When you picture the guy-you-never-want-to-be, it’s positively a face with oily skin riddled with acne and acne scars, isn’t it? If your oily skin is bringing on those fears, it’s surely time to do something about it! Skincare isn’t really a favorite among men, but when your skin problems start bothering your confidence…
Oily skin is more common among men than you think it is and is every bit as notorious as you imagine it to be. But at the same time, skin care for oily skin isn’t as difficult as you fear it to be either. With the following tips, you will be easily, yet effectively tackle your oily skin issues and say goodbye to it forever!
What causes oily skin?
Your skin produces a natural oil called sebum in order to keep itself moist. Hydration is necessary for the skin cells to perform their functions optimally. Sebum is actually a good thing till it starts to get excessive. A number of factors like poor skincare, lifestyle choices, genetic factors and using harsh products can trigger the skin to produce unnecessary amounts of sebum that make the skin oily.
Oily skin is more trouble than the oil itself
Oily skin is annoying by itself but it also brings in its byproducts like acne and blemishes that can mar the skin and make it look patchy and blotched. Not to forget that acne can sometimes get actually painful in the form of pimples and lesions! Oily skin is plain unattractive in every sense of the word.
Easy tips to say goodbye to oily skin
Men have less patience when it comes to skincare which is why ‘easy’ and ‘simple’ is the way to go with oily skincare. And of course, no compromises on effectiveness!
1.Switch to a cleanser
Are you still using that ordinary bar of soap? It seems to be doing a good job of getting rid of the oil, then why does it keep coming back an hour later?
Harsh soaps dry out the skin and trigger it to produce more oil to compensate for the lost oil. The skin loses its oil control and overdoes the oil-producing. This is why you need a mild cleanser instead. Cleansers do a good job of cleaning without causing the oil-production to go haywire.
Cleanse your face twice every day to get rid of not only excess oil but also dirt, grime, dead skin cells and impurities that stick to it. Cleansing is also crucial to avoid acne as impurities mix with oil and clog up the pores to cause them.
2.Use a toner
Add a toner to your face-wash routine to further cleanse the pores and calm the skin. A toner will help balance the skin’s pH and also improve your complexion making it even and smooth.
Make sure you choose an alcohol-free toner. Alcohol, like the harsh soaps, dries out the skin and triggers it to produce more oil.
3.Moisturize regularly
Why do you need to moisturize oily skin? Moisturizing is essential for all skin types including oily skin. Maintaining skin moisture is necessary and a moisturizer seals it in to protect water-loss to the atmosphere. The skin has a moisture layer around it to protect it from external aggressions like harmful bacteria. Moisturizing regularly ensures skin immunity along with the optimal growth and recovery of skin cells.
For oily skin, go for a light, non-greasy, water-based moisturizer. Look for a ‘non-comedogenic’ product – one that won’t clog the pores and increase the risk of acne.
Moisturize your skin right after cleansing and toning, at least twice every day. It will keep your skin soft and supple and help you achieve the much-needed oil control too!
4.Exfoliate once every week
Pore-care is crucial in oily skin to clear up oil buildup and to maintain a healthy skin tone. Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells that mix with excess sebum to clog up the pores. It also stimulates the skin to produce new cells to rejuvenate it and make it look younger and fresher.
Use a natural scrub like a konjac sponge to effectively extract acne such as blackheads (dirt and oil mixed plugs stuck in the pores). You can also use a DIY scrub with natural granules of brown sugar, ground coffee or oatmeal mixed with honey.
5.Avoid long, hot water showers
Hot water showers are nice and soothing for the mind but not so nice, and definitely not soothing for the skin. Taking too long a shower and you’re simply asking for oily skin! Hot water washes away the natural oils leaving the skin dry and messing up with its oil control.
Stick to warm water and keep your showers short – about 4-5 minutes. Pat dry your skin gently and moisturize right away to keep the water sealed in.
6.Watch your diet
If you’re eating oily and greasy food regularly, don’t be surprised if your skin reflects it. Processed foods, foods loaded with dairy, refined carbs, sugary drinks – they’re bad for the health and worse for skin health.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds instead. Supply your skin the vitamins, minerals and essential fats to keep it functioning optimally.
7.Eat foods with prebiotics and probiotics
Believe it or not, your skin is actually an ecosystem of millions of skin-friendly bacteria that are crucial to its health. They constantly protect, nourish, support and repair the skin to make sure the cells are performing well. They also play a crucial role in achieving oil control.
Eat foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, sourdough and pickles. You must’ve also heard of the term ‘prebiotics’. Prebiotics are basically food for the probiotics and they include fibrous foods like whole grains, greens, bananas, onions, garlic, etc.
8.Use clay masks once a week
You may not be into face masks but this is one mask you’ll definitely want to try to deal with your oily skin troubles. Clay is effective in absorbing oil and dirt without drying out the skin. Bentonite and kaolin are excellent examples of clay masks worth trying. Use them once a week for oil management and better skin tone.
9.Use face-wipes
Face wipes can be useful especially when you’re outdoors and you don’t have the chance to cleanse your face off dirt and grime. They’re handy and easy to use anytime and anywhere. Look for wipes that are free of alcohol and artificial fragrances.
