Grappling with excessively oily skin can be a daily nuisance. You can start your day feeling cleansed and polished, with your hair styled and beard trimmed to perfection, only for your complexion to have succumbed to its greasy clutches a few hours later.
But what causes oily skin and how do you tell if you have oily skin?
Well, we’ve composed this guide to equip you with all you need to know to keep your complexion looking shine-free all day long. Rest assured that while you can’t necessarily cure oily skin, it’s more than possible to control and regulate it. Knowledge is power, after all.
What is Oily Skin?
Oily skin, is typically characterised by enlarged, open pores, a greasy complexion and excessive shininess.
Another typical sign of oily skin is the appearance of texture, blackheads, and acne, as bacteria can build up and sit in the oils on your skin’s surface. If this accumulation of grease and dirt is left uncleansed, your skin is likely to develop blemishes and imperfections.
If you feel like you're losing the fight against spots, explore our guide to shaving with acne.
However, for all the carnage it can cause to your complexion, oiliness is an extremely common skin problem that is simple to rectify. With the right skincare routine and the best products, you’ll be able to enjoy a matte free in no time.
What Causes Oily Skin?
So, now we’ve established what exactly it is, let’s focus on what causes oily skin. This type is largely caused by the overproduction of sebum from your sebaceous glands. These glands are located within your hair follicles, which means that they can be found all over your body.
It’s important to remember that you do need some sebum on your skin to act as a natural moisturiser. What we’re aiming to tackle here is excessive oil- when your skin becomes so greasy, it becomes hard to ignore.
While we all have these pesky sebaceous glands in our skin, the rate at which they produce oil differs from person to person, and the amount of oil they secrete depends on a range of environmental, hormonal, congenital and lifestyle factors. This means that establishing a skincare routine tailored to your specific needs and concerns is a must.
How to Tell if You Have Oily Skin
Before we get to our oil-reducing skincare routine, let’s establish how to tell if you have oily skin:
- Does your appearance become gradually shinier over the course of the day, even after showering or applying your regular products?
- Does it become slick, or even wet to the touch?
- Are you prone to breakouts - especially around your nose and chin?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these, you may well have an oily complexion.
If you feel as though your skin is disproportionally greasy in comparison to the women in your life, there is a reason for this and it lies within your biology. Men are more likely to suffer from excessively oily and greasy skin as they tend to sport naturally larger pores and ticker dermal layers.
So, if you’ve been putting off implementing a proper skincare routine, consider this guide an intervention.
Does Oily Skin Age Better?
For the many issues that oiliness can pose to your skin, there is an unexpected perk to this particular condition. The oil - or sebum - acts as a natural moisturiser, which can help prevent the formation of wrinkles and lines. So, as your extra oil can keep the signs of ageing at bay, you can relish in the thought that you’ll come out on top compared to your dry-skinned companions.
Oily Skincare Routine for Men
The part you have all been waiting for! Remember that it can take time to curate a routine that is specific to you and your skin’s needs. However, the following regime serves as a solid basis onto which you can put your own spin.
Step 1: Shaving Preparation
We recommend you begin your routine with a hot shower to provide your skin with a clean base and to allow the follicles of your face to soften and prepare for shaving. Apply the Gillette Skin Ultra Sensitive Facewash with plenty of warm water. If you’re looking for a face wash that includes a little nourishment if you have a beard, the Gillette King C. Beard and Face Wash is your solution.
Massage your chosen cleanser into your face for a minimum of thirty seconds, to ensure any stubborn grime is gone. Pat your face down gently with a clean towel.
Then, Generously slather your stubble with shaving gel before going in with your razor. Our Gillette Labs Rapid Foaming Shaving Gel or the Gillette King C. Shaving Gel are the ideal options for this stage, as they will help to curb any additional irritation your oily skin may experience when shaving.
Step 2: Exfoliation is Key
Exfoliation is the process of gently scrubbing away the top layer of dirt, skin cells, and oils from the surface of your face, and can be the key to grease freedom. Though we recommend applying an exfoliating cleanser or scrub two to three times a week, our Gillette Labs Razor with Exfoliating Bar is a revolutionary tool that ensures a precise shave and offers mild exfoliation in one, allowing you to tame your facial hair and remove daily build-up simultaneously.
Step 3: Moisturise
After shaving and exfoliating, it’s time to rehydrate your skin. Finish by applying the Gillette King C. Moisturiser onto your skin.
Step 4: Hygiene is Key
You can also keep oiliness at bay by keeping your razor sharp and your towel clean and fresh. Reducing the amount you touch your face can also aid the quality of your skin, as you’re preventing additional dirt coming into contact with your face.
And there you have it! The ins and outs of oily skin, and the many ways you can help to manage this skin type. If you’re looking for more tips on how to look after your skin and sharpen your shaving skills, check out our blog.
Or, if oily skin doesn’t pose a threat to your complexion but you’re plagued by dry patches and texture, explore our guide to dry skin!
