The perfect skincare routine for oily skin is easier to build than you think. It is characterized by an overproduction of sebum in your oil glands, leading to a shiny appearance on your face and enlarged pores. Oily skin can lead to acne.
When you start to approach your teen years, there is an increase in the number of androgens present in your body. These hormones cause an increase in the amount of oil your sebaceous glands produce. However, some people are genetically predisposed to oily skin.
Table of Contents
Causes of oily skin
- Genetics
- Using the wrong skincare products
- Enlarged pores
- A poor diet
- Hormonal changes
- Weather changes
- Some medication
- Stress
- Over cleansing skin
Morning skincare routine for oily skin
The perfect skincare routine for oily skin is effortless to build. The fewer products you use, the less you can clog your pores and cause more oiliness. Make sure that whatever products you choose to use are oil-free and non-comedogenic.
1. Cleanse
As much as you want to get rid of the oil instantly when you’re cleansing your face, use a non-comedogenic, oil-free gentle cleanser as the first step so that you do not disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and cause any kind of irritation to your skin with harsh ingredients. My favorite gentle face cleanser has to be the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser because it is gentle yet so effective at reducing oiliness. The cleanser is suitable for oily skin because it contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and other healthy ingredients.
2. Tone
Mandelic acid or lactic acid are great for toners targeting your oily skin because they are both gentle alpha-hydroxy acids. You could use a different acid for your oily skincare routine if you already use a salicylic acid cleanser.
Mandelic acid reduces oil, kills acne-causing bacteria, removes dead skin cells, and reduces inflammation caused by acne.
Lactic acid is also remarkable because it moisturizes your skin, apart from unclogging pores and shedding away dead skin cells.
The By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% is the most gentle exfoliant without all the harsh side effects.
3. Targeted treatment
Controlling your oil production without compromising your skin’s barrier can be tricky. A powerful ingredient to reduce sebum production is niacinamide.
This ingredient has so many benefits for your skin, including reducing hyperpigmentation. It also repairs your skin’s lipid barrier, controls oil production, minimizes lines and wrinkles, and many other things. Here is a post that you can read about all the benefits of niacinamide. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% it’s a cheap and effective serum if you’re trying to control oil production.
4. Moisturize
Yes, you should moisturize; a light moisturizer will help hydrate your skin. On scorching days you could get away without using a moisturizer but on cooler days, make sure you do.
The Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream is a lightweight, smooth textured moisturizer that dries down very well, and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is also a great light, non-greasy moisturizer.
5. Sunscreen
An oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen is the way to go for oily skin. You want to ensure that whatever products you use won’t clog your pores. Sunscreen protects your skin, and it is essential in avoiding other problems that can cause so many skin conditions. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of no less than SPF 30.
I am not a huge fan of chemical sunscreen, I do use them, but I would much instead use 100% physical sunscreen. Unfortunately, for dark skin types, which I happen to be, most physical sunscreens leave a white cast on the face, so you have no option but to opt for a tinted sunscreen.
My favorite brand of sunscreen at the moment is Colorescience. They have fantastic sun protection products, and for oily skin, the Total Protection Face Shield Glow SPF 50 is perfect for all skin types and even comes in 3 different shades.
Evening skincare routine for oily skin
1. Oil cleanse
Please oil cleanse, especially if you wear makeup during the day. The oil will ensure you lift all the dirt and unclog your pores. And what better way to fight oil than with oil.
Oil cleansers lift excess sebum and get rid of dead skin cells. It will ensure that your cleanser finishes the job and leaves your skin fresh and clean. The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is free from harsh ingredients and does a fantastic job of unclogging pores.
2. Cleanse
It is perfectly okay to use the same cleanser as the one you use in the morning, but if you want to switch things up a little, look for a cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid will help to unclog those pores, gently exfoliate your skin and reduce oil production.
You can always alternate between the two on different nights.
Just Like in the morning, the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is an excellent choice for gentle cleansing. As for the salicylic acid cleanser, the CeraVe SA Cleanser.
3. Niacinamide serum
The jack of all trades in skin care is niacinamide, and it works so well for oily skin by reducing the amount of oil your skin produces. Niacinamide also increases the ceramides that naturally occur in your skin, which will help increase hydration retention, thus reducing dehydration.
Another incredible benefit is that it helps reduce the side effects like dryness and irritation you may experience from using a retinoid.
Paula’s Choice BOOST 10% Niacinamide Booster or the same one as the morning (The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%) will minimize your pores and control the oil production in your skin.
4. Targeted treatment (exfoliant or retinoid)
You can’t use an exfoliant and retinol in one routine, and your skin will be overwhelmed, resulting in a damaged skin barrier. Both these ingredients are sometimes drying, and if that happens, your oil glands will go into overproduction mode, and guess what? More oil.
Alternate between an exfoliant like the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA exfoliant and a retinoid such as Differin Gel every other night. If you are a beginner at retinol, use it once a week and the exfoliant every other night and build tolerance. Adapalene is an excellent entry-level retinoid and is easily accessible over the counter in some countries. Choose exfoliating acids like lactic acid and salicylic acid because they are beneficial treatments for oily acne-prone and oily skin.
Benefits of retinoids for a skincare routine for oily skin:
- Unclog pores
- Reduce oil production
- If you have oily acne-prone, it will reduce the acne
- Reduce the appearance of your pores
- Increases cell turnover rate
Benefits of exfoliating for a skincare routine for oily skin:
- Unclogs pores
- Improve your skin’s ability to absorb moisture (the right kind)
- Reduce acne and hormonal breakouts
Hydrating moisturizer for a skincare routine for oily skin
Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean you should skip giving it some good old hydration. A lack of hydration can lead to dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid is perfect for oily skin because it attracts water into your skin and is lightweight. The Cerave PM Facial Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide is a lightweight, non-greasy formula that hydrates your skin without clogging your pores.
Here are a few extra tips to help manage oily skin
All these tips are the cherry on top of the cake to help manage your oily skin.
- Once/twice a week, use a targeted face mask, like a clay mask, to absorb the excess oil in your skin. Your skin will love you for it, plus it’s a great way to relax and treat yourself.
- Improve your diet. More times than not, your diet affects your skin. Eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and beans. I can testify to how oats and whole grains can make a huge difference in your skin’s appearance; add them to your diet.
- Don’t over-exfoliate your skin. You will strip your skin and cause your sebaceous glands to overproduce oil, worsening the oiliness.
- Medicated pads and blotting papers help to reduce the amount of excess oil on your skin.
- Reduce stress.
- Don’t over-cleanse your skin, but at the same time, cleanse when necessary, such as after workouts.
The takeaway
Oily skin can not go away permanently, but there are ways in which you can manage it by having a consistent and effective regimen.
If you have been trying to treat the oiliness and it does not seem to be going away, you may have an underlying condition, and only a dermatologist can adequately diagnose that. Visit your dermatologist if all your efforts are going in vain.
What have you been doing to get rid of your oily skin? Let me know in the comments.
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