6 Ways to Keep Oily Skin at Bay
By Renee Rouleau
ALL ILLUSTRATIONS BY SYDNEY HASS.
Summer brings sunshine, warm weather, and lots of outdoor activities. But, it can also bring an increase in oil production. Dealing with shiny skin is frustrating, but there are ways to minimize the sheen by simply tweaking how you care for your skin in the warmer months. Follow these tips to keep skin healthy, not oily.
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Blot Oil Often
It’s normal for those who produce oil in the T-zone to want to use a topical product to resolve this problem. However, there is not an effective topical product that you can use that will dramatically reduce oil production — this is simply how your skin works.
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Generally speaking, you never want to work against Mother Nature. Always work with her. The quickest, simplest, fastest way to create less shine on the skin and combat oil is to blot it with oil-blotting papers or tissue. In the summertime, I have to blot at least every two hours in my T-zone, but it quickly reduces the sheen, especially if I dust on a bit of powder after.
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Skip Liquid Foundation In Oily Areas
Since you’re trying to create as matte of a look as possible and want to avoid adding any additional oil to over-productive areas, I suggest using a liquid foundation only where your skin doesn’t produce oil. Then, dust an SPF-infused mineral powder all over the face, as this will set your liquid foundation, provide a matte finish, and give additional protection from UV rays.
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Cleanse Skin More Frequently
Oily skin should be able to tolerate cleansing up to three times a day — as long as you aren’t using a harsh cleanser. Be sure to use a cleanser that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or ammonium laureth sulfate. These ingredients tend to dehydrate the skin and can cause it to produce more oil.
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If you are prone to breakouts, not only will cleansing more often help to remove the shine from the skin, it can also help reduce blemishes. Bacteria thrive in oil, so the less you have on the skin, the better your chances for keeping breakouts at bay.
Lighten Up Your Moisturizer
For those prone to breakouts and increased oil production, summer is the time of year to lighten up and switch to an oil-free lotion. Avoid moisturizing products containing mineral oil and petrolatum as these may create an occlusive barrier on the skin’s surface and potentially block pores, which can lead to bumps and possible breakouts.
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Ignore The T-zone When You Apply Serum
During the summer months when oil is excessive, avoid using a serum (even if it’s oil-free) in the T-zone. It’ll help keep that often-troublesome area feeling fresher and cleaner.
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Start Using A Salicylic Acid Serum
A well-formulated salicylic acid serum will remove surface dry skin cells, keeping the skin more balanced and less oily. Since salicylic acid has the capability of getting into the pore lining and remove clogged pores, it will reveal a newly refined smoothness and clarity in the skin.
While you can’t stop oil production entirely, follow these tips to ensure your skin looks less like an oil slick and more radiant this summer.
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