It’s September, and there’s no sign of the hot temps and extreme humidity letting up anytime soon.
Even if your face is not generally oily, you still may have an oily T zone and enlarged or clogged pores this time of year. An overabundance of oil can result in enlarged pores, shiny-looking skin and blackheads. To help, I’ve compiled a simple routine for managing oily skin. Although excess oil can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and those with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture.
Follow these seven steps to keep your skin healthy and looking great this summer:
1. WASH YOUR FACE EVERY MORNING, EVENING AND AFTER EXERCISE.
While washing, resist the urge to scrub, even to remove makeup. Scrubbing irritates your skin, which can make it look worse.
2. CHOOSE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS LABELED “OIL FREE” AND “NONCOMEDOGENIC.”
Note that products with these labels — including cleansers, moisturizers and makeup — won’t clog your pores or cause acne.
3. USE A GENTLE, FOAMING FACE WASH.
Many people believe they must use a strong face wash for oily skin to dry it out. However, using an overly harsh face wash can irritate your skin and trigger increased oil production. Instead, look for a mild, gentle cleanser.
4. STAY AWAY FROM OIL-BASED OR ALCOHOL-BASED CLEANSERS.
These can irritate your skin.
5. APPLY MOISTURIZER DAILY.
Even if you have oily skin, moisturizer is still needed to keep your skin hydrated. To save time and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, look for a moisturizer that is also a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide with an SPF of 30 or higher.
6. CHOOSE OIL-FREE, WATER-BASED MAKEUP.
Foundations in a range of price points can keep your skin looking glowy, not greasy.
7. CONSIDER MICRODERMABRASION AND CHEMICAL PEELS.
These services can help tremendously with cleaning out clogged pores and blackheads, as well as controlling oiliness and breakouts. Your aesthetician should do extractions during these procedures to further clean out the pores and blackheads.
And lastly, a few don’ts: First, never sleep in your makeup. This is a good rule for all skin types. Also, try to refrain from touching your face throughout the day. Although it’s tempting, doing so can spread dirt, oil and bacteria from your hands to your face. Only touch your face when you’re cleansing, moisturizing or applying sunscreen or makeup — and make sure your hands are clean first.
