Regardless of your skin type and texture, all skin types produce a reasonable amount of oil throughout the day to aid in the well-being of the skin. Oil, as many people wrongly believe, is not bad for your skin. It is essential to keep the skin feeling and looking well. Too much oil production causes the skin to become greasy and oily. The excessive production of oil may lead to more than just a shiny or polished appearance to the skin. Excess oil can adversely affect our skin by leading to enlarged and clogged skin pores, as well as the increased appearance of the blackheads.

WHY DOES OUR SKIN GENERATE EXCESS OIL?

1. This happens due to any kind of hormonal change like during puberty around 12-13 years of age, and also before menses, a lot of women complain of an increase in the oiliness of skin and acne breakouts.
2. Oily skin can be very troublesome to a lot of people especially those who are living in humid areas and also in the summer season. These environmental factors encourage the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and thus, resulting in undesired facial oiliness.
3. There is a genetic predisposition to have oily skin.

DOS & DON’TS FOR OILY SKIN

1. DO wash your face every morning, evening, and every time after you exercise. Avoid scrubbing as it can irritate the skin. Frequent face washing is not recommended.
2. DO use a gentle and foaming face wash. Many people think that they need to use a strong face wash for oily skin in order to dry it out. However, using a face wash that is too harsh can irritate your skin and may trigger increased oil production. Instead, look for a mild, gentle face wash. One can use a face wash containing 2% salicylic acid or glycolic acid after consulting a dermatologist.
3. DON’T use oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers and toners. These can irritate your skin. You can just use rose water if you want to use a toner. Apply a few drops on the face, let it dry, and then apply a moisturizer.
4. DO apply a moisturizer daily. Although you have greasy skin, it is still necessary to apply a moisturizer to keep your skin well-hydrated. To save time and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, look for an oil-free and gel-based moisturizer that also contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 40 or higher.
5. DO wear sunscreen. Sunscreens help limit sun damage that may lead to wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer. Use a gel based sunscreen and avoid using sunscreens consisting of fragrance or oils.
6. DO choose skin care products (including cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup) that are labeled “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic.” This means that these products won’t clog your pores or cause acne.
7. DO choose oil-free, water-based makeup. Apply minimal makeup and allow the skin to breathe better. Avoid anything heavy on the face, prefer a no make-up look whenever possible. Use a tinted moisturizer, tinted lip balm, and organic kajal in summer to give your skin some rest from heavy makeup application.
8. DO use a face mist. Instead of washing face multiple times in a day opt for face mist which is infused with essential oil and skin-saving toning agents. This can be sprayed on anytime, anywhere to restore skin's pH balance and boost hydration level.
9. DO use blotting papers throughout the day. Lightly press the paper against your face and leave it on for a few seconds to let it absorb the excess oil. Do not rub the paper on your face, as this will spread the oil to other areas.
10. DON’T use face wipes as these contain alcohol which tends to irritate the skin.
11. DO use micellar water. Always remove your makeup before going to sleep. Micellar water is really beneficial to clean the make-up as elements of micelles, are similar to the phospholipids of the skin cell membranes and naturally help rebuild the skin cells.
12. DO use a Witch Hazel. This is a plant-based astringent that helps to remove the excess oil and lift trapped dirt and makeup residue from your pores without dehydrating your skin. It can be used with a moisturizer for oily skin.
13. DO use a good night cream. Night creams containing Vitamin C will help boost collagen production and can be opted for in daily routine, whereas to combat signs of aging retinol based night creams can be preferred.
14. DO shampoo your hair regularly if you have an oily scalp. Use a mild shampoo for hair wash and keep your scalp clean and dandruff free. Opt for shampoos that contain glycolic acid which helps in eradicating dandruff which otherwise would lead to acne breakouts.
15. DON’t consume excess sugar content in your diet. Avoid eating an excess of chocolates, aerated drinks, etc. as these can lead to increased oiliness and acne breakouts.

HOME REMEDIES TO TRY

Various home-made masks can be used to control sebum production.

• Mix gram flour, honey, and lemon to make a paste. Apply on face for 10 min and wash.
• Various clay masks are also available which can be helpful in oily skin.
• Oatmeal combined with yogurt, honey, or mashed fruit such as bananas, apples, or papaya to make the mask can be applied on the face and then rinsed off in 15 minutes.
• Castor sugar and honey can be mixed together and applied as a scrub for oily skin.

Every person’s skin is different, and the approach ‘one size fits all’ can't be applied to skincare. If you are concerned about the amount of oil your skin is producing or if you’re struggling with blackheads or acne, make an appointment to consult a certified dermatologist near you.

Keep Healthy Keep Glowing!

TagsTips for Oily Skin