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If you have oily skin, I am sure you feel like you are fighting the endless battle. You fight the shine, you clean the pores, you deal with breakouts or even major assault of acne,,,, and when you feel that you almost won… the cycle starts again. But there is a light on the horizon, or even more than one.
First, there are relatively simple ways to manage your skin oil (sebum) production and keep your skin looking and feeling good. And… there is a special bonus to having oily skin that we often forget about. Oily skin ages slower! So, if those few extra steps of caring for your oil skin today bother you- think about tomorrow when you look in a mirror and realize that the same skin that gave you so much trouble, now offers you life with less wrinkles, less creases, less sagging and even for some, more resilience to sun damage.
Oily skin is a result of an over production of sebum (skin oil) by your sebaceous glands. Sebum is essential for our skin health as it is a natural way to keep our skin moisturized. While healthy skin needs sebum ( we would look like alligators without it) , too much this otherwise “ good stuff” can cause unwanted shine, acne, and other concerns. Genetics, hormonal changes, some medicines and compounds like anabolic steroids, stress, even some specific diseases and some activities ( very intense exercise is one of them ) can over stimulate production of testosterone or few other hormones ( including stress hormones) or affect the balance between hormones, and this can work as a stimulator for sebaceous glands and influence how much oil your skin produces.
However – even with all those factors working against us- with a proper routine, we can regain control of our skin “oiliness” and manage it to look and feel good and healthy, without stripping it of its necessary natural hydration.
Step 1: Keep It Clean
Cleanse your skin at least 2 times a day. Morning and night and if you exercise or work physically, add another wash after your exercising routine. However, remember DO NOT USE HARSH CLEANSERS and heavily DRYING tonics or lotions as your skin is SMART. If you strip it from the moisture and oil too much, your skin will respond…. by producing more sebum. So, use mild cleansers, use gentle, circular motion and warm not hot water to make sure you remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Remember to change your towel as often as you can ( if you have acne- change it every day) and pat rather than rub your skin while you are drying it.
Step 2: (Optional) If you use the toner choose the one that will balance your skin. Toner helps to remove the remaining oil and impurities and balances your skin’s pH levels while removing any remaining traces of oil and impurities. For oily skin, toners that contain natural ingredients like witch hazel, tree oil, rose water can be particularly effective.
Step 3: Use a Lightweight, Oil-free Moisturizer
Many people with oily skin skip moisturizer, thinking it will make their skin even oilier. However, moisturizing is essential to maintaining a balanced skin barrier, which can help reduce excess oil production as skin doesn’t feel dehydrated.
Step 4: Incorporate an Exfoliant
Exfoliation is key to keeping oily skin clear and preventing clogged pores. Instead of using a physical scrub, which can irritate the skin, choose a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic acid and kojic acid. This will help you to control not only the shine and oil production but diminish the look of the acne scars and marks. https://www.acnease.com/products/accelerated-botanical-brightening-serum.htm
Step 5: Apply a Oily Skin (Clay) Mask
Clay masks are a great addition to your oily skin routine, as they help absorb excess oil and impurities from deep within the pores. Incorporating a clay mask into your routine 1-2 times a week can help keep shine under control and prevent breakouts.https://www.acnease.com/products/natural-multi-tasking-acne-mask.htm
Step 6: Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Even if you have oily skin, sunscreen is non-negotiable. Daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, preventing premature aging, and keeping your skin tone even.
Step 7: Use Blotting Papers Throughout the Day
Even with the perfect skincare routine, oily skin can still produce excess shine throughout the day. Blotting paper is a quick and easy way to absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup or skincare products.
Successfully managing oily skin requires more than just selecting the right products. It involves a comprehensive approach that takes into account daily habits and lifestyle choices. An effective oily skin routine should be complemented with practices that help minimize excess oil production and keep the skin looking fresh throughout the day.
Here are some additional tips to integrate into your oily skin routine: