Guest Post: Living & Caring for Oily Skin

It’s probably safe to say that, of all the different skin types, oily skin is the most problematic. The heart of the trouble begins in the sebaceous glands, which are attached to the hair follicles. These glands produce oil that helps keep our skin soft and supple. However, sometimes these glands go into overdrive and produce more oil than is actually needed. The teen years are when oiliness becomes most apparent, but oily skin can cause problems for any age.

Oily Skin Difficulties

Oily skin can not only make skin care more exhausting, but many people are embarrassed by this skin condition. For those with oily skin, during puberty, during the menstrual cycle, and often when a woman undergoes menopause are all times when issues could flare up. These are all times when hormones may be in a flux, creating an imbalance which manifests itself in excess production of oil. These issues may become apparent in a few of the following ways:

* Enlarged pores are usually found in conjunction with oily skin, and are at the root of many skin problems. Enlarged pores are much more likely to become clogged with dead skin cells, oil, and dirt, which can result in blackhead or whiteheads.

* Oily skin can be so severe that the face will appear shiny or greasy, even a short time after it has been cleaned. There can be so much oil on the skin that it will actually cause makeup to be washed off; runnels can actually appear on the face as the oil cuts through the cosmetics.

* Skin eruptions such as acne are much more likely to occur for those who have oily skin. The enlarged pores and excessive oil production simply lay the groundwork for bacterial growth and the resultant acne. While finding a solution can be difficult, Facingacne.com provides help for dealing with oily skin. Because acne can cause serious infections, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible.

Caring for Oily Skin

Keeping your oily skin under control requires a bit more effort than for those dealing with a normal skin experience. Following a sensible regimen can make all the difference! One of the greatest difficulties with oily skin treatments is the tendency to overdo, which can make the problem worse.

* You should only wash your face twice a day, once in the morning, and once in the evening before bed. It’s a real temptation to run in and wash your face as soon as it starts to look shiny, but this is actually the worst possible thing to do. When you over-wash your face, your body determines that too much oil has been stripped away and will begin producing more oil than it ordinarily would. Blotters can help remove excess oil between washings.

* Resist the temptation to use hot water when washing your oily skin. While it is true that hot water is good at breaking down oil when used in conjunction with a cleanser, it will also serve to remove too much oil, and can also further irritate existing pimples or acne. Use tepid or lukewarm water only to wash your face. Pat, rather than rub your face dry after washing it.

* The choice of a cleanser is also very important with oily skin. It is definitely better to stick with mild, gentle soaps or face washes that will clean thoroughly without causing any irritation. Skin with acne is already inflamed, and using a harsh soap could only cause further irritation.

* Be extremely careful when using an exfoliant on your skin. While you might think that a ‘rough’ exfoliator will really clean out those pores, exfoliants that contain chips of nut shells or other particles can not only damage the healthy areas of your skin, but also cut up acne to make it more likely that infection will spread, and will make the problem much worse.

* While it may seem odd to be using a moisturizer if you have oily skin DO IT! a moisturizer is not supposed to add oil to the skin, it’s supposed to help keep it hydrated. Moisturizers that rely on mineral oil, or other heavy oils should be avoided. However moisturizers that are based on natural oils such as tea tree, jojoba, or coconut oil will help to keep the dermis layer properly hydrated without adding an unnecessary layer of grease.

* It’s not surprising that women with acne or pimples will want to cover up their problem with cosmetics, but those with oily skin should be very careful when choosing cosmetics. Your best friend here are your eyes as you read the ingredients on the label. Look for products that do not contain oil and are hypo-allergenic. Matt makeup will also help to keep your face from looking shiny and oily.

While oily skin can present problems, working around these, keeping acne under control, and looking your best is not impossible if you just take a bit of time and effort to take care of your skin

Visit FacingAcne for more information on keeping your skin free and clear.

*This is a sponsored guest post