MEN'S GUIDE TO SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OILY SKIN
Managing oily skin can be a challenge, but with the right men’s skincare routine, it’s possible to keep excess oil at bay and maintain a healthy, clear complexion. Men's skin is about 20% thicker than women's and naturally produces more sebum (oil). While thicker, oily skin helps maintain a healthy skin barrier and reduces fine lines and wrinkles as we age, but there are also some downsides.
Men with oily skin tend to develop a greasy shine, particularly on the forehead and nose, known as the T-Zone. They are also prone to clogged pores, blackheads, and acne. These issues can become more noticeable without a proper men’s skincare routine. A skincare routine for oily skin with the best men's facial care products can help combat and minimize oily skin, keep pores clear, and reduce breakouts for a healthier-looking, clear complexion.
Understanding Oily Skin
Oily skin is characterized by an overproduction of sebum, the natural oil produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. While sebum helps protect and hydrate the skin, excess sebum can lead to clogged pores, acne, and an overall shiny appearance. Common cause of oily skin include genetics, hormonal changes, diet, and even stress. Understanding the root cause of oily skin helps in choosing the right men’s skincare products and skincare routine for oily skin to keep it under control.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Cleanse Twice Daily - Choose a gentle, natural face wash for men. Cleansing twice a day, morning and night, helps remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities that can clog pores and cause breakouts. Look for cleansers containing salicylic acid to help control oil production and prevent acne. Avoid harsh bar soaps that can strip your skin of its natural oils, raising its pH and causing increased oil production
Do Not Over-Cleanse - It's a common myth that washing your face more often helps with oily skin. Over-cleansing can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to produce even more oil to compensate in order to restore pH balance. Stick to cleansing twice a day with a gentle, pH-balanced men’s face wash to maintain your skin's natural balance.
Exfoliate Regularly - Exfoliation is key to keeping oily skin under control. Use a gentle men’s face scrub 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Opt for a gentle physical face scrub or a chemical exfoliant with beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, which penetrate the pores and help reduce oil buildup. Regular exfoliation keeps your skin smooth and allows men’s face moisturizers to absorb deeper.
Use a Toner - A toner helps balance and restore the skin’s pH and remove any remaining impurities after cleansing. Choose an alcohol-free toner with nourishing ingredients like witch hazel, niacinamide, glycerine to nourish skin, help tighten pores and reduce oiliness without stripping the skin. Consider a toner with 1-2% salicylic acid to help combat excess oil.
Moisturize Daily - Even oily skin needs hydration. Use a lightweight, oil-free antioxidant men’s face moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without adding extra oil. Look for non-comedogenic ingredients that won't clog your pores. For daytime, choose a moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin from sun damage. For nighttime, opt for a nourishing moisturizer to replenish and revitalize the skin.
Use Sunscreen - Protecting your skin from the sun is essential, regardless of your skin type. Opt for a broad-spectrum, oil-free sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Gel-based or matte finish sunscreens are excellent choices for oily skin, as they provide protection without adding shine.
Treat Acne - If you’re prone to acne, incorporate a treatment product into your routine. Spot treatments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can reduce inflammation and minimize breakouts. urth’s Post Shave Elixir with salicylic acid is an excellent choice for these problem areas.
Additional Tips for Managing Oily Skin
Choose the Right Products: Opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products to prevent clogging your pores.
Drink Water & Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside out, which can help regulate oil production. Aim for at least 32 ounces of water a day and avoid excess coffee, tea, and sugary beverages that can dehydrate the skin.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and water can help regulate oil production. Avoid excessive consumption of greasy or sugary foods.
PORE CLOGGING INGREDIENTS TO AVOID FOR OILY SKIN
We’ve put together a short list of pore clogging ingredients that might be worth steer clear of if you have oily skin and prone to acne.
PETROLEUM JELLY
It's very thick, sitting on the surface of the skin and can suffocated the pores, leading to oil and dead cell buildup that can ultimately turn into a pimple.
COCOA BUTTER
Although coco butter has beneficial properties to moisturize the skin but it is also high in oleic acid, a fatty acid, which tends to be more comedogenic and puts it at a high rating of 4 on the comedogenic scale. An alternative that's just as moisturizing but won't clog pores is shea butter, which is non-comedogenic.
COCONUT OIL
Rated 4 on the comedogenic scale. While coconut oil can be pore clogging, you would have to see where it is on the ingredient list. If it is lower on the list, it may not affect your skin. However, if you are prone to acne then it might be best to skip it.
SILICONE
Even though silicones are a 1 on the comedogenic scale they can still potentially cause pimples in some, especially if you are prone to acne.
LANOLIN
Lanonin has a rating of 4 on the comedogenic scale making them highly comedogenic. Lanolin comes in many versions. The two most likely versions to consistently clog pores regardless of your skin type: acetylated lanolin and acetylated lanolin alcohol.
MARULA OIL
Coming in at 3-4 on the comedogenic scale, theoretically not suitable for those prone to acne.
PORE CLOGGING INGREDIENTS CHECKER
A quick google search will reveal that there are a plethora of skincare companies and clinics with their own pore clogging ingredients list. They also have online apps to rank where the specific ingredient falls on the comedogenic scale to help you make more informed decisions on your men’s skincare choices. A word of caution is to use these tools as a general guideline and make your final decision based on the product's over all formulation.
Putting your best face forward doesn’t have to be complicated. Men with oily skin should start with a simple skincare routine for oily skin. Start with the holy grail of men's skincare products: face wash for men, a face scrub for men and antioxidant men's face moisturizer at night. Let your skin get use to the products (typically 3-4 weeks) then add new products like green clay mask and hydrating face mask to level up your skincare routine for oily skin.