Do you have oily skin? Are you wondering how to cure it, and what could be causing it? Well, the simple answer would be that people who have oily skin simply have excess sebum, an oily substance that protects and hydrates the skin. The cause is often down to a combination of hormones and genetics.

According to Medical News Today, oily skin is a result of the sebaceous glands in the skin producing too much sebum, which can result in clogged pores, a shiny appearance, acne, and blemishes. Although some doctors will recommend prescription drugs to help remove this excess oil, there are several other approaches that can help deal with oily skin.

Pay Attention To Your Skincare Regime
The first and most obvious point would be to wash the face regularly to reduce oil. Although attention should be given to the products used, and soaps with fragrances or harsh chemicals should be avoided. Instead, opt for a gentle, PH balanced cleaner. Individuals with oily skin can benefit from ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid.

Do not scrub the area with a rough face cloth, or anything that will cause friction and result in the skin producing more oil.

Superdrug also notes that over-cleansing can be just as bad. The reason being that it can cause dryness, which will “stimulate sebum flow,” and therefore result in even oiler skin.

Use Toners, But Not Every Day
Medical News Today also recommends using a natural astringent toner, such as witch hazel, which can have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Although the publication also notes that the reaction to toners differs from person to person, and toners should be tested on a small patch of skin first.

Cosmopolitan also reports that toners should not be used every day, and the use of toner should be limited to once or twice a week.

Don’t Skip On The Moisturizer
It may seem counterproductive to use moisturizer, but according to Cosmopolitan, it is one of the biggest mistakes people make because it is necessary to “keep the skin's barrier intact." That said, not just any cream will do, and those with oily skin need to choose products that are lightweight and contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Makeup Shouldn’t Clog Pores
Cosmopolitan notes that when choosing makeup, individuals with oily skin should choose foundations with lighter textures and products that are designed for “oil control” or “mattifying" purposes.

And although it will not serve as a treatment for oily skin, blotting papers are great for cosmetic purposes and can be used to soak up the excess oil.

_{[Image via Shutterstock]}