How to Care for Oily Skin
How to Get Rid of Oily Skin: Causes & Routines
Oily skin is responsible for several common skin woes, including excess shine, enlarged pores, rough skin, persistent breakouts, and blackheads.
Thankfully, learning how to get rid of oily skin is as simple as knowing what products to use for a fresher, healthier-looking complexion. Shiseido’s expert guide reveals what causes this excess oil, as well as the ideal skincare routine to control and prevent oily skin.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands, which are located in the hair follicle, produce an excessive amount of sebum. Because the skin on the face has more hair follicles than the rest of the body, people experience oiliness primarily on their face.
Sebum is a waxy, oily substance that offers benefits such as moisturizing the skin, minimizing bacterial infection, and preventing dryness and dehydration. Having too much sebum, however, can lead to oily skin, blocked pores, and acne.
Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to oily skin. Oil production in females varies with their monthly cycle and declines with age. It also goes hand-in-hand with reduced estrogen levels in both perimenopause and menopause.
For males, oily skin tends to be most prevalent during adolescence, when their androgens—the hormones that stimulate greater oil production in males—are higher.
What are the Best Products for Oily Skin?
Products containing a number of key ingredients work best at getting rid of oily skin. These include:
- Hyaluronic acid, which aids in the retention of the skin's natural moisture
- Niacinamide, which soothes the skin
- Ceramides, which aid in the maintenance and restoration of the skin's protective barrier
- Retinol, which improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture, and radiance by refining and resurfacing the skin
Additionally, home remedies for oily skin include natural products such as raw honey, French green clay, oatmeal, aloe vera, jojoba oil, egg whites, or lemons. These ingredients are often combined with other elements to form a cleansing wash, paste, or mask to reduce oily skin.
Ingredients to Avoid
The best products for oily skin won’t contain oil-based or alcohol-based ingredients that may only worsen oily skin. Additionally, look for skincare products that are labeled as “oil-free” and “noncomedogenic”, as these won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Tips to Help Reduce Oily Skin
Oily skin can be remedied by following a number of simple, daily practices. Here are Shiseido’s top tips on how to reduce oily skin.
Wash face every morning, evening, and post-workout
Starting and ending the day with a cleansed face can work wonders for preventing oily skin. Removing a build-up of excess sebum before and after sleep can reduce the likelihood of blocked pores, blackheads, and acne. Additionally, it’s recommended to cleanse the face after exercising. Doing so can remove additional sebum, bacteria, and sweat residue that has accumulated during the workout, helping to prevent breakouts.
Never sleep in makeup
Sleeping with makeup on inhibits the skin from renewing and rebuilding, as it is meant to overnight. Makeup that lingers on the skin while sleeping will seep deeper into the pores and clog them. Excessive pore blockage can cause breakouts, including blackheads and whiteheads on the skin.
Try not to touch the face
When touching the face, dirt, oil, and germs are transferred from the hands to the skin. Therefore, the skin on the face should only be touched when applying cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup. Additionally, one should always ensure their hands are clean beforehand.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Here are Shiseido’s recommended products and skincare routine that will help to reduce and prevent excess oil.
Cleanser
The first and most important step in any skincare routine for oily skin is to gently cleanse the skin of excess sebum, dirt, and other blemish-causing build-ups. A sebum-absorbing foaming cleanser, like Shiseido’s Deep Cleansing Foam, thoroughly cleanses pores, whilst strengthening skin and defending against pollutants. For those who prefer an oil-free, wipe-away cleanser, Refreshing Cleansing Water can be applied to a cotton pad to remove impurities, makeup, and oil.
Softener
For further oil removal for smooth and refined skin, Shiseido’s Treatment Softener is recommended after cleansing. Its InternalPowerResist technology strengthens and defends skin, while signature Japanese ingredients provide additional oil banishing advantages.
Moisturizer
Sometimes, people neglect to moisturize their skin in an attempt to combat oiliness, but moisturizer is a vital element in any skincare regimen. The Essential Energy Hydrating Cream is lightweight, making it perfect for skin prone to excess sebum. The Essential Energy Hydrating Cream offers 24-hour hydration, and melts into skin instantly without feeling greasy.
Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20 offers the same skin-loving benefits with added SPF.
Primer
Primer serves an important function before makeup application, and therefore, shouldn’t be ruled out of a skincare routine. Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer is a water-based, mattifying primer that immediately reduces the appearance of large pores and controls shine. Simply apply a small amount over the T-zone or other oil-prone areas before or after foundation.
Sunscreen
Lastly, skin should always be protected against the sun’s harmful UV rays to further prevent damage, premature aging, and moisture depletion. Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 42 is a lightweight sunscreen that’s suitable for daily use. It contains oil-balancing hyaluronic acid and encourages soft, matte skin.
