A glance at oily skin
Truth is, almost everyone has oily skin from time to time.
Each pore has a sebaceous gland that creates natural oils, called sebum. And this keeps the skin healthy and hydrated.
In some, though, the sebaceous glands can deliver excess oil, thereby making the skin oily.
If your skin always looks shiny and you have to go through many blotting sheets every day, it is oily for sure. Or your skin feels greasy within hours of cleansing.
The cause of oily skin includes many factors and figuring out what they are is the first and foremost step to manage oily skin.
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Genetics is one of the most common causes. If one of your family members has oily skin, you are likely to have the same issue.
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If you have large pores, you will face up with more oil than people with small or average pores.
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Climate like humidity can influence the amount of oil skin produces. If you live in humid and hot weather, the skin will release more oil compared to those living in dry and cool weather.
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Over-washing or over-exfoliating your skin might strip natural oils on the skin. This stimulates your pores to secrete more oil to protect your skin.
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If you think moisturizing might cause greasy skin, you are wrong. It is because moisturizing your skin with a suitable product will help hydrate your skin without clogging the pores.
Once you know what makes your skin oily, it is time to make an action plan to achieve clearer and cleaner skin.
Daytime skincare routine for oily skin
This is how to start your day.
Cleanse
Since your oily skin produces oil at night, it is necessary to wash your face after waking up. Even if you wash it before going to bed, you have to do it again in the morning to keep the oil balanced.
It might be contrary to common sense, but using oil-based cleansers helps dissolve extra sebum without removing natural oils on your skin.
Exfoliate
You should exfoliate about 1-3 times per week to shed dead skin cells and give your skin a deeper cleanse. Avoid over-exfoliating or it will get rid of natural oils.
Tone
Toner is an excellent oil controller. Applying a good natural toner helps tighten your pores, keep your skin pH balanced, and get rid of any excess. Remember to avoid skin toner that has alcohol because it might irritate and make the skin dry.
Serum
Serum often has more active ingredients than toner, so if you are going to use both, make sure to choose different active ingredients in each one. Take a small amount of serum into the palm of your hand, rub both hands together and then apply it to your skin in upward and circular motions. This helps improve your skin’s tone and texture.
Moisturize
Those with oily skin often skip moisturizing because they have too much oil in their skin anyway, but it is wrong. Adding moisture to the skin will keep it from being dry and help balance the natural oils. Look for water-based or gel moisturizers with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, squalane, honey, or hyaluronic acid.
Eye cream
Since the skin surrounding your eyes does not have oily glands, you need to find and use an eye cream to keep this delicate area protected and moisturized. Also, using this cream helps prevent dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, or fine lines.
Sunscreen
Sun exposure can dry your skin and lead to unexpected signs of aging as well as skin damages. So, wearing sunscreen is necessary for all skin types. And make sure to choose a mineral-based sunscreen to create a natural barrier on the skin and protect it from the sun. You can check for sunscreens that include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both because they are approved by the FDA to protect the skin from the sun [1].
Evening skincare routine for oily skin
If the morning skincare routine mainly focuses on protecting the skin from external damages, the evening one refreshes the skin. Take a look!
Cleanse
Washing your face after a long day is necessary to maintain the health of your oily skin. Let’s start with micellar water and then use any foam, milk, or gel cleanser or the same one you would in the morning.
Tone
Taking a more potent toner than what you took in the morning is a nice idea. This helps to get rid of excess oil on the skin and tighten the pores. Choosing a toner with AHAs can penetrate deep into pores.
Use sheet masks
Pampering yourself with sheet masks about 1-3 times per week will give the skin a deep cleansing. Opt for masks that contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera, cucumber, lotus, or green tea extracts. Or you can make your own DIY herbal sheet masks.
Moisturize
Yes, again. You need to add a thicker moisturizer to refresh your skin’s nutrients because it might lose a lot of its moisture overnight. And this makes your skin look fresh after getting up. Select a water or gel-based, herbal, or non-acnegenic moisturizer.
Other methods of removing oily skin
Use blotting papers
It is recommended to use blotting papers to control excess oil if your skin seems to shine all day long. Gently press the paper against the skin for seconds to absorb oil. Repeat during the day if necessary.
Select products wisely
When it comes to buying skincare products for oily skin, you should use the ones that contain hyaluronic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, or benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients help restore firmness, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, refresh and hydrate the skin.
Also, avoid any products with alcohol and anything greasy or thick like shea butter, cocoa butter, and Vaseline.
Wash your face after exercising
This is very important if you are not going to shower after exercising. It is because washing your face removes oil, sweat, and dirt. Simply wash it with your regular cleanser and apply a light layer of moisturizer.
Remember to do it right after you finish exercising.
Stop touching your face
Yes, it is always tempting to touch your face, but do not do it because this might spread dirt, bacteria, and oil from your hands to your face. Only touch it when you are cleansing, applying sunscreen, or moisturizing, and making sure your hands are clean.
In sum, caring for oily skin will not be a big issue if you perform a good day and night skincare routine (all are mentioned above). And soon you will get youthful-looking and healthy skin.
