1. How to Get Rid of Oily Skin
Oils produced by the body keep skin healthy. Oily skin (seborrhea) is a common
cosmetic problem that occurs when oversized oil glands produce excessive amounts of
oil (sebum) giving the appearance of shiny and greasy skin. Genes and hormones play
the major role in whether or not you have oily skin.
Excessively oily skin can have emotional and social impact. Some people experience low
self-esteem, feeling of unattractiveness, embarrassment, irritation and frustration.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cut down on oiliness to make you feel more
confident and comfortable with your skin.

2. Cleansers
Cleanse the skin every morning and every night using a gentle cleanser which is pH
balanced (slightly acidic). I recommend using oil-control foaming cleansers because
these are formulated to reduce the oiliness of your skin and gives you a matte
appearance up to 4 hours.
Avoid washing more than 2x a day because you are going to strip off the natural pH of
your skin and makes your skin more vulnerable to skin diseases and bacteria.
If your gentle cleanser doesn’t cut oiliness, try a product that contains benzoyl peroxide,
salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid. These are common acne care products
that are great for acne and yet great for people who has oily skin.

3. Toners
After cleansing, apply a toner that is free of alcohol or acetone. Toners that contain
alcohol or acetone are so drying that they send a message to the oil gland that it needs
to increase production of oil. Place a few drops on a clean, natural cotton pad and wipe
it gently over the entire face.

4. Medicated Pads
These are pads that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other oil-cutting acid
ingredients. My patients love using these because it removes excess oil from their faces
effectively. I recommend that you limit using these up to 2x a day only. Excessive use of
these medicated pads might irritate your skin.

5. Oil-Control Film/Blotting Paper
Patients like these so much because it immediately remove the excess oil from their skin
conveniently. You can use these several times a day as the need arises because it
doesn’t dry or irritate your skin. Press it against the oily area around 15-20 seconds to
maximally absorb the oil.

6. Mattifying Gels
Mattifying gel is formulated with powerful oil-absorbing ingredients. It absorbs on
contact without stripping natural moisture. It is best worn alone or under a makeup.
This fast-acting gel helps makeup stay fresher, longer and creates a lasting, clear, satiny
matte finish. My oily-skin patients stay shine-free throughout the day when they put on
mattifying gels.

7. Masks and Clays
These can reduce oiliness of skin by drawing out the excess oil and cleanses the pores.
But make sure to use it not too often because these might lead to overly dry skin.
Minimize the use of facial mask or clay to once a week only. Look for masks with AHA,
BHA, or enzyme because these ingredients helps reduce oiliness and it can brighten the
skin.

8. Moisturizers
Even oily skin needs a moisturizer to look its best. To avoid an oily shine and greasy look,
choose an oil-free moisturizer or a light moisturizer with matte finish. Apply liberally to
dry parts of your face and thinly to the oily parts.

9. Oil-free Sunscreen
Protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation is an absolutely essential even for oily skin.
Sunscreen gels are less likely than creams and lotions to make your skin look oily. There
are sunscreens that has a matte finish which contain ingredients that absorb excess oil
in your face.

10. Follow A Facial Regimen Religiously
The skin is very active during sleep repairing and producing new cells at a faster rate
than when we are awake. You can help your skin by having a clean, breathing skin at
night. So, be very consistent with your skin care regimen especially at nighttime.
Completing your skin regimen constantly will make you maximize the benefits of your
efforts.

11. Talk to Your Dermatologist
If you tried most of over-the-counter products and still you have the oily skin, talk to
your dermatologist. There are prescription retinoid creams that can help reduce oiliness
and clean your pores. Chemical peels can help reduce oiliness and improve the overall
look of your skin. Intradermal botox is also an option in the treatment of oily skin. Oral
medications such as hormonal pills and isotretinoin are other options when most
treatment fail.
It’s worth remembering that oil production is a normal part of healthy skin. They say
that people with oily skin have fewer wrinkles and healthier looking skin. So don’t do it
too much. Getting rid of oiliness when you need to look your best, but be careful to
preserve your skin’s natural anti-aging mechanism.