Oily skin is not only a perennial problem of teens but also of women who are in their menopausal stage. When menopause sets in, the hormone, estrogen drops and the androgen hormones stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil, resulting to oily skin. Characterized by large pores and too much oil production, oily skin leaves your skin looking shiny and greasy. There is no other way to cease its process, but managing it can keep your oily skin at bay. Nevertheless, keep in mind on what to do and what to avoid in managing your oily skin.
Do’s:
- Keep the skin topically hydrated.
Lack of moisture makes your skin to produce excess oil. Therefore, hydrating your skin topically with gel based moisturizers and masks can be beneficial to oily skin. Apart from drinking lots of water, maintaining a good skin care regimen, including moisturizing will provide skin the necessary hydration. It is recommended to use oil-free and non-pore clogging topical moisturizer. Also, look for formula with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, a water based hydrator that keeps skin cells plump with water.
- Be attentive to your skin needs.
Most of us have this notion that if you have oily skin, you will get fewer wrinkles. This is not always true. The thickness of the skin is a factor that will determine wrinkle appearance not how much oil it produces. Therefore, be considerate to your skin no matter what. To delay appearance of wrinkles to your face, always take care of your skin.
- De-stress and relax
Stress can lead to increased oil production. This is because stress causes adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol, making sebaceous glands to secrete more oil and appear too greasy. Since stress is already part of our lives; avoid unnecessary stress by taking some time to relax and unwind. De-stressing can be in a form of meditation, pampering yourself whether a good massage or mani/pedi session or simply read an inspiring book. These activities can help you manage oil production at bay.
- Use retinoids at night.
Retinoid products diminish oil production in the skin. They also help in reducing blackheads and may lower sebum production.
- Use oil-free foundation.
Prevent creating more shine and clogged pores by using oil-free foundation. It is also better to use a powder blush instead of cream formula to your oily skin.
Don’ts:
- Avoid cleansing your face with a dry cleanser.
Available cleansers for oily skin contain sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate. These surfactants lessen oil from the skin; however, they can dry the skin, which can cause more oil production in the end. Due to high pH balance, it dehydrates the skin. Instead of getting rid the oil, these lead to more production of oil to the skin.
To keep oil production at bay, use sulfate-free cleansers as these products will give healthy deep pore cleansing, without drying and leaving your skin feeling tight.
- Finding instant cure for oily skin
It is normal for people with oily skin to find alternate ways to get rid of oil completely; however, there is no permanent way to get rid of the oil. This is the natural process of your skin so you have to deal with it. The quickest and simplest way to prevent your face from too much shine and grease is by blotting your skin with oil blotting papers or tissues. Applying a mattifying powder is also a smart way to manage shine.
- Don’t overwash your face
Extra cleansing is not the answer for oily skin as it is not a hygiene problem. Too much washing of your face can strip natural, essential oils that serve as a barrier to irritants. This can cause your face to become red and raw. It is better to wash your face twice a day using a gentle cleanser.
