Oily & Acne-Prone Skincare
Gentle, naturally active skincare for teenagers and adults with oily, spot-prone and acne-prone skin. Oily, acne-prone skin produces excess oil that leaves it looking shiny, clogs pores, and can lead to blackheads, spots and breakouts, often across the forehead, nose, chin and jawline. The Clarol range takes a gentle, rebalancing approach rather than harsh stripping, using MicroSilver and naturally derived botanicals to help refine the appearance of the skin, calm visible redness and support a clearer-looking complexion.
Shop skincare for oily, spot-prone and acne-prone skin
What is oily, acne-prone skin?
Oily, acne-prone skin is skin that produces more oil, called sebum, than it needs, which can leave it looking shiny, make pores look larger, and clog them with oil and dead skin cells. When pores become blocked, they can form blackheads, whiteheads, spots and breakouts.
Persistent or recurrent breakouts may be a sign of acne, a very common condition that affects both teenagers and adults, and often flares with hormones, stress and monthly cycles. Mild spot-prone skin can usually be managed with a gentle daily routine, but if acne is severe, painful or leaving scars, it is worth seeing a GP or dermatologist. Whatever the cause, oily, acne-prone skin does best with gentle, consistent care that keeps pores clear and oil balanced, without stripping the skin, which can make oiliness and irritation worse.
A shiny or greasy look, especially across the forehead, nose and chin.
Blackheads and whiteheads.
Redness or inflammation around blemishes.
Enlarged or visible pores.
Spots, papules and breakouts.
Skin that feels oily again by midday, even after washing.
If your skin has deep, painful or cystic spots, widespread acne, or spots that are leaving scars or marks, it is worth seeing a GP or dermatologist, as some acne needs medical treatment.
Hormonal changes, including periods, pregnancy and menopause
Heat, sweat and humidity
Heavy or pore-clogging make-up and products
Stress and tiredness
Harsh or stripping skincare products, occlusive skincare products and over-washing
Touching, picking or squeezing spots
A gentle, consistent routine that keeps skin balanced, rather than harshly stripped, is one of the most effective ways to keep oil and breakouts under control.
What to look for
- Gentle cleansing that does not strip the skin
- Lightweight, non-greasy, non-comedogenic formulas
- Ingredients that balance oil and refine the look of pores
- Naturally active, dermatologically tested products
- Targeted spot care for individual blemishes
What to avoid
- Harsh scrubs, strong alcohol and over-washing
- Heavy or potentially comedogenic creams and make-up
- Picking or squeezing spots
- Skipping moisturiser, as oily skin still needs light hydration
- Changing products too often, so skin has time to settle
Why we recommend Clarol for oily, acne-prone skin
Clarol is our range developed specifically for teenagers and adults with oily, spot-prone and acne-prone skin. Rather than harshly stripping the skin, which can make oiliness and irritation worse, each product takes a gentle, rebalancing approach, using naturally active ingredients to keep pores clear, balance oil and support a clearer complexion. Clarol is vegan, dermatologically tested and made in Britain.
At the heart of the range is MicroSilver, a cosmetic-grade micronised silver, not colloidal silver, that remains on the skin's surface rather than being absorbed to help keep blemish-prone skin balanced and support its natural defences, alongside purifying botanicals such as birch and charcoal.
Clarol benefits
Vegan and cruelty-free. Free from parabens, added perfume, SLS and MI, and formulated for oily, blemish-prone and sensitive skin.
Takes a gentle, rebalancing approach that keeps skin clear and comfortable, rather than harshly stripping it, which can make oiliness and irritation worse.
Built around MicroSilver, a cosmetic-grade micronised silver that works on the skin's surface to help keep blemish-prone skin balanced and support its natural defences.
Naturally active birch and other botanicals help balance excess oil and refine the look of pores, for a fresher, more matte finish.
Gentle, soothing actives such as bisabolol help calm the visible redness and irritation that often come with breakouts.
Includes targeted steps, such as a spot-on treatment, to care for individual emerging or active spots without drying out the whole face.
Gentle enough for teenagers, adults and hormonal or sensitive skin, and designed for the consistent, long-term daily use that blemish-prone skin needs.
A full routine for oily, acne-prone skin, from a gentle wash and toner to the Silver Serum, oil-balancing Sebopure and a targeted spot treatment.
A simple daily routine for oily, acne-prone skin
Start with Clarol Birch Water Toner. Using a clean cotton pad, gently sweep it over the whole face. This step helps refine the look of open pores and balance oily, spot-prone skin.
Before any makeup, apply Clarol Silver Serum to clean, dry skin with clean, dry fingers. Its purifying MicroSilver works in a smarter, gentler way than harsh acne products, helping to rebalance the skin and support its natural defences against spots. It stays active for around eight hours, so one morning application works through the day and makes an ideal base under makeup. Let it absorb first.
Finish with the Nordic Birch & Japanese Algae Mattifying Primer to blur the appearance of pores, control shine and create a smooth base for makeup, or wear it alone for a naturally matte finish.
If your skin feels very oily, use the Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash morning and evening, and apply Sebopure twice daily, after Silver Serum. If your skin feels dry, reduce exfoliation to every other day. And try not to over-wash with water and soap when it is not needed, as this can strip the skin's natural oils and increase sensitivity.
Begin with Clarol Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash to gently cleanse away impurities and dead skin cells from the surface, helping to keep pores clear and prevent the build-up that leads to breakouts.
Follow with Clarol Birch Water Toner, sweeping it over the whole face with a clean cotton pad to refine the look of pores and balance oily, spot-prone skin.
After cleansing and toning, apply Clarol Sebopure to help keep sebum balanced and prevent pore blockages from forming overnight. Healthy sebum is part of comfortable, balanced skin, so this step supports rather than strips.
For active spots, dab a small amount of ZnO Clear directly onto blemishes as a targeted overnight treatment.
+ Adjust to your skin
If your skin feels very oily, use the Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash morning and evening, and apply Sebopure twice daily, after Silver Serum. If your skin feels dry, reduce exfoliation to every other day. And try not to over-wash with water and soap when it is not needed, as this can strip the skin's natural oils and increase sensitivity.
Real results from real customers
Oily and acne-prone skin does best with a gentle, consistent routine, not harsh stripping, which can make oil and irritation worse. I recommend the Clarol range because it takes a rebalancing approach, using MicroSilver and naturally active botanicals to help keep pores clear, balance oil and support a clearer complexion, gently enough for teenage, adult and hormonal skin to use every day.
Acne is a common skin condition. If your acne is severe, painful, cystic, or leaving scars, please speak to your GP or a dermatologist, as some acne needs medical treatment. Clarol skincare is designed to support clearer, balanced skin, and is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Oily and acne-prone skin: frequently asked questions
1. What causes oily, acne-prone skin?
Oily, acne-prone skin is mainly caused by the skin producing more oil, called sebum, than it needs, which is influenced mainly by genetics and hormones. When excess oil combines with dead skin cells, it can block pores and lead to blackheads, spots and breakouts. A gentle routine that helps keep pores clear, without stripping the skin, is one of the best ways to manage it.
2. What is the difference between oily skin and acne?
Oily skin is a skin type, where the skin looks shiny and pores can look larger because of excess oil. Acne is what happens when blocked pores lead to persistent spots and inflamed blemishes. Oily skin is more prone to acne, but you can have oily skin without acne, and acne without especially oily skin.
3. Can acne be cured?
Most acne can be managed well and often improves over time, although it is usually managed rather than permanently cured. A gentle, consistent routine helps day to day, and for severe, painful or scarring acne a GP or dermatologist can offer medical treatment. Because breakouts can come and go, especially with hormones, ongoing care usually works better than stopping and starting.
4. Does oily skin still need a moisturiser?
Yes. Skipping moisturiser or over-stripping oily skin can actually make it produce more oil to compensate. The trick is to use a light, non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturiser, which hydrates without clogging pores, and to avoid heavy or greasy creams.
5. How does the silver in Clarol work?
Clarol uses MicroSilver, a cosmetic-grade micronised silver, not colloidal silver. It works on the surface of the skin to help keep blemish-prone skin balanced and support its natural defences, while the surrounding botanicals purify and calm. It remains on the skin's surface, where it helps support the skin's natural balance, and is designed to be gentle enough for daily, long-term use.
6. Is Clarol suitable for teenage skin?
Yes. Clarol is gentle enough for teenage skin and is a popular first routine for younger skin that is prone to spots, used on its own or as part of the fuller Clarol routine. As with any new product, patch test before first use.
7. Can Clarol help with adult, hormonal or menopausal breakouts?
Yes. Adult, hormonal and menopausal breakouts, often along the chin and jawline, are one of the most common reasons customers come to Clarol. It is designed to be gentle enough for the ongoing daily use that hormonal skin usually needs, and many customers choose it as part of their long-term skincare routine.
8. Is Clarol suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. Clarol is vegan, fragrance-free, dermatologically tested and free from parabens, SLS and MI, and takes a gentle, non-stripping approach, which suits sensitive, reactive and combination skin as well as oily skin. Patch test before first use, especially if your skin is particularly sensitive.
9. What ingredients should I avoid with oily, acne-prone skin?
It is best to avoid heavy, potentially comedogenic oils and creams, harsh alcohol-heavy products and rough scrubs, and to avoid over-washing, as all of these can irritate skin or trigger more oil. Look for gentle, lightweight, non-comedogenic products instead.
10. Will Clarol dry out or strip my skin?
No. Clarol is designed to rebalance rather than strip, which is a gentler approach than many traditional acne products. If your skin feels dry, reduce how often you exfoliate and keep using a light moisturiser, and avoid over-washing with soap and water.
11. How long does it take to see results?
This varies from person to person. Many people report that their skin looks fresher and more balanced within a couple of weeks of consistent use, with clearer-looking skin over the following weeks. Blemish-prone skin does best with ongoing daily care, and hormonal breakouts can still come and go with the body's natural cycles.
12. Can I wear make-up with Clarol?
Yes. Clarol Silver Serum makes a good base under make-up, so let it absorb first, and the Clarol Mattifying Primer helps create a smooth, less shiny finish. Choose non-comedogenic make-up where you can, and remove it gently in the evening as part of your routine.
13. Can oily skin become dehydrated?
Yes. Oily skin can still become dehydrated if it loses too much water, especially after over-cleansing or using harsh products. Dehydrated oily skin may feel tight while still looking shiny. Using lightweight, non-comedogenic skincare helps maintain hydration without adding excess oil.
14. Does diet cause acne?
Diet alone does not usually cause acne, although some people find that certain foods may contribute to breakouts. Hormones, genetics, excess oil production and blocked pores remain the main factors. A balanced lifestyle, together with a gentle daily skincare routine, is usually the best approach. If you are concerned about persistent acne, speak to your GP or dermatologist.
15. Can I use Clarol alongside prescribed acne treatments?
Yes, many people do. If you are using prescribed acne medication, introduce Clarol products gradually and speak to your GP or dermatologist if you are unsure. Gentle, non-stripping skincare can help support the skin while using prescription treatments, but Clarol is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Explore other skin concerns
