Published on October 11th, 2022

Last updated on January 25th, 2023

How To Make Skin Less Oily? Cleaning Oily Skin

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
girl with cream on the left side of the face

If you have oily skin that shines not only in the T-zone in the summer (in which case it is combination skin) but all year round, you first need to stop panicking about it. Seriously. Because oily skin is one of the four types that no one can radically change. The trick is that in oily skin, the ducts of the sebaceous glands are greatly expanded, respectively – more fat is released from them.

However, I have a reasonably significant consolation: unlike all types, oily skin stays young much longer due to the regular release of sebum to the surface. It, in turn, creates a reliable shield that protects the skin from environmental aggression, dust, tobacco smoke, bacteria, and temperature extremes.

In anticipation of a brighter future when oily skin will reward you for your suffering, here are some tips that reduce persistent shine.

What To Do If Your Face Is Oily?

What To Do If Your Face Is Oily 1024x512 - How To Make Skin Less Oily? Cleaning Oily Skin

Anyone who has had oily skin knows it is not the easiest thing to deal with. Oily skin is prone to breakouts and shine. If you are sick of your skin being greasy, there are some things that you can do to change that. 

The first step is to understand what is causing your skin to be like that. The symptoms of oily skin can be caused by different things, including: 

  1. Hormones. It is likely that the sebaceous glands work in a dual mode due to hormonal failure;
  2. Diet. You may be passing on fatty foods too much, eating too little fiber, and consuming too little water. It’s time to think about your diet;
  3. Genetics. Have you noticed that your relatives also suffer from oily skin? If so, we can spare your feelings because nothing will help here. We can only give a few practical suggestions for improving the condition;
  4. Lifestyle. Are you sleeping normally? Maybe your activity is too low? Your lifestyle greatly affects how your body works.

If you can identify what is causing your skin to be greasy, you will be one step closer to solving the problem. As soon as you know the source of the problem, you can look at methods to fix it. Read on to get the working tips for you.

1. Reduce Alcohol

If you like to drink a little alcohol every night while watching Netflix or Hulu, your oily skin probably results from this lifestyle. The thing is that excessive alcohol consumption can damage blood vessels and lead to an increase in the number of sebaceous glands and blood vessels.

Although getting rid of alcohol is hard enough, you can always try to keep it to a minimum.

2. Do Not Use Sulfates

Sulfates are great for dry skin, but your body doesn’t work the way you want. While touching dry skin on your face feels good, your body gets more stressed. It needs to moisturize the skin to protect it constantly.

If you overdry it, your inside systems will produce even more fat, which leads to a problem. As a result, as one of the tips for oily skin, you can reduce the number of sulfates you use for your care routine or eliminate those products.

3. Wash Your Face Every Morning

Regular washing is perhaps the most obvious option as face care for oily skin. Wash your face three times a day: in the morning, afternoon, and evening. And if you play sports, washing your face after the high activity is recommended, as sweat and fat create an even more damaging effect.

4. Use Products Without Oil

It is also obvious that you should use self-care products that do not contain oil. I don’t think it’s even worth explaining why. But still, if you get more oil on the oily skin, you will get a double effect. 

5. Don’t Sleep With Makeup

Among the other tips for oily skin, I do not recommend sleeping with makeup on your face. This approach creates an additional layer between your skin and the outside world. As a result, you don’t allow your skin to breathe, and all fat and sweat remain on it. Be sure to remove all makeup from your skin before bed.

6. Don’t Touch Your Face If It Is Oily

It’s also a reasonably obvious method; however, it significantly reduces the oiliness of your skin. So, try to touch your face less with your hands throughout the day. Your hands can also get oily and dirty; touching your face only worsens it and stains your skin.

7. Use Products With Salicylic Acid

Weekly gentle exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells, extra oil, and other impurities from the skin’s surface. Ideally, this should be done with a chemical exfoliator like salicylic acid.

8. Using Blotting Paper

This paper does an excellent job of absorbing oil from the face skin. So, if you can’t wash your face, you can always use blotting paper to eliminate oily skin. It is a great face care tip for oily skin because of its simplicity. It’s enough to attach the paper to the face and press it several times.

9. Be Less Nervous

The stressful condition of your body always harms your essential functions. Too much stress can cause obesity, facial blemishes, cognitive impairment, and affect the production of face grease.

So, regular washing and oil-free products cannot help if you are constantly in stressful conditions. It would be best to minimize your stressful situations before seeing any positive results.

10. Use Products With L-Carnitine

According to some studies, products containing this component help eliminate symptoms of oily skin. The thing is that l-carnitine is actively involved in the breakdown of fat. In addition, you can even lose weight while improving your skin condition.

11. Use Products With Retinoids

This method can be tricky since products containing retinoids are available only by prescription. You need to contact your dermatologist to get a prescription for this remedy. Otherwise, you will not be able to complete the task.

As for the benefits of such products, retinoids help to shrink pores and reduce the amount of sebum produced.

12. Try Hormone Therapy

Antiandrogens and other hormonal medications can successfully lower sebum production.

Some researchers have proved that spironolactone can treat women’s oily skin. According to researchers, cyproterone acetate (not sold in the US) also lowers women’s sebum production.

13. Change Your Diet

High-glycemic foods and drinks may promote inflammation and sebum production as they swiftly increase blood sugar levels, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

As a result, those who have oily skin should concentrate on eating low-glycemic foods like:

  • The vegetables;
  • A few seasonal fruits;
  • Beans;
  • Legumes;
  • Majority of whole grain cereals and oats.

But cow’s milk can exacerbate acne by causing inflammation, considering the glycemic index. Pores become clogged as a result.

A balanced diet positively affects the skin’s condition and your general condition and weight. So, by eating healthy foods, you are more likely to sleep better, feel lighter, exercise without problems, and always feel energized.

It is also more likely that you will not retain water and salt in the body, which will have a positive effect in the absence of a swollen body in the morning after waking up.

14. Sunscreen Is Your Protection

As for another tip for cleaning oily skin, you can also use sunscreen if you are outside on scorching days. Because of the sun, your skin can be severely damaged. And if you are not particularly concerned about facial burns or wrinkles, the problem of cancer developing should concern everyone. And the sun’s rays can lead to the occurrence of such diseases.

The solution is simple – apply a little face sunscreen on the skin and wait until it is absorbed. Afterward, you can go outside without fear of getting a negative result.

When Should One Consult A Doctor?

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You should visit a doctor only if the oiliness of your skin prevents you from living and functioning normally. In this case, significant disruptions in your body should be treated. 

However, if your skin has been consistently oily and doesn’t interfere with your daily routine much, you have nothing to worry about. In your case, it is enough to take the measures mentioned in the blocks above.

What Should One Avoid?

When battling shine, terms like “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” are your friends, but avoiding fragrances, harsh scrubs, and products with alcohol as an ingredient is best. 

Additionally, it is advised to pay attention to natural oils with a high oleic acid content (such as coconut, mineral, or sunflower oil). They can obstruct the pores because they are on the skin’s surface.

What Is The Perspective?

As a result, the above methods can improve your facial skin’s condition in the short and long term. In addition, some methods can only guarantee temporary solutions noticeable during the prevention period, while others offer longer-term solutions that show results only after a long period.

It is worth remembering that oily skin problems are not completely solved without a specific hormonal imbalance. If you belong to the category of four skin types, you will most likely be unable to eliminate the fat on your face. However, with our methods, you can achieve a temporary effect that will surely improve your condition.

Bottom Line

Oily face is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. With the proper cleaning routine and products, you can control your oily skin and keep it healthy and shine-free. So don’t despair if your face feels a little greasy – follow these tips, and you’ll soon have the perfect solution for your oily skin woes.

Face Oils – Best Oil For Your Skin Concerns

FAQ

How To Make Skin Less Oily?

Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser designed for oily skin. Be sure to remove all makeup before cleansing, use a toner to help remove any remaining dirt and oil from your pores, and apply a light moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated.

How To Take Care Of Oily Skin?

You should wash your face regularly, use a mild cleanser designed for oily skin, and use a moisturizer for your face to be hydrated.

What Causes An Oily Face?

First, if you don’t wash your face regularly, the dirt and oil can build up and make your skin appear oily. Second, if you have large pores, they can trap oil and make your skin look greasy. Finally, certain medications and cosmetics can also make your skin look oily. Contact a dermatologist if you are unsure what’s causing your oily face.

How To Prevent An Oily Face?

If your skin is predisposed to oiliness, you cannot prevent it. In this case, you can only reduce the shine effect by consuming less alcohol, eating healthy foods, taking care of your skin regularly, and not touching your face.