What's The Deal With Oily Skin?

What's The Deal With Oily Skin?

Of the four basic types of skin – normal, dry, combination and oily – it’s the latter that seems to attract the most attention. For those who suffer from it, oily skin can be incredibly difficult to deal with, and thanks to its association with acne, is often responsible for severe lapses in confidence.
Not that oily skin is all bad news. Although it may trigger self-consciousness and lead to breakouts, it also has many practical benefits to those it affects. What are they and just how should oily skin be properly managed, both at home and by a professional? Read on to find out more.

 

 

THE CAUSE OF OILY SKIN

Oily skin occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. Sebum is a waxy, often yellowish substance formed of fatty acids, lipids and glycerides. It also has a substantial part to play in the health of the skin, as its secretion can remove cholesterol from the body.

There is no one reason behind why somebody has oily skin as this can be influenced by numerous factors such as genetics, an improper skincare routine or the environment in which they live.

 

THE BENEFITS OF OILY SKIN

Although oily skin has developed something of a reputation for being a bad thing, there is much evidence to suggest that it can be extremely beneficial to those in possession of it. In fact, without sebum, our skin would cease to remain sufficiently hydrated and become much more vulnerable to fungal infections. The lipids contained within sebum can also offer protection against various viruses, bacteria and microbes.

 

THE DOWNSIDES OF OILY SKIN

Unfortunately, oily skin can also be the cause of many problems. Those who suffer from it often report that their skin constantly looks greasy and unclean, a belief that can have a serious impact on their confidence and self-esteem. The biggest downside of oily skin is acne, a common skin condition characterised by the appearance of various types of spots all over the body. Acne occurs when pores become blocked and can take on many forms, including comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), pus-filled spots (pustules) and larger, more severe-looking lumps (nodules).

 

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR

  • Zinc PCA controls acne and reduces the secretion of sebum (a physio-sebo regulator) by oily skin, and helps in retaining the skin humidity. Zinc actively decreases inflammation and also has antibacterial properties.
  • Salicylic Acid is another great ingredient for oily skin, especially if you’re experiencing breakouts as a result of excess oil. Often found in cleansers and toners, Salicylic Acid is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that plows through excess oil, breaks down dead skin cells, and attacks troublesome breakouts the source—deep inside your pores.
  • Retinol is a superhero skincare ingredient that has a number of benefits like oil regulation, acne relief, wrinkle reduction, and the list goes on. Retinol works by increases the speed of your skin cell turnover process to reveal healthier, brighter skin. 
  • Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a multi-tasking skincare ingredient that hydrates, increases the elasticity of your skin, minimizes pore size, and—of course—regulates excess oil production.
  • Clay, often found in cleansers and masks, is another top-notch ingredient for oily skin. Clay works by soaking up excess oil from the surface of your skin and deep inside your pores to give your skin a less shiny, matte appearance. 

 

HOME TREATMENTS

It is important to note that oily skin can never be “cured”, but it can be managed. And the most effective way of doing this is to identify the best skincare routine for you. Of course, there are many different elements to the perfect skincare routine, but this might include making sure that you do some of the following things:

  • Washing your face regularly with products made for oily skin type, devoid of harmful chemicals. While oily skin may give you the urge to wash your face multiple times a day, overwashing can cause your pores to go into overdrive. When you remove too much oil from your skin, your pores go into crisis mode and produce more oil to protect your skin from dryness. Only wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and twice in the evening.
  • Refraining from the use of a rough flannel or cloth.
  • Gently patting the face dry after washing – doing this forcefully may increase sebum production.
  • It’s a widely circulated myth that moisturizers can cause greasy skin. In fact, using a daily moisturizer is an essential part of a good skincare routine! Invest in an oil-free moisturiser to moisten and protect the skin, switching products appropriately depending on the season.

 

BOOK IN WITH US

With many years of experience in our chosen discipline, we are one of most respected professionals and have helped hundreds of patients on their journey back to fresher, healthier and younger-looking skin.

If you are concerned about your oily skin and are unsure how to properly manage it, contact us today to learn more. Call 087 959 4799 or visit our shop online for your professional homecare.

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