Right Way To Care For Your Oily Skin

While that dewy shine can be magical in just the right amount, when there’s too much of it on our face, it creates all the wrong kinds of glow. This overabundance of shine is caused by excess sebum production that results in oily skin.  Larger, clogged pores that can form blackheads, whiteheads and acne. Although the type of skin we have is mostly down to genetics, the amount of oil our skin produces can be aggravated by exposure to the sun’s UV rays, humidity, pollution, hormonal changes and certain lifestyle factors. If you’ve got it, here’s how to take care of it.

Oily skin needs a skincare regimen that mildly exfoliates the skin and dissolves the excess oil so that it doesn’t sit on the surface and block your pores. Blocked pores equal larger pores as the pores stretch to accommodate all the gunk in it. Start with removing any makeup and washing your face twice a day with a light gel or foam cleanser to cleanse off the oil that builds up during the day and which rebuilds overnight. Look for anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid which help fight against acne, smoothen blemishes, and reduce excess oil production. Because oily skin is typically thicker than dry or regular skin, gently exfoliating 2-3 times a week progressively removes dead skin and speeds up cell turnover to prevent clogged pores.

After cleansing, a round of toner with purifying ingredients like salicylic acid, witch hazel, green tea, and aloe vera help absorb any leftover oil and tighten the pores. A common misconception is that moisturizer will make oily skin even greasier but it’s a must, even with oily skin. Every kind of skin needs moisture and not applying enough of it will actually cause your skin to overcompensate by producing more oil. What you need, however, is an oil-free lightweight gel formula which will hydrate your skin without causing any build-up.

Applying a thick clay mask once or twice a week brings long terms benefits to oily skin as clay is packed with minerals that detox the skin by drawing out grime and absorbing excess oil. Kaolin and bentonite clay pull out oil and water from the skin which tightens pores, brown clay absorbs excess oil, and green clay is filled with minerals gentle enough for sensitive skin. For quick treatments to tackle shine on the spot, sheet masks that contain honey or oatmeal will not only absorb oil, but soothe irritated and inflamed skin with their anti-bacterial properties.

Don’t forget sunscreen! When the sun’s UV rays hit exposed skin, it actually absorbs water from it which the skin compensates for by increasing the size of the oil glands and oil production. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, especially one that contains zinc oxide, creates a shield over the skin that helps control oil production.

With oily skin, there are certain ingredients that are definite no no’s due to their especially heavy and pore-clogging nature. These include rich oils, coconut oil, vegetable wax, beeswax, petroleum jelly, shea butter, and cocoa butter. What’s a definite yes is anything that has a ‘noncomedogenic’ tag on it. Non-comedogenic means it won’t clog pores and is safe for oily skin. Fewer clogged pores equals fewer breakouts. In a bid to stay shine free, following the tips above should lead to less pulling out of blotting papers and powder compacts – something all of us with oily skin could rejoice at!

How are you taking care of your Oily skin, Is there any product which is working well for you?