Cetaphil-focused skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin
A routine for oily acne-prone skin built around Cetaphil products, complemented by other brands where they fit better, for complete care.
Cleansers, toners and serums with salicylic acid help clear out pores and reduce breakouts, while steps with niacinamide control excess oil and shine.
The morning routine prepares the skin for the day: it cleans off the night, hydrates, and protects, with sunscreen as its last step. The evening routine is for removing sunscreen, makeup, and the day's oil, then treating the skin while it rests and is away from the sun. The weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week to add deeper exfoliation and masks for oily acne-prone skin.
Experimental Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Skin Research and Technology, 2013Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2020
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 salicylic acid help target blemishes and clear out pores for your oily acne-prone skin. Cleansers and washes with niacinamide and glycerin help manage oiliness and keep skin hydrated, while being used every morning, every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Oily Skin Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
€11.62
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser
€15.78
-
Cetaphil
Oil Control
€26.37
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Cleansing Bar
€21.40
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
€14.51
Step 2Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners are used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine. Toners and hydrating steps with glycerin and hyaluronic acid help control shine and oiliness, while formulas with niacinamide and ceramides clear out pores and soothe breakouts.
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
€36.00
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
€16.89
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
€14.31
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
€19.90
-
numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
€15.50
-
Paula's Choice
Advanced Replenishing Toner
€34.00
-
Pixi
Retinol Tonic
€18.05
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
€34.00
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide help control oil and reduce blemishes, while formulas with Centella Asiatica extract and ceramides soothe irritation and support the skin barrier. This step is used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Ceramide Serum
€34.22
-
Cetaphil
Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
€34.99
-
Cetaphil
Moisturizing Lotion
€28.97
-
Cetaphil
Daily Hydrating Lotion
€28.97
-
Cetaphil
Rich Hydrating Night Cream
€19.51
-
Cetaphil
Moisturizing Cream
€16.69
-
SKIN1004
Centella Cream
€19.20
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
€15.49
Step 4SPF
Sunscreens with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and niacinamide help defend against UV rays while managing oil and soothing blemishes on oily acne-prone skin. This step is used every morning.
-
Cetaphil
Oil Control
€26.37
-
Cetaphil
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
€32.09
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Moisturizer
€30.52
-
Cetaphil
Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 40
€31.99
-
make p:rem
UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
€33.70
-
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
€77.06
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus
€14.70
-
Purito
Comfy Water Sun Block
€18.96
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil help clear away sebum and makeup, while variants with centella asiatica extract, aloe vera, and chamomile may soothe blemishes and maintain skin balance. This step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
€11.83
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
€22.48
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
€13.49
-
Nuxe
Very Rose Creamy Make-up Remover Milk
€17.50
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
€18.11
-
iUNIK
Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
€15.50
-
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
€9.70
-
Farmacy
Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
€20.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with salicylic acid help target blemishes and clear out pores for your oily acne-prone skin. Cleansers and washes with niacinamide and glycerin help manage oiliness and keep skin hydrated, while being used every morning, every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Oily Skin Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
€11.62
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser
€15.78
-
Cetaphil
Oil Control
€26.37
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Cleansing Bar
€21.40
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
€14.51
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with lactic acid and willow bark extract help manage oiliness and clarify your skin, while those with glycolic acid and salicylic acid combat acne and breakouts. This step is used every evening.
-
REN Clean Skincare
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
€50.00
-
Rodial
Vitamin C Brightening Tonic
€19.56
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
€18.05
-
ma:nyo
Galactomy Clearskin Toner
€21.69
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad
€16.99
-
Anua
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
€21.00
-
Beauty of Joseon
Green Plum Refreshing Toner
€13.33
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
€16.99
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide and zinc PCA help control oil and manage blemishes, while treatments with salicylic acid and glycerin target breakouts and keep skin balanced. The serum step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Lotion
€20.24
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
€86.59
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
€5.75
-
Clinique
Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
€99.41
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
€10.20
-
L'Oreal Paris
Revitalift 12% Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Serum
€19.54
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Toner
€16.40
-
innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
€40.50
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide help control oil and reduce blemishes, while formulas with Centella Asiatica extract and ceramides soothe irritation and support the skin barrier. This step is used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Ceramide Serum
€34.22
-
Cetaphil
Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
€34.99
-
Cetaphil
Moisturizing Lotion
€28.97
-
Cetaphil
Daily Hydrating Lotion
€28.97
-
Cetaphil
Rich Hydrating Night Cream
€19.51
-
Cetaphil
Moisturizing Cream
€16.69
-
SKIN1004
Centella Cream
€19.20
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
€15.49
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil help clear away sebum and makeup, while variants with centella asiatica extract, aloe vera, and chamomile may soothe blemishes and maintain skin balance. This step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
€11.83
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
€22.48
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
€13.49
-
Nuxe
Very Rose Creamy Make-up Remover Milk
€17.50
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
€18.11
-
iUNIK
Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
€15.50
-
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
€9.70
-
Farmacy
Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
€20.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with salicylic acid help target blemishes and clear out pores for your oily acne-prone skin. Cleansers and washes with niacinamide and glycerin help manage oiliness and keep skin hydrated, while being used every morning, every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Oily Skin Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
€11.62
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
€13.45
-
Cetaphil
Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser
€15.78
-
Cetaphil
Oil Control
€26.37
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Cleansing Bar
€21.40
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
€14.51
Step 3Enzyme Powder
Enzyme powders with rice bran extract, salicylic acid, papain, and licorice root extract help manage oiliness and breakouts, while steps with green tea powder, baking soda, and bromelain help maintain skin balance and clear out pores. This step is used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
€72.82
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
€20.25
-
NEEDLY
Mild Enzyme Cleansing Powder
€37.80
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
€92.45
Step 4Cleansing Mask
Cleansing masks with Kaolin, Bentonite, and Charcoal Powder help deep-draw oil and impurities from your oily skin to tackle shine and enlarged pores. Cleansing masks with Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Lactic Acid help manage breakouts and blemishes, and this step is used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
VT Cosmetics
Cica Purifying Mask
€15.72
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
€16.40
-
Neutrogena
Deep Clean Purifying Clay Cleanser/Mask
€19.41
-
REN Clean Skincare
Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
€42.51
-
MZ Skin
Radiance & Renewal Instant Clarity Refining Mask
€109.03
-
Papa Recipe
Eggplant Clearing Mud Cream Mask
€29.00
Step 5Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners are used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine. Toners and hydrating steps with glycerin and hyaluronic acid help control shine and oiliness, while formulas with niacinamide and ceramides clear out pores and soothe breakouts.
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
€36.00
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
€16.89
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
€14.31
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
€19.90
-
numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
€15.50
-
Paula's Choice
Advanced Replenishing Toner
€34.00
-
Pixi
Retinol Tonic
€18.05
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
€34.00
Step 6Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide and zinc PCA help control oil and manage blemishes, while treatments with salicylic acid and glycerin target breakouts and keep skin balanced. The serum step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Lotion
€20.24
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
€86.59
-
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
€5.75
-
Clinique
Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
€99.41
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
€10.20
-
L'Oreal Paris
Revitalift 12% Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Serum
€19.54
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Toner
€16.40
-
innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
€40.50
Step 7Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide help control oil and reduce blemishes, while formulas with Centella Asiatica extract and ceramides soothe irritation and support the skin barrier. This step is used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Cetaphil
Ceramide Serum
€34.22
-
Cetaphil
Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
€34.99
-
Cetaphil
Moisturizing Lotion
€28.97
-
Cetaphil
Daily Hydrating Lotion
€28.97
-
Cetaphil
Rich Hydrating Night Cream
€19.51
-
Cetaphil
Moisturizing Cream
€16.69
-
SKIN1004
Centella Cream
€19.20
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
€15.49
Research behind this routine
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes
Topical 4% nicotinamide vs. 1% clindamycin in moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris
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. Sofía Perea Pérez, 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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