One of the most prevailing skin concerns is oily skin. It causes excessive shine and it is a major contributing factor to acne breakouts. Oily skin can be frustrating and very difficult to deal with on a daily basis. But don’t worry! A targeted skincare routine using the appropriate products can help to alleviate oily skin.
Following advice from skincare experts, we have created a basic 4-step routine you can use twice a day–morning and night–to help combat your skin issues and maintain a healthy balance of your skin’s natural oils.
Step 1: Cleanse Twice a Day (Maybe)
Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, you can keep your skin clean by washing your face at least twice a day. In this section we will discuss a cleansing routine for the morning and for the end of your day.
Your Morning Routine
Okay, let’s actually start at step zero: your water. Before step one, step zero of your oily skincare routine should be using filtered water when cleansing your skin. Why use filtered water for skincare? Well, because tap water is often contaminated with chlorine, microplastics, heavy metals, and chemicals that are damaging to your skin barrier. You definitely need to keep all of that far, far away from your face.
The Filterbaby water filter uses advanced filtration technology to rid your tap water of physical and chemical contaminants as small as 0.2 microns. The carbon fiber in the Filterbaby PROdermis™ filter removes up to 99% of chlorine–a large contributor to excessively oily skin. When your delicate skin encounters drying chlorine, it produces extra oil in an attempt to save your skin’s epidermis. So say goodbye to chlorine and give your skin some time to reset and chillout on that excessive oil production.
Cleansing your skin daily is the most effective way to manage oil production and is the most important part of any skincare routine.
Well-known board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, says “though most people should be washing their face morning and night, it’s especially important for those with oily skin to give their face a complete cleanse in the morning.”
As we sleep, our skin sheds dead skin cells and produces oils. Therefore, it is essential to wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser to prevent your pores from clogging.
If you have sensitive skin, washing your face twice a day may not be the best idea as it may cause irritation. The alternative? Skip your cleanser and opt for a splash of water and then follow up with a toner.
Your Night Routine
Throughout the day your skin comes in contact with various particles that contaminate your face, promote oil production, and cause breakouts.
Washing your face in the evenings gets rid of sweat, dirt, excess makeup, and oils that cause skin issues. Dr. Lee recommends using a salicylic acid face wash.
Pro tip: Because your skin sheds and produces oils as you sleep, it is important to frequently wash and change your pillowcases. We recommend changing your pillowcase at least once a week.
Step 2: Use a Gentle Toner
Once your face is cleansed, it is time to prep your skin for treatment. Toner is used to refresh your skin and it allows for better absorption of treatment products and moisturizer.
Some Acids are Good for Your Skin
Seek toner products that will provide chemical exfoliation. Key ingredients to look for are:
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
There are two common exfoliation methods used to remove dead skin cells: physical and chemical. We recommend using chemical exfoliation products because, according to The Skin Institute, chemical exfoliators are able to penetrate deeply beneath your skin. Further, physical exfoliation requires manual manipulation that can result in tiny tears and cuts on your delicate facial skin and cause irritation.
Step 3: Get Products that Work for You
There are numerous treatment products out there but not all of them work best for oily skin. In this section we discuss three options that will benefit this skin type.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide products are great for daytime use for skin treatment because they aid in controlling your skin’s oil production. Another option is sulfur, which may work better for people with sensitivity issues because it is gentler.
Retinol
Retinol is a great treatment product for nighttime use because it helps to unclog pores and brighten your skin.
Retinol is a great addition to your skincare routine in general. We love the anti-aging, collagen-boosting effects and recommend it for all skincare routines.
Step 4: Moisturize and Protect
The final step in your skincare routine should be moisturizing and protecting your skin. You wouldn’t get out of the shower and not moisturize your body, would you? I’d hope not! The same goes for your face.
Use Moisturize
It is important to recognize that oil does not equal moisture. No matter how oily your skin is, you should be using a daily moisturizer. Actually, skipping moisturizer can make your skin even oilier.
All skin types need moisturizer. People with oily skin should find moisturizers that have the following properties:
- Water-based
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
Being oil-free is very important. Oil-free, water-based products provide the moisturize your skin needs, without risking more clogged pores.
Wear Sunscreen Everyday
Sunscreen is not just for a hot day at the beach or relaxing poolside. Everyone should wear sunscreen every day–and yes, that includes during the winter months too. (And even when you’re not going outside!)
Honestly, we should get t-shirts made. Please wear your sunscreen. This is one of the most impactful things you can do for your skin’s long term health.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether or not you burn.”
You should use a sunscreen that has mineral ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that block harmful rays from penetrating your skin and help to prevent breakouts.
Your sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher when you are mostly indoors. On days you spend a lot of time outdoors you should wear a sunscreen that has an SPF 30 or higher.
Pro tip: You should reapply your sunscreen every few hours. Worried about your makeup? Try a powdered SPF.
Don’t Forget to Hydrate
Drinking water is fundamental for your health and your skin! Just as important as it is to be conscious of what you put on your face, you should be conscious of what you put in your body.
Water not only hydrates you internally, but it also makes a difference for preserving your skin’s elasticity, reducing the appearance of pores, and expelling toxins that can contribute to acne breakouts.
You’ve probably heard that you should drink about 8 cups of water per day and that is a good start. There are other ways to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Many foods such as fruits and vegetables have a high water content therefore, you can meet your hydration needs by maintaining a balanced diet.
Other Steps to Help with Oily Skin
Apart from your 4-step skincare routine, there are supplementary steps that you should implement to help combat excessive shine.
Use Blotting Paper
Blotting paper is popular in the makeup world but they are not exclusive to that niche. Blotting papers are useful to get rid of excess oil throughout your day as needed. You can use blotting paper with and without makeup–but you need to use it correctly.
Wash After Exercise
Exercise or any type of strenuous activity will cause sweat, dirt, and oil to build up and can clog your pores. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests washing your face as soon as possible after exercising to keep your skin clean and avoid breakouts.
If you exercise at a gym, we recommend bringing a travel-sized version of your cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen along for the ride so you can cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin immediately after.
Choose Products Wisely
Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology, advises avoiding products containing alcohol because they “can cause a paradoxical increased amount of oil secretion.”
Be aware of the ingredients in products you choose to buy such as cleansers, toners, and treatment products.
In accordance with choosing your skincare products wisely, the best way to maintain healthy skin is to use filtered water. The Filterbaby water filter is specifically designed to improve all skin types.
The Bottom Line
Oily skin may be a hassle at times however, it can be a blessing in disguise. Dr. Lee affirms that “if you have more oils in your skin, you’re likely to ward off wrinkles and fine lines for a bit longer than someone with dry skin.” (That’s a big win!)
Developing and maintaining a daily skincare routine is imperative to battling oily skin issues.
Cleansing twice a day, following up with a gentle toner, finding products that work for you, and consistently moisturizing and protecting your skin are necessary steps to reduce excessive shine and help manage breakouts. Healthy, glowing skin can be achieved by using a Filterbaby PROdermis™ filter to ensure that your oily skincare routine is off to the right start using clean water.