Characteristics of oily skin + how to deal with it

Are you suffering from very oily skin? Although the occurrence is common, looking for new ways to avoid excessive shine and the feeling of oil is always the best option. Long before you even do your makeup, it’s important to pay attention to when you clean. This way, it is possible to work with drier skin and free from the effects of excess oil that appear throughout the day. In this sense, there are some good tricks to accomplish the feat, from hygiene to beautification.

First of all, it is important to understand the characteristics of oily skin. Typically, it is accompanied by intense shine, a tendency to acne, such as pimples and blackheads in general, a sticky sensation and enlarged pores. There are several factors that influence the worsening of the level of oiliness, that is, it is essential to know them before making any decision. Furthermore, with more care and patience, it is possible to prevent much of the worst of the oiliness.

Getting an improvement in your skin’s oiliness doesn’t just involve makeup tricks or purchasing expensive products. Above all, it is necessary to change health and eating habits, which contribute to a healthier appearance from the inside out. Check out everything you need to know about oiliness below, as well as the tips and tricks to make it less of a hassle.

Characteristics of oily skin

Above all, it is necessary to know what factors go into defining oily skin. Its characteristic is excessive shine that does not match the “glow effect” sought by many, irregular and dilated pores and the feeling of heavy skin, which is caused by excess sebaceous production. Furthermore, with oiliness also comes a tendency to acne, which involves pimples and blackheads.

The causes of oiliness are diverse. The most common ones involve excessive washing of the face or washing with very hot water, cleaning with dirty hands, lack of hydration, eating a diet with a high glycemic index, hormonal imbalance, exposure to the sun or pollution in general.

Certain habits are still responsible for causing the rebound effect, which occurs through the imbalance of water and oil on the skin’s surface. Thus, the sebaceous glands produce excess sebum, in an attempt to protect the region, which only makes the case worse. Above all, it is important to maintain this balance, keeping the skin always protected and hydrated, but without overdoing it.

Oiliness during menopause

Certain situations throughout life are also responsible for increasing or decreasing the skin’s oil level. During menopause, for example, it is normal for women to notice duller, drier skin. However, there is also the opposite case, where the skin becomes extremely oily. This occurs because estrogen levels drop drastically, increasing testosterone, which is responsible for increasing weight, oiliness and even the tendency to acne.

Black skin and oiliness

Black skin has unique characteristics and valuable benefits, such as natural sun protection and denser collagen fibers. On the other hand, it is common to also have larger sebaceous glands, consequently producing more sebum and increasing oiliness. Therefore, the tendency towards more oily skin is normal, but in the same way, it is possible to control its effects with some extra care.

Actives for oiliness

There are certain elements present in the composition of products that are ideal for treating extremely oily skin. Normally in the form of acids or minerals, including them in your cleansing routine is a great option for those who want to prevent the effect of oiliness as much as possible.

1 – Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a chemical agent responsible for regulating oil, acting as an anti-inflammatory and inducing cell renewal, allowing for healthier, better-looking skin. Because it has the ability to permeate the pores, it helps remove the keratinized layer, which is oily, unclogging the region.

2 – LHA

LHA, or lipohydroxy acid, is a derivative of salicylic acid with keratolytic action, that is, it prevents the formation of blackheads without irritating the skin. Because it is gentle, it can be used on any skin type, not just oily skin, even though it benefits most.

3 – Zinc

Likewise, the mineral is responsible for reducing the production of sebum from the sebaceous glands. In addition, zinc also helps regulate excess shine and the formation of blackheads and pimples.

4 – Nicotinamide

Nicotinamide is an essential B complex vitamin. Its substance helps improve the appearance of the skin through texture, in addition to reducing dryness, with anti-inflammatory action. In this sense, the active ingredient is able to help prevent more blackheads and pimples from appearing.

Oily skin care

In order to take care of your skin in the best possible way, adopting certain products is a great option to help reduce oiliness. Cleansing gels, moisturizers and protectors specifically for oily skin, zinc sprays, anti-acne treatments and micellar solutions are some of the solutions available on the market to treat the situation. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a skin cleansing routine with great discipline, ensuring that the products act efficiently.

1. Wash your face

Above all, always prefer to wash your face with cold water. Hot water causes a rebound effect, removing natural oil from the face and stimulating the sebaceous glands to produce even more sebum. The lower the temperature, the more closed and beautiful the pores will be. Choose cleansing gels suitable for oily or acne-prone skin, but be careful with those that can dry out the dermis too much. Repeat the cleaning process twice a day.

2. Moisturize oily skin

Right after cleansing your face, apply an antioxidant, like vitamin C, or go straight to hydration and protection. Moisturizing oily skin is essential to avoid the rebound effect, even if the excess shine gives the impression that it is not necessary to apply any cream. Quite the opposite: it is important to replenish water levels throughout the day, maintaining balance. This way, it is also possible to combat dryness that comes with excessive cleaning.

When choosing a moisturizer, always check that the product is free of oils in its composition. There is a wide range on the market when it comes to hydrating oily skin, and it is even possible to use sunscreen with the same function. Never forget to apply sunscreen! Exposure to the sun without protection causes dryness, spots, expression lines, wrinkles and even increases the chances of skin cancer. Many sunscreens are already specific for acne-prone and oily skin, usually those with a dry touch.

3. Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliants have a purifying action and help unclog pores, which is essential in controlling oiliness. However, it is important to remember that cleaning with an exfoliant should not be done more than twice a week, as the particles can be aggressive for very sensitive skin. When choosing a product, choose those that reduce oiliness and have the purifying and descaling action of salicylic acid.

4. Don’t sleep with makeup on

Care must be taken not only by those who suffer from oiliness, but by everyone. In any case, avoid sleeping with makeup on, as products can clog pores and contribute to increased sebum. Remove everything with micellar water, makeup remover or a specific soap for oily skin, always keeping it clean, dry, and free from any harmful elements.

5. Maintain a healthy diet

Likewise, care must not only come from outside, but also from within. Avoid eating very fatty foods, such as chocolate. A balanced and healthy diet helps to maintain much more beautiful and less oily skin, always focusing on vegetables, fruits and good carbohydrates.

If you liked this article about oiliness, also take the opportunity to check out Healthy skin – 12 Tips for taking care of your skin at home

Sources: Dermaclub, ADCOS, L’Oréal Paris, Garnier

Images: Nova Cosméticos, Varginha Digital, Autosustentável, Boa Forma, Veja Saúde, Pinterest, O Papel, Farmabiz and VIX.