How to Care for Oily Skin

Oily skin is caused by the over production of oil created by the sebaceous gland, which leads to a 'greasy' look and is often accompanied by pimples and blackheads. Oily skin need not be difficult to manage once you understand the causes, and the treatments available. First of all, you should have a qualified Cosmetician at your local drug store; determine if you do have oily skin and not combination skin, which is only oily in patches typically the forehead, nose and chin.

People with oily skin, often have shiny faces, most predominant is the shine on their foreheads, nose, and chin, although depending on how oily the skin is, visible shine may cover the entire face. The thousands of tiny pores on our face easily become clogged when you have oily skin, the result being blackheads, and pronounced red pimples, or acne. The acne is often concentrated on the forehead but may cover the entire face.

Causes of Oily Skin:

Research into the causes of oily skin, has found that hereditary plays a large role. Most of us with acne and oily skin out grow the acne part once we reach adulthood. Eating a well balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, has been shown to combat unhealthy skin., Although no scientific data has ever proved that certain foods cause acne, staying away from too much caffeine, and greasy foods, does seem to help. Other causes of oily skin include stress, hormonal changes, pollution and medication.

Caring for Oily Skin:

A wide variety of over the counter products exist for oily skin. Generally, people with oily skin need to start with a good cleanser or face wash. A Cosmetician can assist you with choosing a cleanser that contains acne fighting ingredients, but is not too drying on the rest of your face. Following cleansing, a toner or astringent should be applied to remove any excess oil. If you only have an oily t-zone apply the astringent there, and any visible acne should also be treated with a topical cream containing benzyl peroxide.

Make-up for Oily Skin:

The myth that women with oily skin should not wear make-up has long been proven to be untrue; you just need to be careful what type of make-up you select. In choosing a foundation, it is important to select a water based one over an oil based one, which will only lead to further oily skin and increase breakouts. A Cosmetician can help you select make-up that is non-comodogenic and dermatologist tested or approved, to ensure you won't get further clogged pores or breakouts.

In conclusion, most people out grow acne when they reach their twenties, although oily skin is something that will be with you throughout your life. Learning how to cope with it by using the proper cleansing techniques, and the right make-up along with recognizing stress triggers, can go along way in combating acne.

As a last resort, when over the counter treatments for acne and blackheads fail, it is often best to consult a Dermatologist. They can determine the severity of your acne, and may prescribe a special cream or as a last resort medication, to help get rid of complicated acne.