Let’s just say it, managing oily skin sucks. Your subaceous glands (microscopic exocrine glans in the skin which secrete oil) are over-active and secrete oily matter. And before you know it, acne, blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged or clogged pores have occurred. So what do you do to help control the breakouts? Well, hopefully this blog will help.
- CLEANSING – Make sure you cleanse your skin at least twice a day with a gel or a foam cleanser which is oil free. Look for cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid or beta hydroxy acid. Always use benzoyl peroxide, as it is specifically made for mild to moderate acne. Also, you may have to try several different cleansers to find the right fit. And DO NOT use harsh abrasive cleansers because it will strip your skin of its natural oil. When this happens, your sebaceous glands will produce more oil. The last thing you want to happen.
- EXFOLIATE – Yes. Exfoliate once a week to help rid your face of dirt and dead skin. But be gentle and do not scrub hard.
- TONER – Using a toner on a daily basis will help aid in the elimination of excess oil. Any alcohol free toner from your local drugstore will work. Apply the toner to the oiliest areas of your skin. If you start getting patches of dryness, stop using that particular toner.
- MOISTURIZER – Believe it or not, if you have oily skin it is important that you use moisturizer. As I mentioned before, when you strip your skin, those pesky sebaceous glands will produce more oil to make up for the lack thereof. When purchasing a moisturizer, choose one which is light, oil-free and non-comedogenic. Avoid moisturizers which contain lanolin or isopropyl myristate.
- SUNSCREEN – Don’t be afraid of sunscreens. Not all are greasy. If you skip sunscreen, you are exposing yourself to freckles, brown spots and carcinoma (skin cancer). When choosing a sunscreen, look for one which is oil-free and has an SPF of 30. This will give your skin adequate protection.
Oily skin is the devil. But when you take extra steps to care for your skin, you can help keep acne at bay. And as always, if you see your skin is not responding to routine skin care, see your local dermatologist for some extra help.