Shop all
Oil Control

Singapore's climate adds another challenge. Heat is associated with increased sebum production, while year-round humidity makes skin feel oilier throughout the day. These products are formulated for oily, combination and acne-prone skin, to help control excess oil and congestion while maintaining a healthy skin barrier, making them well-suited to Singapore's tropical conditions.

Why Is My Face So Oily? What Causes Excess Sebum

Sebum production is controlled by the sebaceous glands, which sit in the dermis attached to hair follicles across the face and body. These glands are regulated by several factors:

Oil Control Skincare Routine for Oily Combination Skin in Singapore

The following routine covers every step from cleansing through sun protection using products from this collection. Not every step needs to be used simultaneously — build from the core basics (cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer, SPF) and add treatment steps as needed.

All Oil Control Products at a Glance

Step 1: Best Cleanser for Oily Skin

The role of a cleanser for oily skin is to remove excess oil, sunscreen, and daily buildup without disrupting the skin barrier. A cleanser that leaves skin feeling tight or stripped can encourage over-cleansing and make oily skin harder to manage.

Oil-Reducing Cleanser 

The Oil-Reducing Cleanser is a gentle cream-to-foam cleanser formulated with sunflower seed oil, glycerin, and aloe to remove excess oil, sunscreen, and makeup without stripping the skin. It's designed to cleanse thoroughly while refining the look of enlarged pores and leaving no tight, dry feeling behind. Available in 237ml and 473ml sizes, it's well suited to twice-daily cleansing in Singapore's hot, humid climate. 

Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

The Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser is a lightweight foaming cleanser that transforms into a soft foam to effectively remove excess oil and impurities. Formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid alongside skin-replenishing ingredients, it cleanses thoroughly while helping condition and protect the skin barrier. 

Step 2: Oil Control Toner for Pore Refinement

Pore-Reducing Toner 

The Pore-Reducing Toner is one of our best sellers in this collection and for good reason. Formulated with niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, it helps replenish hydration after cleansing while supporting the skin barrier. Niacinamide also helps reduce the appearance of excess oil and enlarged pores with consistent use, making it an effective preparation step before serums and moisturizers. It contains no alcohol or other harsh ingredients that can leave skin feeling stripped or tight. Instead, it is designed to hydrate, balance, and visibly refine pores over time. 

Step 3: BHA Exfoliant to Unclog Pores

2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 

The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of Paula's Choice's most iconic formulas and helped pioneer the use of a leave-on 2% BHA liquid exfoliant. When it was introduced, creating a stable liquid BHA formula without relying on potentially irritating ingredients like alcohol was a significant innovation. Developed by Paula Begoun, the formula delivers salicylic acid (BHA), an oil-soluble exfoliant that works inside pores to dissolve excess sebum and remove dead skin cells that contribute to blackheads, congestion, and enlarged-looking pores. With consistent use, it helps keep pores clear, reduces congestion, and leaves skin looking smoother and less shiny.

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid and green tea in a leave-on liquid at an effective pH, it is applied after cleansing or toning and left on the skin. Most people with oily skin can begin with once-daily use and increase frequency if well tolerated. For oily, congestion-prone skin in Singapore, it is often the single most effective product for improving blackheads, clogged pores, and excess oil.

Step 4: Niacinamide and Retinol Treatments for Sebum Control

The treatment step delivers the most targeted support for oily skin. This collection includes two niacinamide treatments to help reduce the appearance of excess oil and enlarged pores, plus a retinol serum for oily skin with visible signs of aging.

10% Niacinamide Booster 

The 10% Niacinamide Booster delivers niacinamide at the concentration most commonly studied for improving the appearance of excess oil, enlarged pores, and uneven skin tone. With consistent use, it helps reduce visible shine while supporting a more even complexion. The lightweight booster can be applied on its own or mixed with your moisturizer. It is suitable for all skin types, but those with oily skin may benefit the most if excess oil, enlarged pores, or post-breakout marks are their primary concerns.

Niacinamide 20% Treatment 

The Niacinamide 20% Treatment is a concentrated formula suitable for all skin types. It is especially beneficial for those with oily skin who want to address persistent shine, enlarged-looking pores, or uneven skin tone. Because of its high niacinamide concentration, it is best suited for users who have already built tolerance to lower-strength niacinamide products. First-time niacinamide users should start with the 10% Niacinamide Booster instead. Once tolerance is established, it can be applied to the T-zone or across the face.

Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol 

The Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol is a lightweight water-gel serum formulated for oily and combination skin with aging concerns. It combines a low-strength 0.03% retinol with antioxidants — including vitamin C, vitamin E, grape seed extract, and astaxanthin — to support skin renewal while helping defend against environmental damage. The non-greasy texture makes it well-suited to oily and combination and combination skin. Apply in the evening and introduce gradually over two to three weeks. 

Step 5: Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Moisturizer is an essential step for oily skin. The goal is not to avoid moisturizing, but to choose a formula that hydrates without leaving skin feeling greasy or heavy. This collection includes many many moisturizers designed for different oily and combination skin concerns.

Invisible Finish Moisture Gel 

The Invisible Finish Moisture Gel is a water-gel moisturizer that absorbs quickly and leaves no visible residue. Formulated with niacinamide and antioxidants — including algae extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E — it delivers lightweight hydration and helps visibly refine the look of pores. It's best suited to oily and very oily skin that needs moisture without shine or heaviness. Apply morning and evening after serums. 

Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator

The Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator is a lightweight gel-lotion for oily and combination skin with visible signs of aging. It combines niacinamide, vitamin C, and adenosine in a non-greasy formula that hydrates while targeting uneven skin tone and pore size. 

Oil-Free Moisturizer 

The Oil-Free Moisturizer is the simplest option for oily, combination, combination and acne-prone skin. Its lightweight, non-comedogenic formula hydrates without feeling heavy and includes niacinamide, ceramides, and antioxidants from pumpkin and blueberry to help maintain the skin barrier and soothe redness. 

Water Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer 

The Water Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer is designed for combination skin with an oily T-zone and drier areas elsewhere on the face. Its lightweight gel formula uses electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, and potassium PCA) and ceramides to replenish hydration without overloading oilier areas, making it well suited to Singapore's hot, humid climate. 

Step 6: Non-Greasy Sunscreen for Oily Skin in Singapore

Sunscreen is one of the most commonly skipped steps in an oily skin routine, often because it feels heavy or greasy. All three sunscreens in this collection are formulated with lightweight textures and finishes suited to oily and combination skin. In Singapore, where the UV Index is high year-round, daily sunscreen is an essential final step.

Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 

The Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 is one of the best sellers in this collection and the most-reviewed sunscreen for oily skin in the Paula's Choice Singapore range. It's a lightly tinted (good for light coverage if you want to skip makeup), 100% mineral sunscreen formulated with zinc oxide and a blend of antioxidants (including EGCG, resveratrol, vitamin C, and vitamin E). Its lightweight fluid texture absorbs quickly, leaving a non-greasy, soft matte finish that's especially well suited to sensitive, oil-prone skin. 

Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 

The Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection in a lightweight fluid designed for oily and combination skin. Its fast-absorbing chemical-filter formula is paired with a blend of botanical antioxidants (green tea, goji, grape seed, pomegranate), making it a practical choice for Singapore's consistently high UV levels. 

Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense SPF 30 

The Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense SPF 30 delivers broad-spectrum sun protection in a lightweight, sheer-finish formula using chemical UV filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone). It's a good non-greasy option for oily skin that prefers a sheer, weightless feel; those with sensitive or reactive skin may want to patch test first, as one of its filters (oxybenzone) is a known sensitizer for some users. 

Who Is This Collection For?

Not all of the 15 products are needed by every oily skin type. Use this guide to identify which products are most relevant to your specific oily skin profile.

Oil Control Skincare in Singapore's Climate

Why Oily Skin Is More Pronounced in Singapore

Singapore's hot, humid climate creates unique challenges for oily skin. Daytime temperatures typically range from 26°C to 33°C, with high humidity throughout the year. Heat is associated with increased sebum production, while humidity makes skin feel shinier and oilier throughout the day.

Air-conditioned environments create the opposite effect. While skin continues producing oil, prolonged exposure to drier indoor air can leave it feeling dehydrated if the skin barrier is compromised. This is why lightweight moisturizers remain an important part of an oil-control routine, even for oily skin.

UV and Sebum: The Connection

Singapore's UV Index commonly ranges from 6 to 9 and frequently exceeds 10. Daily UV exposure contributes to oxidative stress, which can worsen the visible effects of oily skin over time, including uneven skin tone and the appearance of enlarged pores. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning helps protect the skin while complementing the rest of an oil-control routine. All three sunscreens in this collection are formulated with lightweight textures suitable for oily skin.

How to Manage Oily Skin in Humid Weather

Managing oily skin in Singapore's climate comes down to consistency rather than aggressive oil removal.

• Cleanse morning and evening, but avoid over-cleansing, which can disrupt the skin barrier.

• Use a 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant to help clear excess sebum and congestion without abrasive scrubbing.

• Apply a lightweight moisturizer, such as Invisible Finish Moisture Gel, to maintain hydration without adding shine.

• Finish every morning with a lightweight sunscreen formulated for oily skin, such as Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 or Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50.

• For midday shine, use Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish instead of washing your face again.

SPF note: All three sunscreens in this collection — Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 (100% mineral, zinc oxide), Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50, and Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense SPF 30 (both chemical-filter formulas) — are formulated with lightweight, non-greasy textures suitable for oily and combination skin. In Singapore, where the UV Index frequently exceeds 10, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen as the final step of your morning routine is one of the most important ways to protect skin from premature aging, uneven skin tone, and UV damage. No oil control routine is complete without it.