If you’re here, that probably means you’ve dealt with your fair share of oily skin, grease, sebum, and the occasional breakout. Skincare can be a tricky thing, especially if all you want is for your phone not to look like an oil spill after you pull away from a 15-minute chat with your mom.
Although oily skin can have its upsides, it tends to shine the brightest when you care for your skin properly. On that note, here are five skincare musts for all the oily babes out there!
1. Moisturize
Skipping moisturizer is so high school. Of course all skin needs hydration! In fact, oily skin might just be the thirstiest of all. When skin is dehydrated, it tends to overproduce oils, which can lead to clogged pores, excess sebum, and yes, oily skin. By moisturizing, you aren’t just offering an added layer of protection to your skin, but you’re also giving it the hydration it needs to keep the grease under control.
2. For the Love of God, Stop with the Scrubs
Okay, this one might be hard, but it must be done. Abrasive scrubs can admittedly feel fantastic on the skin, leaving it softer and smoother in the moment. However, scrubs can cause lots of damage over time by stripping away your moisture barrier and sensitizing your skin — damage that can take months, or even years to heal. But fear not! You don’t have to waste that bottle of St. Ives on your shelf — use it on your legs and feet instead!
3. Makeup Wipes Aren’t It
Makeup wipes can be a quick and convenient solution for cleaning up that eyeliner left over from your night on the town before you hit the hay. However, those wipes can often be extremely abrasive and sensitizing to the skin. Much like scrubs and brushes, taking a wipe to your face and rubbing off your makeup can leave you prone to breakouts and skin damage. Many of them also contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and artificial fragrances, which nobody needs on their face. Go for a gentle cleansing balm or micellar water instead!
4. Comedogenic Oils Are the Enemy
Here’s the tea on comedogenic oils: they’re basically any kind of oil that solidifies and clogs your pores, which is the opposite of what you need in your skincare. This can cause breakouts and excess oil production because they don’t hydrate your face properly. Unfortunately, coconut oil and olive oil are common comedogenic oils, so it’s best to avoid them, especially for the face.
5. Wash Your Face Twice a Day
Skipping the cleanser, specifically in the morning, has become a recent trend in skincare, as many people find that washing too intensely or too often can strip the skin and cause breakouts and dryness. That’s all well and good for those with dry skin. However, you, my little gleaming and glowing goddess, might not have such luck.
Skincare trends are bound not to work for everyone, because our faces naturally have different needs. If you have oily skin, washing in the morning and at night is crucial.
Even though having oily skin can feel like a struggle, there are plenty of ways to take care of it and get your glow on. Just relax, moisturize well, and steer clear of coconut oil. You’re doing amazing, sweaty.
Feature Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels
