FromGermany.ma routine

Skincare routine for oily skin and combination skin: the steps in order

Cleanse without stripping, moisturise with a light texture, protect from the sun with a matte-finish fluid: the routine for oily and combination skin explained step by step, with Neutrogena, The Ordinary, SUNDANCE and a small-budget Balea version.

Time: 10 min
Steps: 8
Level: Beginner
Essentials: 476 DH

Small-budget version: 203 DH (choose it in the product list)

Discover the routine

9 products · 2.121 DH

In short

A skincare routine for oily skin rests on three essential steps: morning and night, a gentle gel cleanser that doesn't strip, then a light gel moisturiser; in the morning, an SPF 50 sunscreen with a matte finish, applied last. In between you can add an alcohol-free toner and a niacinamide serum; at night, if you've worn SPF or make-up, start with a first cleanse (double cleansing). Once a week, a gentle exfoliant or a clay mask rounds it off — never on the same night. It suits oily and combination skin alike, with more moisturiser on the cheeks and less on the T-zone.

Updated on 17 October 2026

Oily skin produces more sebum, the film that naturally protects the skin but, in excess, makes it shine, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. The usual reflex is to scrub harder, wash more often or skip moisturiser. Yet according to the American Academy of Dermatology, a harsh cleanser irritates the skin and may even increase oil production; it recommends the opposite: a gentle cleanser, oil-free products and daily moisturising, even for oily skin. This routine follows that principle: few products, light textures and sunscreen every morning.

In Morocco, heat, sweat and year-round sun make this an everyday question, on the coast as much as inland. FromGermany.ma built this routine with products bought in Germany, mostly from dm: Neutrogena's Hydro Boost gel cleanser and gel moisturiser, The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, SUNDANCE's oil control sun fluid, and Balea for a small-budget version. It describes the steps and their order; what each product does is what its maker says on its product sheet.

Step by step

The routine, step by step and in order

0 of 8 steps done

SKIN1004 Oil face Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, 200 ml

Step 01 of 08

Night — First cleanse, if you've worn SPF or make-up (optional)

When: At night, before anything else; the oil goes on a dry face
How often: On evenings when your skin has had sunscreen or make-up on — in Morocco, almost every night

Sunscreen, often water-resistant, and make-up cling to the skin: a gel alone removes them poorly. A first cleanse dissolves them before the gel: that's double cleansing. A cleansing oil made to rinse off contains an emulsifier that turns it milky in contact with water; rinsed properly, it doesn't stay on the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology does, however, advise oily skin to avoid oil-based cleansers, which can irritate: if you'd rather skip them, an oil-free micellar water does this first cleanse.

How to: Two or three pumps of oil, with dry hands and a dry face, a minute of massage focusing on the sides of the nose and the hairline, then a little lukewarm water: the oil turns milky; rinse thoroughly. With micellar water, soak a cotton pad and sweep it over without rubbing. Every step is detailed in our double cleansing guide.

Optional

SKIN1004

SKIN1004 Oil face Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, 200 ml

491 DHView product

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, with centella asiatica extract, listed by dm for every skin type; it contains essential oils according to its ingredient list. An oil also meant for oily and combination skin according to the dm sheet, fragrance-free according to its ingredient list: Transparent Lab's Oil-based Cleanser. Oil-free, fragrance-free and small-budget: Garnier Skin Active micellar water for sensitive skin, applied with a cotton pad.

Alternative

Garnier Skin Active

Garnier Skin Active Water micellaire peaux sensibles All in 1, 400 ml

112 DHView product

Swipe to move between steps

Build your routine

Product list and prices in Morocco

Available essentials are ticked. Add or remove what you like: only ticked products go to the cart. Prices in dirhams, updated live.

The essentials

Neutrogena · Step 2
Neutrogena Gel cleanser Hydro Boost Aqua, 200 ml
128 DH
Neutrogena · Step 5
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Aqua face gel, 50 ml
231 DH
SUNDANCE · Step 6
SUNDANCE Fluid sun face oil control LSF 50
117 DH

To go further

SKIN1004 · Step 1
SKIN1004 Oil face Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, 200 ml
491 DH
Beauty of Joseon · Step 3
Beauty of Joseon Toner Rice Milk, 150 ml
392 DH
The Ordinary · Step 4
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, 60 ml
266 DH
essence · Step 6
essence Paper mattifying All About Matt! Oil Control Paper, 50 pcs
48 DH
Cosrx · Step 7
Cosrx Toner AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment, 100 ml
388 DH
Balea · Step 8
Balea 3-in-1 cleanser, scrub & mask, clear skin, 150 ml
60 DH

Alternatives

Garnier Skin Active · Step 1
Garnier Skin Active Water micellaire peaux sensibles All in 1, 400 ml
Replaces: SKIN1004 Oil face Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, 200 ml
112 DH
Balea · Step 2
Balea Gel cleanser refreshing 150 ml
Replaces: Neutrogena Gel cleanser Hydro Boost Aqua, 200 ml
30 DH
alverde NATURKOSMETIK · Step 2
alverde NATURKOSMETIK cleansing cream Clear 100 ml
Replaces: Neutrogena Gel cleanser Hydro Boost Aqua, 200 ml
72 DH
Balea · Step 3
Balea toner Beauty Expert Hydration 300 ml
Replaces: Beauty of Joseon Toner Rice Milk, 150 ml
259 DH
Balea · Step 4
Balea serum Niacinamide 30 ml
Replaces: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, 60 ml
139 DH
sebamed · Step 5
sebamed mattifying face cream, oily blemish-prone skin, 50 ml
Replaces: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Aqua face gel, 50 ml
195 DH
Balea · Step 5
Balea face cream Gel Aqua 50 ml
Replaces: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Aqua face gel, 50 ml
56 DH
SUNDANCE · Step 6
SUNDANCE serum sun face clear skin+ LSF 50+ 50 ml
Replaces: SUNDANCE Fluid sun face oil control LSF 50
166 DH
Neutrogena · Step 6
Neutrogena Fluid sun face, ultra sheer oil control, LSF 50+, 50 ml
Replaces: SUNDANCE Fluid sun face oil control LSF 50
316 DH
Balea · Step 7
Balea jelly cleansing BE YOU 150 ml
Replaces: Cosrx Toner AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment, 100 ml
82 DH
Garnier Skin Active · Step 8
Garnier Skin Active 3-in-1 clay cleansing cream with salicylic acid, blemish-prone skin, 150 ml
Replaces: Balea 3-in-1 cleanser, scrub & mask, clear skin, 150 ml
102 DH
SOME BY MI · Step 8
SOME BY MI mask fabric Real Super Matcha Pore Care, 20 g
Replaces: Balea 3-in-1 cleanser, scrub & mask, clear skin, 150 ml
40 DH

Oily skin routine: the steps in order

The order follows a simple rule: from the thinnest to the thickest, with sunscreen very last in the morning. In the morning the routine takes three to five minutes; at night barely more with the first cleanse. Only three products are essential: the gentle cleanser, the gel moisturiser and the SPF. The rest is added once the basics are in place, one product at a time, so you know what suits your skin.

Morning: 1. gentle gel cleanser · 2. alcohol-free toner (optional) · 3. niacinamide serum (optional) · 4. gel moisturiser · 5. matte-finish SPF 50, last.
Night: 1. first cleanse if you wore SPF or make-up · 2. gentle gel cleanser · 3. toner, or the exfoliant on its night · 4. serum (optional) · 5. gel moisturiser.
Each week: a gentle exfoliant one night, a clay mask another night, never both together.

Oily or combination skin: the difference

Oily skin shines all over the face; combination skin shines on the T-zone — forehead, nose, chin — while the cheeks stay normal or even dry. A simple test: cleanse your face with a gentle gel, apply nothing, and look at your skin half an hour later. If your whole face shines, it's more likely oily; if only the T-zone shines and your cheeks feel tight, it's more likely combination. The combination skin routine follows the same steps; only the amount of moisturiser changes by area.

Sign	Oily skin	Combination skin
Where it shines	The whole face, cheeks included	The T-zone: forehead, nose, chin
The cheeks	Shiny too	Normal, or tight
Pores	Often visible across much of the face	Mainly on and around the nose
With the seasons	More shine in summer and humid weather	Oilier T-zone in summer, drier cheeks in winter
Moisturiser	A light gel all over	More on the cheeks, very little or none on the T-zone
Clay mask	The whole face, except around the eyes	The T-zone only

Moisturising oily skin: why it matters

Sebum and water are two different things. Sebum is an oily substance the skin produces; hydration is the water held in its surface layers. So skin can shine and lack water at the same time, especially if it's washed too often, with hard water or stripping products. That's why the American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturising after every cleanse, even oily skin.

It all comes down to texture. The same Academy suggests a gel for oily skin, as it is lighter than other textures, and, for combination skin, moisturising the dry spots while skipping the oily areas. It also advises choosing products labelled oil-free and non-comedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Aqua gel chosen here is described by its maker as oil-free and not clogging pores.

Gel: oily skin, or the T-zone of combination skin, and hot weather.
Lotion or gel cream: the cheeks of combination skin, especially in winter.
Rich cream: mainly for dry skin; on oily skin, only on a flaky patch, in a thin layer.

Oily skin in Morocco: heat, sun and summer

The Moroccan summer puts oily skin to the test: heat, sweat, humidity on the coast from Tangier to Agadir, dry heat in Marrakech or Fez. Sweat mixes with sebum and the skin shines faster. The temptation is to wash again and again; better to keep two gentle cleanses a day, plus one after exercise or heavy sweating, as the American Academy of Dermatology advises.

The sun, meanwhile, never takes a break: a light SPF 50 every morning, reapplied if you stay outdoors, and a proper first cleanse at night to remove it. In weeks when your face is also scrubbed at the hammam, skip the exfoliant and the mask: your skin has had enough. In winter, combination skin may have drier cheeks: a little more moisturiser on the cheeks is enough, without changing the whole routine.

Keep textures light: gel cleanser, gel moisturiser, sun fluid.
Keep blotting papers in your bag, pressed on without rubbing.
Reapply SPF after the beach, the pool or heavy sweating.
No exfoliant or mask in a week when your face is scrubbed at the hammam.

For men: the oily skin routine for men

The routine is the same: none of the chosen products is meant for women only. The minimum, for a man in a hurry, is three steps: the gel cleanser morning and night, the gel moisturiser, and the sun fluid in the morning. SUNDANCE oil control is light and non-sticky according to the maker: it doesn't weigh down skin that shines.

Shaving changes one detail: the American Academy of Dermatology advises applying moisturiser right afterwards, on still slightly damp skin, and wearing a water-resistant sunscreen, reapplied after sweating. The exfoliant never goes on the night of a shave. And under a beard, the skin needs cleansing too: work the gel down to the skin, then rinse well.

Morning: gel cleanser, shave if needed, gel moisturiser, SPF 50.
Night: gel cleanser, gel moisturiser; plus the first cleanse if you wore SPF all day.
For beard and hair, the men's hair and beard routine takes over.

Mistakes that make shine worse

Most come from good intentions: wanting to 'de-grease' the skin. But irritated or dried-out skin doesn't shine any less.

Washing your face three or four times a day, or with a stripping cleanser: according to the American Academy of Dermatology, a harsh cleanser irritates and may increase oil production.
Scrubbing with a grainy exfoliant every day, or stacking exfoliant, mask and serums on the same night.
Using a very alcoholic toner to 'dry out' the skin.
Skipping moisturiser, or on the contrary putting a very rich cream or pure oil all over the T-zone.
Removing make-up with pure argan or olive oil: with no emulsifier, it doesn't rinse off with water and leaves a film.
Sleeping in the day's sunscreen or make-up.
Touching your face during the day, or rubbing a tissue over the T-zone instead of pressing on a blotting paper.
Changing products every week: introduce one at a time and keep it for a few weeks before judging.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good skincare routine for oily skin?

Three essential steps: a gentle gel cleanser morning and night, a light gel moisturiser, and in the morning a matte-finish SPF 50, applied last. You can add an alcohol-free toner, a niacinamide serum and, once a week, a gentle exfoliant or a clay mask. A cosmetic routine does not treat acne; if breakouts are numerous, painful or persistent, see a dermatologist.

In what order should I apply skincare for oily skin?

From the thinnest to the thickest. Morning: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, then sunscreen last. Night: a first cleanse if you wore SPF or make-up, gentle cleanser, toner or exfoliant, serum, moisturiser.

Does oily skin need moisturiser?

Yes. Sebum isn't water: skin can shine and lack hydration at the same time. The American Academy of Dermatology advises moisturising after every cleanse, even oily skin, with a lighter gel texture and oil-free products.

What routine for combination skin?

The same steps as for oily skin, with different amounts by area: a little more moisturiser on the cheeks, very little or none on the T-zone, and the clay mask on the T-zone only. In winter, if your cheeks feel tight, a slightly richer gel cream can replace the gel there.

What routine for oily skin with large pores?

No cosmetic product permanently changes pore size. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a clogged pore looks bigger, and the sun, by reducing skin firmness, makes pores more visible. Hence simple habits: two gentle cleanses a day with lukewarm water, oil-free products, daily sunscreen, and never squeezing or scrubbing.

Which sunscreen for oily skin in a Moroccan summer?

A light, matte-finish SPF 50 fluid such as SUNDANCE oil control, designed for oily skin and water-resistant according to the maker. Apply it generously as the last morning step, reapply after the beach, the pool or heavy sweating, and remove it at night with a first cleanse.

What is a good oily skin routine for men?

The same, in a short version: gel cleanser morning and night, gel moisturiser right after shaving, and SPF 50 sun fluid in the morning. Avoid the exfoliant on the night of a shave, and cleanse the skin under the beard well.

How many times a day should I wash oily skin?

Twice, morning and night, plus once after exercise or heavy sweating, as the American Academy of Dermatology advises. Washing more often, or with a stripping product, irritates the skin without making it less shiny.

This routine describes how each product is used; full ingredients and directions are on each product page. If your scalp or skin is irritated, ask a health professional before starting.

Skincare routine for oily skin and combination skin: the steps in order

The routine, step by step and in order

Night — First cleanse, if you've worn SPF or make-up (optional)

Morning and night — A gentle cleanser that doesn't strip

Morning and night — An alcohol-free toner (optional)

Morning and night — A niacinamide serum (optional)

Morning and night — Moisturise with a light gel

Morning — SPF 50 sunscreen with a matte finish, last

Once a week — A gentle exfoliant (optional)

Once a week — A clay mask (optional)