For some of us that have oily skin, the so-called sebaceous or oil-producing glands release oils more than those who have normal or dry skin. These natural oils are good for our skin to prevent drying it out and they also slow down the aging process due to lubricating properties. However, there are also cases where oil-production becomes excessive and causes skin problems such as pimple breakouts, greasiness, and uneven pigmentation.
If you suspect that you have oily skin and want to control it, you first need to confirm if this is really your skin type before performing any kind of remedy. Knowing if you have oily skin is easy to detect because the oils produced by our face are visible to the naked eye and feels greasy by the end of the day.
Enlarged pores, frequent acne breakouts, blackheads, leaving oily marks on things close to the face such as a mobile phone, or if your hair sticks to your face are common confirmatory signs of having oily skin. Oil control is necessary for those of us with oily skin before it gets worse and it starts with proper skincare routine designed especially for oily skin. Re-evaluating your current routine is also important so you can identify if you’ve been doing great or bad things for your skin.
Before controlling oily skin, here are a few tips on what you can do to prevent excessive oils in the first place:
- Eat more food rich in fiber and drink lots of water
- Eat less dairy, added sugar, fatty meat, enriched flour, salty snacks
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep at night
- Avoid stress-inducing factors
The following items can be used during day or night and can yield best results when it becomes part of your daily facial skincare routine.
1. Cleanser
Cleansing is the most basic and the first step to great skin. Removing dirt and makeup must be done before applying any skincare product to the skin so it is important to first- consider what products to cleanse the face with.
For extremely oily skin, a soap type of cleansing agent with sebum control properties must be used. And for those with oily but dehydrated skin, a cleanser that has oil and water balance must be used. This is because you need to control the oil but should not lose moisture from the face as it is being cleansed.
2. Mask
Clay masks are more compatible with oily skin than sheet masks. Clay masks control sebum, exfoliates, tightens and cleanses the pores as it rinsed off.
3. Toner
The toner is an important part of the routine because it provides the first layer of moisture. A toner that has just the right amount of viscosity so it would not feel like a mask on your face. A good toner is a combination of any of the following properties:
- Mild
- Balanced pH level
- Non-oily
- Hydrating
- Unscented or has no artificial scent
- Buildable
- Has exfoliating ingredients
- Can also function as a cleanser and moisturizer
4. Serum
Serums are more commonly known to remedy dry skin, but not all serums are just for that skin type. There are serums in the market that are appropriate for oily skin – you just have to find your match. Find a serum that has some, if not all of these properties to make the most out of this part of your skincare routine:
- pore minimizing
- sebum control
- non-sticky or non-greasy
- absorbs well into the skin
- infused with Vitamins
- brightening
- fades acne scars
5. Moisturizer
Yes, you read that right – you can still apply moisturizer to oily skin especially if it is dry or dehydrated underneath. This is the last step of your skincare routine. For the extremely oily type, use a moisturizer in gel form. For oily but dehydrated skin, go for a product that is in cream form and has oil and water balance. It is important to remember that having oily skin doesn’t mean your face is well-hydrated already or does not need much work when it comes to skincare. Finding the right products to control and maintain its hydration is an essential part of taking care of your skin, no matter what type you are.
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