Shiny, oily skin not only leads to large pores, white heads, black heads, and breakouts, it also attracts dirt and dust, which easily clogs pores and causes even more breakouts. Too add to the problem, oily skin also causes makeup to not last long, leading to numerous applications throughout the day, which can also cause breakouts. This never-ending cycle can seem hopeless, but there are solutions. There are numerous factors contributing to oily skin, like humidity, genetics, hormone changes, nutrition, pollution, and poor face care. Oily skin can be temporary, especially in humid, hot climates, or it can be a permanent problem. Either way, there are a ways to curb the oil in your skin, leading to a beautiful, shine free face.

• Confirm your skin type: Before altering any beauty regime, make sure it matches your skin type. Too harsh or too mild of soaps, moisturizers, and other products can exacerbate problems rather than fix them. To ascertain whether you have oily skin, there is a simple test: how many times a day do you feel you need to blot your face? If you have oily skin, anytime you blot, there will be moisture on the tissue, unlike dry or even normal skin types.
• Proper nutrition can help: Although it is an old wives tale that chocolate and greasy foods can lead to oily, acne-prone skin, it is true that what you eat affects your skin. A possible cause of oily skin is a lack of vitamin B5 and B2, so eating foods rich in these vitamins can counter the oily affects from the inside out. Nuts, beans and whole grains are great foods enriched with these vitamins, and lemons and kiwifruits have also been shown to help clear skin.
• Cleanse morning and night: Proper cleansing is important for all skin types, but it is especially vital for oily skin. Cleansing morning and night clears away excess dirt and oil that can cause breakouts. The best cleanser for oily skin is gel based, as it better absorbs excess oil. Look for a cleanser for oily skin to help ensure it won’t over dry your skin.
• Use a Toner: Toner, or astringent, is an important component of your skin care regime if you have oily skin. Toner lowers the skin’s pH and rids it of any excess oil and dirt. For most skin types, alcohol dries out the skin too much, but for those with oily skin it’s a great help. You only need to use it about once a week. The best type of toner is alcohol based with salicylic acid.
• Don’t forget to moisturize: Moisturizing might seem counter-intuitive if you have excess oil. However, many moisturizers contain sunscreen and important vitamins and minerals for skin health. Instead of skipping the moisturizer completely, find one that is light, oil-free, and specific to oily skin. Serums, retinoid creams, vitamin A creams and sulfur creams are great moisturizing, skin boosting properties.
• Use a mask: Masks, especially clay mud masks, are another way to rid the skin of excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells. Clay based masks are more gentle than chemical based masks. They also diminish the appearance of large pores, although they don’t actually minimize them, along with nourishing the skin.
• Exfoliate: Deep cleaning is important, and exfoliating is a great way to make sure your skin gets a good, deep clean. Exfoliating removes the excess dirt and dead skin cells, helping prevent breakouts. It also helps restore the balance of the skin’s natural oil production. Once a week is all that is necessary for exfoliating.
• To help your makeup stay longer on an oily face, follow these tips: Start with a primer after you’ve cleansed but before you’ve applied any foundation or powder. For eyes, use a primer made for eye makeup to decrease eye makeup creasing. When it comes to powder, only use it on the shiny areas, and only sparingly, as too much powder will increase oil production instead of cutting it down. Carry blotting paper with you to use throughout the day when you start to feel oily, but instead of rubbing, just gently blot. Invest in oil-free, long lasting makeup.

Follow these tips and you will notice a huge difference in your skin. Your body’s natural oil production will start to balance, leaving you with a radiant, glowing skin that isn’t too shiny.