How To get Oily Skin Under Control
Oily skin is one of the most difficult skin types to control and work with on a daily basis. Combine this with blemishes and random dry patches, and you’ve got yourself a nightmare. Fear not, with this helpful guide, your skin will be in check in no time!
What Causes Oily Skin?
Oil on the skin is produced by the sebaceous glands. It begins as the sebaceous glands work overtime, and produce more oil as the skin is clogged or dry in certain areas. It’s important to remember that there is nothing wrong with you if your skin is oily – everyone’s skin is different!
Whilst we must appreciate every single thing about ourselves, there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to control and minimise your oily skin. So, the best place to start is the root of the problem, namely what causes it, and how certain factors affect the quality of your skin. It’s also important to remember that having oily skin does not mean your skin is dirty or that it needs a good cleanse – it can occur and worsen too, due to a variety of reasons.
For example, genetics, age, hormones, stress, diet, cosmetics, the weather and excessive exfoliating can all cause your skin to be oily.
Wash Your Face Gently Two Times A Day
Excessive scrubbing and exfoliating can make your skin oily (or oilier), as scrubs and harsh products are often too harsh on the skin. This leads to the sebaceous glands going into overdrive. Therefore, it’s important to use gentle cleansing products. A big misconception about oily skin is that it is caused by “dirt” on its surface – this is not the case at all.
Correctly cleansing skin is crucial in controlling the skin’s health; use circular motions to unclog pores, and remember to lightly dab the skin dry with a towel or a face cloth.
Modify Your Diet
As well as cleansing, try changing up your diet to diminish the overall oiliness on your face. Try incorporating foods such as eggs, lemon juice, yoghurt, tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, apples, cucumber, and honey into your diet. These foods will help control how oily your skin is. As well as including these foods into your diet, there are also some foods that should be avoided – these include greasy and fatty foods and an excess of dairy products. These foods have been shown to increase oiliness and lead to an outbreak of blemishes. So, what are you waiting for? Head to your local grocery store now for perfect skin!
Use Products Containing Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is not only good for controlling oil production, but it also helps control blemishes, spots, and acne scarring. Another useful ingredient is benzoyl peroxide – like salicylic acid, it helps control oily skin and prevent blemishes. Check the labels of cleansing products to look for these oil-fighting ingredients, and you’ll see results in no time!
Don’t Skip Moisturiser
Another misconception is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturising as creams and hydrating products can make the face look shinier and oilier. This is wrong – every skin type needs moisture and proper hydration! Opt for a lightweight, oil-free, water-based moisturiser that is specifically made for the face. A good moisturiser will maintain the health of your skin, and then decrease the production of oil on your face.
Apply a little and take your time working it into the skin to ensure absorbtion. Moisturising should be the second step in your skincare routine, even if your skin is oily.
