It Is Possible to Make Your Skin Less Oily By Following These Steps

The famous Shakespearean quote goes: Some are born great, others achieve greatness, and still others are forced to be great. If you substitute good skin for greatness, the saying holds great meaning for me. 

Whenever others compliment my complexion, I grin like a kindergartener who was told she held scissors correctly (and that she was walking, not running) by her teacher. It might sound vain and superficial, or even slightly psychotic, but I am not ashamed of it. In fact, Im proud. Despite the fact that I worked for the skin I have now, even though it is far from perfect, it is less oily and acne-prone than the skin I had when I was a kid.

Despite my pimply and oily days in the past, I haven't forgotten them. They still linger in my mind, and whenever I see the hint of a breakout forming, I still experience a wave of stress and anxiety. I wanted to share some key things I've done that have helped my skin go from being ultra-greasy to pleasantly dewy so it might help anyone who is struggling with an oily T-zone. But if you suffer from oily skin and are shaking your fist at the sky and screaming, Why me?! you might find some useful information ahead.

Let's get started. Keep reading to find out how I trained my skin to be less greasy by following these tips.

You'll likely find sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate in many of the cleansers and shampoos you use. A cheap detergent and surfactant that cleans your skin and hair while giving you that satisfying bubble lather is all you'll need. 

Here's the thing: They're way too harsh for your skin on your face, and could be making it worse. If someone uses something that is too drying, their bodies will go into overdrive and produce more oil as a result of the excess oil elimination.

On my journey to good skin, I realized I shouldn't reach for products marketed for oily skin because they're often loaded with sulfates. It's important to avoid sulfates for people with oily skin because they can cause more irritation, which can lead to more acne. Skin can be dried out by sulfates found naturally in foaming agents.

Most traditional foaming cleansers contain sulfates, so it's really about doing your research and going out of your way to find a sulfate-free cleanser.

Also, people who wear a lot of eye makeup should double cleanse first with an oil cleaner.

And guess what? A dehydrated person is lacking in moisture and hydration. If you lack oil, you're dry. It's two separate things.

Hyaluronic acid serum morning and night calms and soothes my otherwise-temperamental complexion because it keeps my skin healthy and hydrated. Therefore, believe me when I say: Moisture is your friend, not your enemy.

A year ago, I experienced a strange breakout on my forehead consisting of small, poppable bumps. I would pile on concealer every week, hoping and praying it would disappear, as it would appear every few weeks without any warning.

Since speaking with my doctor, I've taken alcohol out of my skincare routine, and my skin feels less oily and more vibrant as a result. If you read your product's label, you'll find that alcohol, also known as benzyl alcohol, SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, is just plain bad for your skin, regardless of whether it's oily or dry.

In addition to being drying (unsurprising), it can actually weaken your skin over time if used consistently. Alcohol is bad for oily skin because it can enlarge pores, and alcohol-based products can cause skin to appear greasy. Alcohol damages the protective surface of the skin and depletes its natural nutrients. Additionally, it can stimulate oil production at the base of the pores, causing them to produce more oil.

One major trap is the use of alcohol in products marketed towards oilier skin types or touted as light and easily absorbed to give that quick-dry, weightless finish people love. I have found the hardest part is focusing on the ingredients and ignoring the marketing hype. No amount of clever marketing can replace the ingredients. I will not touch products that list alcohol in the first five ingredients, no matter how grand the promises (if it is near the end of the ingredients list and it is from a brand I love and trust, I may make an exception).

You must work hard if you don't have naturally perfect skin. The past five minutes of my evening routine used to be spent doing my skincare, which I did as quickly as possible.

Every week, I looked forward to my mask and indulged myself, either relaxing in the bath or cuddling up in bed with a good book while I awaited its effects.

If you have oily skin, you want to get rid of the oil. It is vital to have the oil there as a natural barrier against the elements. Oil breaks down oil, so you shouldn't shy away from oil cleansers.

When you have oily skin, using the right oils is essential because the correct oils balance the skin and regulate sebum production. Healthy oils include Jojoba oil, which prevents moisture loss, and Chaulmoogra oil, which has fatty acids.

Today, I embrace moisturizing masks, essences, and lightly hydrating skincare products with open arms, and my skincare has never looked better.