Oily skin is one of the major types of skin you could have. It is particularly characterized by the shine that occurs around the T-zone. On the good side of things, the shine is essentially important for the face because oil is particularly needed to maintain the health of the face.
On the flip side, things could go awry. Come to think of it, the shine and greasiness can be concentrated in the wrong regions of the body, causing irritations that will lead to breakouts.
Nevertheless, you cannot stop your body from producing oil. It is a natural process. But there is good news; you can control and regulate the production. Continue reading to know more!
Why Do I Have Oily Skin Type?
Do you wonder why you have that “special” skin type? Why your skin produces oil? Well, the body naturally produces oil which is called sebum, from the sebaceous gland. Sebum production is not an awkward thing. It is specifically designed to keep the skin moisturize, shining, glowing, and healthy. You love the way your hair shines too, thanks to sebum!
However, when there is an overproduction of sebum, it leads to an oily skin condition. If you have oily skin, you generally have a super shiny and greasy face even after washing up. While this condition might seem natural in some individuals, it could also be aggravated by some other conditions. These conditions include:
Genetics
Genetics plays a major role. It could just be hereditary.
Environment
Your environment also contributes to your oily skin. If you find yourself in a hot region, you will have more oil on your face than usual.
Age
As you age, there is a tendency for you to have enlarged pores. Enlarged pores could result from weight loss, and hence there would be an overproduction of sebum.
Skincare Routine
There are skin care products that will make your skin oilier. Such products might not be designed for your skin and hence causes greasiness.
You might have become aware that oily skin does not necessarily have to be cured (if even there is a cure in the actual sense). You can only manage and regulate it. Read on to discover the secrets to a healthy shine!
What Are the Ways to Regulate Your Oily Skin?
You can regulate your oily skin by implementing the right skincare routine. Your skincare routine needs to be adjusted based on your body’s needs. Hence, this section will focus on how you can go about that. Let’s dive in!
1. Use Your Cleanser Twice a Day
While you cleanse to remove unwanted particles from your face, you should have it at the back of your mind that you are also trying to break down the oily components of your face. Not all cleansers are quite adapted for this purpose. So we recommend you use a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. This acid has been proven to break down sebum and will not dry out your skin.
Likewise, cleansers with glycolic acid will also be important because they will help you have a balanced skin tone.
2. Toners and Moisturizers
These should also be applied twice a day. However, be careful of the types of toners and moisturizers you will be using. Generally, light, oil-free, and alcohol-free toners and moisturizers are the best for oily skin. They won’t irritate your skin any further!
3. Exfoliating Should Be Done Once A Week
One of the downsides of oily skin is the high tendency for a clogged pore. When the pore is clogged, a thick layer might be formed over the face that could cause greasiness in the wrong regions. Therefore, there is a need to exfoliate. This must be done once a week. Often, an oil-free scrub is used on the skin. When exfoliating, take care to do so gently and slowly. You do not want to irritate your skin that can cause enlarged pores.
4. Use a Facial Mask
If you find it soothing, a facial mask can be used to remove oil buildup from the face. They contain clay that can absorb excess oil. Because of their high drying capacity, they should only be used once a week.
5. Apply Your Sunscreen
You wouldn’t want to punish your skin under the hot scorching sun, so use your sunscreen. You might be thinking that sunscreen will only increase the amount of oil on your face.
You do not want to have a sunburn with some breakouts of acne and pimples. So, use your sunscreen.
When choosing a sunscreen, look for an oil-free, fragrant-free, and non-comedogenic sunscreen and apply it generously on the face.
What to Do for Oily Skin During the Day?
Environmental conditions such as a hot humid day shouldn’t be left out as well. As discussed in previous sections, a condition like this could put you at risk of having oily skin or increase your tendency to overproduced sebum naturally.
While setting out for the day, you might want to apply makeup on your face. This could be a little bit awful, especially when there is excess oil on the face. The foundations can be quite heavy and clog the pores making you secrete more oil. Instead, use a primer as the base that can absorb the oil produced during the day. You can also use regular powder on some of the oiliest parts of your face.
Furthermore, if you all shined up during the day, you can use blot paper to dry the face quickly. They are quite useful because they dry the face instantly but not leaving your face dried up, and they can be used over makeup.
Is There A Natural Way To Control Oily Skin?
Yes, there are lots of natural options you can use, which can be done conveniently at home. Below are some of the natural remedies you can apply:
Honey
Honey has lots of beneficial uses to the body. In regards to oily skin, it can help to minimize the body’s moisture. Just apply it to the face and leave it there for some minutes.
Aloe Vera
In case your face feels so irritated, aloe vera can help to soothe the skin. You should apply it overnight.
Other natural ways include the use of tomatoes, oatmeal, charcoal, lemon, and so on. Finally, if you can’t still control your oily skin with these approaches, it could be the best time to visit a professional that can help to prescribe some topical medications for you.
Why Would Your Skin Remain Oily?
As a pro tip, here are some of the reasons why your skin might remain oily. Read through to know more!
1. You Cleanse More Than Twice a Day
You might have the urge to cleanse severally during the day because you feel that could be a quick solution to remove the oils. However, you need to understand that your body is a natural system that can as well process certain things. You would be helping the body to think it has to replace the oil lost after cleansing. This could even make your skin greasier and oilier.
2. You Don’t Use Your Moisturizer
This should go without saying that you need to moisturize your body every time, regardless of the oily nature of your skin. When you use your moisturizer, you are supplementing the regular moisture of your body. In that way, your body will think less of producing more oil. On the contrary, when you do not use the moisturizer, there could be an over-production of oil, leaving your skin oilier than before.
3. You Exfoliate Aggressively
While you are exfoliating, you might be scrubbing your body aggressively, and exfoliating is one way to dry out the skin. With this, your body will want to restore the lost oil. Also, while exfoliating could also be achieved using salicylic acid, your aggressiveness might cause the salicylic acid to break down more oils than usual, leaving your skin drier and more prone to oiliness.
4. Using Oil-Based Makeup
Foundations and concealers might be heavy and therefore be more oily than usual on your skin. Since you have oily skin, you must use makeup products with an oil-free foundation, concealers, and other products you might need. Likewise, you might also be using products that clog the pores, which obstructs the sebaceous gland. This could further lead to the breakout of acne and pimples.
In case you are not sure of the product to get, choose products labeled “non-comedogenic” as they won’t clog your pores.
Conclusion
Oily skin is prone to breakouts, and as such, the production of such oil needs to be controlled and regulated. You can start by choosing or adjusting your skincare routine to meet your skin conditions; you could also use some natural treatments to eliminate excess shine. Likewise, you should take note of things that could make your skin oilier. If none of it seems to work, then you need to consult a professional.
We have outlined practical options that can help you regulate the oils that come from your skin. Implement any of them, and we assure you of a natural glow.
