Oily skin can be challenging to maintain, as it often results in shiny skin, enlarged pores, and frequent breakouts. However, with the right skincare routine and lifestyle changes, you can control excess oil production and maintain a healthy, balanced complexion.
What is oily skin?
Oily skin is characterized by excessive production of sebum, a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands. Although sebum is essential for keeping the skin hydrated, too much of it can lead to clogged pores, acne and an oily appearance.
Causes of oily skin
Genetics:
Oily skin is often the result of a genetic predisposition. If one of your parents had oily skin, you are more likely to have the same skin type.
Hormonal changes:
Changes in the body's hormonal balance can significantly affect sebum production. During puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, hormonal fluctuations can result in increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
Diet and Lifestyle:
Dietary habits rich in high-glycemic carbohydrates, such as processed foods and sweets, can stimulate sebum production and worsen oily skin. Stress and lack of sleep can also negatively affect the skin, stimulating oil production.
Climate:
Warm and humid climates are characterized by higher humidity levels, which can trigger increased sebum production and worsen oily skin. This environment creates ideal conditions for clogged pores and acne to develop.
Daily skin care routine for oily skin
Cleansing
Morning and evening:
Keeping your skin clean is key to controlling oil. Use a gentle foaming cleanser twice a day to remove excess oil and dirt without drying out your skin. Recommended ingredients include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid, which help to clear and regulate sebum production. Gel or foaming cleansers are best for this skin type.
Toning
After cleansing:
An alcohol-free toner is an important step after cleansing. Apply it to balance your skin’s pH and tighten pores, reducing the risk of clogging and breakouts. Recommended ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree oil, and niacinamide soothe your skin and provide extra protection against bacteria. Toners with soothing and balancing properties are ideal for oily skin.
Hydration
Morning and evening:
Although it may sound paradoxical, oily skin also needs hydration. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that won't clog pores and will provide the skin with the moisture it needs. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera are recommended ingredients that hydrate without weighing down the skin. Gel-creams or water-based moisturizers are the best choices for maintaining balanced hydration.
Sun protection
Morning:
Never neglect sun protection, even if you have oily skin. Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor not only protects against damage caused by UV radiation, but also prevents premature aging of the skin and the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Choose oil-free, mattifying sun creams that won't put additional stress on your skin.
Weekly additions to your routine
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is an important step that helps remove dead skin cells, encourages cell renewal, and improves skin texture. Use a gentle exfoliant 1-2 times a week to gently remove the layer of dead skin cells and reveal fresh, glowing skin underneath. Recommended ingredients in exfoliants include AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) like glycolic acid and lactic acid, and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid. (Click to see La PIEL Sugar BABE).
Face Masks
Face masks provide extra care and address specific skin concerns like oiliness, dryness, or lack of shine. Kaolin clay is great for controlling oil and unclogging pores, while aloe vera provides hydration and soothes irritated skin. Use a face mask once a week to maintain skin balance and address specific concerns. For the T-zone, choose clay masks, while hydrating masks are ideal for the cheeks.
Effective home remedies for oily skin
Aloe vera:
In addition to being great for soothing sunburn, aloe vera is also great for soothing and hydrating oily skin. Apply pure aloe vera gel to your face before bed and rinse off in the morning to nourish your skin without adding extra oil.
Tea tree oil:
This oil is a real treat when it comes to fighting bacteria and inflammation on your skin. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil and apply to problem areas. This will help control acne and unclog pores.
Honey:
A natural humectant, honey not only moisturizes your skin, but it also acts as a mild antibacterial agent. Apply a thin layer of raw honey to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. This simple treatment can help calm inflammation and clear your skin of impurities.
Professional treatments for oily skin
Chemical Peel:
This treatment uses a variety of acids, such as glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids, to gently remove the surface layers of the skin. This not only helps remove excess oil from the skin’s surface, but also improves skin texture and reduces oiliness. A dermatologist will tailor the treatment to your needs and skin type, providing you with an effective solution for oily skin.
Laser Therapy:
This advanced technique targets the sebaceous glands to reduce their activity and oil production. Over a series of treatments, lasers are used to stimulate the deeper layers of the skin, providing long-term results in controlling oil and improving overall skin health. A dermatologist will assess your skin and tailor the treatment to your needs and goals, ensuring optimal results.
Tips for oily skin
Diet:
The amount of certain nutrients you consume can have a big impact on the condition of your skin. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, D, and E, such as nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, can help reduce inflammation and regulate sebum production. On the other hand, avoid excessive sugar, high-glycemic foods, and processed foods, as these can stimulate excess oil production.
Hydration:
Regular water intake is key to keeping your skin hydrated and preventing excess oil. Drinking enough water helps maintain your skin’s natural balance, which can reduce sebum production and improve your skin’s overall appearance.
Stress management:
Stress can have a negative impact on your skin, stimulating excess oil production and worsening existing skin problems like acne. Therefore, practicing stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help keep your skin balanced and reduce oiliness.
Regular physical activity:
Physical activity is not only good for the body, but also for the skin. Regular exercise improves blood circulation, which can help regulate oil production and maintain a healthy complexion. Keep your physical activity varied, including aerobic exercise, strength, and flexibility to promote overall skin and body well-being.
Multiple mask applications:
allows you to target different areas of your face according to their specific needs. For the T-zone, which is prone to oiliness, choose a clay mask that will deeply cleanse pores and control excess sebum. For the cheeks and dry areas of the face, use a hydrating mask that will provide intense hydration and soothing action. This technique allows you to provide customized care to each area of your face, ensuring that each region receives optimal ingredients and nutrients.
Targeted treatments:
Essential for addressing specific concerns on different areas of the face. To control oil in your T-zone, choose a serum with ingredients like salicylic acid or green tea extract to regulate sebum production and reduce shine. For your cheeks and dry areas, use a hydrating serum rich in hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to deeply hydrate your skin and strengthen its barrier. Targeted treatments allow you to focus on the specific needs of each area of your face, providing customized care and support.
Avoiding Over-Cleansing:
Over-cleansing can disrupt your skin’s natural balance and cause excessive dryness or oiliness. Instead, it’s recommended to cleanse your face twice a day, morning and night, to remove impurities and excess sebum while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture and lipid barrier. Choosing gentle, non-foaming cleansers will help maintain your skin’s balance without drying it out or irritating it.
Common Misconceptions and Misinterpretations
Myth: Oily skin doesn’t need hydration.
Reality: Even oily skin needs hydration. Skipping moisturizer can lead to increased oil production as the skin tries to compensate for dryness. Choosing a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer helps maintain moisture balance and prevent excess oil.
Myth: Sun exposure helps reduce oiliness in the skin.
Reality: While sun exposure can temporarily dry out the skin, in the long run it stimulates oil production and increases the risk of sun damage. Additionally, overexposure to the sun can lead to premature skin aging and an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Instead of tanning, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from UV rays and keep it healthy and balanced.
La PIEL products for oily skin care
Foaming cleanser and makeup remover
A gentle foam for daily thorough cleansing of the face or removal of makeup without drying, irritation or a feeling of tightness after use. 8 antioxidant plant extracts, glycerin and panthenol act as moisturizing agents, preventing moisture loss and possible drying of the skin. Click to learn more
Lipo Serum (8 Oils)
99% natural lipo serum provides your facial skin with the most luxurious care thanks to a high-quality formula that provides the skin with rich nutrition, contributes to the revitalization and regeneration of facial skin. In addition to 8 high-quality oils, including squalane and plant extracts, it is also enriched with vitamins E and F, excellent antioxidants that prevent skin aging, improve skin tone, restore moisture and elasticity, and thus keep the face hydrated, shiny and youthful. Click and find out more
Moisturizing and extremely nutritious face cream
Moisturizing and extremely nutritious day and night face cream for all skin types. The high-quality and advanced formula contains 6 active ingredients: niacinamide, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronan, retinol, collagen, which give facial skin freshness and elasticity, restore it, improve tone and texture. The combination of powerful ingredients makes the cream ideal for maintaining youthful skin in the twenties, and for mature skin it acts as an excellent anti-aging agent. Click and learn more
"Superpower liquid" exfoliating liquid with AHA glycolic acid
La PIEL LAB "Superpower liquid" is a type of liquid peeling that removes dead skin cells, deeply purifies it and prepares it for better absorption of oils and active components from products such as creams and face masks. The formula is based on 5% glycolic acid and enriched with as many as 8 plant extracts and oils for complete regeneration and revitalization of the skin. Click and learn more
