Dealing with oily skin can be challenging, especially when certain products can make it even oilier and cause breakouts and imperfections. Knowing what to avoid is crucial to helping your skin breathe and keeping it looking its best. Here are 15 things you should never put on your face if you have oily skin.
1. Heavy Creams
Thick, heavy creams are your number one skincare enemy when it comes to oily skin. Creams that contain rich emollient ingredients like mineral oil, lanolin, glycerin, shea butter, and petroleum can clog your pores and exacerbate oil production. Instead, opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers, such as gel and water-based formulas, that hydrate without leaving a greasy residue.
2. Alcohol-Based Toners
While it may seem like a good idea to use alcohol-based toners to dry out excess oil, it actually has the opposite effect. Rather than dry out oil, they can strip your skin of its natural moisture, causing it to produce even more oil in retaliation. Choose a herbal toner with soothing ingredients like witch hazel instead.
3. Harsh Scrubs
Abrasive scrubs can irritate your skin, increasing oil production and breakouts. If you have oily skin, avoid these harsh, abrasive scrubs and stick to gentle liquid and enzyme exfoliants to prevent skin damage. Glycolic acid is an exfoliant that doesn’t tear and damage oily skin.
4. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is another big no-no when it comes to oily skin. Whilit’s excellent for dry skin; when petroleum jelly hits oily skin, it creates a thick barrier that can trap oil and bacteria, leading to clogged pores and acne. Even oily skin needs hydration, but if you want to moisturize without overloading, opt for a lightweight gel or water-based formula instead.
5. Silicones
Silicone, found in many primers and foundations, is not suitable for oily skin and can ruin your entire makeup look. This is because silicones can trap oil and bacteria in your pores, leading to breakouts and bad-looking makeup. Look for products labeled “non-comedogenic” and opt for water-based items to avoid this issue.
6. Heavy Makeup
You must be careful with your makeup choices and techniques when you have oily skin. Layering on heavy makeup, especially matte foundation, can clog your pores and cause the skin to produce excess oil, which is the last thing you want to trigger. Choose lightweight, oil-free makeup products that allow your skin to breathe.
7. Coconut Oil
While coconut oil is excellent for dry skin, itit’sar too heavy for oily skin and can clog pores, leading to breakouts. Like petroleum jelly, coconut oil is a recipe for disaster as it will settle on the skin rather than be absorbed by it. If your skin needs extra hydration, go for lighter hydrating products like jojoba oil, squalane, and hyaluronic acid.
8. Waterproof Makeup
Waterproof makeup can be a great way to ensure your makeup stays put throughout the day. However, the downside is that these products can be difficult to remove and often require harsh cleansers that can strip your skin. This can increase oil production as your skin compensates for moisture loss. Avoid waterproof makeup if you struggle with oily skin.
9. Fragranced Products
Though oily skskiisn’t’trone to irritation, certain things can aggravate your face and cause your skin to overproduce oil. Fragrances in skin care can irritate oily skin, increasing oil production and breakouts. Opt for fragrance-free products to keep your skin calm and balanced.
10. Oil-Based Sunscreens
When you have oily skin, the last thing you want to do is introduce even more oil. This is why oil-based and heavy mineral sunscreens are a nightmare for oily skin. These sunscreens can leave a greasy residue on your skin, exacerbating oiliness and clogging pores. Instead, use a mattifying, oil-free sunscreen to protect your skin without adding shine.
11. Hot Water
Hot water can damage our hair, our skin and can even aggravate oily skin. Washing your face with hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, which leads your skin to panic and create excess oil. To keep your oil production down, stick to lukewarm or cold water to maintain a balanced oil level and keep hydration locked in when cleansing your face.
12. Thick Concealers
As a general rule of thumb, if you have oily skin, steer clear of any thick, heavy products on your face. One example of this is thick concealers, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts on oily skin. Choose a lightweight, oil-free concealer that provides coverage without suffocating your skin.
13. Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a common ingredient in skincare products like moisturizers, cleansers, and ointments, but it can be too heavy for oily skin, leading to clogged pores and increased oiliness. Look for products with lighter, non-comedogenic oils instead. This will keep your skin shine-free and will help you avoid excessive oiliness.
14. Face Oils with Comedogenic Ingredients
Not all face oils harm oily skin, but those with comedogenic ingredients like coconut or palm oil can clog your pores and cause breakouts. If you want to use a face oil, look for one that features ingredients like argan or rosehip rather than comedogenic ones, which can exacerbate your oil issues.
15. Occlusive Moisturizers
Occlusive moisturizers like Vaseline and heavy cold creams create a barrier on your skin that can trap oil and bacteria, leading to clogged pores. Also, these moisturizers do not work to hydrate the skin, which is essential for those who deal with excessive oiliness. Opt for a gel-based moisturizer that hydrates without suffocating your skin.