Dealing with oily or acne-prone skin and trying to control it can be a constant mop-up operation. Oil absorbing sheets are great in a pinch, but there are a lot of things you can do to help prevent your skin from producing excess oil in the first place. If you want to find out how to get clear skin, continue reading for our best tips for healthy skin.
1. Drink more water
Experts recommend eight glasses a day - that’s about two litres. Drinking plenty of water is good for everyone but for those of us with oily skin, being properly hydrated means that our sebum glands will slow down production of oil. There’s a reason that this is our number one tip - even if you make no other changes, drinking enough water will go a really long way to getting clear skin as well as providing a whole host of other benefits.
2. Moisturise
It’s tempting to use harsh products that strip away the skin’s natural oils and call it a day when you suffer from oily skin. In fact, removing all the skin’s natural oil without replacing its lost moisture will cause your sebum glands to go into overdrive and make even more oil. Choose an oil-free formula that contains zinc or salicylic acid if you can, as these will rehydrate your skin without adding any grease.
3. Change your sheets
Even if you wash your face before you go to bed, your skin will still produce oil as you sleep which will soak into your pillowcase. Changing your sheets regularly means you aren’t constantly sleeping in yesterday’s oil. If your skin is extremely oily, try sleeping with a towel over your pillow and change it daily.
4. Change your diet
Eating lots of greasy and sugary foods can lead to oily skin and spots, so try to minimise these if you can. That being said, the occasional pizza won’t hurt so don’t feel as though you can’t treat yourself. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will also provide your skin with more of the vitamins and minerals it needs for a healthy, glowing appearance.
5. Exfoliate - but not too often
Make sure you exfoliate two or three times a week to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliating more than two or three times per week can irritate the skin, and lead to more breakouts and oilier skin than you started with. Remember to moisturise afterwards, too.
6. Hit the gym
Sweating can help get rid of toxins in the skin that can lead to breakouts, so hit the gym and get yourself moving at least 3 times per week. Combined with getting enough water and eating healthily, this will not only help clear your skin, but also make you look and feel better overall.
7. Try to avoid touching your skin
No matter how clean you think your hands are, if you are constantly touching your face you are transferring more bacteria onto your skin which can end up causing more breakouts.
This article is not meant to treat or diagnose. Please visit your doctor for advice about any health concerns you may have.