If you have oily or acne-prone skin, the right routine can help control excess shine, balance sebum production, and prevent breakouts — without stripping your skin of essential moisture. Dermatologists and estheticians agree that a consistent regimen with gentle, oil-free, non-comedogenic products is key to achieving clear, balanced skin.CeraVe+1
Below is a step-by-step oily skin routine featuring natural and cruelty-free options you can buy online in Canada, including Canadian-made ABD Naturals products and other natural favourites.
🧴 Morning Routine: Cleanse → Treat → Hydrate → Protect
1. Cleanser — Remove Excess Oil & Impurities
Start each day with a gentle, oil-free cleanser to lift oil and dirt without stripping your skin’s barrier.
- Foaming/Gel Cleanser (Dermatologist Pick): A cleanser formulated for oily skin (<em>e.g., similar to CeraVe Foaming Cleanser</em>) helps dissolve excess oil and refresh skin without dryness. CeraVe
- Natural Alternative: Look for clay-based or botanical foaming cleansers with gentle plant extracts — perfect for oily skin.
- Canadian Cruelty-Free: Check for Canada-made options geared toward oily skin.
2. Toner — Balance & Refine Pores
Toning helps remove leftover residue after cleansing and prepares your skin for treatment products. Toners with beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid are excellent for oily, congested pores.Wikipedia
Natural toner ideas:
- Witch hazel–based toners
- Tea tree or willow bark toners (help calm oil and clarify)
3. Treatment — Target Breakouts & Oil Control
This step focuses on active ingredients that reduce oil production and clear clogged pores:
🤍 Niacinamide serums — help regulate sebum and smooth texture
🟠 Salicylic acid treatments — a BHA that dissolves oil and prevents blemishesGQ
These are common in dermatologist-recommended routines for oily skin — choose products that are lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic.
4. Moisturizer — Hydrate Without Heavy Oils
Despite myths, oily skin still needs hydration! Lightweight, gel or lotion moisturizers help balance moisture and prevent excess oil rebound in the skin.CeraVe
✔ Non-comedogenic
✔ Oil-free or water-based
✔ Contains hyaluronic acid or niacinamide
🌿 Natural Options in Canada:
- Lightweight botanical moisturizers formulated for oily skin, often including aloe or glycerin to attract moisture without clogging pores.
5. Sunscreen — Daily Protection
Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF (30+) that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic. Daily sunscreen prevents sun-induced dehydration (which can trigger oily compensation) and protects skin health.CeraVe
🌙 Evening Routine: Cleanse → Treat → Moisturize
1. Double Cleanse (Optional)
For makeup or sunscreen wearers:
- First step: oil-based cleansing balm or micellar water
- Second step: gel/foaming cleanser
This helps lift surface oils and impurities without harsh scrubbing.
2. Exfoliation & Treatments
2–3×/week, include exfoliating products with BHA acids (like salicylic), or a gentle mask to unclog pores and absorb excess oil.Sephora
3. Night Moisturizer
Repeat a lightweight moisturizer to lock in hydration — your skin still needs it overnight to stay balanced.Byrdie
🧴 Featured Canadian & Natural Products for Oily Skin
Here are excellent options available online in Canada, from boutique natural lines to well-established cruelty-free collections:
🇨🇦 Canadian Natural & Cruelty-Free Skincare
🌿 ABD Naturals — Natural, science-inspired formulas
ABD Naturals offers plant-powered skincare created by a biologist, including gentle cleansers, serums, and natural skin solutions free from synthetic chemicals — perfect if you want cruelty-free and natural skincare from a Canadian brand.ABD Naturals
👉 Shop their Canadian products — https://abdnaturals.com/ ABD Naturals
Product ideas:
- Natural face serums with balancing botanicals
- Gentle cleanser bars (great for oily skin when matched to your needs)
- Clarifying and soothing serums
Other Natural & Canadian-Friendly Options
Wildcraft — Combination to Oily Skin Sets
A plant-powered five-step routine designed to cleanse, balance and nourish oily or combination skin without over-drying.EcoFreax
👉 Explore sets like the Combination-to-Oily Skin Kit at EcoFreax Canada — https://ecofreax.ca/products/wildcraft-combination-to-oily-skincare-set EcoFreax
Nezza Naturals — Oily/Acne-Prone Starter Set
This Canadian set includes cleanser, toner, clay mask and more to help clarify congested, oily skin using plant-based ingredients.Nezza Naturals
👉 Shop Nezza Naturals Purity Starter Set — https://nezzanaturals.com/products/purity-starter-set-for-oily-acne-prone-skin-small Nezza Naturals
Naturally Vain — Pore Perfect Bundle
A Canadian cruelty-free bundle that tackles oil, acne and congestion with a cleanser, scrub, and a clarifying toner.Naturally Vain
👉 Check the Pore Perfect Bundle — https://naturallyvain.com/pages/pore-perfect-bundle Naturally Vain
🧠 Pro Skincare Tips for Oily Skin
✔ Don’t over-wash: Too much cleansing can strip moisture and cause your skin to produce even more oil.Wikipedia
✔ Look for non-comedogenic labels: Avoid heavy oils or pore-clogging ingredients.American Academy of Dermatology
✔ Weekly clay or charcoal masks: These help absorb excess shine and clean pores deeply.World of Asaya
✔ Moisturize daily: Even oily skin needs hydration; skipping it may trigger more oil production.Byrdie
Final Words
A balanced skincare routine — tailored to oily skin — focuses on cleansing, targeted treatment, hydration and protection. By choosing natural, cruelty-free products like those from ABD Naturals and other Canada-friendly brands, you can build an effective regimen that keeps your complexion clear, comfortable, and shine-balanced every day.