Oily Skincare Routine: Best Beauty Regimen for Oily Complexions

With so many products and reviews and videos on proper skincare maintenance, it can be daunting figuring out where to start. Even worse, it can be anxiety-provoking when you're dealing with oily skin, something everyone deals with in some way or another.

But what do you do when your skin is really oily? Where do you begin?

Why Gentle Hydrating Cleansers are best for oily skin

You're going to want a product to cleanse your face without creating any buildup. Ideally, this product will be used every night before you go to bed. However, if you apply/reapply makeup before a night out, it's not a bad idea to cleanse your face before this activity. Similarly, if it's been a few weeks since you changed your pillow sheets, you might want to clean your face in the morning as well; oil and dead skin can build up in your linen, leaving your face relatively vulnerable in the evening.

A Proper Toner can help with oily skin

While a light, oil-free cleanser will keep your face clean and smooth, the right toner will help further unclog the pores that lead to too much oil and acne. Like using a gentle hydrating cleanser, a toner should clean and help reduce the oil on your face without completely drying your skin out.

After all, naturally oily skin is not a bad thing; it's just good to get a handle on it and keep it controlled. A toner that is oil-free will finish the job your cleanser started, leaving you looking clean and refreshed to continue on with your day.

a Light, Oil-Free Moisturizer is best for oily skin complexions

While cleansing and toning your face can be an activity that only takes place once a day, you're going to want to moisturize your face minimally two times a day. In the morning, even if you don't plan on walking out into the sun immediately, applying an oil-free moisturizer with SPF can go a long way towards protecting your face. Depending on how much you sweat and how long you are outside, reapply during the day as needed.

In the evening, applying a light PM moisturizer will keep your face hydrated and healthy through the evening. Products from certain brands tend to be oil-free and reduce the risk of buildup overnight.

why Exfoliation is important for oily skin

Like a toner, you're going to want an exfoliating formula that is right for you. If your skin is extremely oily, chemical exfoliation manages to go deeper than a standard scrub. If you're prone to blackheads, you might want to consider this option. Be warned, though: if your skin is sensitive, the reaction might not be the best option for you. Also, it's best to avoid the sun immediately after chemical exfoliation, as your skin will be even more sensitive than usual.

If this sounds too much, don't fret. A milder and natural exfoliation scrub will also do wonders for oily skin. And if you need something stronger or softer, depending on how sensitive your skin is, there are plenty of quality exfoliating products to choose from. And regardless of what you wind up choosing, remember exfoliating is something that really only needs to be done once a week. You're cleaning your face, not shredding it.

How to Know Your Skin Type

At the end of the day, you have to know your skin type. If you've read this article, clearly you know you're dealing with oily skin. But, of course, there isn't a one-size-fits-all. It's important to have a little trial and error, and if products that work for others aren't working for you, see a dermatologist. Oily skin is not a bad thing; it just needs to be controlled, and that's okay. There's a product out there for everyone.

Resources— Chemical Exfoliation, Neutrogena, Dirty Pillowcases

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