Great skin isn’t just a matter of DNA—although that does play an important part—it really comes down to your habits and your skincare routine. Caring for your skin is individual, and people with oily and acne-prone skin know just how important it is to be careful when it comes to the products they use to help prevent and treat breakouts. Discover what causes an overproduction of oil and acne and how to care for it with tips, tricks, and a few products to help you along the way.
What is sebum?
Our faces are covered with tiny hair follicles, and at the base of each hair follicle are sebaceous glands that produce sebum—that’s the oily substance that protects your skin and keeps it from drying out. Your scalp and face contain the highest concentration of sebaceous glands on your body. For people with oily skin, the production of sebum can go into overdrive, especially if they have larger pores. This can translate to an oily film on your face throughout the day as well as contribute to frequent breakouts.
How can you control sebum production on the face?
Controlling shine is tricky. When we’re talking about hair, lips and nails, shine is a beautiful thing. But when it comes to your complexion, it’s a fine balance. You don’t want your face to look glossy at the end of a long day, but you also don’t want to dry it out with products that are too harsh.
Our skin type is dictated by genetics, hormones, and other factors, however, there are a few things you can do to help control—and decrease—sebum production.
Dermatologists recommend using a hydrating skin cleanser for oily skin twice a day. Resist the urge to overly rub your face while cleansing, as it can irritate your skin and potentially lead to more oil production. Look for products that are labelled oil-free and non-comedogenic because they won’t clog your pores, which can lead to blemishes. You can tone down the appearance of shine by using acne treatments with mattifying ingredients that absorb oil.
What causes an overproduction of sebum and acne?
Is it normal to have oily skin? Absolutely! In fact, everyone has oil in their skin; it’s just that some people have more of it than others. Excess oil is commonly linked to blemishes and acne flare-ups because sebum is a slick and waxy substance that can clog pores. We know that oily skin is caused by our sebaceous glands overproducing sebum, but the question remains: What’s triggering this action? The activity of these glands can change depending on hormones, externally applied ingredients, exposure to humid weather and underlying skin conditions. Another big one is genetics: We even inherit the size of our pores and sebaceous glands.
If you’re trying to find out how to get rid of oily skin, the bad news is that there’s no quick or permanent fix—it’s a skin type, after all. The good news is that it can be managed with a solid skincare routine for oily skin and good habits.
TOP PRODUCTS FOR ACNE
What should I use for oily skin?
If you’re looking for advice on how to get rid of clogged pores and how to reduce oily skin, you shouldn’t grab the strongest products available for fighting acne because using harsh and abrasive products will irritate and damage your skin, ultimately making the problem worse. However, what you should do is follow this five-step plan to manage shine and banish blemishes while keeping your skin matte, moisturized and in balance.
Best face cleanser for oily skin
If you want to know how to reduce oily skin, it all starts with a gentle yet effective cleanser. Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you that one of the most important ways to treat and prevent acne is by washing your face twice a day. The best cleanser for oily skin is one that contains salicylic acid because it helps gently exfoliate the skin, which will reduce breakouts and keep it clean and healthy.
Best toner for oily skin
When it comes to oily skin types, toners are an important product to have in your arsenal, as they provide numerous benefits. They help remove any leftover oil and dirt that your cleanser may have left behind while bringing your skin back to its natural pH level, which is slightly acidic. The best toner for oily skin is one specifically formulated for acne-prone skin.
Vichy’s Pureté Thermale Micellar Water For Combination To Oily Skin uses a combination of salicylic and glycolic acids to unclog pores while simultaneously fighting blemishes without over-drying skin.
Best exfoliator for oily skin
If you’re wondering how to get rid of clogged pores, exfoliation is essential. There are a few different types of scrubs, but for acne-prone skin, look for chemical exfoliants; they gently unglue dead cells, allowing them to slough off the skin and don’t involve rubbing the skin, which can be irritating.
Best moisturizer for oily skin
Just because your baseline is that of excess oil doesn’t mean you can skip moisturizers. Acne-prone skin can still become dehydrated. The best moisturizer for oily skin is lightweight and non-comedogenic. Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer is a unique acne treatment that doubles as a moisturizer. The serum-like lotion is all about keeping pores from getting congested while providing ample hydration.
Best face sunscreen for oily skin
If you have oily skin, the thought of putting on sunscreen can be unappealing. But the good news is that the best face sunscreen for oily skin offer more than just coverage from harmful UV rays; they’re also oil-free and contain mattifying ingredients.
