A person with oily skin tends to have enlarged pores and a shine on the surface of his or her skin, especially in the “T-zone” (the forehead, nose, and chin). He or she might also be prone to blemishes in the oily areas. However, a good skin care regimen and the right cosmetics can improve the surface and appearance of oily skin.
Daily cleansing is vital to a skin care regimen. It is important to wash away any pore-clogging oils, makeup, dirt, and residue every morning and evening. However, resist the urge to clean your face more than twice per day, even if your skin is very oily. Too frequent cleansing and harsh scrubbing strips the face of essential oils.
For daily cleansing, use a face wash that is geared towards oily skin. Avoid simply washing with soap and water---soap is very harsh and drying to the skin. However, there is no need to purchase the most expensive face cleanser on the market. Read the labels of expensive cleansers that you like to find the active ingredients; then, look around for a generic or less expensive cleanser with the same ingredients.
Next, follow your morning cleansing with a toner. Toners remove any residue still left on the skin and temporarily tighten the pores, making them less susceptible to clogs and also making them appear smaller.
The final step in the daily skin care regimen for oily skin is to moisturize. The excessive oil that people with oily skin produce is not a moisturizer. The skin cells need water to look smooth and vibrant, and the primary ingredient in most moisturizers is that necessary water. However, it is important that people with oily skin not add more oil to the skin. Oil-free moisturizers and products made for oily skin will add the “good” moisture without clogging the pores.
Note:
Wearing sunscreen daily is one of the best ways to care for your skin. However, people with oily skin are often reluctant to add yet another layer of cream to the face (and with good reason). If you are concerned about using too many different products on your face, then look for a moisturizer that contains sunscreen.
Besides daily cleansing, one can exfoliate with a gentle scrub as necessary to remove dead surface skin cells. Daily exfoliating is generally not advised for oily skin because rough scrubbing can stimulate the oil glands; several times per week is usually sufficient. A deep cleansing mask used approximately once per week can help to control oil beneath the surface of the skin.
Finally, only a good skin care regimen will actually improve oily skin, but the following tips will help control the appearance of oil and shine:
-Use oil-free cosmetics and products made for oily skin.
-Avoid using products on the face that add shine, like bronzers and shimmery blushes.
-After applying makeup, brush the entire T-zone with a loose, translucent powder.
-Throughout the day, use blotting papers as needed to absorb excess oil on the face.
-Avoid reapplying powder throughout the day. A build-up of powder and makeup can contribute to clogged pores and blemishes.
