Do you know that more than 70% of people all around the world suffer from oily and acne-prone skin? And with oily skin comes acne and clogged pores!
Now you may wonder: What causes oily skin? Oily skin is generally primarily caused by things like genetics, hormones, and climate. If one lives in a very humid climate, high chances are that he’s suffering from oily skin, and if that person is teenage or in his early 20s, there is a high likelihood that he have oily skin as well.
Despite having so many people with oily and acne-prone skin, It’s been observed that these are the top 5 common skin care mistakes oily skin individuals are still making
Top 5 skincare mistakes by oily skin types
Mistake #1: Washing face often
People with oily skin are tempted to wash their face several times a day to keep skin looking matte, but doing so can actually backfire.
When the face is washed often, then not only dirt and debris is removed; the protective natural oils from the skin, called subum, which are essential to keeping skin hydrated, are stripped off, leaving skin dry and tight. Skin responds to this dryness by making more oil. The more oil you remove from your skin, the harder it tries to compensate, resulting in an oily, shiny face.
To stop this cycle, wash or cleanse your face in the morning, night, and after exercise.
Mistake #2: Not using the right skincare product
There are plenty of skin care products on the market that are laden with things like salicylic acid, witch hazel extract, and alcohol, promising to mop up all excess sebum from skin. However, a lot of these products are a little bit too harsh for skin, so be careful if you’re using products that have witch hazel extract, salicylic acid, or are alcohol-based since they are drying for skin.
You can use such products once a day, preferably at night, and use a gentler face wash in the morning if needed, but no more than twice a day because the harsher the product is, the more injured the skin gets, and it might actually lead to skin sensitivity in the long run.
Mistake #3: avoiding Moisturizers
A lot of people with oily skin avoid moisturizers. They feel that by applying moisturizers, their skin gets oilier over time, but that’s definitely not true. In fact, using a moisturizer is a key to keeping sebum under control.
After cleansing and removing the excess sebum from the skin, one should always put on a hydrator or moisturizer because, after cleansing, the skin sends a signal to sebaceous glands, which are the oil-producing glands inside the skin, to increase the amount of oil being produced.
When skin is already moisturised, it secretes less sebum as it feels it’s hydrated enough.
If you’re struggling to find the right moisturizer for your skin, look for something gel-based or oil-free, and definitely you need to moisturize or hydrate your skin at least once or twice a day.
Remember, using a light moisturizer is far better than not using one at all.
For product recommendation, don’t forget to check on mistake #4.
Mistake #4: Using comedogenic products:
Comedogenic means “tending to clog pores,” which leads to the formation of whiteheads, blackheads, or even worse, acne. So comedogenic products mean those products that actually stimulate more sebum and would clog pores. So one of the best ways to avoid acne is by avoiding products that are comedogenic in nature.
Important Tips
When shopping for skincare, look for the terms non-comedogenic on products, but as a rule of thumb, avoid any oil-based products, things like Coconut oil linolein, or any other Oil because having oil-based products Increases the likelihood of pores getting clogged .
Instead, look for Centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid in Non-comedogenic skin care products for oily skin .
Centella asiatica is great for soothing irritated skin and hyaluronic acid is naturally found in skin as well, and it helps to lock in the moisture and does not allow skin to dry out .
Non-comedogenic products for oily skin
Neutrogena’s hydro boost water gel (with hyaluronic acid) It’s gel-based, oil-free formula makes it one of the best moisturizers for oily skin
Aveeno calm & restore oat gel: winning points if this oil-free product is gel-based oil-free formulation with oats and cica.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner and ampule
Cosrx Pure fit cica cream
Cosrx Pure fit cica serum
Cosrx Pure Fit Cica Toner
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
Round labs mugwort calming cream
They all have cica, which is centella asiatica, in different formulations.
Mistake #5: Skipping sunscreen
One biggest mistake oily skin people are guilty of doing is not putting on sunscreen. There are plenty of sunscreens on the market that are not oil-free; hence, when applied, it triggers acne or clogs the pores. And therefore they just skip the sunscreen altogether.
In the long run, it’s not a good practice to skip sunscreen. Because it exposes skin against nasty UV radiations leading to skin cancer, hyperpigmentation and premature aging.
Tips for shopping for sunscreen
When buying a sunscreen, always look for non-comedogenic gel-based sunscreen. Some of my favorite non-comedogenic gel-based sunscreens are:
Biore uv aqua rich watery essence,
Beauty of Joseon Relief sun; rice+probiotic sunscreen
Isintree hyaluronic acid watery sun gel Sun play skin aqua clear white spf50,
Spectrum SC gel sebum control spf60
Life with acne-prone skin is not easy. You’ll always have to be careful about what to or what not to put on skin so that you can keep your acne under control .So If you have oily skin, I hope you’ve learned something new and worked on not making these mistakes and if you do not have oily skin, share this with your oily skinned family or friends
FAQs
Overwashing face, not using moisturizers and sunscreens.
Heavy moisturizers most often are not oil-free, and oils can cause acne due to clogged pores.
Yes, as they help in controlling oil production, they can be used twice a week followed by a gel based oil free moisturizer.
Yes, they help by balancing skin pH, but since it contains alcohol, which is very drying for skin, it’s better to use it once in a while.
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I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
