Tips and tricks for caring for oily skin
If you have oily skin, you may notice that your foundation doesn’t last as long throughout the day as it’s supposed to, or that your T-zone perpetually shines, no matter how many blotting sheets you use. You may also be more prone to acne and breakouts, which means you’re only more eager to get rid of it, but look no further! Here are some tips to help minimize that shine and properly care for your oily skin.
Cleanse at Least Twice a Day
This is the first, and probably the most important tip, so if you’re not already doing this, you need to start! As you’ve probably noticed, getting oily throughout the day is the worst part of having oily skin, but cleansing both in the morning and at night will keep your skin squeaky clean by washing away that excess oil that would otherwise just sit on your skin and build up, causing acne problems.
It’s best to use a foaming cleanser as opposed to a creamy one, as they get rid of excess oil instead of lathering more on. Any cleansers with salicylic or glycolic acid are great to help eliminate and prevent those breakouts from happening.
No Rubbing & Scrubbing
While washing, it’s important to note that you should not be rubbing at or scrubbing your face. It’s best to clean your face gently, and only use exfoliating products when you need to, which is upwards of once a week if you use a hard exfoliant like a scrub. It may be a hard habit to break, as many of us tend to scrub aggressively, especially when we want that deep clean, but this will only irritate your skin, which will only make things worse. Just as the scrubbing will irritate, rubbing at your skin with a towel after the shower can potentially cause more sebum, or oil, to surface, so gently pat it dry instead.
You can also use blotting papers throughout the day when you need them, as they don’t affect the sebum production in your skin. If you love exfoliant products, try to stick to ones that have microbeads as opposed to large granules, like sugar or salt, as microbeads tend to be soft and gentle enough on the skin for daily use.
Use Toners & Astringents to Control Oils
This is where the additional step to your skincare comes in handy. Using an astringent or the appropriate toner works wonders when used right before your moisturizer, after cleansing and drying. An astringent is a type of toner that’s specifically great for those with oily skin. They work to remove the excess oil, further cleaning out your pores, and tightening them, giving you that smooth, oil-free, fresh feeling. If you can add in this astringent step into your routine, or find any toner with glycolic or salicylic acid as mentioned above, then you’re golden. Even simple witch hazel is a more natural astringent you can use to help minimize oil, and you might already have it in your cabinet!
Use Water-Based Products
A lot of people can end up using the wrong products for themselves, especially when it comes to people with oily skin. By using regular oil-based products, you’ll be putting more oil on top of your skin, which will only make the problem worse. There are thousands of products out there that may sound good for “all skin types”, but what oily-skin people really need are water-based products. This goes for anything you put on your face, but it’s important to opt for water-based cleansers, foundations, sunscreens, and moisturizers, as they’re what you’ll be using daily.
You might be wondering now about moisturizing, as it’s probably one of the last things you want to put on your already-shiny face, but moisturizer is still a very necessary step in everyone’s skin care routines, both in summer and winter. As long as it’s water-based, you shouldn’t feel any additional greasiness.
Use Face Masks
There are many different face masks for oil control on the market that you’ve probably seen, such as charcoal or tea tree masks, and they can do a great job when it comes to giving your skin that extra boost it needs. Clay masks are especially helpful in eliminating excess oil to the point where they may be a little drying, so don’t forget to moisturize with a water-based moisturizer right after for that soft, clean, shine-free skin you’ll love.
Resources — VeryWell Health, Medical News Today
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