Oil, also known as sebum, is produced by the sebaceous glands located deep within your skin. The oil reaches the surface of your skin through the pores, where it plays a vital role in the health of your skin and hair. It seals moisture in, keeping your skin hydrated, and giving your hair a healthy sheen.

Oily skin results when your sebaceous glands produce too much oil, and your skin and hair ends up looking greasy and even dirty. This problem tends to kick in around puberty, as hormonal changes stimulate oil production. Oiliness in your skin can also be brought on by stressful physical and emotional situations well after your teenage years. Women’s skin can be affected by the monthly cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, and the birth control pill.

So your skin is too oily for whatever reason. What do you do to get it under control? First you need to control the oil with gentle cleansing, not harsh products, which can irritate the skin and cause more oil to be produced.

This means you avoid the soap and water routine, as the alkalinity of soaps damages the protective acid mantle of your skin. (See Sep 13 article “Protecting Your Skin From Dryness – the Importance of the Acid Mantle”).

Look for cleansers that will remove excess oil, while preserving the natural fatty acids protecting your skin. You may need a more vigorous cleanser to cope with increased perspiration in summer, and a really gentle cleanser in the drier winter months.

A toner will help restore your skin to the correct pH, and reduce shine. Facial masks of clay or mud can help by drawing excess oil, impurities and dirt right out of your pores.

Don’t forget the importance of a moisturizer, particularly if you have older skin. Oil and moisture are different, and although the oil in your skin helps seal in moisture, it cannot replace moisture that is lost. Look for a light moisturizer designed for oily skin.

Remember the importance of a healthy diet, exercise and rest in contributing to your overall health, as well as the health of your skin.

For quality products designed for Combination to Oily skin click this link:

• http://www.nsedreams.com/pwp/productInfo.do?prodId=02100859

• Protecting Your Skin From Dryness - the Importance of the Acid Mantle

  The Skin’s Acid Mantle The acid mantle of your skin...

• The Dry Skin Problem

  Dry skin problems increase with age, but there are quality...

Tags: deep cleansing for oily skin, Oily Skin, problem skin, products for oily skin, stopping shine

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 27th, 2008 at 9:16 pm and is filed under Oily Skin, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.