Have you ever asked yourself "Why is my skin so oily?" or wondered how to get rid of oily skin? You're not alone. There's an epidemic of oily skin currently happening from coast to coast. Think it can't happen to you? It can!
Excess oil doesn't just happen to those with genetically oily skin – virtually anyone can experience an oily face in the form of breakthrough shine and excess oil throughout the day. In fact, nearly 75% of people said they experience occasional to frequent breakthrough shine.
Are you one of the many who want to get rid of oily skin? Read on to learn your oily skin causes and treatments.
8 Reasons Why Your Skin is So Oily
To learn how to manage an oily face, you need to know the most common oily skin causes. So what are the causes of oily skin? Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Is oily skin your true genetic skin type?
- Are you stressed?
- Are you absolutely positive the skin care products you use are designed for your exact skin type?
- Are you taking medication?
- Do you use your products correctly? Do you ever "over-cleanse/over-exfoliate/over-treat" your skin?
- Are there significant seasonal changes where you live?
- Do you tan?
- Are you a woman?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, (and we bet you did), your skin can experience breakthrough oil and excess shine. Stress, medications, hormones, incorrect products and changes in seasons can rob skin of needed moisture, causing it to produce a surge of oil to compensate for what's lacking; overuse of products and tanning can strip and injure skin, causing it to go into "protect" mode – and produce excess oil, too.
If you're still asking the question "why is my face so oily?" scroll to the bottom of this article to see our oily skin infographic. If you pinpoint the cause and use the correct products, you can eliminate your oily skin especially your face – as long as you continually manage it.
Oily Skin Remedies: Which Ones Work?
There are many oily skin remedies and oily face treatments online that actually make matters worse. Many oily skin sufferers turn to oil blotting papers for a "quick fix", but they actually increase oil production and can even cause acne.
While oil blotting sheets may temporarily reduce surface oil, in the long run they just push and drag the dirt, oil, pollution and grime back down deep into your pores. This creates an oxygen-free environment deep inside pores that P. acnes bacteria thrive in, creating breakouts, blackheads, bumps and overall skin congestion.
Another harmful fad sweeping social media and drugstore shelves are "pore fillers". Your pores are responsible for oil production – so if you have genetically oily skin, you will have larger pores to accommodate more oil production. Even if your oily skin is not genetic, producing excess sebum will cause pores to stretch. "Pore fillers" claim to minimize pores and oil production, but in reality they fill and stretch pores, only making them larger!
Both of these 'oily skin hacks' provide temporary solutions that lead to more problems down the line. Instead of trying to mask the problem, treat it at the source with the right oily skin care.
How To Get Rid of Oily Skin: The Best Products for Oily Skin
Manage oily skin with this professional, esthetician-approved skin care routine:
CLEANSE: Decongestant Cleanser
This lathering gel cleanser for oily skin removes all traces of impurities, excess oil, and makeup. Choosing the right cleanser for oily skin is crucial, but how often you cleanse is important too. Cleansing more than twice a day strips your skin and dehydrates it, causing your skin to respond with a surge of more oil to compensate for what's been stripped away.
Apply two pumps to wet skin and massage over face. Rinse with warm water and lightly pat dry. Use AM and PM.
Bioelements Equalizer is an alcohol-free toner laced with Chinese herbs and aromatherapist oils to strengthen and calm skin. Don't skip this step – it is crucial to prime your oily skin for the rest of your skin care.
After you cleanse, apply 2-3 spritzes of Equalizer all over face, neck, and v-area. Gently massage into the skin, leaving it slightly moist. Use AM and PM.
Stop oil at its source with our Oil Control Mattifier. It's a feather-light formula that works on the inside and out – soaking up excess shine on the surface, while targeting oily sebum deep in your skin's follicles. This oily skin treatment acts like a primer for oily skin: Apply it right before your moisturizer for a perfect matte finish, keep an oily t zone at bay, and help makeup stay put.
After toning, apply it all over or just to oily areas – you can even apply it mid-day right over your makeup!
"Oil Control Mattifier is my number one targeted oily face treatment." – Kim West Pigue, Kimmie's Professional Skin Care
Yes, oily skin types need to moisturize too. In fact, oily skin can actually be caused by dehydration! Beyond Hydration is a refreshing gel moisturizer for oily skin that leaves your complexion comfortable without added shine.
After Oil Control Mattifier, apply a chickpea-sized amount of this moisturizer to the face and neck. Moisturize after you exfoliate and/or mask as well. Use AM and PM.
"My advice to anyone with oily skin is to not be afraid of moisturizer! It can actually help control oil in the long run – you just need the right formula!" –Nicole Eastwood, Simply Your Spa
EXFOLIATE: Measured Micrograins +
To refine pores, control oil and strengthen skin, exfoliate with this multi-action scrub for unpredictable, easily-sensitized skin.
Use 1-3 times a week after toner. Apply the size of a pea to moist skin and gently massage. Rinse off with water. Use AM or PM.
This face mask for oily skin is a 10-minute, pore-refining clay mask to absorb excess oil and dirt, and improve skin's texture.
Use 1-2 times a week after toner or exfoliator. Apply a chickpea-size amount to the face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse well. Use AM or PM.
TREAT OVERNIGHT: Oil Control Sleepwear
This overnight treatment creme works while you sleep to control oil as it smooths the appearance of lines and wrinkles. With Sleepwear's trusted dream team formula, oil-rich skin awakens energized with needed hydration.
After you moisturize in the PM, apply an amount half the size of a pea before you go to sleep.
Skin care pros:
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