Does your face become an oily mess by mid-day? Then you probably understand how difficult it can be to get oily skin under control.
Oily skin is, especially maddening when it leads to enlarged and blocked pores, which can cause blackhead and whiteheads.
Adding to the frustration, many treatments claiming to resolve oiliness actually make things worse – some of them contain ingredients that irritate skin and generate greasier shine.
You might be on the brink of giving up. Don’t. Here are some of the best tips to help you get the greasy shine under control:
1. Review the ingredients in your products
With the right care, you can actually get oily skin under control. The key with caring for oily skin is to carefully assess your skincare routine.
Using products that contain drying or harsh ingredients may make your skin feel less oily at first, but in the long run, such compounds exacerbate the problem.
Here’s what you should eliminate from your skincare regimen. Avoid drying ingredients in your skincare and make-up products as they can trigger your skin to produce even more oil. SD alcohol and denatured alcohol are two of the most common offenders.
Does your skin feel tingly when you apply a product? That’s a red flag. Tingling is your skin’s way of telling you when its hurting, and the damage will only get worse over time. Its best to avoid tingling products such as eucalyptus mint and menthol if your skin is oily.
Oiliness can be exacerbated by products that include pore-clogging or moisturizing ingredients. Ingredients that keep bar products firm (like as bar soaps or stick foundations) or those found in emollient lotions and creams are more prone to clog pores and make your skin seem oily.
Consider using only liquids, weightless serums, fluid lotions, or feather light gels instead of creams or heavy solutions.
2. Cleanse twice daily
For oily skin, use a gentle, foaming water-soluble cleanser twice a day. The cleanser should, in theory, rinse without leaving any residue, be fragrance-free (fragrance is always an issue), and not contain any drying cleansing components.
The goal is to get rid of dirt, sweat, dead skin cells, and sebum (the oily substance released by glands under the skin). The cleanser should leave your skin feeling fresh and clean.
Avoid skin-irritating washes and cleaning brushes with stiff bristles for more cleansing. It’s better to use a soft washcloth or a washing brush with ultra-soft bristles than to be hard on your skin.
3. Don’t skip moisturiser
There’s a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser. Nothing could be further from the truth. Oil isn’t the same as the hydration you need to keep skin healthy. In fact, it’s possible to have oily skin that’s also very dehydrated.
As we’ve already noted, its best to avoid heavy creams and lotions. Gels and light lotions are the way to go. Go a step further and look for humectant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, honey, urea, aloe vera, sorbitol, and sodium lactate.
Humectants draw moisture from the air and bind it on the surface of the skin, thus keeping your skin hydrated and plump. Moisturisers made with humectant ingredients are usually lightweight and get absorbed quickly.
4. Exfoliate with salicylic acid
For oily skin, exfoliation is one of the most crucial skincare steps. The surface of oily skin has an extra-thick layer of built-up dead skin, as well as a thicker pore lining. The best way to get rid of that buildup and open up clogged pores is through gentle exfoliation.
One of the best exfoliating ingredients for oily skin is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid exfoliates both the surface and the pore lining of your skin, allowing oil to flow freely to the surface and avoid clogging pores.
The ingredient is non-abrasive, moisturizing, and skin-soothing. It helps skin shed naturally, much like it did when we were younger, before oily skin took over.
5. Absorb excess oil
Even when you change up your skincare routine, your skin might still be a little oily. The best way to handle the excess oil is through absorbing products. For example, an oil absorbing primer can help control and minimise excessive shine.
Try using an oil-absorbing clay mask once a week to see if it helps. Invest in blotting papers – which you can press on your skin to absorb excess oil during the day. Take care not to rub the blotting paper on your skin as it can spread the oil to other areas and also cause irritation.
