How to treat oily skin

You want your hair and nails to be shiny, but your skin? Not so much. If you find that your forehead is shiny by lunchtime, you can blame your overactive sebaceous glands. They produce the sebum —or oil— that makes your skin look shiny and greasy.

You have probably noticed that the shine is worse across your T-zone (made up of your forehead, nose and chin). That is because your sebaceous glands are more concentrated in this area. The shine may also be worse in the summer months when you perspire more and sweat and oil are more likely to pool on your skin. Although we all struggle with oil skin from time to time, it is definitely a more common problem for those in their teens and 20s.

How to Minimise Shine and Prevent Oily Skin

The good news is there are several things you can do to prevent and minimise prevent oily skin and keep your skin mattified. Here is how to keep the shine in check:

• Cleanse. Cleanse twice a day — morning and evening. Resist the temptation to wash every time you see shine. Over-washing can backfire and.

• Tone. For extra shine insurance, follow with a sweep of toner. This helps remove excess oil along with dirt and makeup without stripping your skin of essential moisture.

• Protect. Don’t be afraid of moisturiser. It helps replace moisture lost during cleansing. Apply an oil-free, water-based moisturiser with a broad spectrum SPF in the morning to keep skin hydrated and protected from the sun.

• Moisturise. Moisturiser is equally important in the evening.

FAQ

1. What causes oily skin and where does it typically appear?
   
   Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that produce too much sebum. The shine is typically most noticeable across the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), where sebaceous glands are most concentrated, and can be worse in summer when perspiration increases.

2. Should you moisturise if you have oily skin?
   
   Yes — moisturiser is important even for oily skin, as it helps replace moisture lost during cleansing. The key is to choose an oil-free, water-based moisturiser with broad-spectrum SPF in the morning to keep skin hydrated and protected without adding extra oil to the skin.

3. How often should you cleanse oily skin and what should you avoid?
   
   Cleanse twice a day — morning and evening — but resist the temptation to wash your face every time you notice shine. Over-washing can backfire by stripping the skin of essential moisture, which can actually trigger the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil. Following cleansing with a toner can help remove excess oil and makeup without over-drying the skin.