Oily skin isn’t solely the preserve of teenagers. Several factors contribute to this problem and many women seek solutions to end it. If this is your case, you’ll be happy to read what follows.

All that glitters is not gold!

When it’s a woman’s personality that makes her shine, nothing is more charming. But when it’s an excess of sebum on facial skin, there is nothing to cheer about. Women who have the tendency to have oily skin often complain about it until they find the appropriate care adapted to their specific skin type.

Oily skin is firstly characterized by an overproduction of sebum. This protective oily substance is made by the sebaceous glands and its excess secretion is often visible and sometimes unattractive: shiny skin, enlarged pores, blackheads, or pimples. This is very common at puberty as a result of hormonal changes during which a testosterone derivative attaches to the sebaceous glands and increases sebum production.

Several other factors influence sebum production by sebaceous glands:

• poor skin hygiene;
• the use of cosmetics that irritate the skin;
• hormonal factors: adolescence, taking oral contraceptives, pregnancy, etc.;
• genetics;
• climatic conditions: heat and humidity, for instance;
• toxic substances: tobacco and pollution, for instance;
• stress, anxiety, fatigue.

Very oil skin has a shiny appearance, especially on the T zone (forehead, nose, and chin). As the pores are enlarged, the texture of the skin appears irregular. In too great a quantity, sebum can block pores and become a fertile ground for acne and other skin problems.

Here is what you can do to reduce the oily appearance of skin:

• Cleanse it. This may seem banal, but cleansing is the first condition that needs to be respected for good skin. If possible, wash your face twice daily with a very mild and unscented cleanser with a neutral pH. Some cleansing products are specifically formulated for oily skin types. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing it vigorously. You can also apply a skin-toning lotion to tighten pores. Avoid those containing alcohol because they stimulate sebum production. Do not forget to remove your makeup every night before going to bed.  
• Moisturize it. Oily skin also needs to be moisturized. Favour products that have an ultra-light texture, are without oil, and enriched with a sebum-regulating complex. Don’t worry. If you choose the right product, it will not add to your skin’s shine. It will actually have the opposite effect! Be wary of tinted creams because they can stimulate sebum secretion and the appearance of pimples.
• Pamper it. Protect yourself from the sun’s rays with a sunscreen suitable for oily skin types. Avoid tanning salons at any cost. Use a mild exfoliant twice a week. Give yourself a skin care treatment at a beauty salon from time to time. Ask the beautician to adapt the treatment to your particular type of skin.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Adopt a healthy diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid fatty and sugary foods such as sausages, deli meats, chocolate, and fast foods. Drink plenty of water. Sleep well, avoid stress, and happily kick the smoking habit!

Your face is, in general, the first thing that people see, so it is important to take good care of it. As there are a multitude of skin products on the market, it can sometimes be difficult to find one that’s right for you. Don’t ever hesitate to talk your pharmacist or beautician who can help you choose the perfect products for your skin type.

We’ll end this text with some good news: in general, oily skin ages more slowly. There are often two sides to a coin, and in this case, both have a shine to them!