Go from greasy to glowing!
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1. Find the right cleanser.
It
might sound counterintuitive, but oil cleansers were made for greasy
skin types. The oil in the face wash attracts your skin's sebum, so you
can rinse both away without stripping your face. "Your skin should feel
soft, not tight, after washing," says Dr. Waldorf. If oil-based
cleansers aren't your jam, she also recommends ones containing salicylic
acid. It not only exfoliates and removes pimple-causing buildup, but
the powerhouse ingredient is also a lipophilic—meaning it likes fat—so
it goes straight to the source (hint: the oil in your pores).
2. Go easy on the toner.
Instead of reaching for toner every day to control oil, use it once or
twice a week at most. And if it's an astringent (most likely containing
drying alcohols, menthol, camphor, or peppermint), stop using it
altogether. Overusing toner can lead to sensitive skin, which might not
be able to tolerate an acne regime. And "although they can dehydrate the
skin's surface temporarily, they can be irritating, causing skin to
produce more oil," says Jordana Mattioli, LE, a medical esthetician at Complete Skin MD in NYC.
[post_ads_2]3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
One of the biggest mistakes both Dr. Waldorf and Mattioli see their
oily-skinned patients make is skipping moisturizer. "Moisturizing is
important to keep the skin's barrier intact," explains Dr. Waldorf. This
key outer layer of skin is in charge of blocking out external irritants
(like bacteria or UV rays) and keeping important moisture inside. But
you don't need to use creams with heavy duty ingredients like shea
butter or coconut oil. In fact, your shouldn't. "Although they're
beneficial for dry skin," says Mattioli, "they are known to clog pores
on oily skin." Instead look for lightweight lotions or serums containing
hyaluronic acid or glycerin. "Both act like microsponges to pull
moisture into the skin and hold it there," says Dr. Waldorf.
4. Consider a retinoid.
AKA some
type of vitamin A product, which speeds up cell turnover, making it one
of the best anti-aging. But it also works wonders for acne. "It will
reshape the lining of your pores, so oil comes out easily as opposed to
getting trapped and causing a clogged pore, blackhead, or pimple,"
explains Mattioli. The strongest formulas used to require a
prescription, but Differin, $29 (a previously prescription-only version) recently became available over-the-counter
[post_ads_2]5. Alternative your actives.
Overusing
powerful ingredients on any skin type can lead to irritation. But on
oily skin, that irritation manifests itself as more oily (lose, lose!).
Mattioli tells all of her clients to stick to one active a night. That
means if you use a chemical exfoliator with low concentration of acids
or enzymes, which you should, use it only on the nights you're not using
your retinoid product.
6. Consult a dermatologist early.
Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD, a dermatologist at Bowes Dermatology
in Miami, blames certain brands and websites for perpetuating unhealthy
fads and myths about the number of products and regimen steps required
to maintain glowing skin. "Frankly, all that will make the skin worse,"
she says. Rather than play a guessing game, defer to your dermatologist.
And if you're struggling with excess oil or mild, acne (blackheads and
whiteheads) at any age, see your dermatologist before it worsens and
becomes harder to treat.
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7. Choose your makeup wisely.
When it comes to your skin, avoid pore-clogging foundations that feel
heavy. Look for lighter textures and keywords like oil-control or
mattifying. And if there's only a little you want to cover up, choose
powder over foundation. Regardless of your product, Dr. Bowes stresses removing makeup before you go to sleep, "or even better, right when you come home, so your skin can breathe."
