Oily skin is one of the common skin problems. It comes up with some unique challenges, like acne breakouts and a shiny complexion. Thinking how to take care of your oily skin? Oily, greasy skin is what beauty woes are made of. So, while a glossy shine could be a gorgeous thing on your nails and hair, it is not-so-appealing on your face. The thing about oily skin though, is that there is no specific reason behind that extra shine on your face. If you have oily skin, it means that your skin has overactive sebaceous glands that generate more oil than you require. Most of the time, it is because of climate changes, genetics, stress, or diet- or may also cause due to using wrong skin care products. Here, we are discussing morning skincare routine for oily skin that will ensure you have a healthy and acne-free skin.
Do not ignore the times when your skin gets dehydrated and to neutralize the loss of oil, it starts to produce excess oil. Result? Bloated skin pores that are prone to breakouts, blackheads, and acne. What a nightmare! Well, just because you have oily skin, it does not mean that you are helpless. First thing, instead of following what others are doing, find out what works for you. You must avoid using random skincare products and use tried-and-tested skincare products. Here are our tips and formulas for oily skin that will keep oiliness away. To make things simpler for you, here we have put together a morning skincare routine for oily skin along with night skincare routine.
What makes your skin oily?
Like combination or dry skin, oily skin is a genetic type of skin. It is associated with a hereditary disposition to overproduce the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which activates an excess of sebum production in the skin. We need sebum- a waxy and oily substance that lubricates the skin- to keep our moisture barrier undamaged, but overproduction can cause issues. Too much oil causes skin pores to widen and when trapped, oil can combine with bacteria and dead skin cells over the skin’s surface which in turn results in breakouts.
Test for Oily Skin
There are a few ways using which you can understand that you have oily skin. Most of the times, it displays these characteristics:
- Shiny look
- Greasy to touch
- Orange-peel like texture with enlarged pores
- Breakout prone
Still, confused whether you have oily skin or not? Try this 3-step test to find your skin type:
- Cleanse and wait- Wash your face with your favorite cleanser and make sure you do not apply any other product.
- Blot- Take a clean tissue and dab your T-zone gently.
- Check your skin- If your skin feels comfortable, but you find some residue on the tissue, then it means your skin is less oily
How to treat your oily skin
Oily skin may be genetic, but the production of oil can be influenced by stress, hormones, environment, and various seasonal changes. Here are a few important skincare routines for acne-prone skin.
Do not use harsh chemicals on your skin
Most of the products that claim to fix oily skin can in reality worsen it. Most of them consist of harsh chemicals that strip the skin’s moisture barrier. While these products may make your skin feel less oily, they trigger more oil production to compensate for a dry complexion. While choosing a cleanser, avoid those products that contain harsh ingredients, which takes away oil from the skin makes it dry. Some of the common surfactants include sodium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate. In its place, select organic and natural products that are made with harmful chemicals that strip your skin of necessary moisture.
Adjust your diet
Diet plays a vital role in the daily skincare routine for all skin types. You must avoid spicy and alcohol foods that may raise your heat index. These open blood vessels cause you to perspire, adding sweat to your current slick complexion. As a substitute, stock up on foods like grapefruit, kale, and carrots which are high in Vitamin A and slow production of oil. And, do not be scared of oily food. In fact, foods like tuna, salmon, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts which are rich in Omega-3 fats help to regulate the hormone that controls the production of oil and keeps the skin balanced.
Use cool skincare products
Beauty experts recommend keeping masks and moisturizers in the fridge to keep your complexion oil-free and cool. Using products directly from the refrigerator will keep your skin temperature low, which in turn will reduce the production of excess oil.
Be minimalist
If you have oily skin, you might have to rethink about your makeup routine. Liquid foundations and Primers consist of silicones that block and may enlarge skin pores, exacerbating oily skin problems. It is better to exchange your silicone primer with a natural alternative like for example, Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate which makes use of lactic acid and natural extracts of red clove flower and ribose to make primer-like results. Instead of your favorite liquid foundation, experts recommend using a mineral powder like Sun Defense Minerals that “sucks up extra oil just like a sponge.”
Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Every skin type, especially oily skin, needs a morning routine to remove extra oil that may have piled up over the skin’s surface during the night. Just some additional steps- with a little assistance from mattifying products can help prevent an oily complexion.
Cleansing- It is one of the important steps in a morning skincare routine for oily skin. Make sure you wash your face every morning. This will help you to get rid of extra oil or impurities that build up during the night. The longer the bacteria and dirt linger on your skin, the greater the chance a breakout can arise. Be away from harsh soaps and choose a gentle face wash that will not cause damage to your skin. While buying products for oily skin, make sure they are made of gentle foaming agents that can lift the dead skin and give your skin a healthy glow.
Toning- Toning your skin is a great way to help ensure that every final trace of debris is washed away after cleaning. Some toners can even normalize the pH level of your skin, and at the same time smoothen your skin’s texture. Choose a formula that is non-drying and advised for oily skin by experts. Soak a cotton ball with toner and apply it all over your face but be careful not to apply around the eye area.
Vitamin C serum- Including Vitamin C in your morning skincare routine for oily skin is important. You should use serums only when you want to handle different skin issues. If you feel your skin is dehydrated, then use a hydrating serum. If you want an anti-aging and brightening effect, use a serum that has anti-aging and brightening properties. Try to use lightweight formulations so that it gets absorbed in the skin easily.
Use an oil-free moisturizer- As your skin is producing extra oil, it does not mean that you must skip moisturizers and creams altogether. However, instead of using heavy formulas that can block your skin pores, select products that contain humectants like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin, that draws water int your skin and prevents loss of moisture also.
Evening Skincare routine for oily skin
If you are looking for a budget skincare routine for oily skin, then start your evening with cleansing and toning. Follow this skincare by applying a lightweight serum and then finish it by applying a high-quality night cream. If you decide to apply a serum, do not apply it to your T-zone that tends to get greasy with time.