Not only is oily skin the most common skin type of all, but it can be the most difficult kind to treat. You can experience shiny patches, redness, breakouts and a generally ‘adolescent’-looking complexion. Recent studies have shown that 40 – 50% of adults aged between 20 and 40 suffer from oily skin and low-grade persistent acne too. On the upside, oily skin tends to age more slowly than other types, so it’s only a matter of time before you’re surreptitiously flipping the bird at your haggard, wrinkly old mates.

The causes for oily skin range from hormonal imbalance, physical stress and genetics to a poor diet. And, if you’ve tried to treat oily skin before, you’ll know that a simple cleanse/tone/moisturise ritual isn’t quite as straightforward as it sounds. The wrong alcohol-based products can leave your skin taut, dehydrated and looking worse than it was to begin with; similarly, too harsh a routine can force your pores to overcompensate and produce even more oil. Remember, you don’t want to eliminate natural oils completely; you just want to regulate your skin’s production…

1. CLEANSE

Cleansing is first and foremost in tackling oily skin. Oily types tend to have pretty sensitive skin underneath all that grime and muck, so avoid any harsh, industrial-strength concoctions in the hope that they’ll solve your problem. The gentlest cleanser possible used with lukewarm water (to open you pores) two to three times a day is best. Find a happy routine that works for you and stick to it.

Lab Series Oil Control Face Wash is a liquid-to-foam formula that gets rid of the dead skin and oil that clogs pores and causes breakouts. Tests proved that the Lab Series formula reduced sebum on the skin surface by 83% in addition to improving clarity and smoothness.

When you’re on the go you can also cleanse with Lab Series Oil Control Towlettes or Dermalogica’s Skin Purifying Wipes, which are saturated with triclosan and salicylic acid – a chemical (as opposed to mechanical) exfoliant – that will protect the skin’s surface and prevent future breakouts.
 
 
 
 
 
         
 

2. TONE

Other skin types can get away with skipping the toning part of their daily routine but guys with oily skin should be disciplined with this stage, not least because they have gaping pores that need to be closed after cleansing. Fail to tone and you’ll run the risk of getting them clogged up again and before you know it you’ll be back at square one. We recommend Ole Henriksen Grease Relief Face Tonic if you’re still feeling oily after cleansing as it contains Lactic Acid and Golden Seal to both disinfect and calm skin.
Ole henriksen
  

3. MOISTURISE

Matthew Teri, Vice-President of Corporate Product Development at The Estee Lauder Companies says “Men tend to cope with excess oil by skipping their moisturizer, resulting in skin that is oily in some places and dry in others”. So, as with any skin type, a good quality moisturiser is a must, preferably one that has both an oil-free and lightweight formula. Heavy creams are best left to dry skin types, so opt for a gel like Lab Series Oil Control Daily Hydrator to keep skin balanced and counteract any shine. We know we’ve made this final point in just about every single Mankind blog to date but remember to use a full spectrum sunscreen with your moisturiser whenever you’re outdoors.

 
 

4. BLEMISH CONTROL

Nearly 103 million people worldwide suffer from blemishes and we’re willing to wager that the majority have oily skin. Breakouts happen because the sebaceous glands get plugged up with excess oil but – and this is the crucial bit - it’s the irritation that follows that makes zits unsightly. A decent anti-blemish gel will contain an antiseptic and a healing ingredient to reduce the redness and swelling. A bad anti-blemish solution may get rid of the zit but will inevitably dry out your skin and cause peeling. Our vote goes to Murad Recovery Treatment Gel (Redness Therapy) 50ml, which contains a natural but potent combination of Tea Tree, Marigold and Cedar Wood.

 

5. DEEP CLEAN

Get a thorough, deep clean with a clay mask once a week for an instant difference. Anthony Logistics Deep Pore Cleansing Clay Mask only takes about 10 minutes and uses Argil to suck all the impurities out of your skin. It also contains zinc, which offers antibacterial protection and naturally regulates sebum production. When you rinse the mask off, you’ll notice a cool feeling on the skin due to the removal of all the ‘insulating’ sebum.