Mastering Your Oily Skin: A Comprehensive Skincare Routine
Oily skin is a common concern that comes with challenges such as an overly shiny, greasy face, and acne breakouts. People with oily skin frequently wash their faces to remove excess oil. It may seem like a logical thing to do, but washing your face too much can trigger more oil production to compensate for the dryness. This removes the skin's natural protection called sebum, which fights inflammation and bacteria while also providing antioxidants to protect skin cells.
Skipping the moisturizer or over-moisturizing can also wreak havoc. This is why it is important to have a proper skincare routine for oily skin. Following a skincare regime can help balance the hydration and oiliness of the skin, keeping the grease at bay and preventing acne/pimples. Read on to learn some simple day and night skincare routines for oily skin.
First, let’s understand what causes oily skin!
Why Does Skin Get Oily?
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands, located in the middle layer of the skin, produce an excess amount of sebum—an oily substance that protects and hydrates the skin's surface. Hormones such as testosterone and stress hormones regulate this oil production.
However, other factors can also contribute to making your skin oily. Some of these factors include:
Genetics: Overactive sebaceous glands, often run in families. It can be a trait passed down through DNA, from a mother to her child during pregnancy.
Age: Young people (aged 15-20) tend to have more oily skin. With ageing, the skin begins to lose collagen and other proteins. This can result in the skin producing less oil.
Hormonal Imbalances: Issues with the thyroid, menstruation, menopause, and high stress levels can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to excessive sebum production in the skin.
Diet and Lifestyle: Believe it or not, what you eat and how you live can influence the condition of your skin. Diets rich in fatty or processed foods may lead to oily skin.
Beauty Care Products: Using beauty products loaded with chemicals and overdoing your skincare routine can cause oily skin. Habits like excessive cleansing can worsen the issue.
Lack of Moisturizing: Not using a good moisturizer can cause your skin cells to dry out. In response, the skin may produce more oil, leading to a greasy appearance.
A Quick Look at The Best Ayurvedic Products For Oily Skin
- Natural Aloe Vera Face wash
- Herbal Soap For All Skin Types
- Pure Neem Oil For Acne Prone Skin
- Neem Face Wash For Acne & Pimples
- Handmade Ayurvedic Kesar Soap For Oily Skin
- Ayurvedic Face Pack
- Ayurvedic Face Scrub
How to Determine You Have Oily Skin Type?
Oily skin is easily recognizable by its enlarged pores and a shiny appearance all over the face, not just in the T-zone. It differs from combination skin, where some areas are oily while others may be dry. People with oily skin are prone to blackheads, pimples, and an uneven skin texture.
To determine your skin type, cleanse your face with a gentle, chemical-free face wash. Pat dry with a cotton cloth and observe how your skin behaves about 30 minutes later. If your skin appears and feels greasy all over, you probably have oily skin.
If you're uncertain, consult with a dermatologist who can provide a professional assessment to accurately identify your skin type.
Skincare Routine to Follow For Oily Skin
Now that you've determined you have oily skin, and you have questions like ‘How to take care of oily skin,’ or ‘How to get rid of oily skin,’ then put them all to rest. It's time to follow a specific skincare routine designed for your skin type. This routine will help control excess oil without making your skin too dry. Here's a simple day and night skincare routine for oily skin.
Day Skincare Routine For Oily Skin
We suggest following this seven-step morning skincare routine:
Step 1: Cleanse
Start your day by gently cleaning your face to get rid of excess oils that may have built up overnight. Use a mild, chemical-free cleanser that does not strip your skin of its natural moisture and pH.
For those with acne-prone skin, consider face washes containing niacinamide for added benefits. Alternatively, herbal face washes with natural oil-controlling ingredients can help restore your skin's balance without exposing it to harmful chemicals. Look for cleansers with natural ingredients like turmeric, neem, sandalwood, and clove.
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Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliating oily skin 2 to 3 times a week can help prevent acne. Gentle exfoliation removes accumulated dirt and oil, helping minimize the occurrence of blackheads and whiteheads.
In Ayurveda, exfoliation is recommended to enhance subcutaneous blood circulation. This eliminates harmful Ama toxins from the skin, and balances aggravated Doshas.
Look for natural ingredients in your exfoliator like walnut, orange peel, triphala, oatmeal, and tea.
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Step 3: Tone
Toners work wonders as oil controllers and are ideal for managing oily skin and enlarged pores. They not only hydrate your skin but also help maintain its pH balance, clearing away excess oil and dirt from your pores. However, avoid toners containing alcohol, as they can be irritating and may dry out your skin.
Prefer using natural toners containing ingredients like rose water, aloe vera, tea tree extracts, etc.
Step 4: Apply an Ice Rub
Using ice rubs can be incredibly beneficial for oily skin. Simply take a few ice cubes, wrap them in a cotton cloth and gently apply on your face.
Benefits of Ice Rub:
- Calms oily-sensitive skin, reduces inflammation, puffy eyes, and skin irritations.
- Leaves your skin feeling smooth, oil-free, and fresh.
- Reduces blood flow under the skin, preventing excessive oil production.
- Makes your skin ready to absorb products better.
- Lessens skin damage from the sun, preventing lines and wrinkles.
Step 5: Moisturize
Choose a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer. This ensures hydration without clogging pores. Gel-based or water-based moisturizers are ideal for oily skin. Look for natural ingredients like aloe vera, honey, rosemary, and cucumber.
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Step 6: Eye Cream
Do not forget the skin around your eyes. If it tends to be dry or shows signs of wrinkles, lines, or puffiness, a good eye cream can make a difference. Consider a non-comedogenic cream that won't clog the delicate skin around your eyes. This will keep it hydrated, soft, and supple all day long.
Step 7: Sunscreen
Oily skin has a bit more natural protection against sun damage because of the extra layers of oil. But, this doesn't mean you should skip using sunscreen. Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to free radical damage and raise the risk of acne and seborrheic dermatitis.
Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 that is broad-spectrum, non-comedogenic, and waterproof, specifically designed for oily skin.
Night Skincare Routine For Oily Skin
While the morning skincare routine helps protect your skin from external damage, the evening routine rejuvenates and repairs your skin, relieving it from all the impurities it has faced throughout the day.
Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser
Consider using an oil-based cleanser to dissolve and remove makeup or sunscreen. Follow up with a water-based cleanser to ensure a thorough cleanse.
Step 2: Toner
Use the same toner as in the morning to maintain a balanced pH level.
Step 3: Serum
If you want to target specific concerns like acne or uneven skin tone, consider using a serum with ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Step 4: Lightweight Moisturizer
Apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without overwhelming it.
Step 5: Spot Treatment (If Needed)
If you have acne or blemishes, apply a targeted spot treatment containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Some Related Posts:
- 5 Best Ayurvedic Brain Tonics
- Ayurvedic Diet: Essential Nutritional Guidance for a Healthy and Nourishing Pregnancy
- Discover the Unique Health Benefits of Chyawanprash
Summing Up!
Managing oily skin is usually quite doable. A good skincare routine can help you reduce shine, clear out pores, and control oil production. Stick to products made for oily skin, and avoid using products that can clog your pores.
Remember, you might not see instant results. It could take weeks or even months to notice a significant change. If you don't see improvements after a few weeks, talk to your dermatologist. They can recommend specific treatments and products tailored to your skin needs.
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