Most Effective Ways To Manage Oily Skin

The difference between oily skin and glowing skin is akin to the difference between a honey badger and a meerkat: One is scary, while the other is appealing. The good news for anyone struggling with a personal oil crisis is that this common complexion problem isn't a jail sentence.

The first step on the road to recovery is finding out if you truly have a problem. "Oily skin is shiny and greasy to the touch, especially in the T-zone — the forehead, nose and chin," says celebrity aesthetician Kate Somerville. You'll see enlarged pores, an orange peel–like texture and frequent breakouts, she explains.

Turn a greasy, shiny complexion into a fresh-faced glow with these six simple steps.

Find the Right Cleanser

“Many people think that washing your face or using acne products makes your skin produce more oil, so they avoid it,” says Jessica Wu, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School. “Your oil glands will produce the same amount of oil regardless of how you treat it on the outside,” she explains. In other words, getting your skin to produce more oil would require a change on an internal, biological level, like a shift in hormones. Washing your face won’t do it.

If you’re washing with products that are too harsh, though, you will strip away the oils that make your skin look healthy and dewy. Try not to use a cleanser more than twice a day. One of your visits to the sink should include a wash containing salicylic acid, which helps absorb oil.

Hydrate Your Skin

"Many people with oily skin avoid using moisturizer — which can be very beneficial, especially during the colder months," says June Jacobs, founder of June Jacobs Spa Collection. But your skin can still be dry and dehydrated even if you have an oily complexion. So omitting moisturizer can be adding insult — in the form of dryness and irritation — to the injury of oily skin.

Jacobs recommends a lightweight moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid and natural remedies such as lemon-peel extract, which have astringent and antibacterial properties. Look for non-comedogenic formulas that won't clog pores — a concern for those with overactive sebum glands.

Keep Your Hands Off!

Having oily skin does make you more acne-prone, because sebum is a key instigator of breakouts. When blackheads or blemishes mar your complexion, it’s easy to unleash your inner teenager, and pick or squeeze out of frustration. This is a bad idea, Jacobs explains: “Touching your face isn’t good, because your fingers can carry bacteria that will make your skin break out even more.”

She suggests using a toner instead. “In order to prevent oiliness and blemishes,” she says, “use a toner after cleansing that has antibacterial and oil-absorbing properties, which remove excess oils and surface impurities.”

Eat the Right Fats

One common myth is that oily food causes oily skin. Not so, according to Dr. Wu. “In fact, certain types of oils, like fish oils [which are high in omega-3 fatty acids] have been shown to help reduce acne, because they have anti-inflammatory properties,” she says.

“On the other hand, dairy products, sugary foods and processed carbohydrates like muffins, bread and pasta have been linked to worse acne breakouts.” In addition to avoiding these trigger foods, she suggests eating frequent small meals to keep your blood sugar stable, which will help reduce oil production and clogged pores.

Put Down the Powder

Grabbing a compact when you’re feeling shiny may offer you a brief respite, but in the long run you’re only causing more problems. “Instead of dabbing your nose with powder, which can mix with your skin’s oils and turn it into a pasty mess, use blotting papers without powder for best results,” Dr. Wu says.

Blotting sheets resemble tissue paper and can absorb oil without disturbing your makeup.

Source: Dailyglow.com