{SCA} Oily skin care is a difficult topic to address. On one hand you need a certain amount of oil on your skin to keep it healthy and young looking. Natural skin oils are necessary to prevent problems such as dry skin. Oily skin is also less susceptible to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, and freckles.

On the other hand, skin that is oily attracts more dust and dirt to the skin surface and excessive oil build-up can clog pores leading to problems such as acne breakouts. Oily skin leads to the development of larger than normal skin pores (often mistaken as acne scars) that give the skin a rough appearance. Therefore, because oily skin has some advantages, but also disadvantages, proper skincare (especially on the face) is a challenge.

Here are some basic rules for oily face  skin care:

1. Wash your face twice a day, every day with a good skin cleanser. This is the easiest way to get clear skin and prevent blemishes, since dirt is easily attracted to oily skin. Do not wash more than this though–if you do, you are going to strip too much oil from your skin and that will only make things worse. If you are wearing makeup, make sure to use a makeup remover before you wash your face. Wet your face with warm water, cleanse, and then rinse with cold water.
2. Following cleansing, use an astringent or acne-fighting cream to help balance out the skin. This will help prevent pimples and acne problems. If using an astringent, be sure it is not an alcohol-based one and use it only once a day, this will strip too much oil from your face. Acne creams can be used twice a day, depending on their strength.
3. Whether or not you need to use a moisturizer daily is up to you. If your skin feels overly dry after you wash and apply an acne treatment or astringent, then a moisturizer would be a good idea. Avoid moisturizers with cocoa butter and minerals oils, instead, look for a light, oil-free version, also labeled as noncomedogenic.
4. Once a week, use a clay mask to help clean deep down into your pores. This is a great oily skin treatment because it will help to clean off any extra oil and dead skin cells. Again, be sure to use this only once per week, or you skin will increase its oil production to compensate.
5. Sunscreen is still important! This is one of the best skin care tips–especially for oily skin care. If you do not have at least SPF 15 in your moisturizer, then make sure to find a sunscreen that is formulated just for the face. Gel versions are the best for those with oily skin.

Don’t worry, just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing makeup if you so desire. Many cosmetics companies have product lines that specifically cater to those with oily skin. Look for oil-free foundations and loose powders. Using a makeup primer product can help to keep oil at bay and your makeup in place for hours. Applying loose powder throughout the day can help to keep your makeup looking fresh while absorbing any extra oil from your skin.