Building the perfect skin care for oily skin is possible by balancing both external and internal factors. Following a regular skin care regimen along with dietary changes will eventually lead to flawless skin. Towards the end of the article, i have given a day time and night time skin care regimen for you.
What are the characteristics of oily skin?
In case of oily skin, Due to hormone imbalances the male hormone androgen level is spiked which causes an increase in the sebum production. The excess oil causes the pore size to expand. If neglected it results in pimples and acne breakouts.
- Oily skin has more shine to their skin
- Tends to get acne breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, pustules
- Pore size may be visible
- Makeup wears off faster when not baked with powder
- Usage of harsh and drying acne treatments cause our skin to produce more oil.
- Regular exfoliation is recommended to slough off dry skin cells. Be gentle though.
- Salicylic acid products are usually prescribed to prevent further breakouts. Salicylic acid helps to get rid of debris, dead skin cells and excess sebum.
- Less prone to wrinkles due to thicker skin
- Less prone to dehydration
- Skin behaves better when you follow a healthy diet.
- Use makeup products specifically designed for oily skin.
- Remove makeup before going to bed
- Do not skip the moisturiser. Use a light weight oil free moisturiser
Cleanser:
Dermatologist generally recommend products that are oil and wax free for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin stay clear from artificial fragrance. Also avoid SLS products such as foaming cleansers if you have sensitive skin.
Do not stay longer in hot showers. Hot showers strip your skin of oils. Taking bath in warm water helps get rid of the extra sebum by liquefying it. Sebum actually protects our skin by forming a barrier so it is not good to strip our skin of oil completely.
Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, neem, hydroxy acids but avoid all these in case you are on acne treatment. Adding more products may cause inflammation and redness. Listen to your dermatologist for your own good.
Gentle cleanser recommendations
Oily Skin:
You can opt for cleansers that are specifically made for oily skin or go for a face wash containing AHA like glycolic acid. Alphahydroxy acid face washes help to unclog pores, remove dead skin cells and exfoliate your skin. Hydroxy acids have an affect on superficial lines and wrinkles. They promote the production of collagen thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles. AHA products also help inhibit melanin and hence can reduce pigmentation.
Read Alphahydroxy acid(AHA) face wash recommendation
Oily And Sensitive skin:
Use a gentle face wash. You can opt for cleansers that has lanolin, glycerin or ceramides which helps lock moisure in your skin. Using harsh cleansers will dry out your skin forcing your skin to produce more sebum. This will further increase your problems by leading to acne.
Avoid foaming cleansers as it has SLS which might irritate your skin.
Oily Acne-Prone Skin:
Salicylic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, sulphur and sodium sulfacetamide are ingredients that are generally found in dermatologist recommended products.
Sulfacetamide: reduces the growth of bacteria thereby reducing acne.
Benzoyl peroxide: Exfoliator, Reduce bacteria
salycylic acid: Unclogs pores, Positive affect on redness, inflammation, swelling
Oil Cleanser suitable for Oily skin:
Extra virgin olive oil
Toner for oily skin:
- Toner is recommended for oily skin types. Toners clean your skin by removing dirt and extra oil. Alcohol based toners can dry our your skin and the problem worse so it is advisable to use it once a week. The best toner would be the one that has alcohol and salicylic acid. They help to balance the ph of our skin.
Toner ingredients:
Thyme
Sandalwood
Cucumber
Basil
Witch Hazel
Lavender
Moisturizer:
Moisturizer is used to increase skin hydration that is, the water content of the skin. Keep in mind that it does not affect the oil content of the skin. That is why using a moisturizer is so important and skipping it may worsen your condition.
It is important to use a light weight non comodogenic moisturizer especially when you are on acne medications like Benzyl Peroxide, AHA/BHA, Accutane, Retinols or Pro Active. They cause peeling of the the outer layer of the skin. The peeling is Invisible to naked eye. These ingredients improve the skin condition over time but proper skin care routine should be followed to avoid inflammation.
Gentle moisturizers like cetaphil is usually preferred.
Sunscreen:
The perfect skin care will never be perfect if sunscreen is not included. The uv rays accelerates ageing and causes various skin problems like freckles, tanning, uneven skin tone.
Use a water based sunscreen which is best suited for oily skin. Gel type sunscreens are light weight and do not block pores.
Sunscreen recommendation for every skin type
Serum:
When we talk about a perfect skin care routine, it all comes down to trial and error method. There are times when a non comodogenic moisturizer feels heavy and uncomfortable. Most of the dermatologist recommended moisturizers are not sweat proof and they just sit on top of our skin forming a protective barrier. When we sweat, everything gets wiped off along with sweat.
Serum is liquid based product designed to get absorbed into the skin completely. The size of the molecules in a serum are small enough to penetrate the skin. A serum usually contain more potent ingredients Like vitamin c, vitamin e, ceramides, anti oxidants and anti ageing ingredients. Few of them work as a stand alone moisturizer. With their line of ingredients, they help plump fine lines, reduce pigmentation and brighten your skin tone.
Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 Serum: This ingredient helps control sebum production and acne. A 2-5% potent serum has these benefits including brightening of the skin.
Vitamin C serum: Vitamin C helps to brighten your skin tone and fade dark spots and marks. It promotes healing and repair of skin cells. Vitamin c serum helps reduce inflammation and hyper pigmentation.
Exfoliator:
Include this step in your routine to get rid of dead skin cells and keep your pores clean. It is ideal to exfoliate once or twice a week but not more than that. When you have severe acne conditions, even the most gentle scrubs and exfoliators may irritate your skin and cause more breakouts. If that is the case, skip this step altogether. When using AHA/BHA face wash then you can limit exfoliating your face to once a week or skip it if you have really sensitive skin.
What is the best face mask for oily skin?
Clay face masks are the best face masks for oily skin. Slathering a betonite clay mask once a week is enough to remove excess oil and dead skin cell. It helps with inflammation and healing. Choose the right clay for your skin to prevent drying of the skin. Drying of your skin is the last thing you want to happen.
- White Clay : Good for sensitive skin
- French Green clay : Works better at removing oil and dirt, boosts blood circulation
- Egg white : Removes excess oil and makes your skin tighter
- Betonite clay : Absorbs all impurities, toxins and can even reduce swelling
- Fuller’s earth: Works on hyper pigmentation and has bleaching effect
- Rhassoul clay: Helps get rid of sebum, oil and other impurities, good for hair too
- Kaolin clay:
-
- Yellow: Gentle,Good for sensitive oily skin
- Red: One of the best clay for oily skin
- Pink: Provides gentle exfoliation
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How to remove makeup for oily skin?
Use makeup removing cleanser rather than wipes to clean your skin. Avoid products that has alcohol and artificial fragrances added to it. There are makeup wipes that contain salicylic acid available which is good for oily skin. wash your face after removing makeup. You can use olive oil or coconut oil on a cotton pad to remove makeup. It works beautifully but remember to wash traces of the oil using a face wash, cleanser or gentle soap bar.
Note : Never sleep with your makeup on.
Which oils are suitable for Oily skin?
Marula Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil .
Jojoba Oil
Grape seed Oil
Rosehip Oil
Evening primrose Oil
Pumpkin seed Oil
Tea tree oil can be used for spot treatment.
Which oils should be avoided?
Fatty acid rich oils are moisturising but they may irritate your skin. So feel free to use them as body moisturizers though. Oils rich in lauric acid are known for their antibacterial property but they also clog pores. These oils can be used to cleanse your face but not for moisturising.
Shea butter
Wheat germ oil
Sesame oil
Cocoa butter
Hazelnut oil
Camellia oil
Avocado oil
Olive oil – Can be used as makeup remover
Sunflower oil
Coconut oil
Diet Changes for oily skin?
Although oily skin is genetic sometimes the deficiency of vitamin B can also aggravate the condition. So include whole grains, nuts, fruits, beans in your diet to prevent this. Include citrus fruits to help with clear and bright skin. Try to include flaxseed oil in your diet. It is available in capsule form so its convenient for many of us.
Reduce your dairy consumption and carb intake as both may aggravate acne. Eat more vegetables and fruits to maintain a healthy clear skin. Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin from the inside.
What does exercise do for your Skin?
Any exercise may it be walking or dancing increases blood circulation. Exercise also promotes the production of the hormone endorphin which helps reduce stress. Stress causes hormonal imbalances which has a negative effect on your overall health. Stress leads to higher level of the hormone cortisol, so take your time to find ways to reduce stress
Makeup tips for oily skin?
- In order to make your foundation last longer use a hydroxy acid face wash to reduce oil
- Go for oil free products
- Always apply a mattifying primer
- Look for long wear tags on foundations and eye makeup
- Don’t forget to set your makeup
- Always carry blotting paper and compact powder
- Choose a matte blush
Example:
L’Oréal 24 hour infalliable foundation
Maybelline fit me foundation
L’Oréal Paris base magique primer
Revlon colorstay Mineral blush
What is the perfect skin care routine for oily skin?
Morning routine:
1. Cleanser
- Cetaphil
- Use AHA/ BHA face wash once a week or as recommended by your dermatologist
2. Apply acne medication creams if using any. If not,
3. Toner
- L’oreal Hydra Fresh Instant Freshness Toning Water
4. Serum
- klairs freshly juiced Vitamin drop
- Clinique acne solution line correcting serum
5. Moisturizer
- Cetaphil
6. Sunscreen
- Cetaphil PRO Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
7. Apply makeup
Keep bloating paper at all times
Night routine:
1. Use makeup remover/ cleansing oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Maybelline Eye & Lip Makeup Remover
2. Use cleanser to remove remaining traces of makeup
- Vichy Normaderm 3 In 1 Cleanser +Scrub + Mask
3. Apply acne medication and moisturiser
If not using acne creams then,
4. Apply a serum
5. Sheet mask
- It’s Skin Snail Moisture Mask Sheet
6. Apply eye cream
- L’Oreal Paris White Perfect Magic White Double Whitening Eye Cream
7. Apply night cream/ Deep moisturiser
- Vichy Normaderm Daily Care Night Chrono-Active Anti-Imperfection Care Night Cream
- Kiehl’s midnight recovery serum
- Clinique Smart Night Custom-Repair Moisturizer
Weekly Twice:
Exfoliate twice a week
Apply facial mask once or twice a week
- Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti
If you are over 25 choose a serum/night cream that has peptides or retinols. These two are the best for anti ageing. Vitamin c serums also have anti ageing benefits and it can be used both as a morning and night serum.
Conclusion:
Sometimes even with a perfect skin care routine and healthy diet you may note able to get a balanced flawless skin. Do not fret, There are various acne treatments like chemical peels, suncision, punch grafts and laser which help with acne and acne scars. Although excessive oiliness can be controlled using sulphuric creams, retinol/ vitamin a creams sometimes visiting the dermatologist might be the best option for you.
How to permanently get rid of scars and marks with cosmetology?
If you need a budget routine or a dermatologist routine please let me know.
