Beauty Tips for Oily Skin

Oily skin can take you through tough times as the sebaceous glands are over-active, producing excess sebum, contributing to a shiny, greasy-looking face and skin concerns such as acne, blackheads and whiteheads, enlarged or clogged pores etc. Pollution and dirt can even lead to comedones (skin-bumps) for those with very oily skin. The solution for this is to keep the oil production in control by following some simple beauty and skin care tips for oily skin.

Adding to your frustration, whether you know it or not, is the fact that that many of the products claiming to eliminate shine and reduce oil actually make matters worse because they contain ingredients that irritate your skin and trigger more oil production!

Exfoliate regularly

Oily skin tends to have an extra-thick layer of built-up dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, along with a thickened pore lining. Exfoliating is the best way to remove that build up, reduce clogged pores and white bumps, while making skin feel smoother.

Use a toner

For other skin types you can probably get away with not toning after cleansing but for oily skin. Using an alcohol based toner is important to help you get rid of any excess oil, dirt and makeup.

Apply a light moisturizer 

It sounds a little crazy to apply moisturizer to oily skin, but you need to replace the moisture on your skin that gets removed during cleansing. The skin’s response to oil removal is to produce more oil, so it’s important to keep your skin’s moisture level balanced.

Always step out with sunscreen on

Even if you have oily skin, a sunscreen is essential for preventing wrinkles and reducing red marks. If you’ve avoided sunscreens because the ones you’ve tried are too greasy, go for an oil-free sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15.

Manage spots

If you only get spots or blackheads every now and then, find a product that contains benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid to treat them when they appear. Just make sure you don’t use creams or ointments that are oily or fatty, or which contain alcohol or fragrances.

Causes, Treatment of Dry Skin Problems

Everybody knows that acne-prone skin produces an excessive amount of oil. But in their war against sebum and pimples many people go too far. Despite excessive sebum production many acne patients also have a problem with dry skin, which can result from over-washing or like a side-effect from some drugs. Regardless of the cause it’s important that you deal with it, because insufficient moisture makes your skin more sensitive and vulnerable to break outs.

Human skin features its own mechanism to prevent moisture loss. Our skin cells strive to create a protective layer. This layer includes oils, aminoacids, sugar compounds and other elements, either water or oil soluble. Altogether they bind with water and do not let it evaporate. Water, that isn't allowed to leave skin surface, is absorbed through the horny layer cells. The skin becomes softer, smoother and much more flexible.

Causes of dry skin

Weather conditions are a common cause of dry skin. As humidity levels drop, moisture is pulled in the skin, causing dryness. Use of hvac units also removes moisture in the skin. Taking hot showers is definitely an added problem, too -- because hot water strips natural oils in the skin, causing dryness. Sun exposure causes significant harm to the skin as well and introduction to elastin and collagen produces dryness and wrinkles.

Treatment options

Treat dry skin using a moisturizer several times a day. Pick a product that contains dimethicone or glycerin, which trap moisture within the skin. Creams with the ingredients petrolatum and mineral oil will also be effective. Talk with your doctor concerning the use of anti-aging products. Some of these products, for example alpha-hydroxy acid, can irritate dry skin. Switching to some product that provides more moisture will sooth your skin. Also, wear sunscreen daily. Pick a product with a sun protection factor, SPF, of 30 or more. Some facial moisturizers have SPF included in the product.

Home care

Limit showers to once daily. Showering all too often strips oils from the skin. When showering, close your bathrooms door. This will increase humidity within the room, promoting more moisture absorption within the skin. Using a humidifier in your house also helps alleviate dry skin.