Oily skin issues? What should you be doing to combat it?
Suffering from oily or combination skin?
If you're getting that greasy skin feel, sometimes not even halfway through the day just know that you're not alone. Over 50% of people suffer from some form of oily or combination skin and its impacts range from social consciousness and psychological effects to simple issues such as enlarged pores to full-blown acne. Oily skin occurs between the ages of 15-60 and can be found all over the body however, most cases occur in the facial area in particular, what is known as the T-zone (mid-forehead, nose and chin areas).
Why is this happening?
Oil levels in the skin are affected by a whole range of factors including genetics, environment and anything that comes into direct contact with the skin surface. It is often hereditary arising during puberty as hormone levels change however, the condition varies with each individual and is never predictable. Many reasons skin oil levels may increase are controllable only to an extent and even then leave us feeling frustrated and upset.
What should I be doing?
One of the most important things you can ever do for yourself is to maintain hydration levels by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Skin hydration is key to its functioning and one thing that not many people realise is that if their skin dries out too much, it can often create more oil in an attempt to counteract this dryness. So even though you may not feel like it when you're out and about in the cold this winter, make sure you are keeping hydrated!
The same can be said about cleansing with hot water and staying in dry air-conditioned environments for long periods of time. The skin is sucked of its moisture (think of when you use hot water to wash the dirty, greasy dishes!) and its best form of defence is to create more moisture by releasing oils. The best thing you can do is to maintain skin moisture levels by moisturising at least once if not twice a day and avoid using hot water to cleanse the skin (yes, that means hot showers). Also, avoid sitting under direct airflow from air conditioning vents if possible.
There are many great mattifying products out there these days to help you control oil release throughout the day. Just be careful with these and ensure they are non-comedogenic to ensure your pores do not become blocked with the use of these. You want to reduce oil production, not block up the pathway completely! This is what leads to blocked and enlarges pores, and worse blackheads. Other options include facial blotting tissues, or if you're in a pinch we find using individual layers of tissue or toilet paperwork just as well.
If you tend to wear makeup throughout the day, facial mists are another great product available that help set your product and refresh your look whenever you're in need. They will help keep your skin moisture levels up and even out skin tone as well as control oil production. It's a win in every situation! Plus they are great to cool yourself down in the hot summer months.
The key thing to take away from this is...
Don't try to overcompensate by completely removing all of your skin's oiliness, instead work with it. Don't forget that your skin is a protective barrier for your body from the outside world, and it needs crucial oils to maintain optimal function. However, if you feel like your oil levels are getting out of control there are daily things you can do to try and limit production such as staying hydrated and avoiding excess hot water or air conditioning. Keeping your skin balanced is the key to a more even, happier complexion.
If you feel like your oil production is really getting out of control, there are treatments out there that can help you. While many of these are marketed as acne fixers, even if you just suffer from excess oil without the breakouts these treatments will help regulate your skin; as acne is often caused by oily skin. So don't feel excluded!
Contact us on 0415 620 008 to make an appointment to discuss treatment options.