A visibly oily forehead is often thought of as a teenage skin concern, something that you grow out of after puberty hits. While this is the case for many people, others aren’t so lucky and struggle with excessive shine well into adulthood. Though some oil is beneficial (oily skin shows the signs of aging more slowly than dry skin), producing too much oil can leave your skin looking shiny or greasy. And fighting a constant battle over unwanted shine can be frustrating.

Though you can’t magically get rid of oily skin for good, there are things you can do to help reduce visible shine. Ahead, we’ll break down our top tips for managing a greasy forehead and point you in the direction of some of our favorite products for oily skin types. Read on to learn how to manage an oily forehead.

Why Is My Forehead So Oily?

A common question we hear from those with oily skin is: “Why is my skin so oily?” The most basic answer is that when your skin produces excess sebum (or oil), your forehead and other parts of your face, such as your nose and chin, can appear shiny or oily. Still, there are a number of oily skin causes that can result in said excess sebum. Genetics, fluctuating hormones, and stress are among the most common factors. There are also environmental factors to consider. Skin tends to be a bit oilier in hot, humid weather than in cooler climes, so your skincare routine should be adjusted to accommodate seasonal changes. (We’ll be sharing tips below that are perfect for the months your skin starts to look shinier.)

Using oil-based skincare and makeup products won’t necessarily give you an oily skin type, but they can make your skin appear shiny, as can using beauty products that reflect light (like highlighter—so if you have an oily nose or forehead, you may want to avoid putting shimmer highlighter there).

When it comes to an oily forehead, there are some additional things that can impact how shiny your skin looks. Using heavy oil-based haircare products can make your skin greasy, as can seemingly unimportant habits like repeatedly touching your face or brushing your hair out of your eyes. If you have an oily forehead, we suggest keeping your hair out of your face when possible and sticking with cosmetic products made specifically for oily skin.

Our Best Product For an Oily Forehead

To help address an oily forehead quickly, turn to Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask. This face mask is formulated with fairly-traded Amazonian white clay sourced from the mouth of the Amazon River. It works to deep-clean the skin by reducing excess oil and drawing out dirt and toxins that can cause clogged pores. With consistent use over time, it also helps diminish blackheads and minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores. To use, apply a thin layer to damp skin after cleansing. Allow the mask to dry completely, letting it sit on your skin for 10 minutes. When the time is up, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, then tone, treat, and moisturize as usual.

Can an Oily Forehead Cause Breakouts?

Though it’s true that not everyone with oily skin deals with breakouts, the reality is that excess oil often goes hand-in-hand with blemishes. Having an oily forehead doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get breakouts, but you have to care for your skin properly: Allowing the oil to build up can result in clogged pores, which may turn into blackheads or whiteheads if not addressed properly.

How To Prevent Oily Skin On Your Face

Now that you’re in the know about the various factors that can contribute to a shiny forehead, read on to learn how to minimize shine for balanced, healthy-looking skin.

Tip #1:

Cleanse Your Face Twice Daily

Washing your face is essential for all skin types, but it’s especially important when there’s excess oil sitting on the surface of your skin. Equally important is choosing the right cleanser for your skin. Thankfully, we have several options suitable for oily skin. Rare Earth Deep Pore Purifying Concentrated Facial Cleansing Bar is one of our favorites. This solid bar soap with Amazonian white clay and bamboo powder helps remove impurities and excess oil without over-drying the skin. This dual-action formula also provides gentle exfoliation and helps minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.

For guys with greasy foreheads, we recommend Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash. Made with crushed apricot kernels, this exfoliating cleanser helps slough away dead skin cells, sweat, and other impurities while visibly reducing excess shine. The effective formula is non-comedogenic and can be used twice daily for smooth, shine-free skin.

Tip #2:

Tone To Help Balance Your Skin

It’s tempting to skip the toning step of your routine if you’re in a rush, but we’d advise against it—toning after washing your face can help remove any lingering impurities, including oil, that can make your skin appear shiny by mid-day. We recommend toning with a mild, oil-free formula, like Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner, for the best results. This pH-balanced toner visibly removes excess oil while removing dirt and other impurities. The non-drying formula helps keep the skin balanced and fresh, and it’s suitable for normal, oily, and combination skin types. To use it, we recommend moistening a cotton pad with the alcohol-free formula, then swiping the pad over your face, focusing on areas prone to excessive shine (like your forehead, nose, and chin).

Tip #3:

Take Advantage Of Blotting Sheets

Blotting sheets are a must-have for those with shiny skin. These oil-absorbing papers help visibly reduce excess oil on places prone to shine, like your forehead, without the need to re-do your whole skincare routine. Plus, they can be used even if you’re wearing makeup—a major plus if you’re not one for midday touch-ups. When using blotting sheets, we recommend patting the paper onto your skin rather than rubbing it to prevent spreading the oil around. For added mattifying benefits, seek out blotting sheets that contain powder.

Tip #4:

Use A Shine-Reducing Moisturizer

We’ve said it before, and we’ll continue to say it: Moisturizing is essential, even if you have oily skin. Without sufficient moisture, your skin can become dehydrated. If the dehydration persists, your body may produce excess oil to make up for the lack of moisture in your skin, which can result in a greasy forehead, clogged pores, and a lot of unwanted shine. Still, it’s important to note that not every moisturizer is ideal for oily skin. If you’re prone to shine, we suggest seeking out an oil-free moisturizer, such as Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer. This ultra-lightweight gel-cream absorbs instantly, hydrating the skin for up to 24 hours without leaving behind any weighty residue. It helps maintain skin’s natural moisture balance while visibly reducing shine for skin that appears fresh and healthy. And while this non-comedogenic moisturizer is one of our best moisturizers for oily skin, it’s also suitable for normal skin and makes for a great lightweight moisturizer during the summer months.

How To Manage an Oily Forehead and Dry Cheeks

While oily skin types can experience excess oil and shine all over, many people only have an oily forehead or nose and experience drier skin in other areas. This skin type, known as combination skin, tends to have oily patches in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) but is drier in other areas like the cheeks and jawline. Combination skin types may also notice that the center of their forehead is oilier while the outer areas feel a bit drier. If you have combination skin, it is essential to find skincare formulas that can target excess oil without overdrying your skin. Find our tips for managing this skin type below.

Tip #3:

Reach For a Hydrating Lightweight Moisturizer

If you have combination skin, you’ll want to use a moisturizer that provides enough hydration to nourish your drier areas while still being lightweight enough to not weigh down your T-zone. Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream is great for this purpose. The weightless formula provides up to 24-hour hydration while helping to soften the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used morning and night for fresh-feeling, radiant-looking skin.

Tip #3:

Reach For a Hydrating Lightweight Moisturizer

If you have combination skin, you’ll want to use a moisturizer that provides enough hydration to nourish your drier areas while still being lightweight enough to not weigh down your T-zone. Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream is great for this purpose. The weightless formula provides up to 24-hour hydration while helping to soften the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used morning and night for fresh-feeling, radiant-looking skin.