Skincare Guide for Oil-Prone Skin

I was cursed with oily skin. During the summer, my face looks like an oil slick, and my foundation melts off. Even during the winter, shine shows through my foundation soon after I apply it. And I'm especially prone to breakouts. There is no "cure" for oily skin, but with proper treatment, oil can be controlled.

All skin types have 3 steps that are necessary to produce clean and healthy skin. Which products you use depends on your skin type. I'll be covering oily skin.

The first step, and probably the most important, is cleansing. Failure to do so will cause blemishes and blackheads. Not to mention, it is said that for every day you leave your makeup on all night, your skin ages a week! Start off with a mild cleanser made specifically for oily skin. Using harsh soaps or drying cleansers will only dry out and irritate your face, causing more oil production, thus causing more breakouts. Experimenting with cleansers is a good idea. Even though products say they are made for oily skin, one product could be more drying than another. Experiment with products to see what works for you. Some good skincare brands are Neutrogena Oil Free Foaming Cleanser for Oily Skin, Oil of Olay Daily Cleansing Cloths for Oily Skin, Oil of Olay Deep Cleansing Face Wash, Clinique Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula, and my personal favorite, Mary Kay Timewise Cleanser for Combination/Oily skin. You only really need to use a cleanser at night to remove makeup from your face.

The second step, and still very important, is moisturizing. People with oily skin are very reluctant to moisturize, because they are afraid it will make them more prone to breakouts. In reality, even oily skin needs moisture. The oil on your face is not equal to moisturizers (aka hydration for your skin). You'll want to find a moisturizer that is either non-comedogenic or oil-free. Not all moisturizers are equal, so you might want to feel the moisturizer to make sure it isn't greasy feeling. Non-comedogenic means "does not cause acne," so there is no guarantee it isn't a heavy moisturizer. Not all moisturizers are created equal!

The third step is exfoliating. Our skin sheds dead cells, and exfoliating sloughs off these dead skin cells that are pushed to the surface of the skin to reveal more radiant skin. Without exfoliating, your skin can look dull. For oily skin, it is better to use a type of exfoliating mask, such as a clay or mud mask, as opposed to an exfoliating scrub, which can be too harsh on your skin, and can cause the skin to produce more oil.

There is controversy over whether or not toner is necessary in skin care regiments. Most dermatologists agree that toner is not needed if you use a really good cleanser. You can use a toner on the especially oily areas, but you want to use a gentle toner, as most contain alcohol and can be really drying on your skin.

As a side note, to help control shine, a good product for the on the-go woman is beauty blotters. These are small tissues that you use to blot excessive oil off your face. Very useful for those super humid days when the oil on your face is out of control.

With proper facial care, you are on your way to healthy and beautiful skin!