The Journal
Banish oily skin in 6 simple steps
By Lorna McGachie
4 min read
Keeping oily skin under control can feel like an uphill struggle. One minute your skin looks and feels perfectly matte, the next it’s lighting up like a disco ball.
While having an oily complexion is far from ideal, the good news is it actually means your skin’s working as it should – perhaps even a little too well. You won’t be able to get rid of an oily complexion completely (and neither should you feel like you have to), but there are plenty of things you can do to get your skin feeling far more comfortable and under control.
What is oily skin, exactly?
It may not feel like it, but oily skin is normal – and it affects all of us from time to time. Skin actually needs a certain amount of oil to be healthy. Without it, the protective layer known as the skin barrier becomes less efficient, resulting in uncomfortable dryness and irritation.
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum – the oily substance that keeps our skin hydrated. This is why skin feels greasy and appears shiny, even through make-up. Breakouts are also more likely to happen, thanks to excess sebum and dead skin cells clogging pores.
What causes oily skin?
Just like some skins are prone to dryness and acne, others are hard-wired to be oily. Hormones can make oily skin worse, as can stress, humid climates, air pollution, medication and oil-based cosmetics.
Over-cleansing is another common reason for oily skin. Even though it’s super tempting to wash the grease away, doing so strips the skin of that all-important sebum. This encourages the sebaceous glands to over-compensate by producing even more, which, as you’ve probably already guessed, causes even oilier skin. This endless cycle is hard to break, but it’s important to resist washing your face too often as you’ll make your oil problem worse.
You’ll want to watch what you’re eating, too. Sugary foods and processed carbohydrates play havoc with insulin hormones, increasing sebum secretions that enhance the look and feel of oily skin.
5 simple ways to banish oily skin for good
Looking for some easy ways to banish the oil and balance your completion? Then follow these steps for gorgeously glowing skin that feels as good as it looks.
1. Gently cleanse morning and night
One of the best ways to balance oily skin is to cleanse your face once in the morning and once at night using a gentle facial wash or cleanser. Harsh cleansers strip the skin of oil, causing the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive.
If you’re suffering from seriously oily skin, try a cleanser containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or beta-hydroxy acid. These ingredients are highly effective for dealing with acne-prone skin and can also help control oil levels, leaving your face with a beautifully dewy glow.
2. Go make-up free
Don’t worry – you don’t need to ditch the make-up just yet. But going fresh-faced a few days a week will do your skin a world of good. Heavy foundations clog pores, particularly in the summer, causing them to produce even more oil. This is why your skin becomes shiny after a few hours of wearing make-up. Try switching to a lightweight BB cream or tinted moisturiser on the days you choose to go au naturel to give your skin a chance to breathe.
3. Exfoliate once or twice a week
Exfoliation is an excellent way to stave off clogged pores, pimples and blackheads. It also keeps skin looking fresh. Oiliness can make it difficult for skin cells to naturally shed, so scrubbing them off using a gentle exfoliator no more than twice a week helps remove the top layers of dead skin.
Be careful not to exfoliate too often, though, as your skin will become dry and flaky – the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
4. Nourish skin with a lightweight moisturiser
All skin types benefit from frequent nourishment and hydration. While using a moisturiser on oily skin may not feel like a productive idea, dehydrated skin encourages the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, making your skin look and feel greasy.
Oily skin benefits from a lightweight moisturiser best. Rich, thick moisturisers suffocate skin, clog pores and sit too heavy on the face. Look for products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerine and salicylic acid, which beautifully sink into skin and leave it feeling hydrated.
5. Treat skin to a facial oil
Fighting oil with oil seems like a counterproductive thing to do. But facial oils can help regulate the skin’s moisture barrier, increasing hydration while minimising the amount of oil your sebaceous glands produce.
Whenever you apply a few drops of facial oil, it creates a barrier while sealing in that all-important moisture. Not only that, but lightweight oils sink into skin without clogging pores, giving it a dewy, healthy glow.
Discover our full range of skincare and get glowing skin in no time. Our products are made with plant based ingredients and without nasties or chemicals. This means they’re kind and gentle on skin and can help keep oily skin under control naturally.
Lorna McGachie
Lorna is a freelance writer obsessed with cats, skiing and hydrated skin. When she’s not yearning to escape to the mountains, she’s busy scouring TikTok for the latest tips on keeping skin hydrated. She also aims to get at least 8 hours of beauty sleep a night and swears by the Sleep Easy Pillow Mist to help her drift off. LornaMcGachie.co.uk
Content published by Nature’s Journey CBD Wellness is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health-related programme
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