Whilst many skin care ranges offer alternatives depending on your skin type, it is often the case that there isn to alot of difference between the formulas for oily skin, dry skin and combination skin alterntives.
The hormonal changes that occur in our bodies as we reach puberty mean that it is very common to have an oily skin type at this age. Generally, for most of us, our skin tends to dry out as we get older as the production of sebum oil reaches a high during adolescence and slowly decreases with age, this may be an advantage for those of us who suffer with an oily skin type. Hormonal imbalances during the menopause and pregnancy means that some women may experience an increase in the level of sebum oil produced at this time.
Many people have skin that is dry, or normal, in some facial areas, and oily in others, generally the area we refer to as the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). This skin is referred to as a combination skin type.
Oily and combination skin types are mainly influenced by: Skin care products and cosmetics Hormone levels Pregnancy and brith control pills Heredity Humidity and hot weather
Cleansing your Oily Skin Try and avoid cleansing creams since they are often too harsh and dry out the skin. Choose pure soaps that have few or no artificial additives, or try a lightly medicated lotion. Oil-based products, although seemingly a bit ironic to use on oily skin, do actually prove to be quite effective in reducing and removing excess sebum from the skin.
Oily skin requires careful cleansing with warm water to prevent the pores from being clogged. As already mentioned above, avoid harsh products that will strip your skin of oil since this can bring about a reaction known as reactive seborrhoea, where the sebaceous glands increase production in response to the loss of natural oils. Avoid alcohol-based products since these tend to strip too much oil from the skin. Try and limit the number of times you wash each day since overwashing can bring about reactive seborrhoea. While products that tend to leave oily skin feeling dry may seem beneficial, this can actually be detrimental since it can cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink which restricts oil flow through the pores leading to blockages and complications of the pores.
Skin care for oily skin Take care not to rub soap into the skin during cleansing since this can cause clogging. Massage the facial area with your fingertips in an outward and upward motion. Use a clarifying mask one or two times a week and a light antiseptic night cream from time to time if you suffer with acne, but these should be used sparingly. Use an oil-free moisturizer for oily skin to help maintain a shine-free complexion.
Before applying makeup, use an antiseptic day cream with active ingredients that diminish sebaceous secretions. Look for benzyl peroxide in the list of active ingredients. Choose cosmetic and oily skin care products specifically designed for oily skin, such as foundation for oily skin.
