Glow Recipe-focused skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin
A routine for oily acne-prone skin built around Glow Recipe products, complemented by other brands where they fit better, for complete care.
Cleansers and toners with glycerin, niacinamide, and willow bark extract help control oil and shrink pores. Exfoliating steps, serums, and masks with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and vitamin C clear out breakouts and fade blemishes.
The morning routine prepares the skin for the day by cleaning off the night, hydrating, and protecting with sunscreen as its last step. The evening routine removes sunscreen, makeup, and the day's oil, then treats the skin while it rests and is away from the sun. This weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week and adds the deeper steps to target shine and breakouts.
Experimental Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Life, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Products are rated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For a routine based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Morning
Step 1Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and ceramides help manage oiliness and support the skin barrier, while formulas with salicylic acid target blemishes and clear pores. This step is used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Glow Recipe
Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
CA$13.50
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
CA$20.96
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
CA$82.99
-
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
CA$54.99
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
CA$69.99
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
CA$17.98
-
Vichy
Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel
CA$22.95
-
ROUND LAB
1025 Dokdo Cleansing Gel
CA$16.99
Step 2Hydrating Toner
The hydrating toner step is used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine. Toners and hydrating steps with glycerin and hyaluronic acid help boost moisture, while steps with niacinamide and ceramides help control oil and minimize pores and blemishes.
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
CA$37.60
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
CA$27.99
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
CA$23.99
-
numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
CA$32.99
-
SNP Prep
Peptaronic Toner
CA$26.79
-
Paula's Choice
Advanced Replenishing Toner
CA$41.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
CA$31.98
-
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Toner Light
CA$27.94
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with birch sap, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, snail secretion filtrate, betaine, panthenol, green tea extract, niacinamide, squalane, adenosine, and allantoin help hydrate your oily skin and keep pores clear without extra shine. Moisturizers with low molecular hyaluronic acid, ceramides, signal peptides, pygmy waterlily, and centella asiatica extract help repair skin, manage blemishes, and minimize pores, and they are used every morning, every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
- Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
CA$47.95
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
CA$27.00
-
Glow Recipe
Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum
CA$61.00
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
CA$29.98
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
CA$24.99
-
innisfree
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
CA$40.50
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
CA$25.99
Step 4SPF
In the Lovi routine for oily acne-prone skin, the sunscreen step is used every morning. Sunscreens with zinc oxide and niacinamide help control oil and reduce blemishes, while products with ceramides and hyaluronic acid help hydrate and strengthen your skin.
-
CeraVe
AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
CA$20.96
-
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
CA$35.95
-
innisfree
Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen
CA$24.50
-
Torriden
DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
CA$27.34
-
innisfree
Daily Mild Sunscreen
CA$24.50
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus
CA$27.25
-
d'Alba
UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
CA$38.00
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with jojoba seed oil, centella asiatica extract, and hyaluronic acid help clear out oil and makeup while keeping your oily skin calm and hydrated. This makeup remover step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
CA$23.99
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Water
CA$27.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
CA$17.99
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
CA$9.97
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
CA$46.00
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
CA$21.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
CA$21.33
-
Est茅e Lauder
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
CA$48.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and ceramides help manage oiliness and support the skin barrier, while formulas with salicylic acid target blemishes and clear pores. This step is used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Glow Recipe
Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
CA$13.50
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
CA$20.96
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
CA$82.99
-
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
CA$54.99
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
CA$69.99
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
CA$17.98
-
Vichy
Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel
CA$22.95
-
ROUND LAB
1025 Dokdo Cleansing Gel
CA$16.99
Step 3Cleansing Toner
In the Lovi routine for this skin the cleansing toner step is used every evening. Cleansing toners with salicylic and glycolic acid help clear breakouts and blemishes, while formulas with witch hazel and aloe vera calm oily skin and tighten enlarged pores.
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
CA$22.00
-
Caudalie
Vinopure Purifying Toner
CA$40.00
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
CA$28.90
-
COSRX
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
CA$20.40
-
SKIN1004
Tea-Trica Purifying Toner
CA$27.42
-
ma:nyo
Galactomy Clearskin Toner
CA$39.99
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad
CA$33.99
-
Proactiv
Revitalizing Toner
CA$25.31
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, zinc, and green tea extract help control oil and calm blemishes, while steps with salicylic acid and vitamin C clear out pores and brighten skin. These treatments are used every evening, and once a week in place of the regular evening routine.
-
Glow Recipe
Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum
CA$57.00
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
CA$29.00
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
CA$6.60
-
L'Oreal Paris
Revitalift 12% Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Serum
CA$35.96
-
innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
CA$43.50
-
SOME BY MI
Yuja Niacin Blemish Care Serum
CA$32.00
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
CA$24.49
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule
CA$22.09
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with birch sap, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, snail secretion filtrate, betaine, panthenol, green tea extract, niacinamide, squalane, adenosine, and allantoin help hydrate your oily skin and keep pores clear without extra shine. Moisturizers with low molecular hyaluronic acid, ceramides, signal peptides, pygmy waterlily, and centella asiatica extract help repair skin, manage blemishes, and minimize pores, and they are used every morning, every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
- Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
CA$47.95
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
CA$27.00
-
Glow Recipe
Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum
CA$61.00
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
CA$29.98
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
CA$24.99
-
innisfree
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
CA$40.50
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
CA$25.99
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with jojoba seed oil, centella asiatica extract, and hyaluronic acid help clear out oil and makeup while keeping your oily skin calm and hydrated. This makeup remover step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
CA$23.99
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Water
CA$27.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
CA$17.99
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
CA$9.97
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
CA$46.00
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
CA$21.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
CA$21.33
-
Est茅e Lauder
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
CA$48.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and ceramides help manage oiliness and support the skin barrier, while formulas with salicylic acid target blemishes and clear pores. This step is used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Glow Recipe
Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
CA$13.50
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
CA$20.96
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
CA$82.99
-
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
CA$54.99
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
CA$69.99
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
CA$17.98
-
Vichy
Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel
CA$22.95
-
ROUND LAB
1025 Dokdo Cleansing Gel
CA$16.99
Step 3Enzyme Powder
Enzyme powders with Rice Bran Extract, Salicylic Acid, Papain, and Licorice Root Extract help manage oiliness and breakouts. They are used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
CA$29.50
-
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Enzyme Cleanser
CA$157.17
-
Dermalogica
Daily Superfoliant
CA$29.50
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
CA$32.63
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
CA$74.98
-
Tatcha
The Rice Polish: Deep
CA$92.00
Step 4Cleansing Mask
Cleansing masks are used once a week in place of the evening routine. Cleansing masks with Australian Pink Clay and Witch Hazel Bark Extract help deep-draw oil and impurities from your oily skin to refine pores and clarify your complexion.
-
Sand & Sky
Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
CA$79.99
-
Origins
Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
CA$50.00
-
Isntree
Real Mugwort Clay Mask
CA$27.97
-
innisfree
Super Volcanic Clusters Pore Clearing Clay Mousse Mask
CA$22.00
-
The Body Shop
Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask
CA$23.20
-
Philosophy
Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Exfoliating Clay Mask
CA$49.00
-
innisfree
Jeju Volcanic Color Clay Mask
CA$32.50
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
CA$26.29
Step 5Hydrating Toner
The hydrating toner step is used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine. Toners and hydrating steps with glycerin and hyaluronic acid help boost moisture, while steps with niacinamide and ceramides help control oil and minimize pores and blemishes.
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
CA$37.60
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
CA$27.99
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
CA$23.99
-
numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
CA$32.99
-
SNP Prep
Peptaronic Toner
CA$26.79
-
Paula's Choice
Advanced Replenishing Toner
CA$41.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
CA$31.98
-
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Toner Light
CA$27.94
Step 6Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, zinc, and green tea extract help control oil and calm blemishes, while steps with salicylic acid and vitamin C clear out pores and brighten skin. These treatments are used every evening, and once a week in place of the regular evening routine.
-
Glow Recipe
Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum
CA$57.00
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
CA$29.00
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
CA$6.60
-
L'Oreal Paris
Revitalift 12% Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Serum
CA$35.96
-
innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
CA$43.50
-
SOME BY MI
Yuja Niacin Blemish Care Serum
CA$32.00
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
CA$24.49
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule
CA$22.09
Step 7Moisturizer
Moisturizers with birch sap, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, snail secretion filtrate, betaine, panthenol, green tea extract, niacinamide, squalane, adenosine, and allantoin help hydrate your oily skin and keep pores clear without extra shine. Moisturizers with low molecular hyaluronic acid, ceramides, signal peptides, pygmy waterlily, and centella asiatica extract help repair skin, manage blemishes, and minimize pores, and they are used every morning, every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
- Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
CA$47.95
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
CA$27.00
-
Glow Recipe
Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum
CA$61.00
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
CA$29.98
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
CA$24.99
-
innisfree
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
CA$40.50
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
CA$25.99
Research behind this routine
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes
Behind this routine
Lovi builds every routine from each product's full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sof铆a Perea P茅rez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
Get a routine for your skin
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