Have you felt that your skin is getting greasy within one or hour of cleaning? If so, there is a good probability that you have an oily skin type.
Although oily skin plays an essential role in giving a natural glow on the skin and retaining moisture, it also presents you with specific problems such as acne breakout.
However, adopting a good skincare routine and choosing the products carefully will help you control excess oil (sebum) production.
The article is a part of our comprehensive series on “Skincare for men.”
Acne in men
The real reason for acne lies in the sebaceous glands. These produce sebum starting from adolescence which continues all through life.
This is also a hormone-driven process in which excess activity of male hormones such as testosterone influences the oil glands and hair follicles. This causes blockage of hair follicles, further causing overgrowth and inflammation of bacteria in the area.
The main treatment of acne involves opening the hair follicles by removing the dead skin cells. This is often achieved with the help of various active ingredients in skin cleansers and anti acne creams.
What is a good skincare routine for oily skin?
Here are some effective ways for men to take care of their oily skin.
1. Cleanse your skin twice a day
After you wake up from a good night’s sleep, cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser. This will help unclog the blocked pores and remove impurities and excess oil.
However, various types of cleansers are available in the market. Be sure to pick the one best suited for oily skin.
Some studies have shown that extracts of certain fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, papaya can also help to unclog the pores. You can make natural cleansers out of these fruit extracts.
If you don’t have any skin allergies, using a good cleanser with salicylic acid helps clear off dead cells and excess oil accumulated the night before.
2. Use a toner
Using a toner will help you regulate the skin’s pH levels, remove debris from the pores, and form a layer of evenly toned skin.
Some toners are also helpful in reducing the damage caused due to harmful UV rays of the sun.
You can choose a mild toner with ingredients such as aloe vera, lychee seed extract, eucalyptus, etc.
3. Use ice for rubbing
There have been various testimonial reports from people to suggest the benefits of rubbing ice cubes on an oily skin.
You can do this by wrapping ice cubes in a cotton cloth and gently applying it to your face. You can also prepare your ice cubes by freezing natural ingredients such as rose water, grape juice, green tea, cucumber, pomegranate, green tea, etc for additional benefits.
4. Moisturiser
Many people who have oily skin tend to make the mistake of not moisturising their skin, believing that the natural oil produced in the skin will help trap in the moisture.
However, this is not true in all aspects. For example, it depends on the specific type of skin, the climatic condition in which you live, the number of UV rays exposed to, etc.
Applying a moisturiser can help to reduce oil production and improve skin texture, even for oily skin.
Using a non-greasy moisturiser is ideal for people with oily skin as it provides the proper hydration without clogging the skin pores. In addition, you can also try out oil free gel based moisturiser for added benefits.
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreens are beneficial in protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. There are plenty of options for people with oily skin to choose from. Make sure to choose a sunscreen that contains antioxidants and is rich in natural extracts.
6. Make use of a blotting paper
Also known as blotting tissues or sheets, these help to absorb the excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands during the daytime.
If you are out in the sun for long hours, keep some handy and softly wipe your skin every two or three hours to have shiny oil free skin.
7. Detox your skin with a face pack
Face packs nourish your skin and replenish it with nutrients and moisture. It also helps protect the skin from external damage such as pollution, heat, weather changes etc.
If your face pack is prepared from natural ingredients, it will help to reinforce the outer epidermal barrier.
How can men fix oily skin- Tips
Here are some more tips and suggestions to fix oily skin for men:
- Try not to take a bath in the hot shower.
- Drink about 10 glasses of water a day to keep the skin naturally hydrated.
- Use a clay mask once a week.
- Use lotions that are non-greasy.
- Consume lots of fruits and green leafy vegetables.
- Use sunscreen while going out.
- Avoid scrubbing your face too hard as it can damage the outer protective layer of the skin.
- Use toners to wash your skin.
- Use blotting paper to wash off the excess oil.
Bottom Line
As suggested within the article, the key to managing oily skin is proper care and a careful selection of products.
This article has mentioned some of the most effective skincare routines to manage oily skin. Following these diligently will ensure that your skin stays young, bright and glowing for a very long time.
Speak to our team of medical experts to create a skincare routine that works for you.
