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How can I Deal with Oily Skin?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
There are a number of causes for oily skin, ranging from poor diet to genetic predisposition, and fortunately there are a number of measures which can be taken to address the problem. As is often the case with skincare regimens, when you find a product that you enjoy, you should keep using it, as the product demonstrably works on your unique skin type. You may also encounter disagreement about how exactly to deal with oily skin, so try to remember that everyone's skin is slightly different.
Most dermatologists agree that keeping oily skin clean is very important. Since the face is often the most noticeable area, make sure to wash your face around three times daily with mild soaps which will lift some oil without completely drying out your skin. Pat your skin dry and use an astringent toner such as witch hazel before lightly moisturizing to retain moisture in your skin. Moisture and oil are two different things, and even people with oily skin need moisturizer, although you may want to use a product specially formulated for your skin type.
In addition to keeping your face clean, try to remember not to touch your face with your hands, as they can introduce more oil and dirt to your face. Pulling your hair back can also help to ameliorate the problem. In addition, you should avoid using makeup, if possible, especially foundation, which can trap oil next to the skin. Finally, consider carrying tissues or blotting papers to quickly blot away oil hotspots as they emerge. It is also important to protect your skin with sunscreen, using a product formulated for facial use.
Regular facial care can also help to bring down the oil in your skin. Masks and steam facials are one way to approach this. A number of companies make masks which are formulated for oily skin, and these products will draw up the oil while moisturizing. A quick mask of cucumber or citrus can also be quite beneficial, while steam facials will open up your pores and help to extract the oil. Exfoliation every few days with a mild exfoliant will lift layers of dead skin and help clear away oil. Be aware that excessive fussing with your face can stimulate your glands to produce even more oil, which is not desired.
Making changes in your diet can also help with oily skin. Eats lots of fresh fruit, leafy greens, and whole grains. Seek out foods which are high in B vitamins, and try to avoid excessive consumption of fat. You may also notice that your skin reacts to certain foods, so try to keep track of what you are eating so that you can learn which foods you should avoid. By eating well and caring for your skin gently, you should be able to greatly reduce the unpleasant look and feel of oily skin.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
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![Oily skin is most visible on the face so it is important to keep the area clean and treat it with moisturizer.]()
By: phasinphotoOily skin is most visible on the face so it is important to keep the area clean and treat it with moisturizer. -
![Eating a diet rich in fresh fruits can help alleviate oily skin.]()
By: monticelllloEating a diet rich in fresh fruits can help alleviate oily skin. -
![Witch hazel is commonly used as a skin toner.]()
By: dianamowerWitch hazel is commonly used as a skin toner. -
![Washing the face with mild soap can help lift oil from the skin.]()
By: nakaWashing the face with mild soap can help lift oil from the skin. -
![Avoid soaps with harsh chemicals that strip the skin's natural oils.]()
By: Deyan GeorgievAvoid soaps with harsh chemicals that strip the skin's natural oils. -
![Deep cleansing masks can be used to remove excess oil and pollutants from the face.]()
By: Darren BakerDeep cleansing masks can be used to remove excess oil and pollutants from the face.
Discussion Comments
I have extremely oily skin on my forehead and nothing else seemed to work except for the Citrus Clear Control Wash. After using it, I felt like my skin could breathe again! Thank you Citrus Clear! i just wish it didn't cost so much.
I get really oily skin, and I find steaming my face, using neutrogena pink grapefruit cream wash and then splashing my face with ice cool water very helpful.
I have the worst oily skin problem, and I use the Complexion Scrub from the Shield brand. It's wonderful for people with oily skin. It cleans my skin and doesn't dry my face out.
I have somewhat sensitive skin, and to finally find a good face wash that doesn't make my face break out because of dryness is quite the discovery for me.
I still have to put moisturizer on my skin afterwards. It doesn't make it moist, but it does keep from doing damage. It also lasts a long time; it only takes one or maybe two pumps to wash my face. I love it!
"Regular facial care can also help to bring down the oil in your skin..."
and
"Eat lots of fresh fruit, leafy greens, and whole grains..."
All true. I have the most oily skin in my family but no breakouts at all. I use make up which helps but after eight hours, my skin gets really oily. I only wash my face twice a day.
I use clearasil which I have been using since I was 15 (now 30) and am currently using oil of olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System. It's good. I did have mild acne on the forehead from ages 13 to 17. And that's about it.
I have oily skin, especially on my t-zone regions. I found the Made from Earth pH Equilibrant Moisturizer to be a great, light-weight but effective moisturizer for my oily skin.
It doesn't feel greasy and heavy, and is especially good on my oily t-zone and equally effective on drier areas. I use it in combination with their Grapefruit Glycolic Scrub and have noticed a marked improvement in the last two months with my skin - particularly the neck and chest area (had some sun damage).
I can't agree with the article above, but i have oily and very sensitive skin. I used to wash my face twice a day with mild soaps and use moisturizer but they irritated my skin and made it dry and flaky as well as oily.
The dry skin would get trapped by the oils and cause more breakouts. So if you have sensitive skin, you can't use products like the ones mentioned above.
I'm not really sure what to do. I haven't found any products that don't irritate my skin yet so i just rinse my face with water at night and it seems to be a little better.
The best thing I've ever done for my skin was to go see a dermatologist. As both the previous comments stated, it is very important to moisturize, especially if you have oily skin.
When you don't moisturize, your body produces more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. So moisturizing will actually help your body reduce the amount of oil it produces.
Honestly, if having oily skin is bothersome enough for you to be looking for answers to it online, I say the best thing you can do for yourself is to go see a dermatologist. I was battling acne, cystic pimples and oily skin my entire life until I saw a dermatologist and she really did change my life. She prescribed some medications covered by insurance so it was $15.
Some of the over the counter stuff she prescribed is way less expensive than what you can buy at the mall. Cetaphil light moisturizer, cetaphil wash for oily skin.
surflover00- I agree with you that using a moisturizer is essential to maintaining healthy skin. I find it helpful to use moisturizers that are oil-free. Oil-free moisturizers will not clog your pores and will not increase the oiliness of your skin.
You might be tempted to skip moisturizing your skin if it is oily. Resist the temptation to do so. You need to moisturize your skin daily to keep it healthy. If you skip moisturizing, your skin can become dry and flaky in some areas. It is best to control oily skin by exfoliating with a grainy scrub a couple of times a week.
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