Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Oily Skin Type

Oily skin is caused by glands that produce too much sebum, resulting in skin that has a greasy slippery texture, appears shiny and is frequently has large, clogged pores. Oily skin types are prone to develop acne, a condition resulting from sebum trapped inside the skin and causing pus-filled lesions known as comedones. Despite these drawbacks, oily skin generally remains younger looking and more supple over time than other skin types. Oily skin benefits from periodic herbal steam treatments and clay masks.

Oily skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

  • Wash your skin twice a day with a cleanser containing tea-tree oil that reduces sebum production and also works as a antiseptic, antibacterial agent.
  • If you skin is extremely oily (e.g. oily even after basic cleansing), you can follow with alcohol-based toner with salicylic acid. Most people should avoid alcohol-based cleansers and toners due to the drying effect of alcohol. However, for extreme cases of oily skin, it may just do the trick.
  • Generally, people with oily skin shouldn't moisturize. If you feel you have to, apply non occlusive, non comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer after cleansing.
  • Use oil-free, non comedogenic sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

If the above steps are insufficient and you are still producing too much oil, try treatments that reduce sebum production. They include topical vitamin A creams (retinol, retinal or retinyl palmitate), sulphur creams, azeleic acid and retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene). Retinoids and high-strength sulfur creams require a prescription. If your oil problem is so bad that you are considering prescription treatments, you should probably see a dermatologist anyway.

Some people with oily skin may benefit from a clay/mud mask once a week.

Next Article: Sensitive skin type Recommendations……

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