What causes oily skin and what to do about it - NutriExpert: Hair & Skincare
The Facts About Oily Skin Care
To begin the discussion on oily skin care, it is imperative to first understand the cause of oily skin. Simply put, oily skin is the result of excessive production of sebum (an oily substance naturally produced by the skin). As everyone knows, too much of anything is bad; too much sebum is bad. It leads to clogged skin pores, which results in a build-up of dead skin cells and thus the formation of pimples/acne. In addition, oily skin also spoils your appearance. Therefore, skin care for oily skin is just as important as skin care for other skin types.
The basic purpose of "oily skin care" is to remove excess oil or sebum from the skin. However, oily skin care procedures should not lead to the complete removal of sebum. Oily skin care" begins with the use of a cleanser. However, not all cleansers are effective. You need a cleanser that contains salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid that retards sebum production. Cleansing should be done twice a day (and even more in hot, humid conditions).
Most skin care products for oily skin are oil-free; however, it is always a good idea to check the ingredients of the product before purchasing it. This is especially important if a product is labeled "suitable for all skin types instead of "oily skin care product". Oily skin care also depends on the level of sebum, if you are not too oily, some of these "suitable for all" products may be right for you. For extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products are suitable. Your oily skin care routine may include an alcohol-based toner (for extremely oily skin). This can be the second step in your oily skin care routine, right after cleansing. However, excessive toning can be harmful to your skin.
The next step in your oily skin care regimen can be a gentle moisturizer. Again, your skin's oil level will determine if you should include it in your oily skin care routine. If you decide to use a moisturizer, make sure it's one that doesn't contain oil, wax or lipids.
You can also use a clay mask (say, once a week) to care for your oily skin.
When it comes to skin care products for oily skin, you may have to try several before you find the one that really works for your skin.
If these steps don't work for you, seek the advice of a good dermatologist. He or she can prescribe stronger oily skin care products such as vitamin A creams, retinoids, sulfur creams, etc.
