What’s worse than the summer heat? The oily skin it brings with it, of course. And when that sweaty, greasy film on your face takes off all your makeup and sunscreen, it can be all the more annoying.
So with the help of our chief dermatologist Dr. Harish Koutam, an accredited member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) and Cosmetic Surgeons of India, we put together some skincare tips to keep the oil under control this summer.
What Causes Oily Skin In Summer?
Before we get to the tips, let’s discuss the reasons behind the overproduction of sebum in your skin. Your skin is made up of tiny pores, beneath which lie the sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oil called sebum that is required to maintain healthy skin.
But in hot and humid weather, the sebaceous glands tend to overproduce sebum, leaving the oily and greasy look on your face. Other factors like hormonal fluctuations and genes also lead the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum in an attempt to keep your skin hydrated. This may lead to acne breakouts.
6 Tips To Take Care Of Oily Skin This Summer
1. Use A Light Moisturizer
Moisturizers are a must for any skin type. But if you have oily skin, Dr. Harish recommends a light, gel-based moisturizer to prevent your face from turning excessively greasy by mid-day. Are you wondering why moisturizer is important when you already have enough oil on your face? Moisturizers hydrate your skin. They prevent overproduction of sebum, which may help prevent acne breakouts as well.
2. Keep Your Blotting Papers Handy
Now, this doesn’t mean that you go all out using blotting papers every now and then. Using them too much can draw out necessary oils required by your skin and trigger sebaceous gland activity. Gently dab the paper once or twice a day on the greasy parts of your skin to get rid of excess sebum.
3. Try Micellar Water
This new addition to the beauty industry has made summer-life much easier. It can be carried around and doesn’t need to be rinsed off. Micellar water is a good option to cleanse and wipe-off that excess oil and dirt built up on your skin.
4. Make Sure You Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be a mandatory part of your skin care regimen at any time of the year. UV rays of the sun can damage your skin. Use sunblock if you have excessively oily or acne-prone skin. This will prevent sun damage and breakouts.
Look for a broad-spectrum, oil-free sunscreen to prevent sun damage and clogged pores. Dr. Harish recommends using a sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF higher than 30 during summers. He suggests re-applying every two hours.
5. Don’t Keep Washing Your Face
Washing your face too often can eradicate your skin’s protective layer. This layer protects your skin from environmental aggressors and also keeps it hydrated. Over-washing can damage this layer, stripping away essential oils and moisture from your skin. This may trigger sebaceous gland activity, causing it to overproduce sebum.
6. Exfoliate, But Not Too Hard!
Exfoliate your face once or twice a week. This will help remove dead skin cells that may clog your pores, preventing acne breakouts. However, over-exfoliating your face can damage your skin’s protective layer. This may cause your sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum.
Now that you know how to handle the excess oil in summer, try our tips and let us know what worked for you.
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