How To Take Care Of Oily Skin
Have you ever heard the phrase, “I’m not sweating, I’m glistening“? It’s the kind of thing you’d hear around ladies who lunch.
You know, fancy ladies. Southern ladies. You get the point.
But if you deal with excess oil on your skin, there’s probably more truth to that phrase than you may care to admit. (Yeah, we see you hiding in the corner trying not to let the light catch your shiny glow.)
Luckily, there are plenty of ways for you to care for your oily skin. And no, we don’t recommend just sopping up that excess oil with a piece of bread.
Imaginative? For sure. Worth the visual for the sake of a joke? Maybe not. Either way, we’ll arm you with the best skincare tips we have to offer when it comes to combating oily skin. Ready?
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What is oily skin?
Every type of skin has sebaceous glands. But oily skin just happens to produce excess sebum.
And don’t get us wrong – sebum is an absolute necessity! It protects and hydrates the skin, but too much of it can lead to clogged pores and acne that looks like those little dark spots.
So when it comes to keeping skin healthy, acne-prone skin and oily skin just need to take a few extra steps to remove excess oil and prevent skin problems down the line. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered when it comes to skincare tips!
What causes oily skin?
Oily skin can be caused by a lot of different things: hormones, weather, diet, even one’s menstrual cycle. And when that excess oil settles in to clog pores along with dead skin cells, it just becomes a breeding ground for enlarged pores and bacteria.
So there are plenty of different things you can try to eliminate oily skin from the start. But for the most part, having a solid skincare routine will help you the most to take care of your oily skin.
And for anyone who’s asking, just say, “I’m glistening.” Because we all know that oily skin can give off a very specific type of glow.
So let’s reclaim that glow! And maybe take a few steps to freshen skin up in the process.
Top skincare tips for treating oily skin
A daily skin care routine is an absolute must. But here are a couple of other things you can try to up your skin care routine from good to great.
#1. Wash your face twice a day
Washing your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning and night is key to taking care of oily skin. Not only can it reduce the amount of oil production on your skin.
But oily skin can also tolerate more cleansing than those with sensitive skin or other skin types. When you do wash your face, just make sure that you use warm water and a regular cleanser.
That means free of fragrances, added moisturizers, or other harsh chemicals. Otherwise, your oily face might get irritated and respond with even more oil.
That being said, not all people with oily skin benefit from simple cleansing. Instead, professional advice offers that you use products with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, beta-hydroxy acid, or benzoyl peroxide.
Incorporating these kinds of acids into your skincare regimen may help you unclog pores and soothe acne-prone skin. But always be sure to start with a small amount to make sure your skin doesn’t become irritated.
#2. Use a toner to control excess oil
Toners typically contain alcohol which helps to dry skin out. So if extra oil loves lurking around, then consider toning your entire face up!
Some people with oily skin claim that natural astringent toners help make enlarged pores seem smaller. And they even help to remove makeup and other products that would otherwise clog pores.
That being said, not everyone with oily skin benefits from the use of toners. So be sure to look for any signs of irritation such as face tingling or itching.
#3. Treat oily skin with gentle exfoliation
When too much oil is raining on your face parade, add some gentle exfoliation to your skincare routine. And we mean gentle!
Exfoliating oily skin can help to remove dead skin cells and reduce oil production. Not to mention that most natural exfoliating solutions will also contain salicylic acid.
And oily skin loves salicylic acid. So it’s a win-win! Just be sure to avoid scrubbing your skin with too much force as oil production may pick up once again due to irritation.
And exfoliation should only occur about once a week. So it’s not to become a staple of your daily skincare routine.
(Are you noticing that oily skin is like the Goldilocks skin type? Not too much, not too little, just right.)
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#4. Moisturize twice a day
It seems counterintuitive to add a moisturizer to oily skin. And twice a day? We must be joking!
But we’re actually not. Even though oil can provide skin hydration, it does not provide the same benefits that a moisturizer can.
Besides, if you skip the moisturizer, your oily skin will go into excess mode again and give you more oil than you ever wanted. So find a good moisturizer that’s oil-free and light.
And even keep an eye out for aloe vera in your oil-free, water-based moisturizer! It has a naturally soothing effect on the skin which can tame oily skin from producing excess oil and causing even more skin problems.
#5. Use blotting paper
While blotting papers don’t necessarily treat acne or oily skin, they can certainly help to pull oil out from your pores. And let’s be real – that’s half the battle!
Using blotting papers throughout the day on oily skin can also make your skin appear less shiny. And medicated pads that include salicylic or glycolic acid can also help to cleanse pores as well.
So always keep a couple of these papers in your skin care bag. And maybe invest in a skin care bag if you don’t have one already!
#6. Indulge in a face mask
Using a facial mask – or even an AHA serum – is a great way to treat oily skin and give yourself a nice moment to relax and unwind. Clay masks are particularly beneficial for oily skin.
With minerals like smectite or bentonite, skin oil gets absorbed and sebum levels get reduced. Oh, and all without irritation! (Can we get a “woohoo!”)
Other ingredients to look out for in a face mask are honey and oatmeal. (Sounds like breakfast, we know.)
But honey may help to reduce acne and oily skin while keeping skin soft and smooth. And oatmeal helps to cleanse the skin while offering gentle antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
So if you’ve got oily skin, consider getting in line for breakfast. Because you’ll definitely want to replace more oil with something sweet and hearty in your skin care routine.
#7. Wear sunscreen to prevent acne breakouts
Okay, pretty much every skin care blog will tell you to wear sunscreen. But did you know that sunscreen can actually help to prevent acne breakouts too?
That’s right! Sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can not only protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
But they can also help to soothe oily skin and reduce the risk of breakouts. No, we’re not kidding.
#8. Choose oil-free, water-based products
This seems like a no-brainer, right? But we’ll say it again for the people in the back.
If you have oily skin already, maybe don’t apply products that are oil based. Makes sense, right? Instead, opt for water-based products that can hydrate your skin.
And maybe even help you get rid of some excess oil in the process. Luckily, water-based products are not at all difficult to find.
Because, as you probably know, oily skin is a fairly common skin type too. So take the time to assess what skin care products you’re using and whether they’re actually helping you or not.
After all, it is the new year. It’s time to make some healthy and positive changes! You know, out with the old, in with the new! Amp up your skin care, it’s good for you!
Ooh, maybe we’ll become cheerleaders in the new year. Who knows!
I’m not sweating, I’m glistening!
Really, it’s the perfect response for anyone who asks whether you’re a little warm about the face and doesn’t realize you just have oily skin. And let us be clear.
Oily skin is nothing to be ashamed of. Sure, it can lead to acne as it clogs up pores. And that surely doesn’t do wonders for your confidence.
But don’t be ashamed of your natural glow. There are plenty of ways to find a healthy balance between the oil your skin naturally produces.
And the hydration it needs from additional products. That helping hand will only give you the confidence to step into your skin.
So don’t say goodbye to oily skin altogether. Instead, try saying, “Welcome home.”
Keep Reading: How to Get Younger Looking Skin
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For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts, and more.