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HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE OILY SKIN

Unsure whether you're dealing with oily skin? Oily skin shows up as excess shine, particularly in the T-zone, and a tendency towards breakouts and blemishes. To help determine your skin type, we've provided a rundown on how to tell if you have an oily skin type, and how to tailor your skincare routine to manage it.

oily-skin

WHAT IS OILY SKIN?

Skin generally falls under five major skin types: normal, sensitive, dry, combination and oily. Oily skin types are characterised by an excess in sebum produced by the sebaceous glands, leading to a shiny, greasy appearance. Given the increased chances of clogged and enlarged pores, his skin type is also more prone to breakouts.

Sebum is an essential part of the skin’s moisture barrier, and sebum production itself is a necessary factor in the skin's overall condition. But too much sebum production in addition to being frustrating to manage, can be indicative of an imbalance in the skin. 




SIGNS OF OILY SKIN

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF OILY SKIN?

VISIBLY LARGE PORES

If you’re able to distinctly see your pores, especially around your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), you likely have naturally enlarged pores. Large pores are more likely to clog and cause a buildup of oil on the skin's surface.

BREAKOUTS

There are many causes of acne-prone skin, but of all the skin types, oily skin has a higher chance of clogging pores which is a common cause of blemishes. If you’re more prone to blemishes, it might be a sign of oily skin. 

SHINY/GREASY COMPLEXION

The main visual indicator of oily skin is a shiny, greasy appearance that’s hard to manage. Your skin may appear notably shiny when you use oil-based products and skincare, and you may notice the skin is especially greasy-looking in the afternoon when sebum production is at its peak. 




DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE

IDENTIFYING OILY SKIN: DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE

If you’re still unsure about whether or not you have an oily skin type, there are ways you can test your skin at home.

clean face fast

CLEAN FACE TEST

  1. Start with your normal cleansing routine
  2. Pat the skin dry and wait for 30 minutes—don’t apply any other products, as you want to observe your skin’s default behaviour. 
  3. After 30 minutes, look at your skin in the mirror.

Your skin's appearance after cleansing should provide insight into your skin type.

  • If your skin appears shiny and oily, you likely have naturally oily skin.
  • If you only notice an oily T zone, but the skin feels dry around the cheeks, you have combination skin.
  • If your skin feels tight after cleansing, you may have dry or sensitive skin.
  • If your skin neither feels overly tight nor overly oily, you have normal skin.

If you don't notice any visible oiliness, you might need to look to other factors to determine the cause of your oily skin.


BLOTTING PAPER METHOD

  1. Follow the same process as the clean face test; cleanse the face, pat dry and wait for 30 minutes. 
  2. Gently press blotting sheets around all parts of the face
  3. Wait for a few seconds before holding the blotting papers up to the light to check for oily markings.

If the blotting papers soak up oil from all areas of the face, you likely have oily skin. If the sheets patted on your T-zone are oily, but your cheeks show no excess oil, you may have combination skin.

Combination skin types have slightly different needs, so if you've noticed oil production is only a problem around the T zone, look for a routine that balances the skin texture with both hydration and oil control.


SPEAK TO A DERMATOLOGIST

If you’re still finding it hard to manage excess sebum production, it’s a good idea to speak to a dermatologist for tailored advice. A dermatologist will be able to better assess your skin and recommend what skincare products to use to manage excess oil.


MANAGING OILY SKIN WITH SKINCARE

Once you've identified that you have oily skin, you can better understand how to manage excess oil production. In addition to lifestyle factors, you can manage oily skin with a tailored skincare regime. Here's a brief outline of your oily skincare routine.

  1. Opt for a gentle cleanser to help remove excel oil without stripping the skin's moisture barrier. We recommend the Effaclar + M Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser.
  2. Follow cleansing with astringent toner, like the Serozinc Toning Mist, which helps to tightens pores and maintain skin pH levels.
  3. Apply serums containing active ingredients suited to oily skin, like salicylic acid, niacinamide and LHA. If you have oily and blemish-prone skin, the Effaclar Anti-Acne Salicylic Acid Serum is a good choice.
  4. Skin hydration is imperative to managing excess sebum production. Keep the skin hydrated with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser like the Toleriane Dermallego Fluid Lightweight Moisturiser.
  5. Proper sun protection is vital to maintaining the skin's moisture barrier and protecting from harmful UV rays. The Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen is a non-greasy sunscreen the doesn't leave the skin feeling oily.*
  6. For something extra, purify the skin using the Effaclar Anti-Acne Purifying Clay Mask 2-3 times a week to remove any build up of dead skin cells for a more even skin tone. 
*ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.


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