Oily skin is caused by an overproduction of sebum, an oily substance made of fats that come from the sebaceous glands under your skin’s surface. Sebum isn’t bad—it helps protect and moisturize your skin and keeps your hair shiny and healthy. But too much sebum can lead to oily skin, which can cause clogged pores and acne.
While many things can contribute to oily skin like genetics, stress, and hormone changes, the bottom line is oily skin can be quite the nuisance. Luckily there are some things you can do to combat oily skin and to make sure the only thing shining on your face is your smile!
1. Don’t use skin-drying products
While your instinct may be to use facial products that dry out your face, this can work against you. Stripping your skin of moisture can lead to the overproduction of oils, making your skin even more oily. Instead, opt for gentle, mild, cleansing products, and don’t skip your moisturizer.
2. Drink spearmint tea
Organic spearmint tea can reduce your blood’s levels of circulating androgens, hormones that trigger oil gland production. By drinking two cups of spearmint tea per day, you can limit the number of androgens, so there’s less oil production and less risk of acne.
3. Use retinol
Retinol, made from Vitamin A, boosts the production of elastin and collagen in your skin, which can be helpful in combating signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. But retinol can also help shrink sebaceous glands and reduce oiliness. If you’re just getting started using retinol for the first time, you may notice a very brief increase in oil production, but that will quickly go away and improve your overall oiliness with continued use.
4. Use a silk pillowcase and eye mask
Sleep is a critical time for your skin—your skincare routine is hard at work overnight, and sleep helps your skin heal itself and rebuild its natural barrier. But if you’re still sleeping with cotton pillowcases, you’re spoiling all that hard work due to the absorbent nature of other fabrics. Silk, on the other hand, is not as absorbent. This means that all the moisture in your skin stays put throughout the night, so your oil glands won’t overproduce oil.
5. Find an alcohol-free toner
Toner is a powerful weapon in your skincare arsenal, but is your toner doing more harm than good? Some toners out there can dry the top layer of your skin if they contain alcohol or vinegar. Instead, opt for toners with natural astringent properties (like witch-hazel) that also contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe.
6. Do a weekly clay mask
Clay is a magical thing. Its skin benefits have been enjoyed for centuries, and it has remained a very popular treatment to this day. But why is clay so good for oily skin? Well, it can be great for targeting oiliness because it acts like a sponge, absorbing all the excess oil from your skin. Not to mention your skin will feel silky smooth afterward. We recommend clay masks with French green or bentonite clay, as they are the most absorbent.
Don’t have a silk pillowcase or silk eye mask yet? No worries! We have the best selection of 100% luxurious silk in gorgeous colors you’ll love. Find your new favorite silk item on our website!
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