How to Build an Oily Skin Routine for Any Budget (2026 Starter Guide)

We’re well into the new year, and that means it’s time to rethink your routines. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skincare user, there’s always something new to add to your regimen. In this blog, I’ll cover some of my favorite picks for frugal, budget-conscious, or luxurious people.

Because one thing about me: I hate an expensive product that does nothing for my skin. I’m not wasting my hard-earned money on (snake) oil.

Some of these picks are oldies, some of them are newbies. But all of them have been tested by me and I’ve enjoyed my experience with them (as someone who has oily, semi-sensitive skin that is not acne-prone).

And I believe these routines would work for anyone in their 20s or 30s. For those beyond those years, you’ll likely have to make some modifications (more actives, as the older we get, the more resistant to ingredients our skin becomes).

3 Oily Skin Routines: An Overview

Before we get into all of the individual products and why I like them, I’ll share the lists of them here so you can read on if you’re curious why I chose specific products for each skincare step for oily skin.

The best budget routine for oily skin

A realistic skincare routine for oily skin

A luxurious skincare routine for oily skin

Why Each Product Was Chosen

The budget routine

Oil cleanser: Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser ($15)

This is a great starter oil/balm cleanser because it is not too expensive and it still does a great job at removing makeup and sunscreen (which is the main job of an oil cleanser). I like the balm instead of the oil because you can only travel with solids.

Gel cleanser: Bubble Fresh Start Gel Cleanser ($14)

I appreciate that Bubble made an affordable gel cleanser because they’re my favorite type of cleanser for a squeaky clean. Because I have oily skin, I don’t like any residue to be left behind on my skin after rinsing. This does a good job of leaving no trace but also getting rid of any residue from the balm cleanser. I use this cleanser at night only. In the mornings, I just use a warm towel to wipe off.

Hydrating Serum: The Inkey List PGA ($16)

If there’s one serum you can use twice a day, it should be a good hydrating serum. This adds a boost of hydration to complement your moisturizer. I like the PGA serum instead of the Hyaluronic Acid serum, simply because it has a better packaging, more hydration, and a better overall texture to it. But it is a little bit more expensive.

Retinol: Cocokind Retinol Gel ($27)

In my opinion, Cocokind is leading the charge in bringing retinol to the masses. And by masses, I mean at a relatable price point and also at a low enough percentage for beginners to start using it. Retinol is one of the most well studied ingredients out there, but it also is one that a lot of people are afraid of using. They don’t want to have a purge, they don’t want irritation, or they don’t want to have a dependency on it. I think using a low percentage retinol is a good stepping stone, especially if you are in your 20s and don’t need a strong retinoid yet.

Eye Cream: Good Molecules Yerba Mate ($6)

Good Molecules is a great brand if you’re looking at price points like The Ordinary or The Inkey List, but you might want to try something new. I think Good Molecules has more fun formulas to them. I really enjoyed the Yerba Mate Eye Gel because it is super lightweight and leaves no stickiness behind. It is nice because it still has caffeine in it (to help tighten the appearance of eye bags). And it helps improve your eyes over time too.

Moisturizer: Peach Slices Oil Control ($17)

This is actually a moisturizer I use everyday because it is so good. When I apply this after a facial oil, you can immediately see a reduction in the shine. And that makes it the perfect cream for someone with oily skin. I also like to pair this with my heavier sunscreens (that are dewy) so that I can have it net out to a more nuanced dewiness overall. I just don’t want to look like a giant oil slick (which I often do with heavier sunscreens alone).

Sunscreen (AM): Naturium UV Reflect SPF 50 ($26)

First, a warning: this one does sting my eyes on occasion… But the finish of it is so perfect. And the price is much more affordable than the other 2 mineral-based sunscreens that are on my list. It is the perfect satin finish that looks very natural. And there’s no tint to it. So you don’t have to worry about any cast or anything. But yeah, I do wish that the ingredients did not sting my eyes at times.

Optional: Mist: Cocokind Glow Essence Hydrating Facial Mist ($18)

A mist is not necessary, but it is a nice to have. It serves the same purpose as the hydrating serum, but it helps boost it even more. If you live in a dry area, having the extra little boost of water helps your skin stay more refreshed throughout the day. This one has a nice sprayer (but it is not nearly as fine as others I’ve used) and it has a solid ingredient list for more benefits than just water.

Optional: Moisturizer (PM): La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Balm ($19)

You don’t technically need a separate cream for nighttime. But if you did, this is one of the best options because it is nice and moisturizing all night. And bonus points if you stock up on it when you’re in Europe because it’ll be cheaper there. And I am always all about that.

Optional: Facial Oil (PM): The Ordinary Squalane ($11)

A facial oil is not something you absolutely need. Similar to the facial mist, this is going to be adding an extra little boost to your cream. But instead of hydration, it is adding moisturization. And you do need both hydration and moisture to have healthy, glowing skin. So a facial oil (ONLY at night, so you aren’t an oil slick during the day) is a great option. And squalane is one of the lightest oils I have tried.

Optional: Exfoliant: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner ($15)

I was a little mixed on if an exfoliant is necessary or not. But I ultimately decided that a bare minimum, starter routine should prioritize a retinol over an exfoliant. But if you want to add in an exfoliant, I do it the day before I do a retinol and I just add a little bit before I add in my serums. This is a great option (but it is pretty high concentration, so just use a little bit).

The realistic routine (aka my daily, more or less)

Because I’m a little reasonable when it comes to skincare…

Oil cleanser: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm ($39)

There’s no such thing as a perfect product, but this is pretty close to it for me. It removed makeup and sunscreen so well and leaves your skin feeling like there’s nothing on there. It is the most complete cleanse I have as a first cleanse. And if you want, they have special scented ones too. But I usually just get the Green or the Clear options.

Gel cleanser: Youth to the People Superfoods Cleanser ($39)

This is the OG award-winning cleanser that everyone is obsessed with. And the reason they’re obsessed is because it has such a good cleansing ability without stripping your skin. Squeaky on max. And it’s got a great lather to it. The end-to-end experience is truly top-notch. And speaking from personal experience, the glass bottle can survive a pretty hefty drop. It’s fallen down a staircase and survived. It’s also been dropped on concrete from like 2 feet up and still survived. I don’t know what they did to this glass, but I am here for it!

Mist: Laneige Cream Skin ($36)

Laneige is kind of killing the game when it comes to a good milky toner. Their original toner is a cult favorite, but I prefer the mist attachment on it because I like to have a spray in my routine instead of getting the toner all over my hands. It’s the best way to start your routine with a hefty sip of hydration.

Hydrating Serum: Inn Beauty Project Elastic Skin ($52)

This is a new product to me, and I have been enjoying how matte it feels on your skin. It is still hydrating, but it is not sticky and shiny like a lot of hydrating serums are. It also plays well with layering and you can “dress it up or down” with any routine honestly.

Retinol: Maelove Moonlight Advanced Retinal ($47)

Hear me out… even though it is advanced retinal, I think this is still good for all users. You just have to be a little more intentional with how you use it. When I used this product (and finished it), I had already been using retinol for a while, so my skin already tolerated it. I was able to use this product 2x a week with no irritation. And it does a great job of making your skin look youthful. The only issue is that it is a bright yellow color, so just be cautious when you’re applying it at night to not get it all over your pillowcases.

Exfoliant: Farmacy Honey Glow ($60)

If you love a tingly exfoliating serum, this is your product. No, a tingle does not mean that it is working or that it is a requirement. It’s just a sensation you get when you apply different exfoliants. And this is one such product. I really like this one because it is similar to the Sunday Riley Good Genes. But the main difference for me is that it is less of a cream and more of a serum. Sunday Riley Good Genes feels more cream-like and thicker than the Farmacy one. So I like to layer with the Farmacy better.

Eye Cream: Naturium Super Retinol Eye ($19)

I have recommended this eye cream to multiple coworkers and they all have come back to me saying how much they like it. Truly I have no notes. This is a great packaging (it actually evacuates all the product effectively) and it has a potent formula. Great thickness too, so it stays in place on your eyes. And this is NOT to be confused with their Multi-Peptide Eye Cream.

Moisturizer (AM): Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream ($54)

If you want a nice light moisturizer that works hard, look no further. This one gives your skin everything is craves without feeling too heavy. I also like that it is a refillable design so that you can save a couple extra bucks when you buy a replacement. And for the daytime, I prefer this to their thicker cream, of course. But both are very nice formulations!

Moisturizer (PM): Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide ($27)

This one has a crazy texture to it… It kind of looks like soup lol. But it is really liquid-y and spreads easily on your face. I like this because it is not heavy but it feels very nourishing on your skin. And that’s why I can only recommend this one as a nighttime cream. Otherwise, it might feel a little suffocating to you when you wear it during the day.

Facial Oil or Overnight Mask (PM): Youth to the People Superberry Dream Overnight Mask ($52)

The smell of this overnight mask is so good! But it is also not irritating to me (my skin or my nose). It’s got a very similar texture to their eye cream and it is very thick. Whenever I put this one, my skin wakes up very glowy still without being sticky. It’s like a nice cocoon of moisture through the night. Perfect for winter. And if you compare this to the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, this would be thicker than the Summer Fridays one.

Sunscreen (AM): Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 30 ($36)

I have probably emptied like 20 of these ShadeDrops because of how much I love them. They look good alone, they look good with makeup. They just look good. My only issue is that it is only SPF 30. But that is honestly the norm for zinc oxide-based sunscreens, so I can’t expect too much. But the finish is just so perfect: it is matte and it does not feel thick and greasy at all.

The luxurious routine

For when I have a bougie friend to recommend things to… (or my mom lol).

Oil cleanser: Elemis Cleansing Balm ($72)

This is the cleansing balm you want if you prefer strong fragrances because they make some yummy scents. The only thing to note is that this is a super rich cleansing balm that does leave a little bit of a film behind. It isn’t significant and it definitely comes off with a second cleanse. But it is not as “clean feeling” as the Farmacy one.

Gel cleanser: Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser ($41)

If the Youth to the People cleanser had a more nourishing cousin, this would be it. It has the same squeaky clean feel after rinsing but it makes your skin feel actually nourished as if it had a moisturizer on it. It’s like it removes all of the makeup and sunscreen from the day but then puts back all the good things your skin needs. It’s hard to describe, but this is my all-time favorite cleanser (if I could afford it all the time).

Mist: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($49)

The sprayer on this is truly one of the best. There’s no droplets because it is just a perfectly even distribution of the finest mist I have ever used. That, plus it is a nice milky formulation that hydrates and moisturizes your skin. There’s truly no notes here either.

Hydrating Serum: NIOD Multi-Molecular Hydration Complex ($62)

This was a new product I tried this past year. If you like your hydrating serums to feel like there’s absolutely nothing on your face but still is hydrating, this is made for you. It goes on like water but then your skin drinks it up immediately. There’s no stickiness, there’s no smell, there’s literally no trace of it left behind! It’s like a ghost that leaves behind a nice hydration without any dewiness.

Retinol: Medik8 Crystal Retinal ($65)

When I think of retinol/retinal, my mind immediately goes to Medik8. I don’t know if they just do a really good job of advertising to me or what, but I trust them for my (more expensive) retinol needs. They make a variety of products with different derivatives of retinol. But this one is nice because it is formulated to be potent without irritating your skin.

Exfoliant: Sunday Riley Good Genes ($85)

You already know my stance on the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow. But if you want to get a little bit more of a nourishing product (that is still tingly), the Sunday Riley one is perfect for you. One important thing to note is that the dispenser for this product does give you a lot of product, which might be overkill for your purposes. So just be careful when you are dispensing because you might end up using more product than your skin (or you) wants to experience. Because it is just that potent.

Eye Cream: Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream ($85)

When I first got this product, I did a before and after photo series. And within 2 weeks, I was able to see my eye bags decrease in size. And after that, I truly could not stop recommending this product. Allies of Skin has a really good lineup of products (hence why I was gushing over their cleanser before), but their pricepoint definitely puts them out of reach for a majority of people (me included). So when I can splurge on this, I do! It’s very effective.

Moisturizer (AM): Sunday Riley Afterglow ($65)

If you love the smell of neroli, you will absolutely love this. If you want a cream that is nourishing without being heavy, you will absolutely love this. If you want a brightening cream, you will absolutely love this. There are just so many things I enjoy about this moisturizer and I think it is because it is based on the cult-favorite CEO Glow oil and serum. So they knew what they had to do for this cream. And they did the damn thing!

Moisturizer (PM): Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream ($60)

At night (even with oily skin), I like to have a thick cream that feels very occlusive. And I believe that helps reduce the oil production of your skin over time because it is making it much more amenable to relying on external oil instead of internal production. This one is great because it uses squalane (one of the ingredients I recommended for a cheap facial oil) and omega fatty acids, which your body (in general) loves. Your skin needs it too! And if it’s super cold outside during the day (in the winter), I actually will even use this Omega Cream too.

Facial Oil or Overnight Mask (PM): True Botanicals chebula Active Serum ($90)

A warning about this product: I do think it stains my pillowcase…. But I do really love to use it. It’s both nourishing but also helps brighten your skin. I love to use this after all of my products, every night. Similar to my approach with the Omega Repair Cream, I like to rely on my nighttime skincare routine to restore my skin and also give it all of the oils it needs so that it won’t be as oil-producing during the day.

Sunscreen (AM): Caudalie Vinosun Protect SPF 50 ($39)

If the Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 30 had a baby with the Naturium SPF 50, the Caudalie Vinosun SPF 50 would be it. It has the perfect fluid texture of the Summer Fridays one with the high sun protection factor of the Naturium one. And it is fully mineral (minus the SPF boosters in the formulation). It has the same nice finish of the Summer Fridays one: matte, blurring, and highly skin-like. And there’s no white cast!

Picking the Right Routine for You

Of course, this is a very intimate and personal decision for you. But my recommendation would be to pick a couple things off each list that seem to align with your personal skin goals the most. There’s no reason you have to stay all budget or all luxurious. You can be the perfect mix of it all! And you have the flexibility to choose which products seem worth the spend and combine it with products you don’t think you need to splurge on.

Because that’s what makes skincare fun. You get to see what works for you. And when it does, it’s the best feeling in the world!

Best of luck with your skincare journey. Let me know if you have any questions!

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