Our skin is the largest organ in our body. Did you know that the skin alone weights over 20 pounds? That is almost 15% of the total body weight.
It is of common knowledge that our skin is covered with millions of pores. These pores are responsible for the secretion of sweat and sebum. Though perspiration does not cause any problems for the skin, the over or under secretion of sebum gives rise to different skin types.
There are four skin types- Normal, oily and dry and combination skin. People blessed with healthy skin have sebum glands that secrete the precise amount of sebum. People with dry skin suffer from an underproduction of sebum. Combination skin types suffer from overproduction of sebum in some regions of the face. People having oily skin are the ones that are more prone to acne and other skin condition due to excess sebum production.
Out of the four skin types, people with oily skin need to give extra care to their skin. It is because they are more prone to the pores getting clogged due to excess sebum production. It gives rise to several skin conditions such as acne and blackheads.
If you come under the oily skin type, the regular cleaning-toning-moisturizing routine may not be adequate. You may have to incorporate specific additional steps in your skincare routine to keep the excess oil in check.
Oily skin may be a bit trickier to manage. However, there are some easy ways for you to manage your oily skin. You need to know some basic things.
Here are the seven most effective ways to manage oily skin.
1) Cleansing is important-
While cleansing is the most important part of any skincare routine, it is more so for oily skin. You have to stay away from face washes that are too drying. At the same time, it is vital to avoid over-cleansing as well. This will not only make your skin drier but also trigger excess production of sebum. If you find your skin getting oily just hours after washing it, you may need to find other ways to control the excess production. Also, opt for non-comedogenic face washes that will avoid clogging the pores. Ideally, you should wash your face, not more than twice a day. Cleansing your face with cold water will help keep the pores closed.
2) Use a toner
If this is not a part of your present skincare routine, it is high time you start using it. A good toner will help seal your pores after cleansing and also help lock in moisture. You can use a toner with natural ingredients like tea tree oil or witch hazel that will help fight acne-causing bacteria and control the development of acne. Do remember to avoid a toner with alcohol in it as it will be too drying for your skin.
3) Moisturize it right-
Moisturising is the key to healthy skin. It is a common myth that oily skin does not need moisturizing. If you do not moisturize your skin after washing it, it will simply produce excess sebum to compensate. This will only be counter-production. Though oily skin needs a moisturizer, the key is to find the right one. A light non-comedogenic moisturizer will help your skin replenish the lost moisture and lessen the production of sebum.
4) A night time serum will work wonders
Serums are increasingly getting popular with the beauty conscious for its amazing benefits. Contrary to popular belief, you can use a serum for your oily skin as well. A serum for oily skin should contain active ingredients such as retinol. You can also include a powerful oily skin solution in your skincare regime. This will help decrease breakouts, repair the skin, even the skin tone and lighten dark spots. So, make sure to include a light serum to your skincare regime to wake up to bright and glowing skin, every morning.
5) A deep clean mask for those special days
Indulging in face masks are the best ways to take care of your skin. For oily skin, you can use an absorbent clay mask twice a week. Clay masks will help deep clean the pores and also absorb excess sebum. Regular use of clay masks like bentonite clay will help reduce acne as well. You can use these masks just before an event for radiant and glowing skin.
6) Good skincare habits
Oily skin is prone to break out rather easily. Therefore apart from regular cleansing your face, you need to follow some basic rules. Change your pillowcase every alternate day to avoid the breeding of acne-causing bacteria. Also, avoid excess rubbing and tagging on your skin. You can use a soft towel to pat dry your face after washing. Using blotting papers to absorb excess sebum will keep you away from over-cleansing. Try to keep your hands away from your face to prevent the transfer of bacteria. You should also sanitize your phone regularly as it comes in direct contact with your face and can cause acne.
7) Cleanse your diet
Apart from external factors, your diet also has a major influence on your skin. A diet with less oily and dairy products will help manage oily skin. Introduce fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as they contain many skin-friendly vitamins. Drinking water is also crucial for healthy skin. Exercise and stress-relieving activities such as meditation are known to have a positive effect on your skin.
Conclusion-Always remember the basic rule of healthy skin is clean skin. Taking care of oily skin is very easy. You just need to know what your skin needs and use the right products. Healthy and happy skin will surely take your confidence to a different level.