The Ultimate Guide to Care For Oily Skin

Oh, oily skin. Perhaps the trickiest of all skin types to manage. Why? Because it’s truly all about balance.

Like with all skin types, oily skin takes patience to understand and learn how to manage. It may change with your age, the seasons and your skincare regimen, so in turn, your approach will need to evolve too. 

Every one of us has oil on our skin, but some just can’t seem to keep it under control. Taking that time in the morning and/or evening to check in with your skin is particularly important for those with noticeably oilier complexions, so that you can begin to predict its patterns. 

Before that though, let us share with you our best tips and tricks to ensure your skincare routine gives you the greatest chance for successful management of oily skin. 

What causes oily skin?

Everyone’s skin has sebaceous glands which secrete sebum, a natural, waxy oil. Sebum’s role is to keep our skin hydrated and protected against irritants.

Sweet, so we need a little sebum - but not too much. Overproduction of this substance can cause issues, mixing with dead skin cells and causing acne.

Causes of oily skin include:

• Genetics: you may be more susceptible to oily skin genetically.
• Environmental factors: wonder why your face is oily all of a sudden? Maybe it’s the weather, or exposure to something in the air. Those living in warmer climates tend to have oilier skin, or your skin may become oilier around summer and less so in winter.
• Lifestyle: diet can be a huge factor with oily skin. Sugar, dairy and gluten are some of the key dietary offenders.
• Hormones: age, as mentioned, may affect your sebum production but so can high stress levels too.
• Larger pores: these could be caused by weight change, past breakouts or skin irritations, or age, and often produce higher levels of sebum.
• Complex or unsuitable skincare routines: some products can perpetuate oily skin, like heavy moisturizers, and using too many different products in your regimen may also do you more harm than good.

Whatever the cause may be for your oily skin, there are some basic as well as more specific remedies that you can try to get it under control.

Taking care of oily skin: the basics

First up, let’s cover off some of the skincare basics:

• Wash your face regularly, but not too much: 1-2 times per day is fine to ensure balanced oil on the skin’s surface without drying out. When your skin dries out, sebum production goes into overdrive in order to make up for the loss.
• Use gentle products and warm (not hot) water: this is again to avoid drying the skin as you cleanse and clear out pores.
• Avoid using rough cloths: increased friction on the skin’s surface may lead to excess sebum production as a protective measure.
• Pat your skin dry: this is another way to avoid the dryness that can precede oil production. 

Taking care of oily skin: the specifics

The best practice when it comes to your skin is to find what makes it tick and stick to it. 

Everyone’s skincare routines will look different, but to give you some guidance on where to start, here are some more specific measures you could try in your journey:

1. Stick to light, gel or water-based moisturizers; it is common for those with oilier skin to avoid moisturizing altogether, but this may lead to dryness and eventually, more oil again. The right moisturizers can work wonders for oily skin, keeping it hydrated without appearing shiny or greasy.  
2. Try wearing less or water-based makeup; if you wear makeup, try switching out heavy products or reducing what you wear to avoid clogging pores and exacerbating your oil imbalance.
3. Ensure you wear sunscreen; men and women both experience oily skin and both should wear sunscreen for protection. This ensures your skin does not dry out during the day and is able to maintain a normal sebum level. 
4. Try an astringent (or toner) in your skincare routine. These work to remove irritants from the skin’s surface which can, according to a 2014 study, have soothing effects for your skin. It is important to patch-test with astringents as some people may experience tenderness. 
5. Stick to non-comedogenic products; these do not clog pores, making it easier to stay on top of breakouts.
6. Turn to blotting papers for management throughout the day; these won’t fix the problem, but they are useful for lifting oil from the skin and avoiding build up.
7. Natural face masks; clay masks have been used by numerous brands to absorb oil and manage shine without damaging the skin. Studies have suggested that honey makes for good antibacterial, antiseptic and softening masks, while others claim that oatmeal may be a great home-made cleanser to soothe and renew skin.

The best natural oil blend for oily skin

Ok, we know what you might be thinking. Oil on oily skin? Surely not! It may seem crazy, but the right natural oils can work wonders (even on oily skin). When used correctly, it can help your skin it to re-balance its sebum production to stay healthy and hydrated without shine or greasiness. 

Our Skin Oil for Oily Skin is specifically designed to help you manage your needs using the best of Mother Nature. In our all-natural, all goodness white bottles, you’ll find:

• Jojoba Oil: absorbs into the skin quickly without clogging pores and generally considered to be one of the best oils for regulating sebum production.
• Hemp Seed Oil: high in antioxidants and vitamins, great for all-round skin vitality. Has a zero ranking on the comedogenic scale (it doesn't get any better than that).
• Grape Seed Oil: an effective replenishment for damaged skin, nurturing from the inside out.
• Argan Oil: commonly used for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties for many products, not just for the skin.
• Evening Primrose Oil: helps to condition and promote skin elasticity. 
• East Cape Mānuka Oil: it’s our namesake for a reason; antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and so much more. Delve a little deeper here.
• Ylang Ylang Oil: soothes, softens and restorative, this oil has been used not just for skin but mind, body and soul too. 
• Geranium Oil: often used to heal wounds and repair with its antiseptic properties - useful for damaged skin.
• Lemongrass Oil: a good toner oil for balance. 

Click here to find out more about our Skin Oil for Dry Skin, and here to shop our entire range of plant based skin oils.