You may have thought your oily skin woes would clear up as you aged. Unfortunately for some women, oily skin can be a lifelong condition, starting in puberty and continuing on through menopause. Everyone produces sebum in their glands. Sebum can protect your skin by keeping it moisturized. Some people are born with genes that make them produce excess sebum, resulting in oily skin. Changes in your hormone levels, such as during your period or when you are pregnant, can also lead to oily skin.
Gentle Cleansers
You may think that using a strong cleanser or a harsh soap will dry out your oily skin. Usually, though, harsh soaps and facial cleansers can trick your skin into making more oil, since the chemicals remove all oil from the surface of skin, potentially causing irritation. The body’s way of dealing with skin irritation is to produce more oil to help heal it, according to WebMD. Look for a gentle cleanser that has a low pH. A good cleanser will wash away extra oil without disturbing the protective layer that keeps your skin happy and healthy.
Mineral Makeup
If you wear makeup, look for a mineral foundation, which is usually noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores, according to dermatologist Amy Wechsler. You may also be able to find a foundation or a concealer that has acne-fighting chemicals such as salicylic acid built into it. If your oily skin causes you to break out, wearing makeup with built-in pimple fighters will help you beat the blemishes while you cover them up.
Moisturizers With Alpha Hydroxy
Just because your face feels wet and greasy does not mean it is moisturized. You can lose moisture in your skin and still have it be oily, especially if you used a harsh soap to wash it. Protect your skin with a lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog pores. Double the effectiveness of your lotion by choosing one with sunscreen in it, to protect your face from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. If your oily skin causes pimples to be a problem, choose a moisturizer that also contains salicyclic acid. According to WebMD, the moisturizers that work best for oily skin contain alpha hydroxy acid, which increases collagen production and smooths wrinkles.
Photo Credit
- make up image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
