6 Simple Ways to Manage Oily Skin

Oily skin makes your face shiny (not even in that nice way) and makes you feel dirty. What do you do about it?

The many contributors to this beauty conundrum include genetics, weather, stress, and overactive sebaceous glands that produce excess oil. This oil clogs your pores and causes other problems like acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores. Like most skin conditions, there is no once-and-for-all cure for oily skin, but there are ways to keep it under control.

Yes, facial blotters temporarily remove oil and shine, but excessive use might cause more problems than it solves. When you blot, you remove oil from your skin, so your oil glands compensate by producing even more oil, resulting in oilier skin. Besides that, rubbing the facial blotter on your skin can agitate sensitive skin, causing redness. If you must blot to manage your oil levels, do it in moderation. Blotters only manage oily skin symptoms instead of addressing the problem, which can be done with a better skincare routine including…

While many of us wash our faces with a facial cleanser, we don’t do it thoroughly enough or with the right products. One of the surefire ways to keep excess oil in check is by by double cleansing your face. This is vital as it gets rid of oil, dirt, and pollutant buildup so that your skin can properly regenerate when you sleep. Start with a cleansing oil, then follow up with a water- or foam-based cleanser. Experiment with different cleansers to make sure that they don’t dry your face out too much.

Basic beauty regimes exist for a reason – they have been tested and proven to work. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. By exfoliating, you allow your moisturiser to penetrate into the skin, making it more effective. Homemade scrubs work great too; just be sure to exfoliate 3 – 4 times a week.

Masks act like intensive treatments. Use it once or twice weekly (depending on personal preference and skin needs) to restore hydration to your skin. Remember that thing about oil glands over-compensating for dehydrated skin? Hydrating masks ensure that balance, preventing excessive oil production. Also look out for masks that contain Bentonite clay, sandalwood, and calamine as they control oil buildup.

Toning removes debris and dirt from your skin which will otherwise clog up your pores and worsen your oily skin symptoms. Get a simple toner to keep your pH levels balanced, giving you healthier skin.

Contrary to popular belief, you need to use a moisturiser even if you have oily skin. It’s important to keep your skin hydrated so that your oil glands do not produce excessive oils. That said, people with oily skin should be more selective about the moisturisers they use. Try oil-free moisturisers as they hydrate without the oily look and feel. Also, products that are mattifying and contain anti-shine properties help absorb excess oil, reducing the shine factor. This same rule applies to your makeup!