Oily skin can be a struggle. There is no greater (beauty) letdown than starting the day with a fresh complexion that veers into oil-slick territory midday. Luckily, there are a few skincare tips and tricks to keep your oily skin under control and your complexion fresh all day. Here is our comprehensive guide to caring for an oily complexion, including a curated skincare routine for oily skin. 

Don't skip moisturizer.

Contrary to popular belief, oily skin needs moisturizing and hydration. Stripping the skin of moisture will only further encourage the sebaceous glands to produce more oil to compensate. This, in turn, may aid to prevent pimple breakouts.

Hence opt for an oil-free, non-comedogenic, water-based moisturizer. One of the primary steps to take as you step into the summer season is to switch to a lightweight moisturizer. So, use a light mattifying moisturizer to avoid your face from turning extremely greasy by mid-day.

Wear Sunscreen Always.

The fear of greasiness prompts many oily-skinned women to skip sunscreen. The result – is brown spots, pigmentation, and freckles resulting from sun exposure. Being out in the sun can increase oil production, making your skin even greasier. So, make sure you apply broad-spectrum gel-based sunscreen on your face to shield you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Ultra-light, non-greasy, and non-sticky sunscreen products give an instant dry touch effect. Stay away from junk and sugary foods; drink lots of water to stay hydrated and flush out toxins, eat at least one fruit daily, and include green, leafy veggies in your diet. All these together will regulate the amount of oil that your skin produces.

Make sunscreen an indispensable part of your skincare regimen. Limit your exposure, especially during the peak hours of sun, wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat, and reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

Remove makeup before sleeping.

There are times when we feel too lazy to remove our makeup before dozing off! But your skin needs to breathe at night! Sleeping in makeup clogs the pores and leads to pimples, skin irritation, and acne. Therefore, it is extremely important to pick a quality makeup remover and take off every trace of makeup before going to bed. Micellar water is a promising option to wipe off the extra oil and dirt that builds up on your skin. It doesn’t need to be rinsed off.

Follow up with proper cleansing. One of the tried and tested ways to control excess oil is to cleanse it and keep it clean at all times. It is important to cleanse your face twice or thrice daily to rid it of all the accumulated dirt and oil build-up which leads to clogged pores, acne, etc. Gel-based cleansers are the best tips for oily skin. Look for cleansers/face washes that are oil-free. However, do not resort to abrasive cleansing techniques as this will strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to the sebaceous glands producing more oil.

Avoid Touching Your Face.

Touching the face, again and again, causes the bacteria to transfer from your fingertips to the face & cause irritation and breakouts. Along with this, no matter how tempting it might feel, you should never pop any pimples else it can cause scarring.

Take Your Night Time Skincare Routine Serious.

Since oily skin attracts a lot of dirt, dust & impurities during the day, it needs some pampering at night time. Invest in a good night cream and apply it religiously every night before going to bed. This will not only moisturize, but also prevent early signs of aging. Along with this, also pick an under-eye cream that hydrates the area and boosts collagen. You can also try out serums that contain antioxidants and make the skin soft, supple & luminous.

Try Face Masks.

Face masks form an important part of a healthy skincare routine. Apply a face mask once a week to keep the skin fresh. It also works well to control oil and provides relaxation too!  Whether it is a hydrating mask, an anti-acne mask, or a brightening mask, make sure to pick the one that targets your skin needs. Moreover, you can also try sheet masks, which are quite popular these days. These are serum-soaked masks that boost hydration levels and keep the skin soft & supple. In addition, these are convenient to use as well.

Use Blotting Papers.

Always carry blotting papers with you when you are stepping out and use these papers in case your face becomes too greasy. Gently tap these thin small papers on the shiny and grimy-looking zones of your skin to eliminate excess sebum.  

The stickiness will go away instantly. But, don’t overuse them as it may draw out necessary oils required by your skin and may trigger oil production from the sebaceous glands.

Makeup Tips For Oily Skin.

Now, after the basic routine is finished, we proceed with the makeup application part. The key to applying makeup on oily skin is prepping your skin.

• Prime your skin before you start. Use a primer that is formulated for oily, acne-prone skin. Never opt to use a 'normal' primer because it tends to get sticky and shinier after a few hours. A good primer acts as a good base for your makeup. It plays an important role in absorbing the oil that our glands produce. This in turn will help in making our makeup last longer on oily skin. The oil that is produced causes makeup to fade, streak, and look all weird if you don’t use a good primer.  Always apply the primer after you have toned and moisturized your skin.
• Oily skin looks the best when a minimal number of products are used. Always opt for more concealer because it contains less oil than foundation. If you must use foundation, use an oil-free foundation or mineral foundation as it tends to fill your pores and make your skin look even. It also lessens the possibility of you developing acne and other skin problems. Always stick to applying the foundation with your fingertips – Make sure they are clean, using a brush will increase your chances of developing acne problems. Refrain from slapping on foundation on your problem areas like acne on your face – This will only accentuate them making your skin look uneven.
• After your foundation is applied, wait for it to settle into your skin for 5-10 minutes. The next step after this will be to set your foundation with a translucent, light powder. Always refrain from using powders that have shimmer in them because they will eventually make you look like a disco ball. Always target the main areas like the forehead and bridge of the nose because that area tends to get oilier. Gently sweep the powder in circles using a kabuki or powder brush for an airbrushed look.

Once you are all set, you need to keep a small kit ready for standby in desperate times. Always carry translucent powder and oil-blotting sheets. You can always add touch-ups of compact or translucent powder to control the oil. Oil blotting sheets also do a good job to control oil production. If you start looking like a shiny ball – just blot away the oil with the help of good blotting sheets. These are the most known natural beauty tips for oily skin makeup!

If you found this helpful. don't hesitate to share with someone! Sharing is caring!