Introduction

Sisters! We all share this frustration: spending half an hour carefully applying makeup in the morning, only to have it melt off before lunch; just after touching up powder, looking in the mirror to find your forehead and T-zone shining again, almost like a mirror; most annoying are those visible pores that make us sigh every time we look at ourselves. As a veteran "oil fighter" who has battled with oily skin for twelve solid years, today I want to share some practical skincare experiences and exclusive tips to help you overcome these troublesome issues.

Know Your Enemy

When it comes to oily skin, it's really about our facial "oil fields" being too productive. We have many sebaceous glands in our skin, like tiny oil production factories. Normally, these factories produce according to the skin's needs, secreting just enough oil to protect our skin. But for us "oily-skinned beauties," these factories work like they're on steroids, causing our faces to shine constantly, especially when taking photos - with flash, our faces could light up the entire night sky!

According to the latest international dermatological research data, about 60% of young people globally struggle with oily skin issues. Among Asian populations, this percentage is even higher at 65%-70%. Feeling a bit better hearing these numbers? That's right, we're not fighting alone, but are part of a huge "oil field alliance"! In this alliance, everyone is working toward the same goal: saying goodbye to shine and achieving refined makeup.

Symptoms

Want to know if you have oily skin? See if these situations feel familiar:

After washing your face in the morning, it starts fresh and clean, but within two to three hours, the T-zone starts to shine. By noon, your entire face looks like it's been coated in oil, making you feel like you've just been pulled out of a deep fryer. Applying makeup is even more frustrating - foundation won't stay put, drifting everywhere, and your eyeliner ends up near your temples.

Pore problems are even more maddening, especially around the sides of your nose, where those obvious blackheads look like tiny volcano craters, making your heart sink. Most annoying are the pimples - just as one goes away, another eagerly pops up, like a real-life game of whack-a-mole. If you relate to these symptoms, congratulations, you're also a member of our "oily skin alliance"!

Understanding the Causes

When it comes to why we have oily skin, there's a lot to unpack. First, genetic inheritance plays a major role, about 40%. If both your parents have oily skin, unfortunately, you've probably inherited this "excellent gene." This can't be changed, just like you can't change your height.

Additionally, elevated androgen levels are another important factor, accounting for about 30%. This explains why our skin becomes particularly oily during puberty, as hormone secretion is abundant during this period. The oiliness before and after menstruation is also due to this reason, as hormonal fluctuations directly affect sebaceous gland secretion.

The remaining 30% comes from various environmental factors. For instance, do you often stay up until dawn? Do you particularly enjoy spicy snacks and barbecue? Do you have high work stress and frequent anxiety? These all stimulate the sebaceous glands, making them work overtime. Weather factors also play a role - in hot and humid environments, sebaceous glands secrete more actively.

Basic Skincare

Cleansing Section

Cleansing is absolutely crucial, but don't make the mistake I did years ago. I used to think that since my face was oily, I needed to wash it frantically, almost every two hours. The result? I damaged my skin barrier, making it red and sensitive, and oil secretion became even more intense.

Now I finally understand that the correct approach is to cleanse twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. When choosing cleansing products, you must select water-soluble, gentle products - don't be fooled by advertisements promising "super oil control" or "deep cleansing." From my personal experience, gentle amino acid cleansers are most suitable for us.

When washing your face, use lukewarm water, not hot water, as this will stimulate the sebaceous glands. Use your fingertips to massage gently, don't scrub like you're washing clothes - this will only damage your skin. After washing, hydrate immediately, don't let your skin feel tight.

Treatment Section

Many sisters might not know that toner selection is particularly important for oily skin. I strongly recommend toners containing salicylic acid - it's like a small cleaning crew for your skin, gently dissolving oil and dead skin cells in the pores. But be especially careful when first using it, don't use it daily right away as it can irritate the skin. It's recommended to start with 1-2 times per week and gradually increase frequency.

Advanced Skincare

Serum Selection

Regarding serums, there's truly a dazzling array on the market, with prices ranging from tens to thousands. But I want to tell everyone that expensive doesn't necessarily mean suitable. For oily skin, serums containing niacinamide (Vitamin B3) are an excellent choice. They not only regulate sebum secretion but also improve pore issues. Research data shows that using 5% concentration niacinamide can reduce sebum secretion by 30%-40% after 4 weeks of consistent use. That's really significant!

Besides niacinamide, salicylic acid serums are also a good choice. But the concentration must be controlled well - beginners should choose products with 2% concentration. If your skin is naturally sensitive, it's recommended to start with 1% concentration. It's best to use these at night, and sun protection is absolutely necessary the next day.

Moisturizer Usage

Many people with oily skin think, "My face is already so oily, why use moisturizer? Won't it make it worse?" This thinking is completely wrong! Actually, oily skin is most prone to dehydration, and lack of water stimulates sebaceous glands to secrete more oil to protect the skin, creating a vicious cycle.

When choosing moisturizers, select light, gel-type products. Those containing hyaluronic acid are better because hyaluronic acid provides excellent moisturization without clogging pores. My personal experience is that you can apply a slightly thicker layer at night, while a thin layer is sufficient during the day.

Protection Emphasis

Sun protection is absolutely crucial! Many people think that since they have oily skin, sunscreen will make their face oilier, so they often skip it. This is a major mistake! UV rays in sunlight stimulate sebaceous glands, making them secrete oil frantically, so not using sunscreen actually makes oil production worse.

When choosing sunscreen products, you must select oil-free formulas with SPF above 30 and at least PA+++. There are many sunscreen products specifically designed for oily skin on the market now, with light textures that aren't sticky and don't feel heavy. Many products also contain oil-control ingredients that help makeup last longer.

Remember, you need sun protection even on cloudy days. UV rays aren't visible, but they affect our skin constantly. If you work indoors near a window, you still need sun protection, as glass only blocks some UV rays.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Even the best skincare products won't be fully effective if lifestyle habits aren't improved. First, let's talk about diet - you really need to reduce high-sugar and high-fat foods like fried chicken, chips, and chocolate. Eat more foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, like carrots, broccoli, oranges, and kiwi.

Sleep quality is also particularly important. Late nights really damage the skin because 11 PM to 3 AM is the golden time for skin repair. If you're always watching dramas or playing with your phone during this time, your skin doesn't get a chance to properly repair itself.

Stress management is also a crucial aspect. Many studies have confirmed that stress stimulates sebaceous gland secretion. So learn to relax yourself through exercise, yoga, listening to music, or other methods to relieve stress. No matter how busy work gets, you need to give yourself some relaxation time.

Conclusion

Skincare is truly a long-term battle - don't expect to see results overnight. Like weight loss, it requires persistent dedication. But as long as you master the correct methods and maintain patience, your skin condition will gradually improve.

Remember, having oily skin isn't necessarily a bad thing - it has many advantages. For example, people with oily skin tend to have more elastic skin and are less prone to fine lines and wrinkles. With proper care, oily skin can become fresh and beautiful.

On the skincare journey, what we need to do is understand our skin, find suitable care methods, and stick to them. Don't be discouraged by temporary setbacks or be fooled by various advertising gimmicks. Believe in yourself - you too can have fresh, beautiful skin!

Feel free to share your skincare experiences or concerns in the comments section! Let's encourage each other and progress together on our skincare journey!