Dewy skin can look gorgeous, but there’s nothing attractive about skin so shiny you can almost see your reflection in it. For those with oily skin, summertime can be a nightmare. You might think that oily summer skin is just a fact of life during the hottest summer months – but it doesn’t have to be.
There are many things you can do to help control oily skin on your face – and yes, even the greasiest of areas, like your nose and forehead. It all starts with your basic skin care and makeup routines.
Need help to take your skin from oil slick to healthy glow? Follow these seven tips to get that oily summer skin under control.
1. Choose the Right Oil-Fighting Cleanser
Battling oily skin starts with the right products, as well as regular cleansing. However, if you aren’t using the correct cleanser, then you may not be doing your oily skin a service, no matter how frequently you wash. In fact, you can over-wash your skin, leaving it oilier than ever. For good results, limit cleansing to morning and night.
You want to find the right oil-fighting cleanser that won’t be too harsh. Over-drying your skin could subsequently lead to more oil production. A product with salicylic acid can help zap excess oil without leaving your skin parched.1
2. Tone Up
As with cleanser, you don’t necessarily want the harshest products out there just because you have an oily face. Remember: Anything too drying can cause more oiliness. For this reason, consider switching to alcohol-free toners that get the job done without stripping too many natural oils.
Products with tea tree and calendula are good choices.2 They won’t overdry, leaving you looking slick by noon. And consider using your toner only on your oiliest areas – usually your T-zone (your forehead, nose, and chin), where shine control can be the most difficult.
3. Use Oil-Free Sunscreen or Moisturizer with SPF
A lot of your excess shine can come from using the wrong sunscreen on your face. Some sunscreens can leave skin looking oily, and it’s likely because so many of them have oil as a major ingredient. Find an oil-free sunscreen made specifically for use on your face to help with this issue.
Don’t forget to reapply if you get in the water, or sweat.
Another alternative is to find an SPF moisturizer made specifically for oily skin. This may take some searching, but you can always go to a cosmetics counter or store and get the advice of the pros. They will often be able to guide you towards the best products based upon your skin type.
Also, consider looking for a moisturizer that contains salicylic acid. A good moisturizer will soak into your skin and continually hydrate throughout the day. If you suffer with frequent blemishes during the sticky summer months, a moisturizer with salicylic acid may be helpful.3
4. Mask It
Masks are great for sucking up oils sitting deep in your pores. Additionally, a good mask might help reduce the appearance of large pores, and you’ve got tons of amazing masks on the market to choose from. But if it’s oil-zapping abilities you’re looking for, then a clay or charcoal-based mask is ideal.
5. Exfoliate Weekly
Exfoliating will help rid your skin of dead skin cells. It can also help your skin better absorb the other products you’re using. As with cleansing, it’s important not to overdo it.
A weekly at-home exfoliation is ideal. This can be done either physically or chemically.
Physical exfoliation may include scrubs you use at home, or salon treatments like microdermabrasion (which should only be done by a dermatologist or professional esthetician). Chemical exfoliation involves chemicals like salicylic or glycolic acid.4
If you opt for professional exfoliation, talk to your dermatologist or esthetician about the products you’re currently using on your skin. You don’t, for example, want to be exfoliating at home too. That could damage your skin, and completely derail your battle against oily summer skin.
6. Choose the Right Cosmetics
The makeup you choose can be just as important as the rest of your skin care products when battling oily summer skin. There are plenty of shine-busting products out there, from primers to foundations and powders, and more. Experiment with different products until you find the right one for you.
7. Blotting Papers are Your BFF
Blotting papers can be your best friend during the hot, humid summer season. Many cosmetics companies are now making blotting papers designed specifically for oily skin, and this might be the ideal choice for summer. These are also great to use if you’ve worked up a good sweat from working out (or even just standing outside in some sweltering areas of the country).
Bye Bye, Oily Skin
Now you’ve got a great handle on the basics of getting your oily summer skin under control – no sweat! Just make sure to keep up with your skin care routine to help keep that excess oil at bay. Stay diligent with your cleansing and moisturizing, and consider regularly exfoliating. Oh, and be sure to keep some blotting papers with you at all times, just in case!
Learn More:
Get Your Healthiest Skin Ever With This Trick
What is Exfoliation: How it Works and How to Do So Safely
3 Best (& Worst) Ways to Use Baking Soda in Your Beauty Routine
Sources
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941867
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025519
4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5172479
