Best Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Skin care routine for oily skin: The most common and problematic skin type is oily skin. If you develop a layer of oil around your face just after a while of washing your face, you have oily skin. 

Oily skin is caused by the overproduction of sebum, the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. The sebaceous glands are located in the dermis layer of the skin, producing sebum to moisturize and protect the skin. However, when the glands produce too much sebum, the oil can build up on the skin’s surface, leading to oily skin and an increased risk of acne.

Several factors can contribute to over-active sebaceous glands and oily skin, including genetics, hormonal changes, diet, and stress. Some medications, cosmetics, and skin care products can also contribute to oily skin.

It is important to note that oily skin can also signify hormonal imbalances. In some cases, a visit to a dermatologist may be necessary to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How Do You Know if you have Oily Skin?

A shiny or greasy appearance, clogged pores, and acne can identify oily skin. To test if your skin is oily, press a clean tissue or blotting paper to your face after a few hours of washing your face. If the tissue or paper picks up excess oil, you likely have oily skin. It’s also common to have oily skin in your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) while the rest of your face is normal or dry. Consult with a dermatologist if you have any doubts.

AM and PM Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Everybody should follow their skin care routine two times a day, one in the morning and another before bed. A skincare routine for oily skin should include the following steps:

1. Cleansing

Use a foaming or gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities from the skin. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in the facewash for your oily skin.

2. Toning

Use a toner to balance the skin’s pH and remove any remaining traces of makeup or dirt. Look for an oil-controlling toner with the following active ingredients:

• Salicylic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid

3. Serum

Serums are so much in trend because of their effects on the skin. Serums provide the essential acids required by the skin. Using a 10% niacinamide or 0.5-2% salicylic acid solution as your serum is a good idea for an oily skin person. It controls sebum production, prevents acne, and helps lighten acne scars.

4. Exfoliating

People with oily skin develop blackheads and whiteheads quickly. And to get rid of those exfoliations is highly recommended. But do not forget that oily skin is sensitive, and aggressively scrubbing your face can irritate your skin barriers. So, use a gentle exfoliating scrub or chemical exfoliant (such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or AHA/BHA solution) to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.

5. Moisturizing

Busting the biggest myth, oily skin does need moisturization. But ofcourse, you do not want to use an oil-based cream on your face. Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic lightweight moisturizer to hydrate the skin without adding excess oil.

6. Sun protection

Sun protection is a must regardless of skin type, season, gender, and age. For oily skin, use an oil-free sunscreen especially curated for oily skin, with an SPF of at least 30 to protect the skin from sun damage. The right sunscreen is SPF 50 with PA+++ to protect your skin. 

The number against SPF multiplied by five indicates the time duration in minutes for which the sunscreen is active. For example, if you have applied SPF 50, you are good for the next 250 minutes, after which you will have to reapply.

It is also essential to avoid heavy or greasy products and to avoid touching or picking at the skin, which can lead to breakouts.

Oily Skin Care Routine for Men

The oily skincare routine for men is the same as above. They should also follow all the steps with the required ingredients.

Best Skin Care Ingredients for Oily Skin

1. Niacinamide
2. Salicylic acid
3. Retinol
4. Benzoyl peroxide
5. BHA and AHA

Ingredients commonly recommended for oily skin include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and retinoids. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can help to unclog pores and reduce inflammation, while AHAs and retinoids can help to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. Additionally, it is essential to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to hydrate the skin without clogging pores. It’s always best to consult a dermatologist for personalized advice.

Problems with Oily Skin

People with oily skin may face several problems; some of the most common include:

• Acne: Oily skin is more prone to acne breakouts due to the excess sebum and dead skin cells that clog pores.

• Blackheads and whiteheads: Excess oil can cause blackheads and whiteheads to form on the skin.

• Shiny appearance: Oily skin has a characteristic shiny appearance, which can be unwanted and make the skin appear greasy.

• Enlarged pores: Oily skin can cause pores to appear more prominent due to the build-up of sebum and dirt.

• Greasiness: Excess oil can make the skin feel greasy and uncomfortable.

• Aging: Oily skin can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots to appear earlier than they would on normal or dry skin.

• Oiliness: Oily skin can cause makeup to slide off and make the skin feel heavy and dirty.

It is important to note that even though oily skin can be more prone to acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, it still needs hydration, so it is important to use lightweight and oil-free moisturizers. A proper skincare routine, such as the one described above, can help manage oily skin and prevent these problems from developing.

Other Useful Tips for Oily Skin

1. Change the Pillow cover atleast every week

You don’t realize it, but you get a lot of bacteria and acne-causing germs from your pillowcases. You stay in close contact with it for a very long duration, so the chances of exchanging germs are very high.

2. Avoid touching your face

When we are indulged in our daily routine work, we encounter a lot of bacteria and germs that stay on our hands. It is always beneficial to not touch your face without washing your hands.

3. Avoid hot water on your face

Hot water and steam open the pores of your face. If you have active acne, you must not irritate your pores. People with oily skin should use products to tighten their skin pores. Applying ice can be beneficial. Not only that, hot water strips off the protective layer of skin. So, avoid hot water on your face, whatever your skin type is.

Conclusion

Maintaining an effective skincare routine for oily skin can help manage excess oil production, prevent acne, and promote overall skin health. Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands producing too much sebum, leading to clogged pores and an increased risk of acne. Including active ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide acid in the skincare routine can help prevent problems due to oily skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on 

• Is vitamin C good for oily skin?

Vitamin C is a photo-sensitive ingredient that brightens the skin. If you have active acne, you should avoid using vitamin C; otherwise, vitamin C is good for almost every skin type. Doing a patch test is recommended.

• What serum is good for oily skin?

Salicylic acid and niacinamide acid are considered to be suitable active ingredients for oily skin. One should consult a dermatologist before including any serum in their skincare routine.

• Is Multani Mitti good for oily skin?

Multani mitti is one of the best face-pack for oily skin. It absorbs the excess oil and gives an instantly fresh and glowy look. You can use the multani mitti face pack once every week.

• What is a basic Korean skincare routine?

Five fundamental steps in the Korean skin-care process: Double cleaning, exfoliation, sheet masks, and the use of toner, essence, serum, eye cream, and face cream.