Everything You Need To Eliminate Oily Skin This Summer - Easy Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you know that when summer comes around, it only increases the amount of oil our skin produces. Even if you don’t have oily skin, most people do experience more sweat and oil from their pores simply because the weather is warmer and we spend more time outside. It can be frustrating to deal with, and it only adds to the amount of acne and breakouts we experience during the summertime. And for those of us who wear makeup, it can be hard for anything to last all day on skin that overproduces oil.
So if you’re looking for an easy, but effective, skincare routine for oily skin this summer, keep reading to see what ingredients and products we recommend to keep excess oil at bay and keep your skin super clear!
What causes oily skin?
First, it’s important to understand what causes oily skin in the first place so we can learn to reduce the amount of oil our skin produces.
Everyone’s skin produces sebum, which is a waxy (and oily!) substance that hydrates and protects the skin’s surface. However, skin that overproduces sebum is what leads to what we know as oily skin, which can also contribute to acne, breakouts and clogged pores. Click here to read our blog post all about pores. There are many factors that can explain why you could have oily skin, and these are some of the most common:
Over-drying your skin: Believe it or not, using drying skincare products that strip the skin of its natural oils and sebum can actually cause oily skin. It actually makes a lot of sense - when you dry out your skin, it causes your pores to increase sebum production to make up for lack of moisture, thus causing oily skin. That’s why oily skin types should always use moisturizer, even if it feels counterintuitive. Lightweight and hydrating moisturizers will do well for oily skin.
Genetics: Many people with oily skin likely have family members that also have oily skin.
Age: Younger skin, especially when going through puberty, produces more sebum. That’s why as we get older our skin tends to become drier with age.
Location: More on this below, but where you live can also determine if your skin is on the oilier side depending on the climate.
Why does your skin feel oilier in the summer?
As we mentioned earlier in this blog post, our skin tends to feel oilier in the summertime. Where you live also plays a factor in oily skin - those in warmer, humid climates might have more oil than those in cold and dry climates. According to Forbes, “"Over the summer, temperatures and humidity levels rise. These environmental changes encourage the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. This leads to undesired facial oiliness.” This explains why many of us are suddenly experiencing oilier skin as summer heats up.
What types of ingredients should people with oily skin look for in skincare products?
Now that you know what causes oily skin, let’s talk about what types of ingredients people with oily skin should look for when choosing a skincare product and routine. And remember, while your skin might be oily, it’s still important to keep your skin hydrated to avoid excessive sebum production.
Retinol: Considered a holy grail skincare ingredient, retinol can be found both over the counter and in prescription form from your dermatologist. With the ability to speed up cell turnover, retinol helps unclog pores and remove old dead skin cells that are clogging up the pores. Talk to your dermatologist to see what form of retinol is best for your skin type.
Hyaluronic Acid: Remember how we said that oily skin still needs to be hydrated? If you haven’t heard of this superstar hydrating ingredient, you should definitely add it to your rotation. Lightweight and found in many serums and moisturizers, hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient for the summer time.
Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide can help calm inflammation and support collagen production. Some users also report it can help with reducing the production of excess oil and help lighten some dark spots, too.
Salicylic Acid: This is a superstar ingredient for oily skin. Functioning as a BHA (beta hydroxy acid,) Salicylic Acid breaks down dead skin cells and gets deep into your pores to help unclog and clear out dirt and debris. It can also help eliminate blackheads and whiteheads that are commonly seen in oily skin types. Since it’s a chemical exfoliant, you do need to be gentle when starting to incorporate this ingredient into your skin care - don’t overdo it at first, and of course, make sure to use a moisturizer with SPF after using this product.
Oily skin skincare routine for summer
We’ve put together an easy, but effective skincare routine for you to treat oily skin this summer. With these targeted ingredients, you can help eliminate excess oil and help keep breakouts and clogged pores at bay.
Step 1: Cleanse
It’s very important for oily skin types to keep their skin clean and clear of dirt, makeup, pollution and other grime that can clog pores. Cleansing day and night will also help clear away any excess oil. Our Better Bean cleansing scrub is great for the morning, while our Macchiato Foaming Cleanser will help clear away daily dirt and grime in the evenings.
Step 2: Tone
After cleansing, prep your skin for the rest of your skincare with a soothing and hydrating toner. Using a toner in your routine helps to remove makeup and cleanse the skin, reduces the appearance of pores and preps your skin to better absorb serums and other products.
Step 3: Treat
This is the perfect time to use either retinol or chemical/physical exfoliant based treatments to target acne and help cell turnover. We recommend asking your dermatologist which form of retinol works best for your skin, but for a great exfoliant that will help unclog pores and reveal smooth skin - you’ve got to check out our exfoliating peeling gel.
Step 3: Hydrate
Don’t forget to keep your oily skin hydrated! This moisturizing cream was made for oily skin and has hyaluronic acid, one of the best ingredients for oily skin.
Step 4: SPF (morning)
Always use an SPF in the morning, especially if you are using retinoids or chemical exfoliants. Look for a lightweight SPF so you don’t clog pores, and you can wear it under your makeup.
Step 5: Weekly Treatments
Doing a clay mask once a week can help unclog the pores and clear up any dirt and grime from the skin. We love our Magical Beans Magnetic Mud Mask for a weekly deep clean.
Now you have everything you need to reduce oil production and enjoy smooth, healthy skin this summer!
