Selecting a face wash for shiny, pimple-prone skin can be complicated. The skincare market is brimming with face washes and cleansers for oily skin, but are all of them effective? And will they suit you? If you need help narrowing down the choices, get started with this easy guide. Find tips on how to pick the right oily skin face wash along with suggestions to keep your skin oil-free!
Oily skin problems
Large pores, skin that gets greasy soon after cleansing, and the presence of acne are common indications of an oily complexion. Here, the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum—an oily substance that plugs the pores and hampers the natural shedding of dead skin cells.
As dirt, debris, and oil accumulate, clogged pores become environments where acne bacteria flourish. This is why oily skin is also acne-prone skin, marked by the formation of open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) as well as pimples. In severe cases, nodules and cystic acne may also appear.
To prevent acne and shine, you need a tailormade skincare routine. The first thing to do here? Zero in on a good cleanser for oily skin that will rid your skin of excess oil, dirt, and impurities.
How to pick an oily skin face wash
The beauty section of your favourite store probably has a rich variety of face washes for oily skin. But don’t just pick the first prettily packaged product you see. Focus your attention on finding the right one!
- Choose a mild cleanser.
Oily skin does not need an aggressive cleansing programme. Harsh face washes leave your skin dehydrated. To compensate, the sebaceous glands may produce more sebum. The result? Your skin ends up greasy soon after the cleanse.
A mild face wash for oily skin balances oil levels without stripping the skin dry. A gentle formula geared towards oily skin is no less effective in clearing the pores. When you go face wash shopping, keep an eye out for products with mild but power-packed ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil.
- Check the ingredient list.
First, check that the face wash is non-comedogenic—this means it will not clog the pores. Next, check the packaging for the list of active ingredients. For example, face washes containing salicylic acid are very effective in reducing oil levels and clarifying the pores. You could also look at cleansers infused with benzoyl peroxide to fight off acne bacteria.
Avoid face washes that are oil- or alcohol-based. These may increase sebum production and compound your struggle with grease.
Oily skin DOs and DON’Ts
- DO cleanse twice a day.
Reach for the face wash every morning and again at night. Rub a coin-sized amount of the product all over your moistened face, jawline, and neck. Work this in for 30 seconds to loosen up dirt and debris.
- DON’T cleanse constantly.
Multiple washes dehydrate the skin, leading to a subsequent rise in sebum production. If your face feels oily between washes, rinse with water or use oil absorbing sheets to soak up extra grease.
- DO use lukewarm water.
Very hot water may irritate the skin while cold water is less effective in clearing gunk from the pores. Lukewarm water occupies the sweet spot here. It is gentler on the skin and flushes out dirt more readily.
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DON’T ignore your acne.
Combat acne by adding a targeted product like Clearica Anti-Acne Cream to your skincare kit. Apply after face wash and toner to beat off acne bacteria, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation.
- DO exfoliate every week.
A good exfoliant sloughs away dead skin and clarifies pores. But too much exfoliation is a bad idea even on oily skin. If you get an exfoliating face wash, limit its use to once or twice a week.
- DON’T forget to moisturise.
Skipping moisturiser is a bad idea, for dehydrated skin gets oily faster. If creams make you greasy, opt for a lightweight gel- or water-based moisturiser to nourish the skin and balance the oil levels.
Listen to your skin!
Sometimes you may have to try out a few different products to find what works for you. Even then, your skin type could change with age, hormonal shifts, or even the climate where you live. So, you may have to swap out that face wash from time to time. Just watch your skin for clues. Learn to listen to your skin to achieve a shine-free complexion that simply glows with health!
Disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a recommendation or for diagnostic purposes. Please consult your dermatologist or doctor before acting on any of the information provided here.