How To Manage And Care For Oily Skin

It can be frustrating constantly having to blot your skin throughout the day or having to avoid certain cosmetics due to oily skin. Unlike other skin types, managing oily skin is a multifaceted problem. It comes down to preventing the excess oil production and trying to figure out how to prevent it from getting trapped.

How Do You Know If You Have Oily Skin?

Oily skin is probably one of the more difficult skin types to manage due to the complexity of symptoms that come with it. Issues such as shine and acne are primary concerns of those with oily skin. Some major signs of having oily skin are:

• Enlarged visible pores (excess oil causes them to stretch)
• Oily T-Zone (forehead, nose and chin area)
• Acne ( clogged pores from excess oil)
• Greasy touch and feel

Step By Step Skin Care Regime

Here is a simple step by step night care regime that will reduce the appearance of oil and keep your complexion in a better state.

Cleanser

Finding the right cleanser may be an obvious solution; however many think that using any cleanser is more than sufficient. You may be tempted to reach for the cleanser with harsh sulfates with the notion that more suds equals a deeper clean. This idea couldn't be further from the truth, the fact of the matter is that you're better off using an oil based cleanser. Now this may sound unheard of; but the truth is oil attracts oil. Oil is a naturally hydro phobic compound, which explains the the separation seen in liquid products.  Using an oil based cleanser will gently attract the oil on the surface of skin, avoiding that harsh tight feeling afterward. Squeaky clean is something those with oily skin should avoid. This dry “squeaky” texture leads to excess oil to compensate the surface PH.

If you have oily skin, acne is pretty much a given. Due to the fact that acne is caused by clogged hair follicles due to excess oil. Those with oily skin should seek out cleansers with acne fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help keep pores clear.

Toner

Toners are a critical step in managing oil on the surface on skin, they work to re-balance the PH levels of the surface. Skin is the closest to normal with a PH that is slightly acidic (about 5). Toners are not one size fits all. They also come in the form of astringents (alcohol based) and mists to remove excess oil. They work to shrink pores and prevent ingrown hairs from their anti-bacterial qualities.

The misconception is that harsh astringents are all that those with oily skin should use; but, this type of toner should actually be avoided. Much like harsh sulfates, astringents strip ALL oils from the surface of skin. This drastic stripping leads to excess oil production to compensate for the loss.

Toning should be done every other day, if that proves to be too harsh, using toner every once a week is also an viable option. Consumers should seek toners with anti-inflammatory, soothing ingredients such; aloe vera, rose water, green tea and witch hazel. Not only are these naturally derived ingredients gentle, they have powerful oil zapping qualities.

Exfoliate

This is one step that is commonly forgotten about in skin care regimes. Many feel that cleansing is sufficient to keep complexion clear. Exfoliating takes it to the next step by using micro sized granules to lift away dead skin cells. Dead skin cells are a core cause of acne, if you lift them, then acne is not given enough time to develop. Using gentle scrubs 3 times per week with a facial brush really goes a long way to lift and reveal glowing skin.

Exfoliating also deep cleans to clear out pore build up that results in painful whiteheads. One thing to keep in mind is the type of granule used, brown sugar is a perfect option and is great to use in DIY scrubs. One should steer clear from scrubs that use walnut shells as an exfoliate, this ingredient is too harsh and can leave behind micro cuts in the dermal layer of skin leading to uneven texture.

Hydration

Contrary to popular belief, those with oily skin should always use a moisturizer. There is no reason whatsoever to avoid moisturizers. Moisturizing keeps your barrier strong and hydrated to fight off free radicals, bacteria and other skin irritants. There are plenty of moisturizers to chose from, those with oily skin should avoid heavy creams. Creams containing comedogenic oils like coconut or shea butter will only clog pores.

Reach for a gel based moisturizer to avoid clogged pores

Rather those with oily skin should reach for lightweight water based moisturizers. These type of moisturizers contain a gel like consistency due to ingredients like glycerin. This type of moisturizer acts as net to help keep existing moisture; rather than, adding additional moisture.

Product Recommendations

Here are a number of cleansers, toners and moisturizers to build an oily skin based regime

Cleansers

• Biore Charcoal Acne Cleanser (6.77 oz)
• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (12 oz)
• Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Cream For Acne-Prone Skin (5 oz)
• Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Wash With Salicylic Acid (9.1 oz)
• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (6.7 oz)

Toners

• Pure Rose Water Facial Toner By Poppy Austin (4 oz)
• Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel With Aloe Vera (12 oz)
• Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner (6.7 oz)
• Apple Cider Vinegar Natural Acne Treatment (4 oz)
• Activated Charcoal Scrub (10 oz)

Moisturizers

• Olay Complete Lotion All Day Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin (6 oz)
• Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF 30 (4 oz)
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (1.7 oz)
• Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 (1.7 oz)
• Garner SkinActive Moisture Rescue Face Moisturizer (1.7 oz)