Curious about how I overcame oily skin and breakouts? So let me go through in short the journey which brought me to the process of understanding the core of how to achieve clear skin.
Having oily skin and battling breakouts can often be a lifespan event. I recall mornings in which I woke up, adjusted my hair in a mirror and saw a radiant face looking back at me — sometimes disturbed by unwarranted pimples. To say that was exasperating would be an understatement. I also tried countless products, high-end serums to drugstore cleansers, and nothing worked. Every failed attempt just made me more frustrated and insecure.
Through a process of trial and error, I finally came across a few go-to routines that changed the way my skin looked. My first lesson was that knowing my skin type was key to choosing the correct products and treatments. In this article, I’ll share why I was able to outgrow the oily skin and breakouts and my piece of advice on having clear skin, to help you on your journey to having the same! Little tips and tricks in your skincare regime for oily skin!
Regardless of whether you’re dealing with clogged pores, stubborn acne, or the occasional pimple, these tips can help you get your skin back in control and your confidence up. Also, you are not alone on this journey, and clear skin is possible with the right approach.
So, let’s get started and read the seven tips which helped me immensely during my struggle for clear skin!
Did You Know?
Oily Skin When the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, it may clog the pores and cause pimples. The production of oil is impacted by hormones, stress, diet and even from your skincare routine.
What Causes Oily Skin and Breakouts?
It’s important to understand what causes oily skin and breakouts before diving into the strategies. Oily skin is caused by sebaceous glands overproducing sebum, creating a shiny appearance and clogged pores that can lead to breakouts, blackheads, and acne. This is step one in how I cured myself of oily skin and breakouts.
Oily skin and breakouts are driven by multiple factors, including hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation or pregnancy as well as consumption of a diet high in refined sugars and dairy. Stress can even ramp up oil production, and environmental conditions such as pollution and humidity trigger sebaceous glands. However certain medications and even genetics can play a factor in creating oily skin, and bad skin-matching routines can create a rebound and produce even more oil. Identifying the causes is key to tackling oily skin and break outs and managing through it effectively.
How I Overcame Oily Skin and Breakouts: 7 Key Strategies for Clear Skin
Before I share my tactics, it’s crucial to note that everyone’s skin is different. Again, what has worked on my skin might not necessarily work for yours, so feel free to try out and see what works! Here are 7 key tips that were useful for me in treating my oily skin and breakouts:
1. Establish a Consistent Skincare Routine
One of the first things I did in my journey towards clear skin was to follow a skincare routine for oily skin. But also that adherence to a daily regimen was crucial for taming oil and avoiding breakouts. My routine included:
- Cleansing: A gentle foaming cleanser with salicylic acid to help unclog pores and remove excess oil.
- Toning: A toner with witch hazel aids in pore-tightening and oil control.
- Moisturizing: For moisturizer, I used a light, oil-free hydrator that would keep my skin from drying without adding any additional shine. If you want a great lightweight moisturizer, see my comparison of Clinique or La Roche-Posay.
- Sunscreen: Sunscreen every day; there was no negotiating that because I was trying to keep my skin safe from UV damage.
Pro Tip: Stay the course; your skin won’t adapt overnight. Stick to your routine for at least 4 weeks to see significant results.
2. Add Salicylic Acid to Your Routine
Salicylic acid was one of the most powerful active ingredients I found on my journey to clear skin. This strong beta hydroxy acid penetrates deep within the pores to dissolve excess oil and reduce the risk of pore blockages. So I began using a salicylic acid cleanser, and a spot treatment on stubborn breakouts.
It not only helped clear up existing blemishes but prevented new ones from forming. If you are suffering with oily skin and breakouts, I definitely suggest adding salicylic acid to your oily skin care regimen. To discover the salicylic acid options I recommend the most, read Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary comparison.
Pro Tip: Use salicylic acid after you cleanse but before you moisturize — it works best on clean skin to unclog pores and from preventing it becoming too oily.
3. Exfoliate Regularly
It is also an important part of any skincare routine for oily skin is regular exfoliating. I discovered that dead skin cells can build up on the surface and cause clogged pores and breakouts. I began exfoliating 2-3 times per week, using a gentle chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid.
This worked to slough off dead skin cells and keep my pores clean. I avoided over-exfoliating, which can irritate skin and cause more oil production as a result. Finding the right balance was essential in obtaining clear skin.
Pro Tip: Ditch the harsh scrub with large abrasive particles — since they can create micro-tears that exacerbate breakouts. Choose soft, fine-grain scrubs, or simply continue using chemical exfoliants.
4. Use Non-Comedogenic Products
Switching to non-comedogenic products is probably one of the most significant changes I made on my path to overcoming oily skin and breakouts. These items are designed specifically to not clog pores, something crucial for anyone with oily skin. I started reading labels closely and seeking out non-comedogenic products, including lightweight, oil-free moisturisers that would add hydration without any additional and unwanted shine.
After making these switches, I found my breakouts occurring with much less frequency and my skin’s clarity improving overall. This quick and simple tip for clear skin can be a game-changer for people with oily skin and clogged pores. To read the specific recommendations on non-comedogenic options, check out my list of the best skincare products for oily skin.
Pro Tip: Always patch test new products on a small part of your skin before lathering all over your face, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
5. Stay Hydrated
It may sound counterintuitive, but to control oily skin you need to hydrate. When your body is dehydrated, it may make more oil to balance things out, which can also lead to an oily complexion and zits. I also learned to drink more water during the day and add fruits and veggies that have a lot of water content to my diet.
This helped improve my skin’s overall texture and oiliness substantially. This simple skin tip made all the difference in my journey.
Pro Tip: Drink at least 8 cups of water daily and use moisturizing products to keep skin properly hydrated.
6. Be Mindful of Your Diet
Your diet can affect your skin a great deal. I learned that some foods, especially those rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates, could trigger breakouts and worsen oily skin. To counteract this, I actively began focusing on eating a more balanced diet based around whole foods including:
These contain vitamins as well as anti-oxidants which help keep your skin healthy.
- Lean Proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes can repair skin and keep it elastic.
- Healthy Fats: Incorporating sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as avocados and nuts, helped offer joints relief and made skin less inflamed.
Pro Tip: Consider keeping a food journal where you can identify and minimize any foods that could be contributing to your breakouts.
7. Manage Stress Levels
Stress is bad for your skin, and you’ll produce more oil and break out if you are stressed. One of the big things I learned through my own experience with acne, is how important it was to manage my stress levels. I also added activities to my daily routine that helped relieve stress, including:
- Exercise: Regular exercising released endorphins and was a stress reliever for me.
- Meditation & Mindfulness: Giving myself some minutes everyday to meditate or practice mindfulness was of great help to stay grounded and calm.
- Sufficient Rest: My body needed to recover and heal, which is why sleep was so necessary for healthy skin.
Pro Tip: Include at least one of your favorite stress-relief activities in your daily routine — your skin and brain will thank you!
Final words: Are these strategies useful?
It takes time, consistency, and trial and error to overcome oily skin and breakouts. As for how I achieved the clear skin I had always wanted by creating a solid skincare routine for oily skin, using salicylic acid, exfoliating regularly, drinking plenty of water, watching what I eat, dealing with stress, etc., and going for professional help when necessary.
Note, everyone’s skin is different, so it is important to find what works best for you. By sharing how I solved the problems of oily skin and keeping breakouts at bay, I hope you find motivation in taking the control yourself of your skin, and apply these tips for clear skin into your skincare routine. By staying committed using the right methods, you too can have clear skin!
FAQs
Why do we get oily skin and breakouts?
An oily skin condition is typically the result of overactive sebaceous glands, hormonal imbalance, stress and using the wrong skin care products. Those things can all clog pores and cause breakouts.
Is it possible to cure oily skin at home?
Although home treatments — such as applying a clay mask or using aloe vera — can go a long way in reducing oil, ultimately the key to success is in sticking to a consistent skincare routine customized to your skin type.
How soon you can expect clear skin after starting a routine?
Oily skin and breakouts usually start to look better after 4–6 weeks of being on a steady skin care routine.