A Guide to Oily Skin Care

Are you sick and tired of dealing with oily, problem skin? Do you want to find natural ways of managing your oily skin care? There are many easy things you can do, and your skin will thank you for it.

What is oily skin?

Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in the skin are over-active, and produce an excess amount of oil. This makes the skin shiny and thickened, with course pores. Besides making skin less than beautiful, it also makes the skin prone to blackheads, acne and other blemishes. The upside being that oily skin tends not to age as rapidly as other skin types.

What causes oily skin?

There can be many causes of oily skin; some are more controllable than others. Certain causes are related to shifts in hormones, like adolescence, pregnancy, and the use of birth control pills. Unfortunately, there isn't too much one can change about their oily skin care routine to affect oily skin due to hormones.

Other reasons for oily skin can be diet, humid, hot weather, genetics, and cosmetic use.

Solutions for oily skin care

The most important thing to keep in mind, in regards to oily skin, is to keep it clean, but at the same time don't wash too frequently. Over-washing can actually cause the skin to produce more oil, making skin worse in the long run.

Water temperature is also crucial when cleansing your skin. If the water is too hot, it can pull moisture out of your skin, while cold water can shock the skin. Many dermatologists recommend bathing in tepid water for optimal skin care.

Diet can also play a part in the cause of oily skin. While it has been debated what role fatty foods play in relation to oily skin, your best bet is to decrease your intake of fats and cooking oils, and to increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and fresh, pure water. Even if eating fatty foods doesn't cause excess oil production, touching your skin with oily fingers can lead to break outs and blemishes.

While there are many types of oily skincare products on the market, it may take some time to find one that works best for you. Try to avoid using cleansers that make your skin feel tight and dry. This will start a vicious cycle, leading your skin to pump out more oil as it tries to compensate for the over-drying of the skin. That tight feeling can also mean that the outermost layers of the skin have been shrunk, which impedes oil flow outward from the pores. This restriction can lead to blockage of the pores and eventually breakouts.

Jojoba oil is a good option for oily skin care. It is very similar to the makeup of our own natural skin oil, called sebum, so it can be used on oily skin without worrying about breakouts. Jojoba oil is also a very effective moisturizer that can help balance the oil in your skin, with the outcome being a drop in oil production.

When using any sort of cosmetics, be sure to use products that are labeled "noncomedogenic", which means they do not contain oil and will not clog your pores. This precaution also includes other skin products such as sun screen and moisturizers. The only exception to this rule is cleansers; the best cleansers for oily skin are those containing oil, because they are the best at breaking up sebum on the surface of the skin.

As I stated previously, there are many products out there for someone with oily skin, and some will work better than others. There are also products available that are natural, and are made to work for all skin types. Now it's time to start utilizing this information to yield the most beautiful skin you've ever had, and to find oily skincare products that work the best for you.