But it’s only noon, and your forehead is already glistening. You wiped it. You cleansed your face twice. Yet, still glistening. But now, you are standing before the bathroom mirror wondering if you are cleansing yourself too much, too little, or using the wrong products.
Well, to be honest, most probably you are doing the last two or all three. A dermatologist recommended a skin care routine for oily skin that is not as complicated as you might think. Just a few simple steps, repeated every day. Below, I will list each of them, and tell you what you can omit.
Why your face turns shiny by lunchtime
Your skin makes its own oil.It is called sebum, and having some of it is actually quite good for you. Sebum keeps the skin hydrated and protected.
In case your skin is oily, it is only overworked. Blame it on genetics because they play an important role here. Hormones, pressure, heat, and humidity exacerbate the situation. Skincare products can do that too, and it is quite frustrating. That’s why dermatologists always claim there are many causes of it.
This is where it counts. Additional oil combines with dead skin cells to clog pores. This is where blackheads and acne come from. The point is not no oil at all, which is miserable in itself. You need balance, and balance is precisely what a dermatologist-recommended skin care regimen for oily skin provides.
The core steps of a dermatologist-recommended skin care routine for oily skin
The essentials can be counted on one hand: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and perhaps a toner if you enjoy using it. I would say a toner is optional, as would many others. Everything past that is a bonus.
Exfoliants and pimple treatments can wait. What can’t wait is this rule: add one new product at a time, then give it about two weeks. If your skin freaks out, you know who to blame. People buy five things on a Saturday and then can’t tell which one made their cheeks burn. Every good dermatologist recommended a skin care routine for oily skin that moves at this slow, slightly boring speed.
Morning skin care routine for oily skin
Your dermatologist in the morning suggested skin care for oily skin and it only takes about five minutes. Cleanse using a mild gel or foaming cleanser with warm water. The water can be very hot but it irritates the oily skin more than you know.Oil builds up while you sleep, so I’d still wash in the morning. Pat your face dry. Don’t rub.
If you want a serum, niacinamide is an easy one. It’s vitamin B3, and it can calm skin and make pores look a bit smaller. Two or three drops is plenty. Moisturizer is next but I will discuss that a little bit later as that is the step that most people mess up.
Lastly, we have our sunscreen which is crucial. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we should use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above. Broad spectrum simply means that it should block both UVB and UVA rays. Oily skin usually cannot stand sunscreen so choose a gel or liquid product labeled oil free. The FDA sunscreen guide gives tips on how to interpret sunscreen labels.
Night skin care routine for oily skin
This is when skin repair takes place, so this is where the real work is done. First, remove the sunscreen and makeup. Then cleanse once again using your normal cleanser. Two cleanses do a better job of removing all the grime from the day than just one.
Now for the treatment step. Salicylic acid clears up pores. Retinol works on texture and pores. Choose one of the two, or both, but start with just two or three nights per week.And don’t start both at once. I know it’s tempting. It’s also a quick way to end up red and peeling.
The last step is moisturizer. If you want more routines like this one, you can read more dermatologist-recommended skin care routines for oily skin at Health and Beauty.
Ingredients worth looking for
Salicylic acid is active within the pore. It breaks down the sticky mixture of oil and skin debris that leads to blackheads. Niacinamide calms the skin and cuts down on visible oiliness. Retinol accelerates skin renewal and thus gives rise to clear pores but may cause stinging and tightness at the beginning.All three ingredients are found in practically all dermatologists’ suggested skincare regimen for oily skin, but not all three are required. Blackheads indicate salicylic acid, while redness and shine indicate niacinamide.
Moreover, look for “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” labeling on the cosmetic product. The term “non-comedogenic” indicates that the ingredients used in the product will not clog the pores. Stay away from thick moisturizing creams, burdening oils and scrubbing products. Scrubbing does not remove oil.It just makes your skin angry.
Best moisturizer for oily skin
The ideal moisturizer for people with oily skin will be light, oil-free and gel based. It would be wise to look out for products with hyaluronic acid and glycerin since they add moisture without the oils. Do not miss this step. It makes sense that when you have oily skin, you would like to omit it.
Mistakes that make oily skin worse
Most oily skin trouble comes from trying too hard. Overwashing is the big one. Most dermatologists recommend two washes per day, plus after sweating heavily, for instance, after exercising. Too many washes would make the skin dry and irritated. The third mistake is squeezing the spots. It results in scarring. The last one is to avoid using sunscreen because it is greasy.Gel formulas fix that.
One more thing. Don’t chase a flat, matte face. A little glow is normal, even nice. A dermatologist recommended a skin care routine for oily skin after healthy skin, not dry skin.
Give it six weeks.
Allowing at least four to six weeks to assess the effectiveness of any new regime is important as skin changes at a slow rate. Daily use of the same regime in the morning and in the evening is advisable. This is preferable to spending money on expensive skincare products that may be bought because of a frantic need for relief.
If acne keeps coming back or becomes more painful and leaves those dark marks on the skin even after a few weeks of treatment, it is important to see a accredited dermatologist. He or she will prescribe more potent products than those available in the pharmacy. The American Academy of Dermatology also has tips for controlling oily skin if you want to read more.
So here’s my advice. This week, buy one cleanser and one sunscreen. Start your dermatologist-recommended skin care routine for oily skin with those two. Add the rest later.
FAQ
What is the best skin care routine for oily skin?
In an oily skin skincare routine, dermatologists suggest that you use the proper cleanser, oil-free moisturizer, and sunscreen with SPF 30 during the day. In the night routine, cleansing, applying the active ingredient, like salicylic acid, and moisturizing are recommended. The skincare routine should be minimalistic and gentle.
Should oily skin be moisturized?
Yes, since oily skin also needs moisture. The oil-free gel or a lightweight lotion is the right choice.
How many times can I wash oily skin?
The recommendation is to wash your skin two times a day and after rigorous workout sessions. Overwashing leads to dryness of the skin.
Which ingredients can help with oily skin?
Salicylic acid, niacinamide, and retinol are good ingredients for oily skin type. You should include the ingredients one by one to check skin response.
Can oily skin skip sunscreen?
No one can skip wearing sunscreen. It is necessary to use the waterproof gel or fluid sunscreen with SPF 30+.