Minimalist skincare routine for oily, acne-prone skin

An effective routine doesn’t need ten products. The foundation consists of gentle cleansing, applying a single treatment, moisturizing, and protecting the skin from the sun.

Summary in 60 seconds

The routine can be summarized as follows:

In the morning

1. Gentle cleanser.
2. Light moisturizer.
3. Broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher.

At night

1. Gentle cleanser.
2. A treatment for acne.
3. Moisturizing.

Start with a single active ingredient, two or three times a week. Increase the frequency only if the skin tolerates it. Improvement usually begins after six to eight weeks and should be assessed around twelve weeks (Reynolds 2024 , NICE 2021 ).

Why is a specific skincare routine important in these cases?

Acne doesn’t appear simply from having dirty skin. Sebum production, follicle blockage, and inflammation all play a role.

Therefore, constantly washing your face or using very astringent products doesn’t usually solve the problem. It can also irritate the skin barrier and make it more difficult to continue treatment (Eichenfield 2021) .

The goal is not to eliminate all the fat, but to reduce lesions without drying out or inflaming the skin.

How does it work?

Each step serves a specific purpose:

• The cleanser removes sweat, sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum.
• The treatment acts on the obstruction or inflammation.
• The moisturizer helps reduce dryness and flaking.
• Sunscreen limits photodamage and the darkening of post-acne marks.

How to choose it and how to apply it?

Morning routine

1. Gentle cleanser

• • Use a cleanser without exfoliating granules that doesn’t leave your skin feeling intensely tight.
  • Wash your face with lukewarm water and your fingertips. Do not use abrasive brushes or sponges.

2. Moisturizer

• • Look for a lightweight formula, preferably identified as:
    • non-comedogenic;
    • oil-free;
    • Suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Oily skin also needs hydration, especially when using treatments that can dry it out.

3. Sunscreen

• • Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and preferably non-comedogenic.
  • Apply every morning. Reapply during prolonged sun exposure and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.

Night routine

1. Gentle cleanser

• • You can use the same product you use in the morning. There’s no need to have multiple cleansers.

2. Choose only one treatment

• • Do not start salicylic acid, adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, and other exfoliants at the same time.

If blackheads and whiteheads predominate

• • • Adapalene 0.1% may be considered (after medical evaluation)
    • Use about a pea-sized amount for your entire face. Apply it to the acne-prone area, not just on top of each blemish.
    • Start two or three nights a week. If your skin tolerates it, gradually increase to every other night.
    • Topical retinoids should be avoided during pregnancy and when trying to conceive.

If red or pus-filled bumps predominate

• • • Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% may be considered (subject to prior medical evaluation)
    • Apply it in a thin layer, two or three times a week to start. It may cause dryness and discoloration of towels, pillowcases, or clothing.
    • Higher concentrations do not necessarily offer better results and may increase irritation (Mills 1986) .

If the skin is sensitive or dark marks remain

• • • Azelaic acid may be an alternative. It can also cause initial stinging, so it’s best to start every other day.
    • During pregnancy (or suspected pregnancy) or breastfeeding, any treatment should be reviewed with a health professional.

3. Moisturizer

• • • Apply moisturizer after treatment.
    • If sensitivity exists, you can use it before the active ingredient to reduce its direct contact with the skin.

An easy way to get started

During the first two weeks:

• Keep cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen on;
• use a single asset two or three times a week;
• Avoid exfoliants, astringent toners, and masks.

After two weeks, increase the frequency only if there is no significant burning, inflammation, or severe peeling.

Consistency with a simple routine is usually more helpful than using many products irregularly.

Common mistakes

• Washing your face too often . Two washes a day are usually enough. Excessive washing can increase irritation.
• Starting multiple active ingredients together increases the risk of burning and makes it difficult to identify which product caused the reaction.
• Use physical exfoliants. Rough granules, brushes, and sponges can increase inflammation.
• Squeezing pimples. Manipulating lesions promotes blemishes, inflammation, and scarring.
• Stopping your routine too soon. Acne doesn’t usually change in just a few days. It takes several weeks to evaluate a treatment.

When should I consult?

Seek medical evaluation when available:

• deep, painful, or cystic acne;
• appearance of scars;
• extensive involvement of the face, chest or back;
• rapid deterioration;
• lack of improvement after eight to twelve weeks;
• significant impact on mood or social life;
• pregnancy, pregnancy planning or breastfeeding.

Stop using the product and seek medical attention if blisters, severe swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, severe burns, or extreme sensitivity to the sun appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does oily skin need moisturizer?

• Yes. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic texture. Hydration can improve tolerance to treatments.

Can I combine adapalene and benzoyl peroxide?

• Yes, but it’s best not to introduce them on the same day. Start with one and add the second once your skin has stabilized.

Should I also use salicylic acid?

• Not necessarily. During the first few weeks, it’s best to avoid additional active ingredients. You can reassess later if the blackheads persist and your skin tolerates the routine well.

How long does it take for acne to improve?

• The first changes may appear between six and eight weeks. The routine should be evaluated around twelve weeks.

Can I wear makeup?

• Yes. Look for non-comedogenic products and gently remove them at the end of the day.

What treatment can I use during pregnancy?

• Topical retinoids, including adapalene, should be avoided. Azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide may be considered in some cases, but should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Bibliography and sources

• Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, Cook-Bolden F, Desai SR, Druby KM, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris . J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017.
• Eichenfield DZ, Sprague J, Eichenfield LF. Management of acne vulgaris: a review . JAMA. 2021;326(20):2055-2067. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.17633.
• Kolli SS, Pecone D, Pona A, Cline A, Feldman SR. Topical retinoids in acne vulgaris: a systematic review . Am J Clin Dermatol. 2019;20(3):345-365. doi:10.1007/s40257-019-00423-z.
• Mills OH Jr, Kligman AM, Pochi P, Comite H. Comparing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide on inflammatory acne vulgaris . Int J Dermatol. 1986;25(10):664-667. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1986.tb04534.x.
• Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K. Moisturizers for acne: what are their constituents? . J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(5):36-44.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Acne vulgaris: management. NICE guideline NG198 . London: NICE; 2021 [consultado 21 jul 2026] .
• American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acne: tips for managing . Rosemont: American Academy of Dermatology; 2022 [consultado 21 jul 2026] .