Skincare

No More Shine: How To Stop Oily Skin Like a Pro

Published

Jun 20, 2023

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Vinisha Venugopal

Discover the secrets to mastering oil control and achieving a beautifully balanced complexion with our expert tips on how to stop oily skin like a pro. Say goodbye to shine and hello to matte perfection!

Having oily skin is pretty much the same as being born with easily burnable skin - you don't get to choose it. It feels like an unwanted greasy gift that makes blotting paper your best friend and moisturizer the bane of your existence.

We bring you good news today because it turns out that this chore-like trait that you have to deal with every day does have solutions, and as with most things in life, there is a silver lining here as well.

In this blog post, we're going to start from the top, understand what exactly it means to have oily skin, how you can treat it, get rid of oily skin, prevent it, and live in peace with it!

What is the Main Cause of Oily Skin?

What is Oily Skin

Oily skin is the by-product of the skin's sebaceous glands producing more sebum than it needs to keep the skin hydrated. This overload of sebum leaves behind shiny skin and in some cases, clogged pores that result in breakouts.

Causes of Oily Skin

Lots of different criteria, either on their own or coming together, can cause oily skin. But to find a solution, you need to know what combination of these criteria is causing your particular oily skin debacle:

Puberty & Hormonal Imbalance - Most noticeable in adolescents, the skin can become oily as puberty occurs.
Stress - When stress occurs, higher levels of cortisol are released resulting in excess oil production by the sebaceous glands
Climate & Location - Heat, high humidity, high temperatures, pollution, and sweat mixed with the skin's natural oil can contribute to greasy skin.
Aging - Stress and hormonal changes that occur later down the line can cause issues.
Diet - More research is needed on this front but theoretically breakouts may occur upon too much sugar consumption.
Current Skincare Routine - Using harsh products that over-dry the skin, lacking sufficient moisturizing (skipping moisturizer), and including oil-based products in your routine can overact the goal of balancing out the skin's oil production.
Sweat - If allowed to remain on the skin without cleansing for long periods, it can clog pores and encourage an onslaught of unwelcomed oily-skinned symptoms.
Enlarged pores - The larger the pores the more oil comes out of them.
Genetics - If your parents have or have had it, then you may have inevitably gotten it.

Telltale Signs of Oily Skin

Another way to identify whether you've been gifted with oily skin is to check whether your skin looks like or behaves like any of the following criteria:

Dewy, Shiny, or Greasy Appearance - All it takes is a few hours going about your day post the morning facial cleanse before your skin greases again.
Large Pores - Your pores are easily visible in this case, especially in the t-zone areas.
Thick or Rough Skin - Your skin may not feel light and smooth.
Regular Pimples or Clogged Pores - These come in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes, and/ or acne breakouts.
Oily Hair That Needs to be Washed Often - Hair, especially sections that rest of the face such as bangs, appear to become oily fast.
Constant & Irritating Need to Dry the Skin
Dull-Looking Skin
Makeup Slides Off Fast
Oily Residue on Phones or Clothing Upon Touching The Skin

Oily vs Combination vs Acne-Prone Skin

Silver Lining to Oily Skin

Oily skin comes with a fair number of challenges. On the flip side, it comes with some of the skincare benefits that people worldwide crave that oily-skinned folk are naturally blessed with.

Soft & Moisturized Skin

People spend hundreds of dollars yearly to craft a skincare routine with products that boost soft and moisturized skin. The base of these yearned-for traits in hydration and what is a better hydrator than the one produced by our very own sebaceous glands? As irritating as oily skin may feel, you will never find your skin feeling tight and dry.

Anti-Aging

On the anti-aging front, dry, and dehydrated skin contributes a great deal towards wrinkles. The more hydrated and dry-free your skin remains, the longer your skin can enjoy its wrinkle-free effects.

Tan & Sunscreen Assist

For those who love a good tan without instantly burning, oily skin helps with that! Now, it is NOT a replacement for sunscreen but rather an assist to sunscreen by protecting against the environment by acting as a shield.

Natural Glow

Lastly, the extra hydration oily skin provides can leave a natural glow without needing the help of makeup, for healthy, happy skin. Now we just need to learn how to make it work for us and reap these benefits without the daily greasy fiasco on our hands.

Treating Oily Skin

Oily Skin Treatment

Oily skin can be caused by numerous symptoms. As such, there are multiple solutions to achieve your dream's balanced skin:

Wash your face every day - Up to twice a day. Morning, evening, or after exercising are optimal times. Gentle foaming face washes are great. Look for products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to remove excess oil.
Soapless cleansers are great for sensitive skin.
Moisturize - Use an oil-free, or water-based moisturizer for a light coat of hydration that doesn't suffocate the skin and trap in excess oil but rather allows it to breathe while maintaining moisture levels.
Use blotting paper or powder - Throughout the day to wipe oil buildup.
Try a mask - Clay masks help soak up excess oil. Honey masks are great for their antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. Colloidal oatmeal masks work wonders by soothing irritated skin.
Incorporate Green Tea-based products - Green tea emulsions can reduce sebum production and help control oily skin.
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream - It is great for reducing irritation, redness, and scaling.
Use a toner - Use a toner with a natural astringent like witch hazel for its inflammatory properties.
Wear sunscreen regularly - Sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and without fragrances and oils is great to prevent acne.
Do not sleep in makeup.
Do not touch your face throughout the day.
Minimize using a scrub or physical exfoliant - If you choose to use these products, stick to incorporating them into your routine a few times a week instead of daily.
Try facial treatments specific to oily skin.
Use the tips above and have a well-rounded skincare routine - Remember you can always ask a dermatologist or esthetician to get you on the right track!

Note: No matter what your level of oily skin is, remember to never over-strip the skin of its natural oils or under-moisturize. If dryness creeps skin, the skin will overcompensate by producing more sebum and work against your efforts in controlling sebum production.

Note: No matter what your level of oily skin is, remember to never over-strip the skin of its natural oils or under-moisturize. If dryness creeps skin, the skin will overcompensate by producing more sebum and work against your efforts in controlling sebum production.

How To Prevent Oily Skin

Once the skin is treated and brought back to a hydrated, glowy but not dewy state, it needs a bit of maintenance to remain that way.

Continue using a face wash that can absorb excess oil but is hydrating. It does not need to have an exfoliant and should not leave your skin feeling dry and tight.
Avoid greasy or fried foods, foods high in sugar, trans fats, and processed foods. A well-rounded diet, can reduce breakouts and help maintain skin health. (This is a good addition to your life regardless of your skin type!)
When the skin acts up, reduce makeup.
If you are using makeup regularly, opt for water-based products that are non-comedogenic.
Start and continue a consistent skincare routine - moisturizers included!

Ingredients to Avoid

Anything oil-based, thick, and rich in consistency, or harsh skincare products that strip away a little too much of our skin's oil is a NO for oily skin.

Look for these ingredients on products and if you see them, run:

Coconut Oil & Natural Oils
Alcohol
Harsh Scrubs & Physical Exfoliants
Fragrances
Silicone
Occlusive Moisturizers - Rich, thick creams trap oils into the skin.
Petrolatum or Petroleum Jelly
Pomades

Products To Get You Started

Facts and Myths

What happens if you don't wash your oily face?

Cleansing the skin daily clears away the dirt accumulated throughout the day and unclogs the pores. Without it, the skin may break out or experience bacterial complications.

Is Aloe Vera good for oily skin?

Yes. Aloe Vera is known for its skin-soothing properties which comes in handy for flaking dry caused by oily patches. It's a great absorbent and is water-based making it great to treat oily skin. Apply a thin layer over the attention areas before bed and leave it on until the morning for the best results.

Do I need moisturizer if I have oily skin?

Absolutely, yes! All skin needs to be hydrated after cleansing whether you've got dry or oily skin. The only difference lies in the type of moisturizer used. For oily skin, opt for lightweight, water-based, oil-free moisturizers. It might feel heavy on the skin at first. If so, give your skin some time to adjust and play around with the quantity applied - you don't need to lather it on. Keep in mind that if your skin hasn't been moisturized in a while, it is still working overdrive and producing that excess sebum to overcompensate. The skin needs time to adjust to the moisturizer and it will naturally produce less sebum and balance out.

Conclusion - How To Stop Oily Skin

Oily skin has its benefits, but to reap the good, you have to make your sebaceous glands work for you.

Oily skin is nothing but the by-product of the skin's oil glands producing too much sebum, more than it needs to keep the skin hydrated. Try out the suggestion above as well as a few of the products specially curated for grease control.

For a standard face wash, CeraVe's Foaming Facial Cleanser is the best first step. For a more in-depth routine, throw in Thayers' Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner. Watch your skin go from your worst greasy nightmare to your healthy, glowy relief.

How We Curated Our List

There are products on the market from products to remove a gunk of dead skin cells to scrubs that swoop out any oily substance, so it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what product is best for you.

We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of high-quality products that will fit both your budget and your needs.

Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.

Thanks for reading!

Next Up: 10 Foam-Tastic Foam Cleanser Finds for Your Bubbly Bliss

Sources:

The Best Face Washes for Oily Skin, According to Dermatologists

How to Manage Oily Skin

7 Causes of Oily Skin

Top six home treatments for oily skin

How To Control Oily Skin

7 Advantages & Disadvantages of Oily Skin

5 Common Skincare Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Oily Skin