Getting Straight to the Point

Sisters! Today I want to talk about a problem that has troubled me for over 20 years - oily skin! Every morning after carefully applying makeup, before noon, I see a "glowing" face in the mirror. The T-zone is so oily it could be a mirror, cheeks look like they've just been deep-fried, and foundation starts melting... Do these problems sound familiar? As someone who has struggled with oily skin since childhood, I've stepped into every pitfall, and today I'm sharing all my hard-earned experience with you without reservation!

Causes of Oily Skin

Speaking of oily skin, so many sisters are troubled by it! A previous poll on Weibo showed that over 80% of girls are bothered by oily skin. So what exactly makes us "human oil fields"?

Dermatologists tell me it's mainly because our sebaceous glands are overactive, producing much more oil than normal people. Interestingly, this trait is largely genetically determined. My mom often says I inherited this oily skin type from her, leaving me to silently accept this fact. However, I later discovered that besides genetics, our lifestyle greatly affects oil production.

Staying up late, stress, and irregular eating habits all increase skin oiliness. I remember when I was rushing an important project, staying up every night, my skin was so oily you could fry an egg on it! But after adjusting my sleep schedule, the oiliness improved significantly.

Actually, oily skin isn't entirely disadvantageous. I have a friend who's 35 this year, but because of her oily skin, she looks much younger than her peers, with barely any wrinkles. This is the magic of oily skin - sebum can lock in moisture well, keeping skin elastic. So sisters, don't be too upset, this might be heaven's "anti-aging gift" to us!

Scientific Skincare

Basic Cleansing

Cleansing is absolutely crucial! But regarding cleansing, I really need to correct a super common misconception. Many girls think that because their face is oily, they need to scrub it with the force of a washboard, believing this is the only way to clean off all the oil. Oh my goodness! This is simply torturing your skin!

I remember doing this when I first started college. I would scrub hard every time I washed my face, using super strong cleansing products, leaving my skin tight and shiny afterward. I was actually pleased thinking this meant it was clean, but what happened? My skin got oilier, pores got larger, and pimples kept popping up. Later when I saw a dermatologist, they said this was typical over-cleansing, which had damaged my skin barrier, stimulating sebaceous glands to produce more oil to protect the skin.

The correct cleansing method should be to choose gentle water-soluble cleansing products and wash your face twice daily, morning and night. Water temperature should be maintained at around 25-30 degrees Celsius, as too cold or too hot will stimulate sebum secretion. Gently massage with your fingertips for 1-2 minutes, being as gentle as you would with a baby's face.

I now particularly like amino acid cleansers, which are gentle but thorough in cleansing. After washing, there's no tight feeling, but the oil is indeed cleaned away. By the way, washing time should be controlled to about 60 seconds, as longer times can irritate the skin.

Treatment with Essences

Speaking of essences, that's really a deep rabbit hole! I used to think that because my skin was oily, I shouldn't dare use any skincare products, fearing they would make my skin oilier. Looking back, I was so naive! Oily skin needs appropriate treatment products the most to balance oil secretion.

After years of exploration, I've found that products containing salicylic acid are absolute saviors for oily skin! They can gently dissolve oil in pores and help regulate sebum secretion. After using it for a while, I noticed significantly less shine in my T-zone, and my pores became more refined.

However, you need to be careful with how you use salicylic acid. I suggest starting with products around 2% concentration, using them 2-3 times per week. Gradually increase frequency once your skin adapts. Never start with high-concentration products daily, as this can cause skin sensitivity.

Besides salicylic acid, niacinamide is also a great choice. It can regulate sebum secretion and improve enlarged pores. I now regularly alternate between products with these two ingredients, with great results.

Light Moisturizing

Speaking of moisturizing, many people with oily skin might think: I'm already so oily, do I still need moisturizer? This thinking is completely wrong! Oil and water are two different things, just like how drinking soda won't quench your thirst, excess sebum production can't supplement water content.

I used to think my skin was oily enough and completely skipped moisturizing, resulting in increasingly worse skin. Later I learned that when skin lacks water, it actually stimulates sebaceous glands to produce more oil to lock in moisture. So moisturizing can actually help control oil!

When choosing moisturizing products, look for those with light, refreshing textures. I especially recommend gel-textured moisturizing products, which are oil-free, quickly absorbed by the skin, and provide excellent hydration. After using them, your skin feels really comfortable, like having drunk a big glass of water.

My current moisturizing routine is this: after essence, I first use a refreshing toner, then a gel-textured moisturizer. This ensures my skin is fully hydrated without feeling stuffy or uncomfortable.

Advanced Care

Sun Protection Focus

The topic of sun protection really can't be emphasized enough! Especially for oily skin, it's absolutely essential among essentials. Because sunlight stimulates sebaceous glands, making already oily skin even oilier, and can also cause skin to become rough and dull.

I've learned this lesson the hard way about inadequate sun protection. Last summer, I forgot to apply sunscreen once and was in the sun for half a day. As a result, my skin was extremely oily for the next week and broke out with several pimples. Since then, I keep sunscreen in my bag, office, and even car to ensure I can reapply anytime.

When choosing sunscreen products, texture is especially important. Oily skin is best suited for light, non-greasy sunscreens, preferably oil-free formulas. There are many sunscreens specifically developed for oily skin types on the market now, with super light textures that don't feel sticky at all.

Regarding SPF, doctors recommend products with SPF30 or higher for oily skin types. And remember, applying sunscreen once isn't enough - you need to reapply every 2-3 hours. I now carry sunscreen spray with me, which makes reapplication very convenient without disturbing makeup.

Oil Control Secrets

Oil control can be said to be a lifelong pursuit for those of us with oily skin! Over the years, I've summarized many practical tips, which I'll share with everyone today.

First, let's talk about how to use oil blotting papers. Many people just rub them back and forth on their face, which easily smudges makeup. The correct way is to gently press the paper on oily areas, letting it naturally absorb excess oil. After blotting, you can lightly press with a powder puff to make foundation more seamless.

Then there's a trick I figured out myself: apply a super thin layer of setting powder on oil-prone T-zone areas before applying sunscreen and foundation. This creates a barrier that can delay oil breakthrough by several hours. I often use this method at work, and it works really well.

Foundation choice is also very important. Oily skin types should choose matte foundation liquids, not overly moisturizing products. When touching up makeup for important occasions, don't directly layer on more foundation - first use oil blotting paper to remove oil, then pat on a small amount of foundation with a powder puff.

Lifestyle Advice

Even if you choose the right skincare products, without improving lifestyle habits, the effects will be halved. Over the years, I've found that many seemingly unrelated lifestyle habits actually affect oil secretion.

First is the water issue. Many people think drinking water isn't related to oil production, but research shows that people who maintain adequate daily water intake have significantly less skin oil production. I now keep a large water bottle in the office, taking sips frequently, which both quenches thirst and helps control oil.

Second is sleep schedule. I've noticed that whenever I stay up late, my skin is especially oily the next day. This is because staying up late leads to hormone imbalance, which affects sebaceous gland function. So now I try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, going to bed before 11 PM, and my skin condition has indeed improved a lot.

Exercise is also very important. Moderate exercise can promote blood circulation and help skin metabolism. I now go to the gym 3-4 times a week, mainly doing cardio. Although you sweat during exercise, as long as you clean properly afterward, it actually helps control oil.

Stress management shouldn't be ignored either. When stressed, the body secretes more cortisol, which stimulates sebaceous glands. So I now pay special attention to managing my mood, making sure to take time to relax no matter how busy work gets. You can listen to music, read books, or chat with friends.

Regarding diet, try to avoid overly greasy and spicy foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and dietary fiber. I particularly like eating tomatoes, as their lycopene content helps improve oily skin.

Finally, I want to say, don't feel bad about having oily skin. Each skin type has its characteristics, and while oily skin has its troubles, it does have better anti-aging abilities. The important thing is to learn to coexist peacefully with your skin type and find suitable care methods.

After years of exploration and trying, I've finally found skincare methods that work for me. Although my skin still gets oily, I can control it well now. I hope these experiences can help sisters who are also troubled by oily skin. Skincare is really a process that needs to be figured out slowly, so everyone must be patient!

Oh, next time I plan to share the best masks for oily skin, so interested sisters remember to follow me! See you in the comments!