FIGHT OILY SKIN
When someone says that you're looking slick, do you think "yeah, like an oil slick"? Oily skin can do serious damage to a girl's look. Unfortunately, during the teen years, oily skin is common, as puberty hormones can send oil glands into overdrive.
The good news is, there are ways to treat your oily skin. We've got tips to help you avoid over-drying your skin (a common problem), while cleansing it properly (a great defense against grease). If you've got body acne, try some of these techniques on body skin too. Also included at the end of this article are a few DIY beauty mask recipes to pamper your oily skin and leave it looking radiant.
Cleanse the Smart Way.
Cleanse your face at least twice a day with a mild, medicated cleanser to help prevent oil from clogging pores. Cleansers that contain salicylic acid will help to exfoliate pores and reduce greasy buildup. Products that work well to cleanse oily teen skin include Biore Blemish Fighting Cleanser, Cetaphil Facial Cleanser, Clearasil Daily Face Wash, Neutrogena Facial Cleanser or Cleansing Bar, Sea Breeze Foaming Face Wash, Stridex Face Wash and PHisoderm Skin Cleanser.
Don't wash your face more than twice a day, as over-cleansing can stimulate your oil glands to pump out even more excess oil. Cleanse gently with your fingers or a washcloth (whatever you prefer) and be gentle on your skin - don't scrub hard.
Tone Up.
Use an astringent (also called a toner) daily to remove excess oils. Don't use an alcohol-based products! If you strip too much oil from your face, the skin will overcompensate and produce even more oil. Use the toner once a day, in the morning after cleansing your face. Good products for teen skin include Biore Pore Perfect, Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent, Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Controlling Astringent and Sea Breeze Astringent.
To Moisturize Or Not?
If your skin is oily, moisturizing may not be necessary on a daily basis. However, if your face feels tight after washing, then apply a light, oil-free moisturizer . Avoid mineral oils and cocoa butter. Good products to try include Biore Balancing Moisturizer and Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer.
Use the Right Makeup.
When choosing makeup, be sure to buy oil-free products, especially foundation and blush. Makeup that is water based and noncomedogenic won't clog pores. There are also oil-absorbing foundations that help keep oil off the face. Look for these products at drugstores and department stores.
Take a Powder!
Instead of foundation, try using a transulcent powder instead that is formulated to soak up oil while providing coverage. Products to try include Almay Clear Complexion Pressed Powder, Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder and Maybelline Oil-Free Transluscent Powder.
Drink Water.
Keep skin hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. This will go a long way towards balancing the levels in your skin and giving it a better appearance.
Eat Right.
Reduce fats and oils in your diet. Try to cut out processed foods as much as possible - that means cutting out fast foods, frozen dinners and junky snacks. Try to increase your intake of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains, healthy foods which will help to balance your hormones and reduce your skin's oil production. Eating foods rich in Vitamin B (eggs, whole grain breads, spinach, yogurt) is especially good for reducing oily skin.
Be Smart About the Sun.
Watch your sun exposure. Although the sun may seem to dry your skin, too much heat actually stimulates the production of more oil. When in the sun, always use a sunscreen to protect facial and body skin. Use a sunscreen on your face that is not oil based (choose a gel or lotion, not an oil). Be sure to buy sunscreen products that have a minimum SPF of 15.
Butt Out!
If you smoke, stop. Your skin means well, but it will pump out extra oil to create a protective shield on your face from the harmful cigarette smoke. Plus, smoking will give you disgusting, deep wrinkles later in life, and reeking stink breath now. Ugh!
Steam Clean.
Steam your face once or twice a week. This is the beauty secret of many young Hollywood stars. Heat a kettle of water to boiling, and carefully pour the water into a plugged sink or a porcelain bowl (don't use plastic or it will melt!). Wrap your hair in a towel, or pin it back with barrettes to keep it out of your face. Then place your face over the bowl or sink of hot water, and hold it there for 5 minutes. (You don't have to get too close to the hot water, just enough so you can feel the rising steam "kissing" your pores). This is excellent for cleansing pores and loosening blackheads. Finish your treatment by rinsing your face with cold water.