From Greasy To Glowing - No More Oily Skin

The thing to remember though is that you can’t ‘get rid’ of oily skin entirely, and nor should you feel compelled to real, healthy skin doesn't look like an Instagram filter. But keeping your face on the right side of shiny? That is totally possible. Understanding your oily skin is the key to managing (not eliminating) it, and once harmony is restored, you'll have a happy, healthy complexion that looks glowy, and never greasy. To finally sort fact from fiction, we grilled the PROS for some sage advice on keeping oily skin in its healthiest, most resilient state. Here, see everything you need to know, including the reasons your skin feels oilier than usual, and the best treatments to try now.

What causes oily skin?

Our skin’s oil is called sebum. It’s produced by the sebaceous gland in the hair follicle, the skin on our face has more hair follicles than on the rest of our body, which is why we experience oiliness mainly on the face. This sebum does in fact perform an important function, working to 'lubricate the skin, limit the growth of bacteria and prevent dryness and dehydration. When things are in balance, your skin will produce just the right amount of oil to keep it functioning and resilient – but there are many things that can tip the scales, leading to excess oil and pesky breakouts. So, what's the best route to balanced, hydrated skin? Below, see 3 things to consider now.

1. Master Your Daily Cleansing Routine

When you have oily skin, the urge to wash your face at every available opportunity can be strong, your frequent face-washing habit may actually be making things worse. It seems logical that removing the skin’s oil would be the best way to clear oily skin, but over-cleansing actually activates further oil production. Simply speaking, when you cleanse so much you remove the skin’s natural – and necessary – sebum reserves, it’s going to rectify things by producing more. We tend to see over-cleansing in younger clients – which makes sense, considering all the alcohol-laden, barrier-stripping cleansers marketed towards hormonal teenage skin. Unfortunately, over-cleansing just makes the problem worse. The more you deplete the oils from your skin, the more your skin will want to produce oil. Cleansing properly (not over-cleansing!) and adding hydration is the key to reducing oil production. Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser 2 We recommend a cream or milky cleanser, such as CeraVe facial foaming wash, as these will dissolve dirt and debris without disturbing the barrier function and natural moisture levels of the skin. You can also go for a cleanser with BHAs (or salicylic acid) to really assist in dissolving excess oil.

2. Be Wary Of Products Formulated For Oily Skin

Believe it or not, products specially formulated for minimizing oiliness often exacerbate the situation, as so many contain harsh ingredients that sweep away every last drop of sebum from the skin (and we all know what that means). We were taught for so long that stripping the skin of oils is the way to treat it, but actually, that's wrong. When the skin is stripped or dried out it goes into oil production overload, the main culprits are products containing alcohols, astringents, and sulfates. This means many old-school toners and foaming cleansers are off the table – and for good reason! Whilst they’ll have a satisfying short-term effect of removing the excess oil on the surface of the skin, over time the lack of oil in your skin will trigger excess oil production.

3. Don't Ditch The Moisturiser

A common misconception is that skin can either be oily or dehydrated – but in fact, it can be both at the same time. This means there’s little sense in ditching the hydrating products which are, in fact, essential in every skin routine – no matter your skin type. Hydrating products are necessary to maintain moisture levels and prevent dehydration. But before you reach for the first face cream within your grasp, consider that your choice of product is an important one. If you're worried about blackheads and blemishes as well as that dreaded shine, it's best to avoid those that are super-creamy, heavy, and occlusive. Your skin probably won’t appreciate thick heavy moisturizers, so avoid any creams with rich plant butter as these are likely to be too rich and lead to congestion.