“How can I control the excessive oil secretions on my face that leads to acne?”
Pimples are the worst! They hurt, pop up overnight and can be impossible to hide. You’re right that oily skin is believed to be the most critical factor for causing acne. But rest assured, there are a few things you can do to keep your oil at bay and control the likelihood of a breakout.
Why am I so oily… All the time!
Before we start talking about how to avoid acne, let’s chat about why oily skin causes acne.
Oily skin is caused by the overproduction of sebum by an overactive oil gland (also known as the pilosebaceous unit, which is just a fancy term for a hair follicle and its oil gland).
There are a few reasons we get acne, one being the pore of the oil gland can be blocked – this can be made worse by using certain types of makeup.
Some of our hormones during puberty drive sebum overproduction, hence acne-overload.
Acne bacteria lives on the skin and its overgrowth around your oil glands can worsen inflammation and pus formation. This is what causes acne to hurt sometimes.
If there’s a strong history of acne in your family, there’s a good chance you might get it too.
It is also linked to medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Trust me on this, a proper skin routine is everything
As a dermatologist, I recommend cleaning your face every morning and evening. If you wear make up, ALWAYS wipe it off before going to bed – no excuses!
The perfect skin routine
- Thoroughly remove makeup with a makeup remover (micellar water is the best).
- Use a gentle non-perfumed cleanser containing beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid). Look at the cleanser’s ingredients on the back of the bottle. Don’t over-cleanse as this might dry out your face and in turn encourage oil glands to produce oil. PS: Excessive or harsh exfoliation/scrubs are unlikely to help oily skin.
- Next, use a light moisturiser. Look for moisturisers containing zinc or niacinamide. Lotions or gels might be more suitable depending on how oily your skin is.
- During the day apply a light layer of non-fragrant non-comodogenic (this means it won’t block pores) sunscreen gel or lotion. Top this up with an oil-free matte foundation.
- At night, apply topical retinoid (Vitamin A) cream to your T-zone areas/acne-prone areas. Start with a small amount three times a week to decrease risk of excessive dryness or dehydration, then increase slowly to every night.
Using pore-clogging oil-based makeup can worsen or cause acne. This can become worse if makeup is not thoroughly removed! If you want to hide your acne with makeup, just be sure to use brands that contain good ingredients.
A few tips to help keep your skin clear
- Diet: Eat a healthy balanced diet containing low glycaemic index food groups with complex carbohydrates and omega-3 fatty acids. There might be a role for oral zinc supplements. It is best to avoid sugary, processed and refined food.
- Makeup and hair products: If you choose to wear makeup, opt for mineral-based foundation. Wash your hair regularly with shampoo, especially if you’re using hair products and if you have oily hair or scalp. Avoid using oil-based products on your face and beware of oil-based pomades and hair wax, especially near your forehead.
- Regular use of a good-quality broad spectrum SPF 30 and above ultralight sunscreen lotion: This reduces early onset wrinkles, pigmentation issues and in the long-term reduces your risk of developing sunspots and dangerous skin cancers.
- Maintain a healthy weight and embrace exercise: Not only is this good for mental health (stress can lead to acne), it also reduces levels of acne-causing hormones.
About to leave the house and still feel oily?
I recommend using a blotting paper or oil-control film when this happens. You can also apply a thin layer of mattifying gel or a mineral-based loose powder foundation to reduce and absorb excess oil.
Some final words of advice
- Use oil-free and non-comedogenic cleansers, moisturisers and make up. When picking a foundation opt for “oil free” liquid silicone (dimethicone or cyclomethicone) matte foundations over oil foundations
- remember to thoroughly remove your make up with a make up remover
- avoid touching, picking or scratching your pimples
- if you feel your acne is particularly bad, make sure you see your GP or get a referral to see a dermatologist. It’s always best to get on top of your acne and reduce risk of acne scarring.
Is your teen concerned about oily skin, breakouts, or acne? Or are you still dealing with congested skin and breakouts and you’re well beyond the teen years? Get in touch with the experts at Gaia Day Spa for advice.
Authored by Celestine Wong, Consultant Dermatologist, Monash Health. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
