Oily skin knows the struggle of applying sunscreen or makeup only to land with oil making a mess on your face every time. It is not the product every time but also about how your skin and body are. However, certain ingredients can prove to be stressful for your skin. If you are of oily skin type then we suggest you scroll down now!
What causes oily skin?
Oily skin is when you have overly active sebaceous glands (oil glands). There are two types of factors that affect everything about your skin- internal and external stressors.
Internal factors like:
1. Hormone levels2. Gut health
3. Open pores
External factors like:
1. Harsh climate (too hot/ too cold)
2. Using wrong skincare products
3. Avoiding moisturiser
4. Hot baths
5. Pollution
Which are the right skincare ingredients for oily skin?
Not that no other skincare ingredient will suit you apart from the ones we’re listing below, but these are some highly available ingredients in the market which you can access easily.
1. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a Beta-Hydroxy acid (BHA) which is a chemical exfoliant. It is an oil-soluble ingredient and hence works excellent for oily skin types to decongest the pores. If you have acne and zits popping or dullness looming then you need nothing more than a low concentration of Salicylic acid. It is derived from Willow Bark Extract. Learn more about Salicylic acid here.
2. Emollients
Emollients are essentially plant-derived butter and oils. They work as a filler and are lighter than Occlusives. For oily skin, you can pair Emollient with Humectants. The idea here is, Humectants attract moisture from the environment and Emollients can efficiently work in tandem to retain it. Opt for oils like Sea buckthorn, Primrose, Rosehip, Hemp seed, Grapeseed, and Argan oil that have more Linoleic acid content and rate zero to low on the comedogenic scale. Learn more about how certain face oils can suit the skin and won’t clog the pores.
3. Retinol
Retinol suits just everyone. If you are in your mid-twenties then this is the ingredient for you. It is multi-functional and your skin will thank you if you use it in the right way. Retinol is Vitamin A which can be derived from plants or synthetically. It belongs to a group called Retinoid and is suitable to be used if you’re a beginner for Vitamin A in skincare. It is a powerful anti-ageing potion and also helps you increase cell turnover. If you have acne scars, marks, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, oily skin, dry skin, or dullness, Retinol will work for all the concerns. But it comes with a guidebook since it is a potent ingredient and it can dry out your skin if you don’t use it in the right way. Learn more about Retinol mistakes that you must avoid here.
4. Clay
Certain types of clay can be applied to your skin depending on your skin type. If you have extremely oily skin then you can opt for Bentonite Clay masks. If your skin gets oily from time to time, then you can opt for Red Clay masks. With clay masks, ensure that you don’t keep them on for too long since they can dry out your skin if used for too long. 10-15 minutes is a good time to rest the mask on your skin for detoxifying and waving off the excess oil. Learn more about Clay here.
5. Niacinamide
It’s a water-soluble Vitamin B3 that is the perfect solution to your oily skin if the cause of oily skin is dehydration. Niacinamide works excellent to retain moisture, regulate oil production, and brighten your skin. This is a versatile ingredient that can be used in AM and PM routines and also can be paired with most of the actives. For oily skin, a Niacinamide containing moisturiser can work excellent to strengthen the skin barrier. Learn more about Niacinamide here.
Which are the skincare ingredients that oily skin should avoid?
Oily skin can be a bigger mess if you specifically use these ingredients. It’s not that these are bad ingredients but it just doesn’t work for oily skin types.
1. Scrubs
As mentioned earlier, external factors can aggravate the pores to produce excess oil. This happens when the skin barrier is damaged. The skin barrier is made up of adequate moisture and lipids. An excess or lack of them can lead to a damaged barrier. Physical scrub can do that. The grains in the physical scrubs can irritate your skin, and even rash, which leads to red and oily skin. If you want to exfoliate then your best pick is Salicylic acid, as mentioned earlier.
2. Occlusives
Occlusives are very heavy on the skin. If you use a small quantity, they may be suitable, but mainly for highly dehydrated skin. For oily skin type, extreme dehydration is hardly a concern. Occlusives work by creating a film on the top so that moisture remains trapped. For oily and sensitive skin, this just means oilier and clogged pores.
3. Certain face oils
When the oil has more than 60% Oleic acid (Omega 9) then the chances are that it will clog your pores. It is always good to have a face oil that is richer in Linoleic acid (Omega 6). It’s simply because Omega 6 fatty acid is an important brick in building Ceramides that moisturises your skin and maintains the barrier. Learn more about how to pick the correct face oil for oily skin here.
What is the proper skincare routine for oily skin?
This routine is just to give you a brief idea of how minimal and simple you should keep your routine to ensure that your skin remains healthy and maintains an oil-water balance.
1. Cleanse
If you’ve applied makeup or you’re washing your face at night after having used sunscreen all day, we recommend double cleansing. Double cleansing essentially helps to be gentle on your skin and thoroughly remove all the dirt. However, while cleansing your face in the morning, use a gentle and hydrating cleanser.
Sublime recommends Suganda Double Cleansion Combo. It is super gentle on your skin. You can use the oil cleanser for double cleansing at night!
2. Tone
Toning the skin helps to regulate the oil production on the skin and also hydrates the skin. When you apply skincare or damp and hydrated skin, chances are that your skincare will be better absorbed.
Sublime recommends Lacuna Light Niacinamide Skin Balancing Glow Tonic. It has Witch Hazel, Niacinamide, Red Algae, Vitamin C, and Rosewater to give you a dollop of bright skin.
3. Treat
Use a serum that is rich in antioxidants and can soothe the pores. This will ensure that your skin does not turn oily soon. Antioxidants will prevent external factors from irritating your skin. Ingredients like Vitamin C, Centella Asiatica, or Niacinamide can soothe, brighten and give a good dose of Antioxidant to the skin. If it is a PM routine then you can opt for a low concentration of Retinol.
Sublime recommends Deconstruct Retinol & Peptide Serum- 0.2% Retinol + 1% Peptide. It provides hydration to the skin and is a powerful anti-ageing solution that stimulates collagen production.
4. Moisturising sunscreen
For oily skin, less is more. If it is an AM routine then pick a moisturising sunscreen that can protect your skin from harmful rays and chemicals. If it is a PM routine then you can opt for a lightweight, no-fuss moisturiser.
Sublime recommends Pure Bubbles Centella Face Moisturiser. It is made with Centella Asiatica, Niacinamide, Cholesterol, and Ceramides to strengthen your skin barrier, moisturise, and repair your skin.
Takeaway
Oily skin cannot be treated just any other skin but neither does it need many ‘drying off’ harsh ingredients. All you need to focus on is soothing and adequate moisturising to ensure that the barrier is intact. Eventually, oil production will be regulated. Keep it minimal and include the above ingredients to improve your skin health.
- Divya Salvi
