Summer brings sunshine, vacations, and outdoor fun, but for those with oily skin, the scorching heat can trigger excessive shine, enlarged pores, greasy patches, and pesky breakouts. The combination of heat, humidity, and increased sebum production can challenge even the most diligent skincare routines.
Fear not! This guide equips you with valuable strategies on how to get rid of oily skin during summer. We’ll explore the causes of oily skin, common summer concerns, and solutions to keep your complexion fresh and matte.
How to get rid of oily skin: On the way to get fresh and matte skin
Summer heat turns a healthy glow into unwanted grease for oily skin sufferers. Want to know how to get rid of oily skin with practical oily skin solutions tailored for daily use? Follow this.
Understanding oily skin in summer
Oily skin results from overactive sebaceous glands producing excess sebum. It is made worse by a person’s diet, drugs, hormone fluctuations, and genetics. Again, environmental factors such as hot weather and humidity worsen oily skin, which is intensified by sweating, UV exposure, and inadequate hydration.
Before we reveal the secrets to getting rid of oily skin, first, understand common summer skin concerns for oily skin.
- Acne Breakouts: Excess oil, sweat, and dead skin cells clog pores, leading to acne.
- Enlarged Pores: Moreover, increased sebum production stretches pores, therefore making them more visible.
- Pigmentation/Tanning: Uneven tanning due to oily skin can cause patchy pigmentation.
- Sun Damage: Oily skin remains vulnerable to sun damage, accelerating aging signs.
Proactive action, focusing on a balanced skincare routine and environmental control, can mitigate these issues.
8 tips to make skin less oily
Sun exposure, even minimal, can cause tanning. Embrace your unique skin conditions (some tan more easily than others) and explore these best skincare tips for busy schedules.
You can also check dermatologists’ Special skincare tips here:
1. Regular cleansing
My go-to solution for managing oily skin is consistent and thorough cleansing, which helps minimize pore clogging.
- Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser explicitly formulated for oily skin containing tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid.
- Avoid harsh soaps or detergents; instead, opt for glycerin-based alternatives to maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
- Don’t wash your face frequently. Overwashing strips natural oils, weakening the skin’s barrier against stressors and moisture loss. As a result, it increases sebum production.
2. About sunscreen
- Look for green tea, tea tree, and silicones in SPF formulas for oily skin.
- Opt for at least SPF 30 PA+++ and reapply every 2-3 hours.
- Use SPF-infused makeup compacts or setting sprays for easy sunscreen reapplication over makeup.
- Apply ½ teaspoons of sunscreen. If you feel sticky, choose non-sticky formulas, and remember to follow the 2-finger rule.
3. Blotting paper is handy
- Carry blotting paper for quick touch-ups without disrupting makeup, ideal for shiny T-zones (forehead, nose, chin).
- Tap gently on oily areas to remove excess sebum instantly.
- Consider drugstore brands or even plain tissue paper as a budget-friendly alternative.
- Avoid overuse, as it can remove essential oils and trigger more oil production.
4. Home remedies
- Natural face masks are cruelty-free remedies you can create with just a few ingredients like oatmeal, honey, aloe vera, egg whites +lemons, almonds, and cosmetic clay.
- Ice Water facials are part of my daily skincare routine. For improved blood circulation, dip your face in a bowl of ice water for 5-10 minutes or rub 2-3 ice cubes.
- Cucumbers, potatoes, and tomatoes are excellent for tan removal at home.
- Removing body hair can minimize sweating and itching.
5. No harsh exfoliation
- Gently exfoliate your face once or twice a week. Exfoliation unclogs pores, gets rid of dead skin cells, and prevents breakouts in your complexion.
- Choose gentle exfoliants formulated with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to help regulate oil production and prevent congestion.
- Exfoliate 2-3 times per week to avoid irritating the skin.
- However, over-exfoliating your face can damage your skin’s protective layer and strip away the essential oils and moisture from your skin. It may stimulate sebum overproduction.
6. Oil-free cosmetics
Use ingredients that control oil production in your daily skincare routine.
- Use oil-free, waterproof foundation, concealer, and powder to prevent clogged pores and excess oil.
- Opt for mineral-based makeup for a lighter feel and reduced shine.
- Lightweight primers make skin less oily
- Finish with a setting spray to keep makeup intact and prevent meltdowns.
- Don’t skip toners; they soothe your skin, minimize pores, and control oil. For acne-prone skin, consider essences with active ingredients like BHA.
7. Moisturize skin
Maintain skin hydration to regulate oil production and achieve a balanced complexion.
- Use an oil-free, lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin well-hydrated and unclog your pores. An SPF moisturizer kills two birds with one stone.
- Go for moisturizing products that have mattifying qualities to help manage shine all day.
- Try multiple options to determine what suits you best. Some might prefer a moisturizer after cleansing, while others can go straight to SPF moisturizer.
- Seek hyaluronic acid for adequate hydration without adding extra oil.
8. Practice good skincare habits
- There is no substitute for covering yourself, and no amount of sunscreen can give you that protection. Wear sun protection gear such as hats, umbrellas, and long sleeves to shield yourself from the sun.
- Avoid touching your face to prevent transferring bacteria and oil.
- Wash hands frequently, especially before applying skincare or makeup.
- To avoid bacteria and oil accumulation, use fresh pillows and towels.
- Stay hydrated with water, coconut, or lemon water, and shower twice daily.
- Avoid heat-y foods like spicy, oily fried food, protein shakes, etc. Consume cooling foods like cucumbers, melons, watermelons, and vegetables with high water content.
For optimal physical fitness, read the full article here – Choose the best midnight snacks.
A quick skincare routine overview
- Morning Routine
Salicylic Acid Cleanser – Niacinamide or azelaic-based Toner – Retinol Serum (optional) – Gel-based SunScreen
- Night Routine
Foaming Cleanser – Retinol Cream/ Adapalene Gel – Toner – Gel-Based Moisturizer
Conclusion
To sum up, developing a regular skincare routine is vital in managing oily skin and achieving a matte complexion year-round. Know the causes, fight the shine, and flaunt flawless skin all season! Now that you know how to get rid of oily skin, try our tips and let us know what worked for you. Stay matte, yet stay glamorous.
