How to Get Rid of Oily Skin: Top 10 Tips
What is Oily Skin?
Having an oily skin type means your pores produce excess oil, especially on your face. Regardless of your skin type, sebaceous glands in your skin produce oil to moisturize your skin naturally. These glands sit underneath your pores and produce an oily matter, also referred to as sebum. Because of increased sebum production, people with oily skin tend to have a shiny appearance and are usually prone to acne and blackheads.
The causes of oily skin vary, from medications and genetics to hormones and over-cleansing. Whatever the cause, the outcome is greasy, shiny-looking skin. While there are no easy cures, there are prevention techniques you can try if you are one of the millions of people who want to help get rid of your oily skin and achieve smoother, healthier skin.
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Symptoms of Oily Skin
Greasy skin occurs when your sebaceous glands produce more oil than your skin needs to stay healthy and hydrated. If you experience any of the below symptoms, you likely have an oily skin type:
- The skin on your face has a shiny appearance.
- Your skin feels or appears greasy, often by late morning or early afternoon.
- You have large pores, especially on your nose.
- The skin on your face has a rough texture.
- Your makeup does not stay on very long, and you have to reapply throughout the day.
- You have acne-prone skin and often get breakouts, pimples, and blackheads.
Causes of Oily Skin
While the causes of oily skin depend on various factors such as your gender and your skincare routine, there are some general underlying causes of greasy skin:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Age
- Environment
- Large Pores
- Certain Medications
- Overwashing Skin
How to Get Rid of Oily Skin
The quality of your skincare routine has a lot to do with the condition of your skin. Adding a few changes to your daily routine can help keep hyperactive oil glands in check.
1. Wash your face with salicylic acid
Wash your face with a cleanser with salicylic acid once in the morning and once at night. Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient that penetrates oil to prevent breakouts and clogged pores, keeping your skin clearer and less oily.
But, be careful not to overdo it. Overwashing your skin can actually cause your skin to produce more oil, so stick to twice a day.
Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient that penetrates oil to prevent breakouts and clogged pores, keeping your skin clearer and less oily.
2. Try an oil-fighting toner
Use a Witch Hazel toner one to three times a day after cleansing to refine pores and prevent acne breakouts.
3. Be gentle on your skin
Rubbing your face dry after cleansing can aggravate your skin. Instead, gently pat your face dry with a towel or washcloth.
Blotting papers or cleansing cloths are a good option if you experience greasy skin while you are at work or school. Keep cleansing cloths in your purse or backpack and use them as needed when out and about.
4. Exfoliate 1-2 times a week
To remove dead skin cells and debris from your face, use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week. Exfoliation allows your skin to reset by cleaning dirt and grime out your pores and can prevent excess oil from collecting in your pores and on your skin.
Overdoing exfoliation can aggravate your skin, though, so make sure to only exfoliate up to twice a week.
To remove dead skin cells and debris from your face, use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week.
5. Cleanse your pores regularly
Once a week, use a facial mask with clay or charcoal to deep clean your pores and help absorb excess oil.
If you have blackheads, use a pore strip once a week to unclog your pores instead of squeezing and picking at your skin.
If you have excessive sebum trapped in your pores resulting in pimples and whiteheads, use a hydrocolloid patch to absorb oil and pus to alleviate your blemishes.
6. Wear sunscreen
Avoid direct sun exposure, which can irritate your skin and lead to inflammation. If you must be in the sunlight, wear sunscreen regularly. For oily skin, look for lightweight formulas that won’t add to the oil on your skin.
7. Look for non-comedogenic makeup
The ingredients in your makeup and skincare products can have a big impact on your skin's quality and condition. Wearing heavy creams and foundations can clog your pores and cause breakouts. Keep your makeup light and avoid formulas that feel heavy or sticky.
For effective acne prevention, look for skincare products with salicylic acid, a skincare ingredient proven to help control and prevent blemishes.
The ingredients in your makeup and skincare products can have a big impact on your skin's quality and condition. Wearing heavy creams and foundations can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
8. Do your best to reduce stress levels
Stress can trigger an overproduction of sebum (or oil), so try to keep your stress levels in check if you want to get rid of oily skin. Do your best to find time for relaxation or activities you enjoy throughout the day or week.
9. Commit to a healthy diet
When it comes to the health of your skin, what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your face. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet can make a big difference in the appearance of your skin.
For an extra boost, try adding antioxidants and cut down on sugar & carbs.
10. Talk to your dermatologist
If your oily skin refuses to go away, talk to your dermatologist about other available options. They may recommend certain medications or treatments to help your oily skin.
How to Help Oily Skin
First and foremost, the best way to help if you have oily skin is to find a skincare routine for oily skin that works for you and stick to it. Consistency is key when it comes to managing oily skin. Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your skin with oil-free, hypoallergenic products are important ways for maintaining healthy skin with a shine-free appearance.
Oily skin can be caused by many different factors, so there is no cure-all technique for getting rid of oily skin permanently. However, there are simple things you can do to help keep your oily skin under control.
- First, the best prevention is to find a skincare routine for oily skin that works for you and stick to it. Consistency is key when it comes to managing oily skin. Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your skin with oil-free, hypoallergenic products are key to maintaining healthy skin with a shine-free appearance.
- If you are tempted to hide your oily skin under tons of foundation and concealer, try non-comedogenic makeup or go makeup-free once in a while to give your pores a break.
- The ingredients in your makeup and skincare products can have a big impact on your skin's quality and condition. For effective acne prevention, look for skincare products with salicylic acid, a skincare ingredient proven to help control and prevent blemishes.
- When it comes to the health of your skin, what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your face. Staying hydrated, getting proper sleep, and eating a balanced diet can make a big difference in the appearance of your skin.
- If your oily skin refuses to go away, talk to your dermatologist about other available options. They may recommend certain medications or treatments to help your oily skin.
