literally made me have smoother skin and reduced redness! I LOVE IT." —Sandra
| Key ingredients | Willow bark, caviar lime |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Smooths bumpy skin |
Pros
- Under $10
- Alcohol-free
Cons
This water-based niacinamide and zinc serum works for just about any skin type and aims to boost brightness and smoothness while strengthening the skin's barrier at the same time.
Customer Review: "I wanted to give this a try and I'm so happy I did! I have textured skin and large pores on my nose and forehead and began noticing my skin becoming smoother and more even within just a few days. This is definitely going to remain a staple in my routine." —Kale
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, Zinc |
|---|
Pros
- Helps even skin tone as well
Cons
- Some found it drying
Glossier's crystal-clear serum puts the focus on niacinamide and zinc PCA to even skin tone, clarify skin, and smooth skin texture, all in one.
Customer Review: "Really keeps my skin clear. I have a lot of chin acne during my periods and this drastically reduces it." —Laura
Pros
- Pregnancy-safe
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
We can always count on Versed for reasonably priced, results-driven skincare and this treatment—which helps clear pores, even skin tone, and reduce inflammation—is no exception.
Customer Review: "I’ve been using this serum for around a year now and it’s mommy absolute favorite. I was on Accutane and my skin was recovering from that and this helped a ton." —Taylor
| Skin Concerns | Redness, Pores, Inflammation |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Willow bark extract, niacinamide, and a zinc blend |
Pros
- Also hydrates skin
Cons
Just because you have oily skin doesn't mean you can't add hydration to the skin, or use nourishing anti-aging ingredients. "This is a daily serum that can be used in all skin types," says Saedi. "It contains hyaluronic acid that will help hydrate the skin but it also contains peptides, that have anti-aging effects to help with the production of collagen and elastin."
Customer Review: "I started seeing results around one month after incorporating this serum into my AM and PM skincare routines. People started telling me I was looking glowy and asking what I was doing differently. This serum is a new staple in my skincare routine forever!!" —Erica
| Key Ingredients | Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Fine lines & wrinkles, texture & tone, skin laxity |
Pros
- Protects against free radicals
Cons
Kobets likes this brightening and anti-aging cream serum, which has vitamin C and 17 additional antioxidants to leave skin ultra-radiant and more even-looking, as well as protect against environmental damage.
Customer Review: "Despite the price point, Alto Advanced is literally the IT GIRL of skincare. She’s definitely a must have!!" —Kara
| Key Ingredients | Vitamins C and E, plus 17 additional antioxidants |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Dullness, Signs of Aging |
Pros
- Great price point
- Doubles as a primer
Cons
- Reviewers said the pump doesn't dispense a lot of product
Designed for melanin-rich skin, Melē's serum helps rebalance sebum levels all day long, not just when you first apply it. Plus, it has a lightweight texture that won't interfere with the rest of your routine.
Customer Review: "This is a great product for your skincare routine. I’m using it primarily on my nose and it has dulled the pores in size! It’s great for the price especially!" —Elizabeth
| Key Ingredients | Tri-Peptide, Rose Hips |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Pores, Skin Texture |
Pros
- Can be used morning and night
Cons
- Some reviewers said it didn't last long
For under $20 comes this niacinamide-forward serum that addresses everything from dark spots to large pores to fines lines and wrinkles—all without irritating sensitive skin.
Customer Review: "This stuff has helped my skin tremendously, even little breakout problems. I will not ever live without this." —Dawn
| Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, Zinc PCA |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Pores, Fine Lines and Wrinkles |
How can serums minimize oily skin?
First off, Kobets clarifies that serums can encompass many different products. "The word serum has been thrown around and applied to various types of skincare formulations from very liquidy and water-based serums, to more cream-like serums, as well as to more oily and more emollient serums," the derm says.
As for what they can actually do, it varies. "A serum will help oily skin by balancing and controlling oil production, reduce the appearance of pores and pore size, deliver antioxidant protection, and strengthen skin’s barrier," adds Sobel.
"Serum can be beneficial for oily skin by helping minimize oil production and hydrating the skin," Saedi says. "The right ones can balance the skin pH and help with hydration."
What ingredients are beneficial in the best serums for oily skin?
Luckily, it's a long list. "Retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and probiotics can all benefit oily skin that still needs to be protected against fine line and wrinkle formation, environmental pollutants, and moisture loss," says Sobel, adding that niacinamide also "helps minimize large pores that are usually more visible on oily skin types."
In fact, all three doctors recommend niacinamide. In addition, Saedi, recommends exfoliating acids. "I like alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid. I also like beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid," says the derm.
Hydration is also key. "I also like ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help attract and maintain water in the skin," he adds. "You don't want to over-dry your skin because then you will produce more oils."
Which ingredients should be avoided for those with oily skin?
"For oily skin I would avoid anything that has a mixture of oils, petroleum or petrolatum, or dimethicone that is listed as an ingredient at the top of the list of ingredients," says Kobets. Sobel also says to skip beeswax, coconut oil, and mineral oil, as well as silicones (such as dimethicone) and parabens, "that can irritate the skin or cause additional oil production in the skin."
Meet the Experts
- Howard Sobel is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin.
- Nazanin Saedi is a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia.
- Kseniya Kobets is the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Advanced Care in Westchester, New York.
Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.
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