Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCleansersAstringentsMoisturizersExfoliantsSun ProtectionDietBlotting PapersNatural RemediesOil-Free Products
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cleansers
Astringents
Moisturizers
Exfoliants
Sun Protection
Diet
Blotting Papers
Natural Remedies
Oil-Free Products
Oily skin increases significantly in your teenage years as hormones fluctuate and tends to decrease as you get older. Other factors that can increase oily skin include ovulation, humid climates, and genetics.A good skincare routine can help reduce oil, but you may also need to use home remedies or over-the-counter skincare products. Talk to your dermatologist if conservative strategies don’t seem to help.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Clean Your Skin Twice a Day
Washing your face in the morning and at night is essential. Add an extra wash after exercise or on a hot day.
For skin that’s oily and more likely to break out, you’ll want a cleanser that is:
Choose foaming soap or facial cleansers, which are better at rinsing away extra oil than creamy or lotion cleansers.The cleanser should leave your skin feeling fresh and clean.
Gently cleanse twice a day or after sweating. Cleaning your skin more often or scrubbing your skin hard is not good. Overdoing your face cleaning can aggravate oily skin and make it worse.
If you don’t have access to soap after a workout, use pre-moistened cloths instead.
How to Build a Healthy Skincare Routine
Use an Astringent
An astringent is another good way to control oil. Astringents, like facialtoners, help remove dirt and make up left behind after cleansing. Astringents also take off excess oil and tighten your pores.
Witch hazelis a common and effective astringent for oily skin. This solution is made from a flowering plant and has been shown to help with acne and other skin problems.Some use it as-is, while others may opt for products that blend witch hazel with other ingredients.
In addition to witch hazel, astringent ingredients that are good for oily skin include:
If you haverosacea, don’t use an alcohol-based astringent.It can irritate your skin.
To use an astringent, first wash your face. Apply the liquid astringent to a cotton ball or cotton pad. Then, wipe your entire face and neck with the cotton.
If needed, you can use an astringent between washings. It will remove oil and get rid of that shine that sometimes shows up during the day.
Moisturize
After you’ve washed and applied an astringent, you should moisturize your skin. It may seem like oily skin is lubricated enough, but oil isn’t the same as the moisture you need to keep skin healthy. In fact, you can have a lot of oil and still have dehydrated, overly dry skin.
When skin is dehydrated, water isn’t absorbed into the layers of the skin. That means your skin will lack elasticity and plumpness. Without these, skin looks red, inflamed, and wrinkled.
Oil is a natural barrier that locks in moisturizer. Taking away excess oil can dry skin out, so moisturizing your face after using a cleanser and astringent is very important.
Moisturizers for oily skin should do three things:
Look for a moisturizer that’s oil-free, won’t clog pores, or is non-comedogenic. Use it after you wash your face and anytime your face feels dry.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is when you remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. This can make you skin appear smoother and healthier. It can also help with two common problems of oily skin: clogged pores and enlarged pores.
There are many over-the-counter exfoliation products that you can choose from. Popular types includescrubsand gritty facial creams, which are not recommended for oily skin. Instead, look for a chemical exfoliant that’s specifically designed for oily types of skin. These includeat-home peels, which are solutions you spread on your face, leave on to solidify slightly, and then peel off.
If you have darker skin or skin that gets discolored after bug bites and burns, use a mild chemical exfoliator. Otherwise, you may end up with dark patches on your skin.
Exfoliating Tips for Oily Skin
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Sun exposure can also trigger inflammation and cause reddening and permanent color changes in healing acne lesions.
Change Your Diet
Some studies have found that:
Use Blotting Papers
Blotting papers can help absorb excess oil on your skin. To use them, gently press against your face for a few seconds. Don’t rub, since this can spread the oil around instead of absorbing it.
Try Natural Remedies
Several natural remedies are purported to help with oily skin, but there has been only limited research to prove that they help. Still, these remedies are unlikely to cause harm and may be worth trying before asking your healthcare provider about prescription remedies. Some natural remedies for acne and oily skin include the following:
Use Oil-Free Cosmetics and Skin Products
Since you don’t want to put any more oil onto your skin, look for skincare products and cosmetics with “oil-free” on the label. This is especially important for products you leave on your skin like moisturizers, sunscreen, and makeup.
Water-based products are another great option for oily skin. These have a gel base, feel virtually weightless, and don’t leave any heavy residue on the skin.
You can find water-based moisturizing gels, sunscreens, and cosmetics. Check the labels. Many of these are marketed to people with oily and breakout-prone skin.
If you use topical acne medications, look for water-based options of these as well. Differin,Retin-A, Onexon, and others all come in a gel form. If your current acne medication feels too heavy or greasy, ask your dermatologist if there’s a gel option.
Many acne medications reduce enlarged pores while clearing breakouts, so it can help your skin look smoother while stopping pimples. Talk to your healthcare provider about different medications that could relieve these and other issues related to oily skin.
Summary
Managing oily skin may seem like a daily fight until you are consistent about your skincare routine—and you have the right one.
Wash your skin twice a day and apply products made for oily skin. Look for gentle cleansers, exfoliants, and astringents, and don’t scrub too hard or wash too often.
If you’re not successful with your efforts, consider seeking help from a dermatologist.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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