Having struggled with oily skin since a young age, I know what a pain it can be. I’m always thankful when I find amazing makeup for oily skin. Not only do the right products keep the shine under control, they also help your skin, unclogging your pores and hydrating your complexion. If you want to know tips and products to use for an oil-free flawless look, read on!
What Causes Oily Skin?
Our skin needs oil. Natural oils are what keeps our skin soft and fresh, but when your skin produces too much oil, that’s when there can be an issue. Oily skin surfaces when too much sebum is produced within the pores. It’s often caused by genetics and hormones.
Fluctuating hormones can lead to increased androgen levels, which are one of the top causes of oily skin. Androgens are male hormones found in both males and females that lead to the maturation of the skin’s sebaceous glands. As these glands develop, oil production increases, leading to increased pimples, acne and blackheads on your skin.
Life events such as puberty and pregnancy can lead to hormone fluctuations, and your body’s reaction to these changes is dependant on your genes and hormones.
How Can I Prevent My Skin From Becoming Oily?
Wear Less Makeup
Heavy foundation can be a trigger for oily skin. Especially if you wear foundation in hot weather, it can melt into your pores and clog them, resulting in even more oil. Wear less makeup or lighter makeup to prevent this from happening.
Exfoliate Once a Week
Exfoliation is key to help combat oily skin. Use a gentle exfoliator with salicylic acid (try this one!) to fight breakouts without leaving your skin dry. Excess sebum leads to dead skin cells on your face, leading to pimples, acne and blackheads. Exfoliation will eliminate dirt and dead skin cells and renew your skin!
Don’t Skip The Moisturizer
If you want to keep oil production under control, moisturizer is key. Don’t confuse oil with hydration; your skin needs hydration. Find a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which balances oil and water in the skin. It will help prevent oil, while keeping your skin nice and hydrated!
Use An Alcohol-Free Toner Every Day
Using a toner daily will help regulate your skin’s oil production and eliminate dirt from your skin. Try one with rosewater to soothe your skin, shrink your pores and keep your skin pH balanced.
Don’t Touch Your Face Throughout The Day
Touching your face is one of the biggest culprits of pimples, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Your fingers have a lot of oils/sweat coming out of the pores, and just think of all the things you touch throughout the day – do you really want that on your face? Dirt, oil and bacteria build up on our fingertips, so quit touching your face!
Mind Your Diet
What you eat can also effect your skin. Spicy foods and cocktails may be delicious, but they can dilate your blood vessels, making you perspire. Instead, load up on foods high in vitamin A that can slow oil production. These include spinach, sweet potato, kale, carrots, and salmon.
5 Makeup Tips for Oily Skin
1. Always Prime Your Skin
Using a good oil-free makeup primer will help your makeup stay in place. Be especially careful to prime your oiliest areas! Apply it after you clean your face and before you put on your foundation and other makeup. Our favourite one is listed below!
2. Use Oil-Free Makeup
If you’re wondering what to use for oily skin, oil-free makeup is specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone skin. They won’t add extra shine to your skin, are lighter, and less likely to clog your pores.
3. Set Your Foundation With a Setting Powder
If you have oily skin, you should always set your foundation with a setting powder. It will help increase your makeup’s longevity, mattify your skin and reduce the appearance of oil. Use a translucent powder to absorb oil and set your makeup.
4. Always Wear (Oil-Free) Sunscreen
Sunscreen was always a big break-out trigger for me, until I made the switch to oil free sunscreen. Sunscreen is so important to control oil and shine, so make sure you wear it on the daily.
5. Use a Finishing Spray
Look for a finishing spray that’s mattifying to set your makeup and combat oily skin. Choose a spray that doesn’t have a lot of radiance to it, as finishing sprays can add extra shine to your skin.
Makeup for Oily Skin: 7 Drugstore Products We Swear By
1. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
This primer is formulated to stop shine for up to 8 hours and refine your pores! Use it under your makeup to ensure your skin looks flawless all day long. The lightweight formula won’t feel heavy or greasy, but will conceal imperfections and shine!
2. Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily Skin
This foundation is formulated with salicylic acid to control oil and provide a poreless finish. It’s formulated with SPF 15 and offers a matte finish, ideal for oily skin.
3. City Color Oil Control Matte Finishing Spray
If you’re looking for a good oil-free setting spray, this is the one. Enhanced with aloe vera, this long-lasting spray controls oil and deflects shine so you can go about your day without worrying if your face looks oily.
4. CoverGirl TRUblend Translucent Loose Powder
Enriched with natural minerals, this setting powder is key for keeping oily skin under control. You’ll get an even-toned, fresh complexion that will last all day!
5. The Beauty Box Brow Sculpting Pomade
The last thing you want is for your brow makeup to melt off throughout the day! This brow pomade sculpts your brows and will last all day on oily skin. Get fuller, thicker looking eyebrows with this super pigmented and oil-friendly brow makeup!
6. Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil Free Makeup Remover Wipes
Removing your makeup properly is just as important and using the right makeup. These ultra-soft oil free wipes dissolve makeup, dirt and oil and remove pore clogging impurities to give you a deep clean!
7. Pure Body Naturals Dead Sea Mud Mask for Oily Skin
This mineral rich mask exfoliates, detoxifies, and removes any buildup that clogs your pores. Infused with shea butter and essential oils, it employs deep tissue cleansing and stimulates circulation for a fresh complexion.
If you have oily skin, these tips and makeup products will help get rid of the shine!