Is your skin happily dewy or greasy?
Are your sebaceous glands trying to indicate something?
Oily acne-prone skin is a genuine concern that further motivates breakouts, inflammation, enlarged pores, etc. Let’s tackle it together. We will tell you how exactly to manage oily and acne-prone skin but first knowing its cause is essential.
Oily skin is the outcome of overactive sebaceous glands which are responsible for sebum production, if the same is produced in excess amounts it can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Read below to prevent oily skin and acne and keep skin healthy and refreshed.
5 Easy Tips To Manage Oily Skin And Acne
1. Choose a face cleanser that has oil controlling and acne fighting properties
The face cleanser is the first step toward maintaining skin health. It is very important to choose the right cleanser as per your skin needs. Using a face wash that comes with surfactants like sodium lauryl sulphate and other harsh ingredients can trigger new breakouts and even worsen the existing ones.
How to choose the right cleanser for oily/acne-prone skin?
Choosing the right cleanser is not difficult. It is a green light if your face wash for oily skin can be accountable for the following -
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Anti-acne properties
Look up a face cleanser that is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory in nature and that has ingredients that can treat active acne and prevent further breakouts.
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Oil controlling properties
Opt for a gentle face cleanser that gives thorough cleansing without stripping off the essential oils from your skin. It must be able to regulate sebum production.
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Non-comedogenic properties
Do not skip this label on your face cleanser. You are good to go if your facial cleanser is non-comedogenic because then it won't clog your pores.
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Topical ingredients like Zinc PCA, Citric Acid
Face cleanser with Zinc PCA and citric acid work effectively on acne and helps control oil production. They back your skin up with adequate exfoliation and maintain moisture levels.
2. Use an alcohol-free toner to give extra cleanse to your skin
Toners remove any impurities or oils that the cleanser fails to clean. Alcohol-based toner makes skin dehydrated and they also disturb the pH levels of your skin. So opt for an alcohol-free toner since it is more gentle and will help to cleanse your skin thoroughly.
Which toner is best for oily and acne-prone skin?
To pick up the best toner for oily and acne-prone skin from the huge ocean of products, below are the properties your toner must hold.
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pH balancing properties
Remember the pH scale our chemistry teacher showed us in school? It goes the same for the skin. Toners are water-based products and hence are highly active in maintaining and restoring the skin’s pH level. They are specially designed to shrink pores and clear out sebum.
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Clean the pores from within
People with oily acne-prone skin suffer from enlarged pores very often. A toner that stabilizes oil production and doesn't clog your pores will be best suited for this skin type. It will refine your skin and balance your pore size too.
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Hydrates and refreshes skin
Hydrated skin is the key to happy skin. Perfect hydration levels light up your skin differently. The skin moisture level is mandatory to balance to avoid breakouts and weary skin.
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Combats acne bacteria
What’s most troubling for acne-prone skin is the bacteria that underlies your acne and further causes even more acne. Opt for a toner that has antibacterial properties to fight against all harmful bacteria and free radicals.
Ingredients to look for
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Witch hazel
Super beneficial in easing irritation and inflammation. It is rich in antioxidants and helps neutralize free radicals.
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Aloe Vera
It holds great skin healing and hydrating properties. It helps manage acne and inflammation.
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Lemon
It regulates oily skin and has potent antifungal properties. It helps fight pimples and acne and unclog pores.
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Watercress
Proven in a scientific study, watercress has the ability to speed collagen production leading to youthful skin.
3. Look for advanced serum formulas with “Salicylic Acid and Peptide”
Serums are in highly concentrated form and have large amounts of active molecules hence they take lesser time to give visible results. They target each skin concern individually by penetrating deeper into your skin and getting absorbed quickly. A serum with salicylic acid and peptides, this combination works best to treat active acne and prevent future breakouts.
Ingredients to look for in a serum
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Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid naturally occurs in willow bark, sweet birch bark, and wintergreen leaves. It keeps pores clean and unclogged hence reducing the chances of acne and breakouts.
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Peptides
They are promising skincare ingredients and help in building collagen and elastin which reduces breakouts and keeps skin youthful.
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Granactive
This antimicrobial peptide is considered a hero for oily and acne-prone skin. It combats acne-causing bacteria and meanwhile stimulates skin cell proliferation. Additionally, it also helps in reducing collagen breakdown and restoring skin elasticity and suppleness.
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Boswellia serrata resin Extract
Study shows that Boswellia Serrata also called Indian frankincense has an abundance of antioxidants making it rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It fights against active acne and further tones the skin and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Don't skip the moisturizer but look for a non-greasy and lightweight formula
Let’s get our facts updated. Oily skin needs a moisturizer too. Skin hydration and skin moisture shall not be confused with the excess oil the skin feels. Lack of hydration will motivate the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum. It will lead to clogged pores and then acne. A non-greasy and light-weight moisturizer for oily skin will balance the moisture level in the skin and keeps skin firm, supple and hydrated.
5. Stay sun safe by using a good sunscreen
Do not head out in the sun without adequate sun protection. Exposure to sunlight can irritate the skin and worsen existing acne. . Excess sun exposure can disturb melanin production and also increases the risks for hyperpigmentation and PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation).
How to Choose a Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
Make sure that you don’t skip on these points while opting for sunscreen when you have made it this far.
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Labeled as non-comedogenic
When you have acne-prone skin it is essential to opt for a sunscreen that won’t clog your pores and is oil-free. Sunscreen is a daily necessity and using a non-comedogenic product will not clog your pores and enable the skin to breathe properly. Opt for a sunscreen that is labeled as non-comedogenic for both skincare and makeup.
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Free of oxybenzone and PABA
These active ingredients are more likely to cause skin irritation. It has been found in research studies too that they might seep into the skin and trigger various skin allergies.
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It feels lightweight on the skin
A lightweight sunscreen is less likely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or irritate the skin. It would not give a cakey feeling.
Final Takeaway
We get it that environmental stressors, hormonal changes, and genetic factors take a huge toll on your skin health. However, following a daily skincare routine for preventing acne and treating oily skin is what your oily acne-prone skin needs at this hour. Though one can not get rid of oily skin completely it can still be prevented and now you know how. Specific concerns require specific attention. Back your skin care regimen with great ingredients and let your skin shine and smile brightly.
