Oily skin types are very frustrated with their skin type. Because somehow it disables them from using makeup for a long duration. It does not just affect makeup, there are more problems rooted with oily skin. The face appears excessively shiny.
Pores get clogged due to excess oil on the face. It becomes very difficult to deal with oily skin types. Most of the products become unsuitable. Some may over dry the face while others might not be suitable at all and lead to more oil production and acne.
Choosing the right product becomes very crucial for oily skin types. A face wash is the most basic and first step of skincare, so selecting the right face wash becomes more ideal, as it reflects how the rest of the skincare would work. If you select the right face wash for oily skin that is able to clear and balance out the oil then skin becomes suitable for other skincare products and makeup.
There are some points you need to consider while selecting a face wash
In This Article
Understanding sebum production
Sebum is the skin’s natural moisturizing secretion which is produced by the sebaceous glands. It is necessary for skin’s barrier function and hydration. When these glands get overactivated due to some reasons it leads to excess production of sebum which can make the skin appear weirdly shiny.
It leads to clogged pores as well when it gets mixed with dead skin cells, dirt, makeup and other impurities on the face. This becomes a suitable environment for blackheads and other acne breakout.
The factors that can trigger excess oil production are:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Diet
- Stress
- Pollution
- Over exfoliation
- Environmental factors
This is the reason behind oily skin and we need to find a right face wash for improving the skin.
Choosing the right formulation
For getting actual results you need to be considerate about the kind of formulation you are selecting. If you select cream or oil cleanser it would make your skin worse as they can stay behind and get accumulated on the face which causes more oil. Also some might dry out the face completely.
Instead go for:
- Gel cleansers: Gel cleansers are ideally advised for oily skin due to their light texture and non greasy approach. They are mostly water based. Gel formulation gets easily absorbed into the skin and delivers targeted action. The ingredients of a gel formulation when go deep into the pores help in clearing the excess sebum effectively.
- Foaming cleanser: Foaming cleansers are gel or liquid based and foam a rich lather when applied to the face. They have an airy, light and soft lather which usually does not stay behind and leave residue and cleanse the oil properly by dissolving hard oil plugs from the skin.
Selecting the right ingredients
The choice of ingredients becomes the most important and crucial step, you need to select the ingredients that really help in controlling the excess oil from the face. Also the ingredients must be able to balance the sebum levels without drying it out completely.
Here are some ingredients that help in controlling sebum:
Salicylic acid: This oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid is a beneficial ingredient for oily skin because:
- It dives deep into the pores by crossing oil barriers and cleanse.
- It wipes off the excess oil from the pores by loosening the hard plugs of oil.
- It also becomes ideal for clearing dirt, dead skin cells and other impurities from the pores.
- It helps in regulating the sebum properly. It clears it out without drying the skin completely.
Niacinamide: This vitamin B3 is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps oily skin by:
- It helps in controlling the excess sebum effectively from the skin by regulating the overactive sebaceous glands.
- It helps in wiping off the excess oil from the surface without completely drying it.
- It helps in controlling the shine and enlarged pores when used regularly.
Zinc PCA: It is combination of zinc and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid that helps oily oily skin:
- It directly targets the sebaceous glands that produce sebum and controls it.
- It inhibits the enzyme that sends signals for sebum production.
- It also hydrates the skin due to PCA presence.
Tea tree oil: This naturally derived oil helps oily skin by:
- It helps in clearing the oil from the surface.
- It also helps in controlling acne causing bacteria.
Other things to consider while choosing a face wash
While selecting the face wash for oily skin consider following factors as well:
- Non comedogenic: Choose face washes that are non comedogenic, this means they do not clog the pores. Clogged pores form acne and blackheads.
- pH level: The suitable pH for skin is light acidic so select a face wash with pH range 5.5-6.5. This is a suitable pH range for oily skin types.
- Avoid harsh ingredients: Avoid ingredients that strip away the skin’s barrier protection and leave it dried out. Also avoid heavy oil and butter ingredients that can clog the pores.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right face wash for oily skin requires effort. You don’t have to select the first face wash you see which states oil control. Choose the right formulation like a foaming cleanser which is light on the skin and controls oil. Selection of ingredients matters the most.
Choose the ingredients that are beneficial for oil control and do not leave the skin dried out. Build a routine around such a face wash and be consistent to achieve results.
