People who have oily skin tend to have a love-hate relationship when it comes to their skin .
Oily skin usually has a lot of shine, is greasy and prone to breakouts. people with oily skin mostly suffer from pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores, and enlarged pores and this is because of the sebaceous gland (the oil gland), which is overstimulated and produces more sebum (oil) than the normal skin type.
Having oily skin can sometimes be frustrating and caring for this skin type can leave you exhausted.
However, having oily skin isn’t all bad and you shouldn’t totally condemn your skin. There are a few benefits to having oily skin which most people are unaware of. You’re probably wondering “what possible benefits could oily skin have”?
Well, skincare experts believe that oily skin and combination skin types tend to age more slowly in comparison to other skin types. This is because the oils produced keeps all the moisture locked into the surface of the skin, meaning fewer signs of wrinkles and other basic signs of aging.
So, now that you know the basics about your oily skin type, I’ll be sharing with you 5 skincare tips to live by if you have oily skin.
Tip #1: Wash Regularly
One of the most important ways to keep your skin grease-free for as long as you can is to wash it regularly.
It is advised to wash at least twice a day in order to get rid of the oil build-up which can lead to acne, clogged pores, and so on. When washing it is preferable to make use of lukewarm water and a face wash that is not too harsh on the skin so as not to strip off all the essential oils on your skin, having a reverse effect. You also need to be gentle when cleansing.
Tip #2: Adopt A Skincare Routine
Having a skincare routine makes a lot of difference when it comes to caring for oily skin or any skin type for that matter. This is one major habit of people with fabulous skin. A basic skincare routine consists of :
- Cleansing: Asides from washing regularly, you should go the extra mile by cleansing your face with a non-alcohol based cleanser. This gets rid of tiny dirt particles and makeup deeply logged underneath your skin.
Exfoliate: Scrubbing once or twice a week is very good for oily skin. This helps to remove the dead skin cells on the skin due to the oversecretion of oils leading to pimples, acne and blackheads. Including this vital step in your skincare routine will help to prevent breakouts, renew the surface of your skin, and keep any further skin issues at bay.
- Tone: In your skincare routine do not forget to tone regularly. Toners help to remove dirts and other residue left after cleansing the face, it restores skin’s pH balance, reduces the appearance of pores, hydrates the skin, prevent ingrown hairs, reduces acne and blackheads, and so on. Make use of an alcohol-free toner because toners that contain alcohol might be too drying and would cause your face to produce more oil if you’re not careful.
If you get acne frequently, you can opt for toners containing salicylic acid, this is one of the best products to use when trying to get rid of acne. An affordable/DIY toner is rosewater and witch hazel. Many skincare lovers swear by this and it’s also an ingredient in some dermatologically recommended toners.
- Moisturize: Do not skip this process because keeping your skin hydrated reduces the sensitivity of your skin and the tendency to produce more oils as opposed to what most people think. You should make use of an oil-free moisturizer, preferably a water-based moisturizer to keep all the moisture locked in.
Tip #3: Avoid Greasy Foods
In caring for your oily skin what you eat really matters. If you have oily skin you are more prone to skin problems like acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and so on. Because all these problems are more common to your skin type it is advisable for you to avoid greasy foods as much as you can. In other to reduce the amount of sebum produced by your skin stay away from or reduce to the barest minimum food items such as butter, groundnuts, and meals that require a lot of grease to prepare. In some cases, you need to recognize foods that trigger breakouts and avoid them as well.
Tip #4: Use Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most underrated skin essentials. Having a whole skincare routine and applying all sorts of products on your face might all be in vain if you allow the ultraviolet rays from the sun to tamper with your skin.
We also have to realize that it’s not only when we are going out we use sunscreen. NO!, wear sunscreen indoors as well because there are certain uv rays that can penetrate your windows. Exposing your face to heat while cooking in the kitchen also predisposes your face to high temperatures that can cause heat damage.
Do not compromise on applying sunscreen. This prevents damages to the skin such as pigmentation, brown spots, and sunburn all caused by sun exposure. A gel-based sunscreen will do just fine, or you could also opt for products, creams, lotions, and makeup that contains SPF to further protect your skin.
Tip #5: Avoid Oil Based Products
Steer clear off products that are oil-based in nature as this will further help to reduce the over secretion of oil from your skin. If you use makeup you should go for products that are water-based or matte to avoid overstimulating your oil glands. Oil control products are a must-have in your makeup kit to keep the oils locked in for as long as possible so your makeup stays in place all day. Most of your skincare products such as your moisturizer, lotion, tonner, etc, should also be non-oil-based to reduce the production of sebum.
Bonus tips
- Stay away from sugary foods, and junk food. Other than the fact that they aren’t so good for your overall health, they also contribute to your skin issues.
- Drink lots of water to remain hydrated and flush out toxic waste from your body, and also make lots of greens, fruits, and veggies part of your diet.
There are lots of factors to consider when it comes to skincare, and it really does not have to be a nightmare. Following all these basic steps can help you manage your skin better so you look your absolute best at all times.
