How to clean oily skin to keep it healthy and acne-free

For oily skin owners, cleaning the face is one ritual that cannot be abandoned. However, if the way to clean oily skin is not done properly, it will actually stimulate the appearance of acne. So to prevent this from happening, as well as to keep your oily skin healthy and not dull, you need to make sure that the way you clean your skin so far is correct.

How to clean oily skin

After knowing your skin type, here's how to clean oily skin that you can try at home.

1. Make sure your skin is oily first

The first way to clean oily skin is to know what type of skin you have. Different skin types, different treatments. The treatments that you have done will end up in vain if you do not understand your own skin type. Well, the best way to determine your skin type is to consult a dermatologist.

Even so, you can also take a few steps to find out what type of skin you have. For starters, know how many times a day you clean your face. If you have oily skin, the tissue you use to clean your skin will absorb the oil every time you clean your face in a day. Your skin is said not to be oily if every time you clean your face no oil is absorbed by the tissue used. (Another clue that your skin isn't oily is that you never feel like you have to wipe your face.)

While skin types that are a combination of the two skin types tend to be dry on the cheeks and forehead, but sometimes there is a buildup of oil around the nose. If after the tissue test you are pretty sure you have oily skin, here are some other signs of oily skin that you should make sure:

• Pores are large and clearly visible
• Shiny T area (the area that extends between your forehead and nose)
• Regular blemishes, blackheads, and pimples

2. Choose the most suitable cleaner

Make sure you choose the facial cleanser that fits best, not only on your skin but also on your wallet. Experts recommend buying a mild skin cleanser with a moisturizer specially formulated for oily skin.

You can use cleaning products that are wax- and oil-free so they don't aggravate your oily skin. If your skin is oily and sensitive, you should avoid scented products. Also avoid using scrubs, because they may contain ingredients that are not suitable for your facial skin.

3. The water temperature is right

Many people think that hot water is the most appropriate way to clean oily skin. This is because hot water can help clean all the dirt, dust, and oil that sticks to the skin during the day. Even though this assumption is not correct.

Actually hot water can actually make the skin too dry. The best step you can do to clean oil from your face is to use water with warm temperatures, aka lukewarm. Cold water to clean oily skin is also considered ineffective and not optimal. In fact, it is feared that the method of cleaning oily skin can cause problems later on.

Skin specialists recommend cleaning the face area a maximum of 2-3 times a day. Washing your face too often can cause your skin to become too dry, which signals the oil glands to produce more oil. For optimal facial cleansing, gently massage your face using a facial cleanser, such as a foam containing salicylic acid, for about 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water.

4. The importance of using a toner

The function of the toner is to lower the pH level of the skin and remove dust or oil that cannot be removed by ordinary facial soap. For certain skin types, cleaning the face with alcohol can cause the skin to be very dry. However, not for oily skin owners.

People who have oily skin can use toners that contain alcohol. Yes, astringent based on alcohol and salicylic acid is good for oily skin. There are also many non-alcoholic toner products, although they may not be as potent as toners that contain alcohol.

5. Use a moisturizer sparingly

One of the advantages of having oily skin is that you don't have to worry about skin moisture problems every day. If you have a combination skin type, with oil on the T area, you may need to use a moisturizer to balance dry and oily areas. Moisturizers that do not contain wax, lipids, and oils are highly recommended for oily and combination skin types.

Many people only use moisturizer on the dry areas, rather than the entire face. Moisturizers that contain dimethicone or glycerin can give better results than heavier creams. Plus, moisturizers can also make it easier to care for your skin in warm weather where humidity and heat cause oil production to increase.

Instead of using a moisturizer and then double it with sunscreen, choose a combination product (a moisturizer with SPF) that can both protect and moisturize at the same time.

6. Mask with a mud mask

Using a mud mask can reduce oil production and remove a lot of dirt. Masking at least once a week can help deal with oily skin, accumulated dust, and dead skin cells that cause damage and excess oil. Mud masks feel softer on the skin than products that contain other chemicals because mud masks contain more natural ingredients.

In addition to regular facial cleansers, mud masks also help disguise the appearance of large pores (unfortunately, they don't actually shrink pores) which is a common problem in people with oily skin.

7. Avoid unnecessary maintenance

While spa treatments can be relaxing for you, they are usually not very useful in solving oily skin problems. Many people go to spas to clean their oily skin with various treatments such as facials and microdermabrasion. While your skin will indeed become smoother in a few moments and you will feel more relaxed afterwards, the benefits of a spa will stop there.

Many people believe that the various treatments available can cleanse the skin to the deepest layers. In fact, spa treatments can only clean the outer layer of the skin and in many cases, this method of cleansing oily skin actually triggers skin damage.

8. Exfoliate regularly

To get rid of dead skin cells that close up pores, you can exfoliate with natural ingredients at home. As long as the way to clean oily skin is done properly, you can have healthier skin. Exfoliating itself means removing dead skin cells that are trapped and clogged pores.

Washing your face using ingredients containing oatmeal can give a soothing sensation, although the scrub and microbead in it can only be used once a week. People with acne should not be advised to do this method because scrubbing can aggravate irritation and inflammation.

9. Switch to using topical creams

Even the best skincare regimen can forget the primary goal of skin health, which is balanced skin. Topical creams can be used if the creams and moisturizers you are using have failed to treat oily skin. Retinoid creams, vitamin A creams, and sulfur creams are some options for people with oily skin.

If this option still does not show significant results, it's better for you to immediately see a skin specialist, aka a dermatologist. Dermatologists are specially trained to pinpoint the cause of problems and can suggest prescription stronger creams for your oily skin.

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