It isn’t easy to be an oily skin person. If your oil glands are working harder than they should, it makes your skin susceptible of catching acne-causing bacteria and developing blackheads and spots. Having too much oil on your face makes it look shiny and may even cause you to develop pigmentation.
But let me tell you that your oily skin woes aren’t as big or unmanageable as you think they are. And you are definitely not alone in this boat. With the right care and by taking certain precautions, you can avoid the many skin problems that come with oily skin.
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By developing a few conscious habits and being watchful of what you put on your skin, you can easily manage the oil in your skin. This also means that your oily skin won’t be the reason for you to stay back at home while everyone in your family is off to enjoy a sunny day at the beach.
I have rounded up a few skincare tips that will help you combat the many problems that come with oily skin without slathering it with more products:
1. Do Not Touch Your Face
People with oily skin have a tendency to touch their face again and again in an attempt to wipe off the oil sitting around their nose. Though this may give you a temporary satisfaction of having managed to get rid of the excess oil, you have unknowingly transferred the dirt and bacteria from your hands to your skin. Besides that, the oil that you thought has been wiped off has actually been spread around to the other areas of your face.
If you have oily skin or any type of skin for that matter, stop touching your face. Your skin will thank you for this. Also, do not apply any skincare product on your face until you have washed your hands with a mild soap.
2. Create A Cleansing Routine
It’s incredibly important to have a proper cleansing routine to wash away the excess oil and dirt. Ideally, you should be washing your face twice a day – once in the morning and then in the evening. This doesn’t include your post-workout cleansing routine that is meant to get rid of all the sweat and dirt that your skin might have accumulated during the workout session.
As important as it is to have a rigid cleansing routine to manage your oily skin, make sure that you don’t overdo it. Cleansing more often can dry out your skin thereby making it release more oil to compensate for the lost moisture.
3. Always Moisturize
It’s common for people with oily skin to skip moisturizer because they fear it will make their face look oilier than it already is. But that’s not the case. In fact, your oil glands start producing more oil the moment your skin feels slightly dry.
The best time to apply moisturize on your face is after you’ve cleansed and patted it dry. When your skin is properly moisturized, the oil glands won’t be very active because they don’t have to compensate for any lost moisture.
4. Avoid Using Harsh Products
Oily skin makes you more likely to fall for products that mention ‘For oily Skin’ or anything on those lines, and that’s the biggest mistake you can make while choosing skincare products. Most products that claim to help you get rid of oily skin can actually be very harsh on your skin. They dry out your face to an extent that the oil glands become overreactive and start producing more oil than they already do.
Make sure that you always choose the right products to combat your oily skin woes. While CeraVe hydrating cleanser would be perfect for face-washing, a high-quality salicylic acid serum can help reduce the production of sebum (The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% solution is my favorite). When choosing a toner for your skin, go with something that is non-irritating and free of astringents. Paula’s Choice Pore-reducing Toner is my go-to favorite when it comes to managing the excess oil that my skin produces during summers.
5. Use Blotting Papers When Needed
It’s normal for your skin to start releasing more oil after a few hours of wearing makeup. In that case, use blotting paper to get rid of some of the excess oil. Make sure that you keep these blotting papers in a separate pocket of your handbag to keep them away from the risk of contamination.
The right way of using blotting paper is to press it against your face until it has absorbed the oil. Do not make the mistake of rubbing it harshly on your face as it can spread the oil around and make your skin feel irritated.
6. Drink Plenty Of Water
Hydration is just as important for oily skin as it is for dry skin. When your body is properly hydrated, it extends some of that hydration to your skin thereby keeping it adequately nourished to function properly. When there’s enough hydration in your skin, the oil glands won’t be as overreactive as they are when your skin is dehydrated.
Apart from drinking at least 2 litres of water a day, introduce lots of citrus fruits in your diet to provide your skin with vitamins and other important nutrients. And of course, avoid having oily food as much as possible to make sure that you aren’t adding up to your oily skin woes.
There you have it! I hope these simple tips and habits work just as well for you as they have for me in fixing your oily skin issues.
Pro Fact: No matter how much you hate it, oily skin is truly a blessing in disguise. There’s enough evidence to suggest that people with oily skin age slower than those with dry skin. The oil glands help compensate for the lost moisture in your skin thereby preventing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of ageing. So, it’s time to love your oily skin for all that it does for you.
