Overview

Are you one of those who is struggling with greasy skin all day long? While some skin oils are considered to be good as they hydrate and protect your skin, others lead to clogged pores, blackheads and pimples. Oily skin can result from several factors such as genetics, humid weather, stress and hormonal changes. Although oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns, it also has many benefits. As oil helps to preserve the skin, people with oily skin should not worry about aging. However, the downside of having oily skin is that your skin appears greasy or shiny due to clogged pores. Nevertheless, a consistent and proper skin care routine will help to control excess oil and achieve a clear and glowing skin.

Today, we will be sharing some general steps to include in your skincare regime to remove excess oil from skin while preserving your skin’s natural oils.

Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Oily skin can be managed by following a consistent skincare routine. Here is a simple five-step routine which can be used in the morning and evening to keep your skin healthy, fresh and oil-free.

1.     Cleanse  

Cleansing is the first step in a skincare routine. As every skin type is different, it is important to choose the right cleanser for yourself. Washing your face in the morning and at night will help to remove any build-up of dirt, debris and oil from your skin.  The reason being, when you sleep, your skin sheds skin cells and produce soils. This can trigger a breakout and make your skin look extra shiny. It is recommended by dermatologists to use a cleanser that is designed to treat oily skin and thoroughly cleanses the face without dehydrating the skin. Look for salicylic acid-based cleansers which work best when it comes to oily acne-prone skin. They go deep inside the pores and eliminate all the excess sebum clogged inside them. 

2.   Exfoliate

Exfoliating is the most effective way to remove oil, debris and dead skin cells and clean out pores. Dermatologists recommend to exfoliate gently in circular motions twice a week, at night. Use a face scrub with salicylic acid which is good to include in your skincare routine for oily skin because it is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. However, over-exfoliating your skin can actually lead to dry, red and irritated skin and also increase the production of oil.

3.   Toner

Toners are essential to include in a good skin care routine. They help to cleanse the leftover dirt inside the pores that your cleanser couldn’t do. They help to reduce oil, tightens the pores and prevent acne breakouts. A good high-quality, alcohol-free toner will balance the skin’s pH levels and encourage a glowy appearance. It is advised to use a gentle and fragrance-free formula especially in the morning that soothes and refreshes your skin.

4.   Moisturize 

A common misconception is that using a moisturizer on oily skin can make your skin look greasier. Instead, by not applying you are causing the skin to overcompensate and produce more oil. It is recommended to use a lightweight gel moisturizer twice a day as it absorbs into the skin quickly and is easily spreadable. Generally, moisturizers that are oil-free, water-based and fragrance free are safe to use on oily skin. Moisturisers for oily skin should be labelled with ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘oil-free’ which means it will not clog pores or trigger acne.

5.   Sunscreen

After cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing your skin, apply sunscreen to protect and moisturize your skin during the day. Sunscreen with SPF is necessary every day for all skin types as it helps to protect your skin from damaging rays of the sun that can prematurely age your skin. Choose alight, non-greasy formula that is perfect for oily skin. Avoid using a sunscreen packed with heavy, oily ingredients as it could only end up harming your skin.

While this skincare routine can be followed in the daytime, at night you can replace sunscreen with an eye cream. Eye cream is important if you have fine lines under your eyes, have puffiness or dark circles. The skin around your eyes is delicate, prone to dryness and shows the signs of aging and fatigue. Eye creams can address these issues thus, look for creams with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides (to hydrate), retinol (to target wrinkles), vitamin C (to treat dark circles) and caffeine (to reduce puffiness).

Takeaway

A healthy skin requires a consistent skincare regimen with the right products to help prevent and manage excess oil according to your skin type. Following the above-mentioned regime throughout the day can help to reduce oil level on your skin while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture.  Apart from this, make changes to your diet such as eating certain fruits and vegetables more like cucumbers, citrus fruits and green vegetables which help to clear the oil on your skin. 

If you have potentially concerning or uncomfortable skin symptoms, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

To book an online or physical consultation with the best dermatologist in Karachi visit https://www.shifaam.com. You can also download the Shifaam Health App from Google Play Store (bit.ly/2JqZo3C) or the iOS AppStore (apple.co/2QUVxQz).We are just a call 021-37132273 or Whatsapp 0347 7222273 away!

If you or someone you know has any skin problems, you should see a dermatologist in Karachi at your earliest. For more information on Dermatologists in Karachi or for an appointment with experienced doctors click on the links below: