Oily & Combination Skin

Stripping oily skin makes it oilier. Take the oil off aggressively enough and skin reads it as damage and produces more — which is the loop most people are stuck in by the time they go looking for a fix.

The way out is counterintuitive. Hydrate properly, exfoliate gently, and stop using anything that leaves your face squeaky. Lightweight gel textures, niacinamide to regulate sebum over time, and a mild acid two or three nights a week rather than a scrub.

Combination skin is the common case — an oily T-zone with normal or dry cheeks — and it is completely fine to use different products on different parts of your face. See Pores & Blackheads if congestion is the specific complaint.