The Skinny on Oily Skin Care
We can’t even begin discussing oily skin care until we first understand what’s causing it. When we produce an excessive amount of sebum (the oily substance naturally produced by our skin), it results in an oily skin condition. Though sometimes an excess of something is good, in this case, it is not. This oily skin condition results in clogged pores, the build up of dead cells and as I’m sure you know, pimples or acne. In a nutshell, it makes you skin look bad. So for those of us with an oily skin problem, let’s look at how we deal with it.
The number one goal of any oily skin care product is to get rid of the excessive oil (sebum) on the skin. But in doing so, we have to be very careful not to cause other problems by removing every bit of oil from our skin.
Daily Oily Skin Care Routine
1. Cleansing. Your regimen for managing your oily skin begins with a cleanser. But not just any cleanser will do. The best type of cleanser for oily skin care should contain salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acid) because it retards sebum production. You should make it a point to clean your face twice a day (more if you live in either humid or hot environments).
Though most of the better oily skin care product lines are oil free, it never hurts to check the label before purchasing. If you pick up a product that says it’s suitable for any type skin and not aimed primarily at oily skin, read the label carefully. The degree of your oily skin will determine if these products for all skin types will or will not work for you. If your skin is not extremely oily, these products could possibly work for you. But if your skin is extremely oily, stick to products that are meant for oily skin care.
2. Toning. The second step of your daily oily skin care routine may include a toner. If your skin is extremely oily, this can be a toner that is alcohol based. But be aware that too much toning with alcohol based toners may harm your skin.
3. Moisturizing. The third step in your daily skin care will be to apply a mild moisturizer. Depending on the degree of your skin’s oiliness, you will need to be very careful in your selection of moisturizers. By choosing a moisturizer that contains oil, wax or lipids, you could actually be causing yourself more problems. Stay away from those three ingredients.
As a good measure against oily skin, try using a clay mask once a week.
If you’re like me, you may need to go through many different products before you find the one most suitable for your skin. I personally have a cabinet full of used facial products. But I’m trying to help you avoid these costly mistakes.
If you’ve tried a lot of over the counter product lines and nothing is working, go talk to your dermatologist. They may be able to prescribe something such as Vitamin A creams, sulfur creams or retinoids that will help you overcome the problems associated with oily skin care.
