If you have oily skin, you’ll already know the downsides: shiny patches, spots and large, conspicuous pores. You have over-active, oil-producing sebaceous glands to thank for these problems, along with male hormones which send them into overdrive. And if you suffer from oily skin, you’re not alone – it’s the most common skin type of all, especially in men whose skin is oilier to begin with.
Oily Skin: The Bad News
Under normal circumstances, your sebaceous glands play an essential role in lubricating your skin, protecting it from environmental damage by producing a lubricating oil called sebum. But an excess of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause them to produce an excessive amount of this natural oil. The result? Oily skin – and with it an increased susceptibility to spots, a problem that many men find worse during the summer when soaring temperatures stimulate sebaceous gland activity.
Oily Skin: The Good News!
It’s not all bad news though. For one thing, oily skin tends to be less prone to premature ageing because the oil protects it and keeps it supple. What’s more, the problems caused by oily skin tend to recede as we enter our mid-thirties when our skin’s activity begins to slow.
Until then, though, you’ll need a skincare routine that helps keep excess oil in check and reduces the blocked pores that lead to spots. You’ll also need to keep products that are designed for oily skin in mind, like oil-free moisturisers and products that contain ingredients to soak up excess oil and leave skin shine-free. Crucial to dealing with the problem of oily skin is to ensure that the excess grease is removed without stripping away the important natural lipids that protect the skin against environmental assault and damage.
Oily skin might be a pain, and even those with dry skin can be susceptible to the occasional oily outbreak, but there’s plenty you can do to keep the grease under control. For starters, consult Mankind to build a tailored skincare regime – one that not only treats oily skin, but also helps to prevent its re-occurrence.
How To Get Rid Of Oily Skin:
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Keep Your Skin Cleansed
Buy now with free deliveryKeep skin extra clean. Use a mild facial wash at least once or twice a day, and make sure you rinse it off thoroughly with lots of cool running water. And if oily skin is leading to spots on a regular basis then try using a medicated, anti-bacterial face wash or one containing peppermint oil like Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, which deeply cleanses to remove excess dirt, oil and impurities.
Make sure you check out the full range from Elemis by clicking here.
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Tone Skin to Close Pores
Buy now with free deliveryTry to avoid using very hot water on your face as this can sometimes make oily skin worse by stimulating further oil production. After cleansing use a toner like Aesop B & Tea Balancing Toner to close pores and balance skin.
The rest of Aesop’s skincare range is incredible too, discover more here.
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Moisturise to Avoid Skin Dehydration
Buy now with free deliveryJust because your skin is oily, that doesn’t mean it isn’t dehydrated, so use an oil-free moisturiser such as Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturiser to keep the surface hydrated and protected. Apply once a day after shaving. If the skin is oily on just the T-Zone (nose, forehead and chin), it is referred to as combination skin. For best results, products for oily skin should be used on this area and those for normal/dry skin on the rest of the face. It might seem a chore to use two sets of products but it does get results so is well worth it in the long run!
We’ve got a guide on creating a skincare routine for oily skin over on our blog.
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Choose the Right Shaving Product
Buy now with free deliveryShave with a gel rather than an oil or cream – try Clinique for Men Aloe Shave Gel. That’s because gels tend to be slightly more drying and will help absorb some of the grease from oily skin.
Don’t forget to check out the full range from Clinique over on Mankind.
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Use A Face Mask
Buy now with free deliveryTo keep outbreaks of spots to a minimum try a clay face mask once a week. Clay-based ones like Bulldog Oil Control Face Mask are best if you have oily skin as they’re highly effective at absorbing excess grease and grime.
We’ve got an extensive range of face masks over on Mankind if you want more choice.
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Avoid Picking Spots
Buy now with free deliveryOily skin tends to be extra-susceptible to blemishes but if you do get a spot don’t pick! If you do you’ll just spread the bacteria. Use a topical spot gel such as Murad Blemish Spot Treatment on affected areas instead.
Murad have a range of clarifying products that you might want to check out. Click here.
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Use a Face Scrub
Buy now with free deliveryUse a face scrub twice a week to prevent blocked pores. This is particularly important around the beard area where you often get a build-up of dead skin cells. Why not try out Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant.
You might be interested in the rest of our face scrubs, just click here to see more.
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Keep Oil Under Control
Buy now with free deliveryTo instantly reduce the embarrassing shine that accompanies oily skin, keep the skin matt with the help of a mattifying lotion like Clinique for Men Oil Control Mattifying Moisturiser. As they tend to absorb oil, it keeps your skin looking matt for a longer period. It’s essential if your skin tends to be on the greasier side.
Click here to see more from the Clinique for Men range.
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Blot Away Excess Oil
Buy now with free deliveryCarry some oil-busting pads with you, like Shiseido Pureness Oil Control Blotting Paper so you can combat oily skin ‘on-the-go’. They’re a great insurance policy allowing you to tackle any little ‘oil slicks’ as and when they appear.
Their full range for men is available here. Go check it out!
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Reduce Stress Levels
Buy now with free deliveryWhen you’re anxious your body releases hormones that speed up oil production. A spritz of Mio Skincare Liquid Yoga Homeopathic Space Spray should calm your senses, overall having a positive effect on your skin.
The full range from Mio Skincare is available here.