Skincare Tips For Oily Skin

As much as you hate that unwanted shine, oily skin has one benefit. Yes, you read that right! Believe it or not, but most skincare experts agree that skin that’s oily or a combination type, ages slowly as compared to skin that’s dry. That’s because the oil (sebum) produced by your oil (sebaceous) glands serves to keep your skin lubricated, nourished, and moisturised, preventing fine lines and wrinkles. If this made your day, read on to know about skincare tips for oily skin.
What Makes Skin Oily?
What Skincare Routine Should I Follow For Oily Skin?
What Other Skincare Tips Should I Follow For Oily Skin?
What Are Some Home Remedies For Oily Skin?
What Foods Should I Eat Or Avoid For Oily Skin?
FAQs: Skincare Tips For Oily Skin

What Makes Skin Oily?

As mentioned, your sebaceous glands produce sebum to keep your skin soft and moisturised. When too much sebum is produced, your skin appears oily and it can also lead to acne flare-ups. Hormones and genetics are the main factors to blame for oily skin. Fluctuating hormones result in increased androgen – the male hormone that signals the maturation of sebaceous glands. As sebaceous glands mature, sebum production increases, and the higher the androgens present in the body, the more sebum is funnelled through the pores. This sebum sits on the surface of the skin making it oily. When excess oil gets trapped in the pores and combines with dead skin cells and bacteria, it gives rise to pimples and blackheads.

Oily skin can be hereditary and over-washing your face isn't the solution. In fact, over-washing or scrubbing too hard will strip your skin of moisture, causing sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Humidity and hot weather, certain medications, diet, and cosmetics can affect sebum production too.

Tip: Oily skin has many factors to blame, but the solution lies deeper than just scrubbing off the oil.

What Skincare Routine Should I Follow For Oily Skin?

Cleanse daily

Cleansing your face twice daily – once in the morning and once in the evening is a must. You might be tempted to use a cleansing facewash during the day if you have excessively oily skin, but refrain from doing so; you don’t want to strip your skin of natural oils. If you must do something about the shine, simply wash your face with water and blot dry using a soft cloth or tissue.

Wash with a soap that is gentle, preferably a glycerine one. Choose oil-free cleansers and consider using one that contains salicylic acid. Check the ingredients list and go for two per cent salicylic acid to break down oil without drying out your skin. You might want to choose a cleanser that contains plant-based ingredients over a chemical-laden one.

Follow up with toner

Toners serve to control excess oil, shrink the appearance of skin pores, and restore the skin's pH balance, which in turn keeps the skin moisturised while keeping germs at bay. Toners are water-based and comprise of astringents that hydrate and soothe skin. Some toners include alcohol too; note that these can be over-drying and can irritate sensitive skin, so if you're looking for a mild toner, go for a non-alcohol one.


Using both cleanser and toner on sensitive skin can have a negative impact. Always remember to use products that suit your skin type. Bear in mind that products containing plant extracts are touted as beneficial, but they might irritate skin. Understand your skin and buy what you need, not what’s advertised to be the best.

Moisturise

Don’t think you don’t need moisturiser just because you have oily or combination skin – the key to healthy skin that looks hydrated, not shiny, is in choosing the right moisturiser. Moisturisers are formulated with humectants, occlusives, and emollients – humectants attract moisture from the deeper skin layers to the outermost layer and also draw in moisture from the air to keep skin hydrated, occlusives create a physical barrier on your skin to keep moisture locked in, and emollients are fats that help repair skin. Since occlusives are thick and greasy, lay off these and choose moisturisers with humectants like glycerine and emollients like vitamin E.

Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliating your skin will help remove build-up of dirt and dead skin cells that can cause flare-ups. Don’t be hard on your skin – as much as you’d want to scrub the oil away vigorously with a harsh exfoliator, it’s unadvisable to do so as it can dry your skin. Use a gentle facewash or scrub once a week for sensitive skin or 2-3 times weekly if you have hardy skin.

Salicylic acid plays an important role here too, it not only removes surface oil but also that present inside the pores, thus preventing build-ups and clogging. Again, you don’t want to over-dry your skin, so know what works for your skin and choose accordingly.

Check out this video for exfoliating scrubs. Tip: A beauty routine that involves daily cleansing, toning, and moisturising, along with exfoliating regularly can benefit oily skin. It’s important to use the right skincare products!

What Other Skincare Tips Should I Follow For Oily Skin?

Don’t let the fear of excess shine drive you away from sunscreen – experts say sun protection is especially important for oily skin! Heading out in the sun without adequate sun protection can lead to pigmentation, wrinkles, and skin damage. Oil-based sunscreens can make your skin look greasy and also cause it to break out, so go for a water-based sunscreen. Further to this, look for a noncomedogenic product which won’t clog your skin pores.

Most importantly, always remove makeup before getting into bed. Sleeping in makeup harms all skin types, but oily or combination skin is prone to break out the very next day as makeup clogs skin pores. Makeup removing wipes aren’t really effective for a deep cleanse, but they are certainly better than sleeping in a full face of makeup. Use a makeup remover that’s gentle; if using an oil-based remover, follow up with your nightly cleansing routine to keep your skin pores happy.

Remember to keep your skin and body hydrated through the day. The amount of water you consume affects several aspects of your health, including the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands! Drink at least eight glasses of water, sipping at regular intervals to help your body flush out toxins easily. Eat fruits and vegetables like watermelon, tomato, cucumber, etc. that have a higher water content.


Tip: Lifestyle changes and healthy habits also go into maintaining beautiful, flawless skin.

What Are Some Home Remedies For Oily Skin?

Honey

This golden liquid is a humectant, so it keeps skin moisturised. It’s also a natural antiseptic and can benefit acne-prone skin and soothe inflammation.

- Mix honey and milk in equal amounts. Apply to skin and let dry. Wash off with clean water. You can use this remedy once daily.
- Mash half a banana and mix with a tablespoon of honey. Apply onto face and wash off with warm water after 15-20 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a week.
- Make a scrub by mixing a bit of honey and brown sugar. Massage onto face gently and wash off with warm water. Do this once a week for smooth skin.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is not only nourishing but is also packed with a host of beauty benefits – it is highly absorbent which helps draw out oil and impurities from skin pores, it can be used as an exfoliant due to its mild abrasive texture, and its saponin content makes it a natural cleanser.

- Grind 2-3 tablespoons of oatmeal into a fine powder. Add water to make a thick paste and mix in a tablespoon of honey. Apply onto face and wash off with water after 30 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a week.
- Mix 2-3 tablespoons of oatmeal and yoghurt to make a mask. Let sit for five minutes, apply onto face, and wash off after 20-30 minutes. You can use this mask 2-3 times a week.
- Mash a cup of ripe papaya with two tablespoons of dry oatmeal, ground into a fine powder. Apply onto face and wash after 15-20 minutes. Do this 3-4 times a week.

Tomato

Tomatoes have astringent properties that soothe irritated skin and antioxidants to protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals. This super fruit also tightens pores, lightens complexion, and restores the pH level of the skin, thereby controlling the amount of sebum produced.

- Puree a medium sized tomato and apply onto face evenly. Wash off after 15-20 minutes. You can use this home remedy daily if you have excessively oily skin.
- Make a thick paste using tomato puree and granulated sugar. Massage onto face gently for 10 minutes. Let sit on the skin for another 10 minutes and wash off with water. Do this 3-4 times a week.
- Extract the juice of a ripe tomato and mix in a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Apply this on your face and allow to dry on its own before washing off with cold water. Use this toner daily after cleansing your face.

Cucumber

This mild astringent helps tone skin and tighten skin pores while soothing inflammation and providing hydration.

- Grate or mash half a cucumber. Massage onto face for about five minutes and wash with cold water.
- Blend half a cup of cucumber with a tablespoon of yoghurt. Apply onto face and leave on for 20-30 minutes. wash with cold water. Do this 3-4 times a week.
- Make a daily-use cucumber and lemon toner. Blend half a cucumber, extract the juice from the pulp. Mix cucumber juice and lemon juice in equal parts and dab onto skin with a cotton ball. Wash after 15-20 minutes. Follow up with moisturiser.

Tip: All-natural home remedies can be used regularly to keep skin oil-free, radiant, and youthful.

What Foods Should I Eat Or Avoid For Oily Skin?

Dairy products

These are packed with hormones like testosterone that can lead to increased oil production and clogged pores. Swap dairy milk and cheese for almond milk and vegan cheese if you have oily, acne-prone skin. Get your calcium from almonds and leafy greens, and switch to dark chocolate from the milky variety.

Fats

Inflammatory fats i.e. saturated fats and trans fats not only increase your risk of heart disease and other health conditions, but also contribute to excess sebum production. Load up on healthy fats – eat nuts like almonds and walnuts, cook with healthy fats like olive oil, and prefer poaching, broiling, and grilling over frying.

Sugar

Bingeing on sugary treats leads to spikes in blood sugar levels, causing your body to produce more insulin, which in turn gets your sebaceous glands working in overdrive. Refined sugars found in sodas and other beverages, canned foods, sweets, cereals and cereal bars should be avoided, and natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables should be consumed in moderation. Satisfy cravings with dark chocolate, mangoes, berries, bananas, etc.

Refined carbohydrates

Refined grains lose important nutrients like fibre when they are processed, and can impact blood sugar levels, leading to increased oil production. Go for wholemeal bread and pasta, brown rice, quinoa, and oats instead of white rice and white bread and pasta.

Salt

Excess salt consumption, as you probably know, causes water retention, swelling, and eye bags. What you might not know is that as your body tries to combat the dehydration caused, your sebaceous glands are triggered into producing more oil. So avoid topping your meals with salt for added flavour, and lay off salt-laden condiments like table sauces and salad dressings, store-bought soups, salted nuts, and crackers. Make your own dips, nut butters, and soups at home.

Here is an easy soup recipe for you.

Tip: What you eat shows on your skin! Swap foods that trigger sebaceous glands for healthier alternatives.

FAQs: Skincare Tips For Oily Skin

Q. How do I apply makeup on oily skin?

A. Start with rubbing an ice cube over your face – this constricts skin pores, making them look smaller and helps control excess oil production. Next, use an effective primer that’s specially formulated for oily skin. Apply evenly over face, including on the eyelids. Dab concealer gently; excess concealer can cause your makeup to crease. Don’t go heavy on powder as this can clog your pores. Go for oil-free, noncomedogenic makeup products with a matte finish. Keep blotting papers on hand to reduce midday shine – press them down on skin to lift excess oil without disturbing your makeup.

Q. Can stress cause skin to be oily?

A. Yes! When you are stressed, the level of cortisol, your body's stress hormone, rises. This can lead to increased sebum production, oily skin, and acne. Focus on important tasks, plan ahead so you're prepared for everything, get enough sleep, eat right, and exercise regularly to manage stress.