Key Takeaway
The best Dr. Rashel routine for oily skin pairs a gentle cleanser with a niacinamide serum, vitamin C serum and a lightweight gel moisturizer, not a heavy cream.
A working Dr. Rashel skincare routine for oily skin is built on four things: a cleanser that doesn't strip your face, a niacinamide serum that actually reduces oil at the pore level, a vitamin C serum for brightening and pollution defense, and a lightweight gel moisturizer instead of a rich cream. Skip any one of these and the routine either under-treats the oil or over-strips the skin, which makes it produce even more sebum.
Not every Dr. Rashel product is right for oily skin — the brand also makes thicker anti-aging creams built for normal-to-dry skin, and those will sit heavy and feel greasy on a T-zone that's already producing excess sebum. This guide picks only the Dr. Rashel formats that genuinely suit oily and combination-oily skin in Pakistan's climate, and tells you honestly where a Cetaphil or The Ordinary product does the job better.
Why Oily Skin Needs a Different Dr. Rashel Routine
Oily skin means the sebaceous glands, concentrated on the forehead, nose and chin, are producing more sebum than the skin needs. In Karachi's humidity this gets worse by mid-morning; in Lahore and Islamabad it can swing between oily summers and dehydrated-but-still-oily winters, where the skin overproduces oil to compensate for dryness caused by indoor heating and harsh soaps. The routine has to control shine without stripping the skin barrier, because a stripped barrier almost always rebounds with more oil within hours.
Dr. Rashel is a popular, affordable brand across Pakistani beauty stores, and its serum-stick and gel-cream formats are genuinely well suited to this skin type: lightweight, fast-absorbing, and formulated to sit under makeup or a dupatta without sliding off by afternoon. Its thicker jars, like the Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Face Cream 50g, are better suited to normal or dry skin and can feel occlusive on an oily T-zone, so oily-skin users are better off with the gel-textured moisturizer instead. Getting the right sub-set of the range is what makes the routine work.
Morning Routine: 4 Steps to Control Shine All Day
Start with a cleanser that removes overnight oil and pollution without leaving skin tight. The Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Facial Cleanser 80ml (PKR 864) is a light gel-foam that works well for normal-oily and combination skin and layers naturally under the rest of the vitamin C routine.
Next, treat before you moisturize. Warm the Dr Rashel Niacinamide Facial Serum Stick 7g (PKR 2,080) between your fingers and glide it directly over the T-zone and any enlarged pores — niacinamide regulates sebum output and visibly tightens pore appearance within a few weeks of daily use.
Follow with the Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Face Serum 50ml (PKR 936), a water-based antioxidant serum that fades post-acne marks and dullness caused by Karachi's dust and sun exposure without adding extra oil.
Finish with the Dr. Rashel 24K Gold Radiance & Anti-Aging Gel Cream 50g (PKR 1,170), applied thin — oily skin still needs a moisturizer to stay barrier-healthy, and a gel texture won't add shine. Always follow with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher; none of the above steps replace sunscreen.
Night Routine: Treating Pores, Blackheads and Breakouts
If you wore sunscreen or makeup during the day, cleanse twice — once to dissolve product, once to actually clean the skin. Reach for the Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Facial Cleanser 80ml on most nights, or the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser 236ml when your skin feels particularly congested (more on when to switch below).
Two to three nights a week, follow cleansing with a leave-on BHA instead of the niacinamide stick: the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (PKR 3,250) penetrates oil-clogged pores and helps clear blackheads and closed comedones around the nose and chin, which niacinamide alone doesn't fully address.
On the other nights, use the Dr Rashel Niacinamide Facial Serum Stick again, and finish every night with the same lightweight 24K Gold Gel Cream. Do not apply the vitamin C serum and the salicylic acid solution back to back on the same night — alternate them or space them by 15–20 minutes, since both are active acids/antioxidants that can sting sensitised skin when stacked.
| Product | What It Is | Price (PKR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Facial Cleanser - 80ml | Vitamin C Gel Cleanser | PKR 864 | Daily oily/combination cleansing |
| Dr Rashel Niacinamide Facial Serum Stick - 7g | Niacinamide Stick Serum | PKR 2,080 | Daily oil and pore control |
| Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Face Serum - 50ml | Vitamin C Brightening Serum | PKR 936 | Dullness and post-acne marks |
| Dr. Rashel 24K Gold Radiance & Anti-Aging Gel Cream - 50g | 24K Gold Gel Moisturizer | PKR 1,170 | Lightweight hydration, no shine |
| Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser 236ml | Dermatologist Oily Cleanser | PKR 5,650 | Very oily or acne-prone skin |
| The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution | 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) | PKR 3,250 | Blackheads and clogged pores |
Prices correct as of July 2026. Cash on Delivery available across Pakistan.
Niacinamide vs Vitamin C vs Retinol: Which Dr. Rashel Active Does Your Skin Need
These three actives solve different oily-skin problems, and you don't need all of them every day. Niacinamide, in the Dr Rashel Niacinamide Facial Serum Stick, is the closest thing to a direct oil-control ingredient — it reduces sebum production and calms redness around active breakouts, so it's the step to use daily if your main complaint is midday shine or visible pores.
Vitamin C, in the Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Face Serum, is an antioxidant and brightening ingredient rather than an oil-control one — it targets dullness, uneven tone and the dark post-acne marks that are common on wheatish, tan and deeper skin tones after a breakout heals. Use it in the morning under sunscreen for the added antioxidant protection against pollution and UV.
Retinol, in the Dr Rashel Retinol Facial Serum Stick (PKR 1,586), is an optional advanced step for oily, acne-prone skin dealing with texture, enlarged pores or early fine lines. Introduce it slowly, two to three nights a week, patch-test first, never combine it with the BHA solution on the same night, and skip it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
When Dr. Rashel Alone Isn't Enough: Adding Cetaphil or The Ordinary
If your skin is genuinely very oily or acne-prone rather than just combination-oily, the Dr. Rashel gel cleanser can feel too light by midday. The Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser 236ml (PKR 5,650) is a dermatologist-brand foaming formula built specifically for oily and acne-prone skin — it removes excess surface sebum more thoroughly without over-drying, and is worth the higher price if your current cleanser leaves you shiny within two to three hours.
For persistent blackheads, closed comedones or texture on the nose and chin that niacinamide isn't clearing, add the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution as described in the night routine above. If you want a stronger weekly reset rather than a daily BHA, the The Ordinary Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2% (PKR 4,580) is a once-a-week 10-minute exfoliating mask that can replace the nightly salicylic acid for people who prefer a less frequent, more intense treatment — never use both the daily solution and the peeling mask on the same night.
Adjusting the Routine for Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Weather
Karachi's year-round humidity means oily skin stays oily even in winter, so the gel cream and niacinamide stick can typically be used exactly as described in every season. If your skin still feels slick within two hours of the morning routine, that usually points to over-cleansing or a cleanser that's too harsh, not to skipping moisturizer — stripping the skin barrier is the single most common cause of stubborn shine.
In Lahore and Islamabad, winter dryness combined with indoor heating can leave oily skin feeling tight in the cheeks while still shiny in the T-zone. If that happens, keep the same actives but apply the gel cream slightly more generously on the cheeks, or add a thin layer of a plain hyaluronic acid serum underneath it for extra hydration without added oil.
Because Dr. Rashel is widely counterfeited in local markets, especially the serum sticks and cleansers, buy only from verified retailers. Every product referenced here is available with Cash on Delivery nationwide through the BigBasket.pk skin care category, so you can build this exact routine from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or anywhere else in Pakistan with authenticity guaranteed.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping moisturizer because the skin already feels oily, which triggers rebound sebum production
- Using Dr. Rashel's thicker Vitamin C Face Cream instead of the gel cream on an oily T-zone
- Layering the retinol stick and the salicylic acid solution on the same night, which over-irritates the barrier
- Skipping a patch test before first using the niacinamide stick or retinol stick on the full face
- Buying Dr. Rashel serum sticks from unverified local sellers, where counterfeits are common
- Expecting visibly less oil within days instead of the realistic 4-6 weeks of consistent AM/PM use
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Serum good for oily skin?+
Yes. The Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Face Serum 50ml (PKR 936) is water-based and fast-absorbing, so it sits well on oily skin without adding extra shine while it works on dullness and post-acne marks. It should be layered under a gel moisturizer, not a heavy cream, for the best result on an oily T-zone.
Do I still need a moisturizer with a Dr. Rashel oily-skin routine?+
Yes, always. Skipping moisturizer on oily skin removes the signal to your sebaceous glands that skin is adequately hydrated, which often triggers more oil production, not less. The Dr. Rashel 24K Gold Radiance & Anti-Aging Gel Cream 50g (PKR 1,170) is the right texture because it hydrates without the greasy finish of a thicker cream.
Can I use the Dr. Rashel Niacinamide Serum Stick and Vitamin C Serum together?+
Yes, they work well in the same morning routine. Apply the Dr Rashel Niacinamide Facial Serum Stick 7g (PKR 2,080) first to target oil and pores, let it absorb for a minute, then follow with the Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Face Serum for brightening, and finish with the gel moisturizer and sunscreen.
What is the best Dr. Rashel cleanser for very oily or acne-prone skin in Pakistan?+
The Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Facial Cleanser 80ml (PKR 864) suits normal-to-oily and combination skin well. If your skin is genuinely very oily or breakout-prone and still feels shiny within two to three hours, the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser 236ml (PKR 5,650) is a stronger dedicated option built specifically for oily, acne-prone skin.
Does the Dr. Rashel Retinol Serum Stick work for oily, acne-prone skin?+
Yes, it's a good optional night step for oily skin dealing with texture, enlarged pores or early fine lines. Use the Dr Rashel Retinol Facial Serum Stick (PKR 1,586) two to three nights a week, never on the same night as an exfoliating acid, and always patch-test before applying it to the full face.
How long does it take to see results from a Dr. Rashel oily-skin routine?+
Most people notice less midday shine and smaller-looking pores after 4 to 6 weeks of consistent morning and night use, since niacinamide needs sustained daily use to regulate sebum. Vitamin C's brightening effect on post-acne marks usually takes a similar 4 to 8 weeks to become visible.
The Short Version
TL;DR: For oily skin, build the Dr. Rashel routine around a light cleanser, the Niacinamide Facial Serum Stick for daily oil control, the Vitamin C Face Serum for brightening, and the 24K Gold Gel Cream instead of a heavy cream — add a BHA like the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution a few nights a week if blackheads persist. Browse the full range in the skin care category.
Related Reading
- → Complete Skincare Routine for Oily Skin in Pakistan
- → Dr. Rashel Price List in Pakistan 2026
- → Skincare Routine for Oily Skin in Pakistan — Summer Edition
- → How to Build a Skincare Routine for Oily Skin in Pakistan
- → Best La Roche-Posay Sunscreen for Oily Skin in Pakistan
- → Best Neutrogena Products for Oily Skin in Karachi's Humidity
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Written by
BigBasket Team
Our beauty and skincare experts at BigBasket.pk write evidence-based guides tailored for Pakistan — covering the products, ingredients, and routines that work best for South Asian skin types, Pakistan's climate, and every budget.
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