Managing oily skin could be very confusing and a pain in the neck. Are you also tired of your skin looking greasy all the time? Is acne making your day-to-day life tough? If yes, then you are on the right blog. We can totally understand your pain. Oily skin usually occurs due to overproduction of sebum, a natural oil that protects and lubricates the skin. This may happen due to a variety of factors like genetics, unhealthy diet, hormones, stress, and overconsumption of dairy products. Managing oily skin is not a daunting task; simply follow the proper steps and use products specifically designed for you. Here is your ultimate guide to managing oily skin.
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1. The Serums
Just understanding the root cause of oily skin won’t do anything; instead, try searching for the products that are suitable for the skin. Oily skin leads to enlarged pores and acne. For this reason, it is important to apply the serums that would give you relief from this issue. Serums that contain Niacinamide or Salicylic Acid work wonders. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, which is water soluble and helps in:
- Reducing Inflammation – Suitable for conditions like acne and rosacea, Niacinamide reduces redness and irritation.
- Improves skin elasticity – It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by providing hydration and improving skin elasticity.
- Controls the oil production – Helps in managing the sebum production, which is responsible for oily skin.
- Brightens the skin – Helps in fading the dark spots and evens the skin tone.
On the other hand, Salicylic Acid is a naturally occurring compound found in plants and helps in:
- Exfoliation – Salicylic acid helps in brightening the skin by exfoliation and detoxifying pores.
- Antimicrobial – It inhibits or kills the growth of bacteria and fungi. Acts as a great defense mechanism against them.
- Keratolytic – It makes it easier to clean pores and remove dead skin cells by loosening the top layer of the skin.
- Anti-Inflammatory – Reduces redness or swelling, which usually occurs in acne or psoriasis.
Both of them are enriched with great anti-acne properties and are easily available at any drug store.
2. A Guide to Masks
Dealing with oily skin is no less than a headache, right? It’s hectic to research the products suitable for your skin and the optimum skincare that helps in dealing with oily skin. But, there is something missing in your routine, and that’s using the mask that is specially made for oily skin. There are many types of masks available in the market, and just before you stress over what mask to use, whether it is a night or a day mask, we have a detailed list for you.
The most preferred masks for oily skin are clay masks. The main properties of clay masks are absorbing excess oil and sebum, unclogging the pores, and drawing out the impurities and toxins from the skin. This leads to the removal of dead cells and brightens the skin. Bentonite clay, kaolin clay, and green clay masks are popular choices among clay masks for oily skin.
The next suitable choice for oily skin is a charcoal mask. Charcoal masks help to pull out toxins and excess oil, making them beneficial for minimizing blackheads and unclogging pores. Not only do they help in deep cleansing, but they are also easily available at any drug store.
Sheet masks are specifically designed for oily skin with ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree oil that help in exfoliation. Oatmeal masks also help in reducing inflammation and absorbing excess oil. Honey and Avocado masks also help in restoring moisture in the skin while not making it greasy.
3. The Suitable Facewash/ Cleansers
It is very important to use face wash and cleansers that are specifically made for oily or acne-prone skin. There are many types available in the market, and these are the ones most suitable for you.
- Gel-Based – Gel-based face wash, as the name suggests, has a gel-like consistency and is very slippery, making it particularly suitable for oily skin. They gently remove excess oil and acne-causing bacteria and are typically designed for deep cleansing.
- Foam-based – These have the ability to penetrate pores effectively and remove impurities. Such cleansers are only suitable for oily skin and can cause irritation on dry skin.
- Clay-Based – Clay helps gently exfoliate the skin and also helps calm acne. Its properties make it suitable for oily skin.
- Powder Based – The main ingredient is powder, and when mixed with water, it creates a lather, a frothy paste that helps clean the skin. The powder often contains clay that helps remove dead skin cells.
4. Ingredients
The drawback of oily skin is that not every product will suit you, and if not chosen wisely, it can create even more problems for you. There are some ingredients that are suitable for oily skin, they include- AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), BHA(Beta Hydroxy Acids), Benzoyl peroxide, glycerin, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Prefer using non-comedogenic products, which are specifically designed to avoid clogging pores. Avoid using sulphate-based products. Just be mindful while buying products, and you’re good to go.
5. Your AM and PM Routine
Treat your oily skin with utmost care in the morning as well as at night. In the morning, cleanse or wash your face with a gel-based face wash. Apply a hydrating toner, followed by a serum like niacinamide, and lastly apply SPF. At night, wash your face with a suitable cleanser and apply 2-3 drops of either salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Top it up with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser. This balances oil production at night, which makes your face non-greasy in the morning.
Also, read this: Beauty commandments for girls with oily skin
Bottom Line
This was the ultimate guide to managing oily skin. Make sure you research well and take a patch test before using a product, just to be on the safe side. Make sure to use suitable serums and apply hydrating masks at least once a week. Be mindful while buying cleansers and always check the ingredients of every product. Stick to a simple skincare routine, and you’ll see that taking care of oily skin is that easy. Always be confident in your own skin and do not compare yourself with the beauty standard. Remember, you are the beauty standard, and you are rare!