Oily skin is a true problem both for women and men worldwide. Some say it’s hard to take care of it, but with the right routine, you can handle it just like any other skin type. Today we are going to have a look at how to take care of oily skin and what products you should use.
So Do You Really Have Oily Skin?
Though it’s not complicated, some people are confused about how to tell if you have oily skin. It may happen that you have a mixed type of skin, for example. There are plenty of tips on this, and one of them is to use a tissue: while indoors, clean your face. Let it stay for an hour without touching it. Next, take a large paper tissue and press it against your face. If you notice there are oily spots on it, then you have an oily skin and you should read the following advice.
1. Watch Out for the Fragile Areas
If you look closely, you will see that in certain areas the skin on your face is thinner. Those are the most fragile areas and you need to offer them special care. In general, the most sensitive areas are the eyes and the lips. They deserve special attention, so when you make a plan on how to take care of oily skin, include some special oily skin care products that target these areas. Eye creams and under eye ones are helpful and can even prevent aging. Finally, it’s important to choose products that don’t clog your pores.
2. Be Sure and Cleanse the Skin Gently
One big mistake people make, especially when they don’t know how to take care of oily skin or face with acne, is to cleanse it aggressively. Here are some tips on cleansing your oily skin:
- Repeat this process twice a day: in the morning and before bedtime.
- Harsh soaps can only determine the skin to produce more oil, which is exactly what you don’t want. At the same time, a buff puff or a washcloth can be equally dangerous for you.
- If you’ve been using a regular facial cleanser and you noticed it doesn’t help, you should try a product that contains acids. Check the label for glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, beta-hydroxy acid or salicylic acid. There is an ongoing debate over using salicylic acid for skin, but a small quantity seems to be safe. Usually, these products hit the market as acne products, but they are perfect for people who don’t know how to get rid of oily skin as well.
- Don’t use hot water, since this can irritate the skin even more. Moreover, remember that you might need to try various products before finding the right one for you.
3. Never, Ever Skip Scrubbing
If you look up some advice on how to take care of oily skin, you will see that many think scrubbing is not okay. However, scrubbing is an important step even for this skin type. But what actually happens with oily skin? The skin produces excess sebum, which further enables dead skin cells to accumulate on the surface. The result? Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, acne, and others. Overall, the skin looks dull and unhealthy.
That’s why it’s important to exfoliate the skin. It renews the skin surface, eliminates the dead skin cells, as well as dirt, keeping any breakout away. Remember not to be harsh with it! If you’re not satisfied with the products you find in stores, there are plenty of DIY face scrub for oily skin recipes.
4. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Many people think that an oily face doesn’t need any moisturizing. However, this is a big mistake, since leaving the skin without any hydration source will determine it to produce even more oil instead.
- A water-based, non-comedogenic, oil-free product should be perfect.
- An important thing you need to keep in mind is that you need to dose the moisturizer. If you notice there are areas that tend to dry, use more there. On the contrary, use less in the oily areas.
- Even the best moisturizers for combination skin may not work well for your skin, so the best way to find the right one for you is to try and see.
- Another option would be to choose a DIY face mask for oily skin that helps with the moisture. However, don’t apply a mask more than 1-2 times a week since they can dry your skin.
5. Run and Hide from the Sun
Okay, maybe not run away, but you should at least protect your skin. No matter the season, the best products for oily skin should include solar filters. And there is a serious risk to consider. Sun exposure can lead to freckles, pigmentation, and brown spots.
- The best idea is to use a gel-based sunscreen.
- Check the label and see if the sunscreen you are using is oil-free. There are plenty of new products to help you with this, including facial powders.
If you want to know how to take care of oily skin correctly, you should also pay attention to your diet.
- Sugary and junk foods are a total no-no for you.
- Instead, drink plenty of water that will help you get rid of the toxins.
- Eat leafy veggies and at least one fruit each day. This may not seem so relevant, but the truth is they help regulate the amount of oil produced by the skin.
To Use or Not to Use Toners?
There are various opinions on whether the toners help you reduce the oil on your skin or not. In general, toners are astringent, thus irritating the skin and producing even more oil. However, if you like using them, it’s good to apply these products only in places where the skin is oily, such as the chin, the nose, and the forehead. If you see that you have dry patches, don’t apply toners to those areas.
- This category of products is used for removing dirt and any excess oil from the skin.
- The best choice is a skin care that contains rosewater.
- Drugstore brands are also useful, but make sure you choose an alcohol-free option.
Makeup and Beauty Advice for Oily Skin
Now that you know how to take care of oily skin and how to clean and hydrate it correctly, you should have a look at these beauty tips for oily skin. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to prepare the skin before applying makeup.
1. Use a Primer
Before you start, apply a primer to the skin. The best primers for oily skin can also be a base for makeup. They absorb the oil produced by the glands, which means that the makeup products you apply will last longer on the skin. The primer should always be applied after you used toner and moisturizer.
2. Apply Concealer
One thing you need to know when learning how to take care of oily skin is to use as few products as you can. Keep in mind that there is no single best foundation for oily acne prone skin that works for everybody, but there must be one that matches your specific type of skin. Regardless of the brand, choose a mineral or an oil-free one. These help you fill out the pores and offer a more even look to your face. It’s important to apply products using your fingers. Brushes or sponges can only make your acne situation worse.
[toggles title=”PRO TIP”]Use more concealer since this has less oil than any foundation.[/toggles]
3. Apply Powder
After using concealer or foundation (or both), let it settle for 5-10 minutes. Next, set it with a light translucent powder. Don’t use shimmery powders since they won’t look well on your oily skin. Apply powder especially on the areas that tend to become oilier. Use a powder brush or a kabuki one if you want to obtain an airbrushed look.
4. Eye Shadow and Blush
For oily skin, it’s best to use a powder-based blush, as well as a similar eyeshadow. Remember that you should always go for waterproof products. Eyeliners and other makeup products may get messy when your skin produces oils, so it’s better to go waterproof. Blend the powdered ones well and avoid any harsh lines.
5. Set the Makeup
Finally, you need to set the makeup with a special finishing spray. This step is important since it will help your look last longer. It is, in fact, a shield that protects the makeup, resisting oil production at the same time. You only need a few sprays to prevent a cakey look and to let your skin breathe.
6. Emergency Kit
You may look gorgeous when you leave home, but what will happen in a couple of hours? Your skin will keep producing oils and these may interfere with your makeup. In this case, you need to have an emergency kit ready to take over. Carry with you some translucent powder, as well as oil-blotting sheets. Blotting papers are great because they absorb the oil without drying out the skin. Be careful not to scrub your skin with it, just press it on the oily area for 15-20 seconds. Add a touch-up of translucent powder and you’re ready to go.
Conclusion
Most men and women choose to go for natural skincare for oily skin. Regardless of the products you want, it’s important to learn how to take care of oily skin both at night and during the day. In general, oily skin needs some special steps when it comes to makeup. Thankfully, there are lots of modern products that help you overcome this issue: translucent powder, blotting papers, special toners, and moisturizers, etc. The most important thing to remember if you have oily skin is that you need to keep it clean and hydrated at all times.
Images: depositphotos.com.