With temps on the rise, so are concerns for oily skin. While we are here for all the summer fun, most of us are looking for ways to combat that extra shiny face, streaky foundation, and enlarged pores.
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Oily skin is caused by excessive sebum secretion from our skin’s sebaceous glands. Although sebum production is a healthy process designed to keep the skin moist, overproduction can lead to skin problems like acne.
While there is no scientific evidence that our skin produces more oil in the summer, it sure feels like it. Just as butter melts when you heat it, so does the sebum under higher temperatures. Ugh.
There’s not much we can do to stop our skin from producing sebum, but there are some ways to regulate how it shows up on the skin. Here are five key tips to help address that slippery new shine.
Deep Clean Skin At Night
Whether you wear makeup or not, double cleansing your face is essential to remove all dirt and daily oil buildup from your skin. First, start with an oil-based cleanser to break down sunscreen and makeup. Then follow up with a gentle water-based face wash to completely remove and rinse away any remaining residue.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Even if you have oily skin, you still need to moisturize your to maintain a healthy skin barrier. During summer, you can lighten your skincare routine by applying lighter and oil-free serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
Don’t Over-Clean Your Skin
Over-cleansing will remove the healthy lipids the skin needs for its barrier function and this will lead to dehydrated skin that will produce MORE sebum as a way to replenish the lipids that were stripped away. If you want to avoid this, clean your face in the morning, evening, and after a workout to remove sweat. If shine is a problem during the day, it’s better if you remove it using an oil-absorbing sheet.
Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation unclogs pores, stimulates skin cell renewal, and improves skin firmness helping reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. But let’s be careful here, don’t over-exfoliate either! You can exfoliate two to three times a week using chemical exfoliators such as glycolic acid for normal skin or lactic acid for sensitive skin.
Use sebo-regulating ingredients
While shopping for skin care products look for niacinamide and green tea extract. There is scientific evidence that these active ingredients lower sebum excretion after four and eight weeks of use. That means skincare products that contain niacinamide or green tea may actually prove beneficial for oily skin.
Are any of these tips already part of your skincare regimen? What works best for you? Let us know in the comments below.
