Oily skin and how to deal with it– a complete understanding

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• 1. What causes oily skin?
• 2. The correct way to go about moisturizing oily skin
• 3. Tried and tested treatments for oily skin

Oily skin can be the bane of your existence, yet there are ways in which you can minimize the impact of having oily skin. For one, when your face is constantly producing oil, it may seem redundant to apply a good moisturizer. But this can be a huge mistake for your skin. Let’s read on to see how to treat your skin in the right manner.

What causes oily skin?

Our skin is covered in pores that are responsible for releasing oils to the skin to enrich it. However, sometimes these pores overproduce this substance, known as sebum, and this can lead to oily skin. This can cause the skin to look and feel greasy and can cause acne.

Additionally, oily skin can also be dependent on the location you live in as well as the time of the year. For instance, it is more common to experience oily skin in the warmer months especially in places that are high in humidity.

However, there may be things that you are doing wrong that can lead to oily skin. An example is overdoing your skincare routine- particularly during the cleansing step. Frequent washing or exfoliating can cause your skin to be stripped of its essential oils. In response, your pores and sebaceous glands go into overtime trying to replace the missing oils. As a result, your skin will be greasier and shinier.

Moreover, making sure to use sunscreen and moisturizer can make all the difference for your oily skin.

The correct way to go about moisturizing oily skin:

A good moisturizer has many roles to play for your skin. The first of these roles is that it can provide a protective layer that prevents water loss from the skin. The second role is that the moisturizer can fill in the spaces between the cells and give your skin a smooth overall appearance and impart a silky feel. Lastly, moisturizers can also draw water from the surrounding environment and even from the dermis of the skin.

Oily skin, just like any other, needs a good moisturizer. The ideal type would be one that is lightweight in texture and heavier in “humectants” which are the elements in moisturizers that are responsible for drawing water from the environment. Humectants are an important element to have as they do not create a protective barrier on the skin which can sometimes clog pores and cause acne. Typically, you would look to find an oil-free moisturizer that aims to control excess sebum with ingredients such as salicylic acid. Also, gel or mattifying moisturizers can be your best bet!

The trick, however, is to know how much product to utilize. For moisturizers, it is recommended to use about 1-3 pumps or the equivalent to a nickel-sized amount. And for added benefits, massage the product into your skin for a solid minute to improve blood circulation to the face and increase absorption. If you also use a serum, make sure to layer the moisturizer after applying the serum while it is still damp. This will allow the moisturizer to trap the serum and help the skin to absorb it better. 

Apart from moisturizing, make sure to use sunscreen as well. Going out into the sun without a sunscreen on can be very drying on the skin. When the skin dries out, pores and sebaceous glands start overcompensating with excess oils, leaving a greasy residue on the skin.

A common misconception is that oily skin does not need moisturizing. Moisturizing is important as it focuses on keeping your skin functioning normally and healthily as a barrier. The only difference with oily skin is that you should pick a water-based cream instead of a thicker formula. When oily skin gets dehydrated, this can lead to pimples and even acne. You may even find your skin prematurely aging if the correct moisturizers are not included within daily skincare routines.

Another misconception you will find prominent is that oily skin requires more than two daily washes. This is not only a myth, but also harmful for the skin. No matter the oil production, washing more than twice a day can worsen this with over-production to make up for the constant washes and oil strips. Sticking to a daily regimen will, over time, reduce the excess oil production of your skin and as time goes by you may notice that your skin is no longer as greasy as it used to be!

Tried and tested treatments for oily skin:

A great product to combat oily skin that is also anti-acne, is the Project E Beauty Clear Care Anti-Acne Essence. It is a natural and organic serum perfect for oily skin because it is free from oily residue and filled with deep moisture. This facial serum can prevent excess oils from clogging pores, and it features a hydrating, botanical ingredients like hyaluronic acid that’s ideal to calm and hydrate skin. The best part is that it is easily absorbed to leave skin luxuriously hydrated and instantly refreshed.

Another wonderful treatment is the Lumamask LED Light Therapy device. This is a wireless anti-acne skincare mask that has many functions. One of the top functions is it minimizes pores which in turn aids in reducing the presence of acne on the surface of the skin. It features 7 LED colors that target various different skin issues such as blue light which is most effective for reducing acne and inflammation. The device transmits natural light waves by use of LEDs into the skin. The skin cells are then activated by this light and produce energy, thereby improving the skin’s ability to absorb treatment serums.

So, there you have it. If you have been leaving out moisturizing from your routine because of oily skin, this is the time to stop! The benefits of moisturizing far outweigh the “greasy” feel on the skin, and if you find a lightweight one, you may not even feel oily!

 

 written by Olivia Khader

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