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Skincare for Oily Skin: Prevent Blemishes, Get a Natural Glow, and Keep Grease At Bay
Do you find yourself needing an improved regimen or skincare for oily skin? If you're touching up your foundation midday, have that telltale oil slick in photos, or deal with breakouts fairly often, chances are you probably have oily skin. Although most of us indeed go through an oily or acne-riddled phase in puberty, those of us with actual oily skin notice that these issuesgreasiness, pimplespersist way past our teen years. These issues can plague us well into our adult lives, which is why knowing the right skincare for oily skin is imperative to achieving a healthy, balanced complexion.
A fairly common skin type and typically characterized with more sebum production and, as a result, being more acne-prone than other complexions, it also has the benefit of looking younger for longer and isn't as predisposed to premature fine lines and wrinkles (small favors!). That said, the best skincare for oily skin involves a routine much more robust than just picking up the best foundation to mattify our foreheads or by dabbing on a touch of medicated zit cream; a well- rounded approach is necessary to maintain a natural glow and keep blemishes at bay.
Skincare for oily skin: everything you need to know
What causes oily skin?
Oily skin is the result of increased sebum production by sebaceous glands, triggered by stressors, changing hormone levels, and humidity, says Dr. Erin Kil, MD, a dermatologist at Manhattan's Tribeca Skin Center. Increased sebum production can cause the skin to be more acne-prone, leading to inflammation and blackhead formation. However, the benefit is that this skin type stays well- hydrated and is good at preventing the formation of fine lines, she adds.
As regards the proper skincare for oily skin, you need to cleanse thoroughly, but not too zealously. Individuals with oily skin should avoid scrubbing the skin, as it can trigger increased oil production and irritation, Dr. Kil cautions. It is best for individuals with oily skin to remove makeup at bedtime with a makeup wipe, and then to wash their face in the morning, bedtime, and after workouts.
Contrary to popular belief, oily skin also isn't necessarily hardier than other skin types. Oily skin does not protect the skin from irritation to harsh products, Dr. Kil confirms. On cleansing oily skin, she notes, The products that work best with oily skin are gentle foaming cleansers and oil- free, non-comedogenic moisturizers. It is best to avoid oil-based products, and individuals with oily skin can also use a mattifying gel to absorb facial oils and provide a more matte finish before taking photos.
Best skincare routine for oily skin
A simple routine for oily skin includes cleansing the skin with a gentle foaming cleanser, serum, and moisturizer, Dr. Kil says. This is best followed by sunscreen with zinc oxide for the day and a topical retinoid at bedtime.
Step 1: Use a gentle foaming cleanser Foaming cleansers are generally recommended for oily to acne-prone skin as the formulation is very efficient at removing excess oil and sebum and for deep- cleaning pores. In some cases, foaming washes can also provide some gentle exfoliation, especially when emulsified with water, leading to more thorough cleansing. Step 2: Apply a serum
As Dr. Kil mentions above, moisturizing oily skin is still necessary to keep it in a healthy, balanced stateovercleansing and/or stripping it of moisture will only cause skin to overcompensate with more sebum. Layering on a light serum after cleansing can help give skin a boost of moisture without leaving a heavy, sticky after-feel.
Step 3: Follow up with a moisturizer Moisturizer is an essential step in skincare for oily skin especially as you age, as oily skin can still get dehydrated, and even more so if you've been supplementing with acne treatments or are on any oral medication for pimples. Factors like the weather and caffeine or alcohol intake can dehydrate skin regardless of skin type, so a cream that traps water into the epidermis while also calming down any irritation is best. Step 4: For day, top with a zinc oxide sunscreen Because zinc oxide isn't absorbed by the skin, it's considered a physical sunscreen, meaning it sits on top of the skin and acts as a barrier and scatters UV rays (versus a chemical sunscreen, which is absorbed by the skin), making it the ideal choice for those with rosacea and sensitive skin, as well as children. In addition, it is also oil-free, non-irritating, non-allergenic, and non- comedogenic (won't clog pores), making it the ideal choice for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Step 5: For night, use a topical retinoid In addition to its anti-aging properties, retinol is also a powerful exfoliator that helps remove dead skin cells and excess dirt and oil, making it an effective acne fighter and a smart inclusion to your skincare for oily skin.
Additional tips for skincare for oily skin
Best skincare products for oily skin
Bioderma Sebium H2O Cleansing Purifying Micellar Wipes This set of 25 biodegradable wipes are soaked with Bioderma's Sbium micellar water for combination to oily skin, for a handy, gym- and travel-friendly cleansing option (an unlike other wipes, doesn't leave an unpleasant scent on your face).
- Bioderma Sebium H2O Cleansing Purifying Micellar Wipes at Walgreens for US$9.90
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser This refreshingly soft foaming wash makes a nifty case for cleansing the face of excess oil and impurities while retaining the integrity and natural hydration of the skin barrier. Ed's tip: As part of a healthy skincare routine for oily skin, we also like using it on other problem areas, such as on backne.
- Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser at LOOKFANTASTIC UK for 9.50
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum If you're on the lookout for a natural, vegan serum, stop right here: This award-winning blend uses vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and ferulic acid to even out skin tone and texture (goodbye, acne scars and stubborn dark spots).
- Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum at Amazon for 32
Bioderma Sebium Hydra Ultra-Moisturizing Compensating Care Oily skin still needs hydration, and this genius moisturizer targets oily or blemish-prone skin that's also been dehydrated or irritated by acne treatments. Ceramides and glycerin help target any short-term dryness imbalances, while soothing agents like allantoin calm down irritation.
- Bioderma Sebium Hydra Ultra-Moisturizing Compensating Care at Amazon for 12.64
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
This dermatologist fave calms irritation frequently experienced by skin types prone to rosacea, acne, and other sensitivities while offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It's oil-free and non-comedogenic, not to mention transparent?so there's no excuse for not layering this on before makeup application.
- EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 at Amazon for 28.49
Skin Better Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream This premium nighttime cream combines a lactic acid (AHA) with a retinoid to significantly reduce wrinkles in four weeks, with little to no irritation?making it ideal for skin that's been sensitized by acne treatments.
- Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream at Skin Better Science for US$125
OC8 Professional Mattifying Gel This professional-level gel controls oil for up to 8 hours and can be used as a primer under makeup. It also evens out skin tone, reducing redness, and absorbs shine for a perfect slick-free photo, each time. Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer Lightweight, non-greasy, and gives 8- hour mattifying power, this is a staple in a lot of beauty arsenals due to its smoothing, non-pore clogging properties.
- Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer at Amazon for 9.99