Having oily skin can be frustrating for a man. Your face looks greasy only minutes after washing and you are more prone to acne. However, having oily skin is not all bad. For starters men with oily skin don’t have to worry about prematurely aging skin unlike men with dry flaky skin. So instead of hating your skin, you could try learning how to take care of it.
Dealing with oily skin is not easy. You have to be careful not to use products that could dry out your skin causing flaky skin which will eventually lead your skin to revert back to it’s oily state. Finding the right products for your oily skin is important as well as following a few guidelines to ensure your skin is healthy and well moisturized.
In order to make a change, it is important to understand the cause of your oily skin. Oily skin is caused by your sebaceous glands being overactive and producing an excessive amount of sebum. This in turn leads to your face looking greasy. In men, dihydro testosterone (DHT) is a major cause of this overproduction. The good news is that DHT production tends to lower as you get older thus older men are less likely to have oily skin. However, there are other factors that could be causing you to have oily skin. These include a poor diet, genetics, a hot humid climate or enlarged pores.
Now that you know the cause of your oily skin, below are some of the things you could do deal with it.
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Cleanse your face.
Cleansing your face removes the oil and dirt from your pores that has accumulated during the day thus preventing breakouts. For best results try to find a cleanser that is formulated for oily skin such as yours. Avoid harsh soaps since they could dry out your skin and cause your sebaceous glands to produce even more sebum. Instead, try to find a cleanser with natural ingredients. Activated charcoal or cleansing clay work well as they extract dirt from your pores. Try not to overdo the cleansing. Washing your face in the morning and before you go to bed will do. You can also add a quick rinse in the middle of the day. Use cold water which shrinks your pores.
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Exfoliate
Scrubs remove dead skin cells and oil from your skin leaving it smooth and clear. Experts recommend that you scrub your face 2-3 times a week as too much scrubbing can leave it dry. Use a gentle scrub to avoid redness and irritation to your skin.
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Moisturize
Having oily skin doesn’t mean you get to skip this step. A moisturizer is important for all skin types. Moisturizing your skin is an essential step after a cleanse or exfoliating. This is because a lot of products meant for oily skin tend to be drying. Using an oil free moisturizer returns moisture to your face helping you strike a balance between dry and oily skin.
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Stay hydrated.
Your body needs water in order for your skin to stay moisturized throughout the day. Otherwise your skin will dry out causing even more oil secretion to compensate. Take 6-8 glasses of water a day for your skin to stay well hydrated.
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Use a toner.
Toners correct your skin pH bringing it back to it’s natural slightly acidic state. It also reduces oil production. Use a toner after a cleanse for best results. It is also best to stay away from alcohol based toners as they can cause skin irritation.
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Change your diet.
Oily foods could be responsible for your oily skin. For this reason, you need to cut back on them. Instead try to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. As creating a balance between dry and oil skin is important, cut back on caffeine and alcohol as they cause skin dryness.
Any man with oily skin knows how frustrating it can be when you have to deal with acne all the time. These tips are guaranteed to help you deal with your oily skin. However, as with all remedies, it is important to be consistent with your routine for it to be effective.