If you have oily skin, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with constant shine, clogged pores and acne. Many people think the only solution is to constantly wash their face or avoid moisturising, but these mistakes can make the situation worse.
The proper care of oily skin it's not about removing all the fat, it's about balancing sebum production and maintain healthy skin without causing adverse effects. To achieve this, it is key to follow a routine with specific products and habits that help control excess oil without irritating the skin.
In this guide, we will explain basic care for oily skinFrom how to choose the best products to which ingredients to avoid. Plus, we'll debunk some common myths and give you practical tips to keep your skin looking fresh, matte and healthy.
Do you know if you have oily skin?
Oily skin is a type of skin characterised by a excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands.
Although sebum is essential to protect and keep the skin hydrated, excess sebum can cause problems such as unwanted shine, enlarged pores, blackheads and acne.
Characteristics of oily skin
If you're still not sure if you have oily skin, here are some key signs:
- Constant brightnessespecially in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).
- Enlarged pores and more visible.
- Tendency to develop acneblackheads and blackheads.
- Increased resistance to ageing (less premature wrinkles due to natural hydration).
- Quickly fading make-up due to excess fat.
Why does oily skin occur?
The production of oil in the skin can be influenced by different factors:
🔹 Genetics: if your parents have oily skin, chances are you do too.
🔹 Hormones: during adolescence, pregnancy or the menstrual cycle, the hormonal changes can increase sebum production.
🔹 Climate and environment: heat and humidity can stimulate oil production in the skin.
🔹 Food: excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugars and dairy products can aggravate oily skin.
🔹 Inadequate skin care: using overly aggressive products or not moisturising properly can make the problem worse.
How to differentiate oily skin from other skin types?
It is important not to confuse oily skin with other skin types, as each needs specific care:
- Combination skin: has oily areas (usually the T-zone) and dry or normal areas (cheeks).
- Dry skin: lacks oil production, which causes flaking and a feeling of tightness.
- Sensitive skin: can be oily, dry or combination, but is prone to redness, irritation and reactions to products.
If your skin shows excessive shine all over the face, tendency to enlarged pores and the appearance of blemishesDon't worry, with the right routine, you can control it and keep it balanced.
Basic daily skin care routine for oily skin
In order to keep oily skin under control, it is essential to follow a proper skincare routineusing specific products that regulate sebum production without drying or irritating the skin.
1. Cleansing (morning and evening)
Cleansing is the first key step in removing excess oil, make-up and pollution. However, excessive face washing can cause a rebound effectThe skin generates even more oil to compensate for the dryness.
🔹 Choose a mild, sulphate-free facial cleanser so as not to remove the skin's natural oils.
🔹 Recommended ingredients: salicylic acid, activated charcoal, niacinamide.
Avoid harsh soaps with alcohol or artificial fragrances.
🔹 Don't wash your face more than twice a day (morning and evening).
2. Hydration (always)
One of the biggest myths about oily skin is that it doesn't need moisturising. The reality is that a dehydrated skin produces even more sebum to compensate.
🔹 Usa light gel or oil-free lotion moisturisers.
🔹 Recommended ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerine, aloe vera.
🔹 Search for tags such as "non-comedogenic to prevent pore clogging.
3. Sun protection (essential)
Sunscreen is key to any routine, even for oily skin. The sun can increase sebum production and worsen problems such as blemishes or acne..
🔹 Usa oil-free sunscreen with matte finish y SPF 30 or higher.
🔹 Opt for light gel or fluid texturesinstead of dense creams.
🔹 Recommended ingredients: zinc, titanium dioxide, niacinamide.
4. Recommended weekly treatments for oily skin (masks and scrubs)
In addition to the daily routine, oily skin benefits from specific treatments to control excess sebum and improve skin texture.
- Purifying masks (1-2 times a week): ingredients such as green clay, activated charcoal or kaolin help to absorb excess oil.
- Mild chemical scrubs (1-2 times per week): such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid (BHA) or niacinamide help to clean pores and improve skin texture.
Avoid physical exfoliants with coarse granules.as they can irritate the skin and worsen acne.
6 extra tips to keep oily skin under control
As well as following a good skincare routine, there are other factors that can influence the balance of your skin. Here are a few KEY HABITS to control oily skin and prevent blemishes.
1. Watch what you eat
What you eat can affect sebum production and the health of your skin. Some foods can increase inflammation and worsen acnewhile others help to balance the skin.
Recommended foods
- Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants.
- Food with omega-3such as salmon and walnuts.
- Plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated from within.
Not recommended foods
- Dairy and ultra-processed products.
- Food high in refined sugars and saturated fats.
- Alcohol and caffeine in excess, which can dehydrate the skin.
2. Don't forget to hydrate
Many people think that oily skin doesn't need moisturising but dehydration can cause the skin to produce more sebum to compensate.
🔹 Drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
🔹 Usa oil-free moisturisers with moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
3. Avoid touching your face constantly
Your hands come into contact with many surfaces during the day, accumulating bacteria and dirt. If you touch your face frequently, you can transferring these impurities to your skincausing more breakouts and clogged pores.
4. Change your pillowcase regularly
Pillowcases accumulate grease, dead cells and bacteria over time. If you don't change them frequently, they can contribute to blemishes..
🔹 Recommendation: at least wash your cover once a week and opt for silk or breathable cotton covers.
5. Use blotting paper to control shine
If your skin looks too shiny during the day, instead of applying more make-up (which can clog pores), use absorbent blotting paper to remove excess oil without affecting your make-up.
🔹 Alternative: mattifying powders with ingredients such as silica or clay.
If you want the best results, there is nothing better than opting for quality products. Visit our online perfumery, cosmetics and accessories shop by Sam Parfums to start your routine now and make oily skin a thing of the past - take a look!