While those with oily, acne-prone skin face their fair share of beauty woes, it would be wrong to conclude that the other skin types do not encounter problems. From over-scrubbing to skipping on moisturiser, you must have come across a range of myths surrounding oily skin that are far from true. While you may feel that it is tough to manage greasy, acne-prone skin, your over-active sebaceous glands may secretly be benefiting your skin.

Myth 1: Alcohol-Based Products Work Best on Oily Skin  

While alcohol-based formulas will strip the natural oils from your skin, they certainly will not improve your skin health in the long run. Contrary to popular belief, these potent potions will cause the topmost layer of your skin to become excessively dry, signalling your skin to over-produce oil to compensate for the loss of moisture.

Myth 2: You Must Wash Your Face Multiple Times in a Day 

Those with oily skin often consider over-washing to be a solution to combat oil production. Over-washing may do more harm than good. Dermatologists suggest that several acne cleansers with powerful surfactants such as sulphate can make your skin overly dry by interfering with the natural oil balance. Your sebaceous glands will overproduce oil to replenish natural oils, ultimately leading to clogged pores and flare-ups. Cap your face-washing to twice a day.

Myth 3: Blotting Paper Can Reduce Oil Production 

A blotting paper is a thin sheet that works to absorb oil from the surface of your skin, mattifying its appearance. Although, using blotting paper does not alter your skins natural oil production. While they are a quick and easy hack to get rid of excess greasiness on the skin, blotting papers are a temporary solution, having minimal or no effect on the amount of oil your skin produces.

Myth 4: Oily Skin = Acne 

Diet, hormonal changes, stress levels, liquid intake, and genetics are all factors that contribute to acne. In many ways, these determinants tend to go hand-in-hand. The excess sebum on the skin surface often clogs your pores along with dirt, dead skin cells, bacteria, and impurities. However, possessing oily skin in no way suggests that you will have to tackle acne as well.

Myth 5: If You Have Oily Skin, You Can Skip Moisturisation 

While lathering a heavyweight cream or lotion on greasy skin may not seem particularly pleasing, dermatologists believe that moisturisation helps regulate sebum production, increases the skin’s water content, and prevents moisture loss. As mentioned previously, if you don’t apply a moisturiser, your skin will compensate for the loss by producing an excess amount of sebum. Opt for a lightweight, non-greasy formula for hydrated, supple skin.

Summary

Can we use alcohol based products on oily skin?

It’s a popular belief that alcohol based products works best on oily skin. Perhaps, it will strip the natural oils from your skin. It will cause the top most layer of your skin to become excessively dry and hence your skin will over produce oil to compensate.

Can washing face regularly reduce the excess oil?

Dermatologists suggest that cleansers with suffactants such as a sulphate can make your skin excessive dry interfering with natural oil balance. Cap your face-washing to twice a day.

Can blotting paper reduce oil production?

Blotting paper does not alter your natural oil production. It is a thin sheet that works to absorb oil from the surface of your skin. Blotting papers are a temporary solution and eventually have minimal effect on the amount of oil your skin produces.

Does oily skin cause acne?

It’s a myth that oily skin cause acne. Diet, hormonal changes, stress levels, liquid intake, and genetics are all factors that contribute to acne. It’s the excess sebum with dirt, dead skin cells, bacteria and imputities that cause bacteria.

Mosturisation can increase oil production?

Dermatologists believe that moisturisation helps regulate sebum production, increases the skin’s water content, and prevents moisture loss. Opt for a lightweight, non-greasy formula for hydrated, supple skin.