11 Oily Skin Care Tips That Control Excess Oil

2. Add a BHA (salicylic acid) step for pore clearing

Salicylic acid belongs to the BHA family and is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate into pores and clear excess sebum. Many dermatologists recommend a 2 percent salicylic acid product as an effective starting strength. Use it as a toner or leave-on serum after cleansing, once daily at first, then increase frequency as tolerated. If you have sensitive skin, alternate days to build tolerance. BHA helps with blackheads and congestion as well as general shine control because it reduces the buildup that clogs pores. Avoid layering salicylic acid and retinol on the same night until you know how your skin reacts. Using a hydrating serum or moisturizer after your BHA step reduces irritation risk. If you experience persistent redness or stinging, pause use and seek professional advice. Combining BHAs with niacinamide is generally well tolerated and offers added pore-refining benefits, but always patch-test when introducing two actives at once.