Oily skin is one of the most challenging skin care concerns of most people. It comes with issues such as shiny, sweaty appearance and most of all, the tendency to develop acne.
Oily skin needs to be dealt with great care but the good news is that some routines can help effectively! Read on to learn about the 5 important skin care routines that can help you keep oily skin and its troubles at bay.
What causes oily skin?
Did you know that our skin produces its own natural oil called sebum? This oil is produced in the sebaceous glands in the deeper layers of the skin. It is essential to keep the moisture in the skin locked in. Hydration is important for the skin cells to function in a healthy manner and form a barrier between the external environment and our body.
However, due to certain factors, the sebaceous glands can get triggered to produce excess sebum. These factors include genes, external weather conditions, hormonal changes, stress and lifestyle. Excess sebum on the skin is what we see as oily skin.
Best skincare regimen for oily skin
Oily skin is tricky to deal with. While you want to get rid of the oil, you also don’t want to leave the skin dried up as that may cause irritation and lead to inflammation. Mild products aren’t effective against the excess oil while harsh ones only cause more damage. Obtaining the right oil balance is crucial to promote the skin’s natural flora which is in turn essential for healthy skin. An effective skin care routine for oily skin is one that aims at oil control and regulation to promote healthy, moisturized, flawless and radiant skin.
Here are 5 best skin care regimens that are specifically designed for those with oily skin.
- Morning skin care routine
Step 1: Cleanse
Start your daily skin care with a deep-pore cleanser to wash away excess oil and impurities. A charcoal soap is excellent for clearing up the pores and balancing the oil on your skin. You can also use fruit extracts like papaya and grapefruit. Focus on the T-zone as it is usually the most oily region of the face.
Step 2: Tone
Use a toner with strong astringent properties to reduce pore size and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the skin. A good toner is one that also protects the skin from harmful acne-causing bacteria by regulating sebum production and maintaining oil control.
For oily skin, look for products that contain ingredients like aloe vera, eucalyptus, almond oil, honey or rose water.
Step 3: Moisturize
Moisturizing is essential for all skin types and despite your intuition to skip it for oily skin, always moisturize. Look for a moisturizer that is light and non-greasy as you don’t want to clog your pores. For oily skin, a gel-based moisturizer containing natural fatty acids is a good pick. You could also use a botanical oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil. These are dry and light oils that provide the right amount of hydration without the annoying greasy after effects.
Step 4: Protect
You need to protect your skin from external aggressions. You need a nourishing product that forms a protective veil around your skin and prevents moisture loss. At the same time, you need a strong antioxidant that neutralizes any free radicals that can cause oxidation and skin damage.
Look for products that contain vitamin C, catechins, fruit extracts and Zinc to protect the skin from damage.
- Makeup routine
Step 1: Start with a primer
Primer gives you a smooth and shine-free base while keeping the makeup from ‘melting’ off of your face. Look for primers that have a mattifying effect while also keeping the skin moisturized and nourished.
Step 2: Use matte concealer and foundation
Apply a light matte liquid concealer to cover up blemishes and breakouts. Look for non-comedogenic concealers and foundations that don’t block the pores of the skin as that makes the skin prone to acne. Opt for powder foundations as opposed to liquid or cream ones as the latter tend to be pore-clogging.
Step 3: Apply loose finishing powder and blush
Use a large powder brush or a kabuki brush to apply a translucent layer of matte powder to finish off your makeup. This will act as yet another barrier to your oily skin. For blush, use a mattefying, non-shimmery blush.
- Night skin care routine
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing is important to get rid of makeup, dirt and excess oil that accumulate on the skin as you go about your day. Go for a light, water-based cleanser or a dry-oil based one to remove any impurities. Avoid alcohol-based cleansers as they cause skin irritation and can inflame the skin.
Step 2: Tone
Since oily skin is prone to acne and pigmentation, a toner is essential after cleansing in the evening. Go for one that contains AHAs and BHAs (alpha and beta hydroxy acids) and something that hydrates your skin at the same time. Ingredients such as tea, witch hazel and rose are your best bet.
Step 3: Moisturize
Moisturizing is essential even before going to bed to help your skin recover and rejuvenate. Again, go for a light moisturizer that gets easily absorbed by the skin. A cream with salicylic acid and zinc has proven to be beneficial for oily skin. For a natural remedy, go for aloe gel or a light botanical oil like grapeseed oil, rosehip oil or sweet almond oil.
Step 4: Apply eye cream
To prevent dark circles, eye bags and wrinkles around the eyes, apply an eye cream with Vitamin E and C, hyaluronic acid and retinol.
- Weekly routine
Step 1: Exfoliate
Exfoliating is important, particularly for oily skin to prevent the dead skin cells from mixing with the excess oil and blocking the pores. Clogged pores increases the chances of acne popping up and causing inflammation.
Look for exfoliators with ingredients such as eucalyptus oil and menthol to calm the skin and prevent any irritation. Use an effective scrub like konjac sponge to de-clog the pores. Avoid products that contain alcohol as they can irritate the skin and increase proneness to acne.
Step 2: Apply a face mask
A weekly face mask ensures skin nourishment and repair to leave the skin soft and radiant. For oily skin, use a face mask that contains charcoal and silica or red clay as they are great for oil control.
You could also whip up your own face mask such as avocado-oats, turmeric-milk-flour or aloe vera-honey mask.
- On the move routine
Step 1: Sunscreen / Sunblock
Whenever you step out, make sure to use a powerful sunscreen of minimum 30 SPF to protect your skin from UV radiation damage. Look for an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen so your pores don’t get clogged. You could also go for a sunblock that contains Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide to reflect UV radiation.
Step 2: Sun protection
Part of your skin care routine also includes adequately shading your skin from the sun. Use wide-brimmed hats, shades, scarves, gloves and other protective clothing while stepping out. Avoid the afternoon sun between 12-4pm whenever possible.
Step 3: Use blotting paper
Always keep blotting paper handy while you’re out and about. Use them regularly to wipe off excess oil, especially in the T-zones. Gently press them on the skin and hold for a few seconds. These thin, highly absorptive papers can be a boon to avoid the shiny appearance of oily skin.
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