Growing up, my entire family was plagued with oily skin, save my father and me. Once I married and started a family of my own, I was still surrounded by people who battled the problems of oily skin. Selling cosmetics and skin care products was one of the jobs I’ve had, so I’m used to hearing,”What can I do for my problem skin?” Read this informative guide and find out how to treat oily skin!
What Causes Oily Skin?
Everyone has sebaceous glands in their skin. These glands are either connected to hair follicles or to pores. The only place on our bodies where there are no sebaceous glands is on the soles of our feet and on the palms of our hands. The purpose of these glands is to produce sebum. Sebum, a waxy, oily substance, helps make our skin waterproof. It also prevents our skin from becoming dry. However, if your sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, you then have the common problem known as “oily skin.” Oily skin often leads to clogged pores and acne.
Interestingly enough, everyone has the same amount of sebaceous glands in their skin. Some people’s glands work overtime and produce too much sebum. The reasons why vary from genetics to hormones to a lack of nutrition in the diet.
On the Outside of Your Body…
How to Treat Oily Skin
Oily skin is most often noticeable on the face. A dedicated skin care regimen is the best defense against this problem. There are three basic steps to remember:
1) Keep Your Face Clean by Washing it Two or Three Times a Day
Use a mild soap that won’t completely strip your skin of its oil, or you’ll end up battling dry skin instead. Rinse your face off well to remove all of the soap. Then, pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. Almay Facial Soap for Oily Skin is a product you may be interested in.
2) Next, You’ll Need to Apply a Good-Quality Astringent
The purpose of an astringent is to remove excess oil, plus help reduce the size of your pores. To treat oily skin, you can use a simple, natural product like Witch Hazel. Or, Sea Breeze™ makes an astringent that can help make your skin feel smooth and oil-free. Avon also sells their
True Pore-fection Skin Refining Toner.
3) Applying A Light Moisturizer Will Finish the Job
You may wonder, “Why would I need a moisturizer? I already have oily skin.” There’s a difference between oil and moisture. Even though people with oily skin tend not to wrinkle as much as people with dry skin, you still need beneficial moisture. It helps your skin stay soft and supple. Be sure to use a moisturizer that’s made especially for your skin type. To treat oily skin, choose a product like AHAVA Matifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin. This product contains no oils, it’s absorbed into the skin quickly, and it leaves your skin feeling smooth.
Helpful Tips to Treat Oily Skin
1. Choose and use only skin care products that contain no oil, and are “Non-Comedogenic” which means they won’t clog your pores and cause acne. This pertains to all the products you may use on your face including sunscreens.
2. Skip using cosmetic foundations and other make-up if you can, as these tend to trap excess oil.
If you choose to wear make-up, make sure they are made for your skin type.
3. Use very warm water to wash your face with. Believe-it-or-not, the heat of the water will help
dissolve the oil on your skin better than cool water.
4. To help treat oily skin, take off all make-up before you go to bed. Don’t use cold creams or other greasy lotions on your face either.
5. Using a deep-cleaning exfoliant every couple days will help remove oily scales.
6. Using antibacterial soaps such as Dial Brand can also help treat your oily skin. Dial is effective at stripping the oil from your skin. You may need to use a light moisturizer all over your skin, though, so it doesn’t become dry.
On the Inside of Your Body…
To treat oily skin on the inside, you should drink plenty of water every day. This will help flush the toxins from your body. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and avoid eating foods that aggravate your skin condition. Sugar-laden and fatty foods are known culprits.
