Get your skin matte with these 5 easy tricks

1. USE A SALICYLIC ACID CLEANSER

Not only is cleansing an essential part of your skincare routine, it can also help mattify the look of your skin if you choose the right formula. Buy an oil-free (perfume) cleanser that contains skin-clearing ingredients such as salicylic acid to help reduce the appearance of excess sebum while also ridding the skin of dirt and impurities. Try SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser.

Word of caution: While it's good to cleanse up to twice a day, more harm can be done than good. Overwashing - believe it or not - can strip our skin of its natural oils, causing it to produce even MORE oil to make up for the loss. More oil, more problems. Catch my drift?

2. LOOK FOR NON-FAT HYDRATION

While it may seem counterintuitive to add moisture to skin that's fighting shine, it's important to moisturize any type of skin—whether it's oily, acne-prone, or sensitive. For oily skin, it's important to find a formula that dries and mattifies without leaving a greasy feel or residue. You didn't think we'd leave you alone, did you? We recommend La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat. An oil-free moisturizer with sebulyse technology and absorbent powders to help mattify skin and visibly tighten enlarged pores. 

3. APPLY MATT PRIMER

We know, we know. Oily skin and makeup aren't always best friends. If by noon you feel that cosmetic is dripping from your jaw, apply a matte primer as a first step. Not only can a primer help prepare your canvas with a smooth texture, some formulas can even help hold unwanted sheen longer. Result? More durable makeup without oily sheen in the T-zone. Lancôme La Base Pro Pore Eraser helps cover up pores and excess sebum for a smooth, matte finish.

4. USE MAKEUP WITH A MATTE FINISH

In addition to an oil-free primer, consider using an oil-free makeup. Look for products that are meant for oily skin, have a "matte" look rather than moisturized, and are advertised as long-wearing. It's also a good idea to have powder on hand to soak up excess fat if needed. Try Maybelline's Oil-Free Loose Powder.

5. REMOVE OIL

Chances are, if you have oily skin, you always have blotting paper on hand. Blotting papers like NYX Professional Makeup Blotting Papers work in a pinch to soak up excess oil without ruining your makeup. They are easy to use, extremely portable and highly effective. Also, it's very nice to see how the fat is transferred from your skin to the disposable paper. So really, what's not to love?

Want more tips and tricks for oily skin care? We bust six common myths about oily skin!