SKIN CARE

2 min read

Oil’s Well That Ends Well: The Best Ways to Treat Oily Skin

2017-05-03

While there may not be an easy cure for preventing your skin from producing too much oil, there are ways to control this skin condition. Read on to learn what options we suggest for managing your oily skin.

Adjust Your Skincare Routine

Oily skin usually requires its own range of products, so switch to a skincare regimen specifically suited for oily skin types. We recommend the following skincare routine:  

Use Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer Twice Everyday

Look for cleansers that contain sulfur, salicylic acid or tea tree oil - all of which dissolve excess sebum. Glycolic acid is also a good active ingredient, as it improves the skin’s overall tone and texture. After cleansing, use a mild, alcohol-free toner to remove impurities that your cleanser may have missed. Finish your routine by applying a light, oil-free moisturizer.  

Use an Astringent Every Other Day

If your skin is excessively oily, you can use an astringent to tighten pores and further remove oil, but because astringents contain high levels of alcohol, many find them over-drying and harsh - these should, at most, be used every other day, and never use them after you’ve exfoliated your face.  

Exfoliate Once a Week

Exfoliating is good for preventing pores from clogging - something that happens often with oily skin types. Many people choose to use an oil-free scrub designed for oily skin types, but be gentle when applying it to the face so as not to irritate the skin.  

Apply a Facial Mask Once a Week

A deep-cleansing facial mask containing clay can soak up excess oil, reducing shine for several days. Look for masks that also contain ingredients like honey or shea butter that soothe the skin and prevent it from drying out. However, these masks may still over dry your face, so consider applying them only to the oiliest areas.  

Controlling Shine Throughout the Day

When applying makeup in the morning, first use a mattifying or oil-control primer or base. This will absorb oil throughout the day, keeping skin looking fresh and shine-free. You can also powder your T-zone to soak up additional sebum on your face’s oiliest areas: the forehead and nose.   If your face often starts looking greasy later on in the day, then oil-control paper is your friend. These are great for a quick fix to blot away shine. These papers also tend not to dry out the skin and can be used over makeup. A dusting of a translucent powder can be applied two or three times during the day after blotting the face to cover up extra shine.  

Consult a Professional

When nothing else seems to work, consider seeing a dermatologist. Many of the same medications for stopping acne are similarly recommended for treating oily skin. Doctors can also prescribe topical creams with tretinoin, adapalene or tazarotene, which can alter the way pores secrete sebum, thereby reducing oiliness. These products can be irritating, so it’s best to use them on the oiliest areas of your face as you need to.   Other, more dramatic treatment options include pulsed light and heat energy therapies and diode laser therapy, which target and may destroy sebaceous glands. These possibilities, however, can be very expensive, and the long-term benefits and risks are still unknown - consult an experienced dermatologist to see if this is the right choice for you.  

Now’s the Time to Act

Left untreated, oily skin can lead to acne flare ups and a buildup of dead skin cells, leading to sallow-looking skin and enlarged pores - that’s why it’s imperative to find a way to treat the oily skin you have right away. So take action now to get that shine-free, fresh complexion you’ve always wanted.     Disclaimer: The information on this website and any related links are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, contact a professional healthcare provider.

Comments

66 comments

MYSA user avatar
Carter 20/11/2020

Your tip of applying face mask, as it contain ingredients like honey or shea butter that soothe the skin and prevent it from drying out works. I am thankful to you for giving this suggestion as it helps to reduce my oily skin.

0
MYSA user avatar
carly 20/11/2020

You are most welcome :)

0
MYSA user avatar
Skin Care 27/11/2020

I’m bookmarking this, these are great tips and just what I need. Definitely going to try some of these out. Thank you so much for sharing!

0
MYSA user avatar
carly 19/12/2020

You are most welcome and thank you for commenting!

0
MYSA user avatar
Derma Essentia 04/12/2020

Oily skin is the most common and ugly looking skin problem among Indians. I am happy that you have shared such helpful article. It will really help people with oily skin.

0
MYSA user avatar
carly 10/12/2020

You are most welcome and hope this helps :)

0
MYSA user avatar
Adam 08/12/2020

Hey, great article. I struggle with oily skin since was 13, hope this guide will help me.

0
MYSA user avatar
carly 16/12/2020

Thank you for your post and you are most welcome :)

0
MYSA user avatar
Anjali 11/12/2020

This is amazing also these are the best way to treat oily skin!!!!

0
MYSA user avatar
carly 16/12/2020

Thank you for your post and you are most welcome :)

0

Leave a comment

More articles
209 articles
DIY face masks autumn ingredients
SKIN CARE

The Best Autumn Ingredients for DIY Face Masks

Summer is over and suddenly your sun-kissed skin glow is slowly fading away.
A womans neck and chest illuminated by red and green
TECHNOLOGIES

What are NIR Lights & LED Light Therapy?

Do you know what LED and NIR actually stand for? More importantly, do you know what they can do for your skin and how they differ?
Girl lying down with her summer skin care essentials
SKIN CARE

Summer Skincare Essentials to Pack for Your Vacation

Everything you'll need in your beauty bag. You might have heard people referring to Summer ‘19 as “Hot Girl Summer”, and the best way to live your best (carefree) summer lifestyle is to start with your skin! Think about it; how many times has it happened that you notice a pimple and it ruins
Young woman standing in the fresh air meditating
WELL-BEING

The Importance of Self Care in Skincare

It's important to remember that a good skincare routine isn't just about using the right products – it’s also about taking care of your overall well-being. Self-care means different things to different people, but it generally refers to taking intentional actions to improve your health.