Face Washing Tips for Your Oily Face

If you have oily skin, then you’ve likely dealt with your fair share of frustrations. Skin that looks shiny by midday? Yep, been there. Makeup that slips and slides around your face? You bet. When it comes to taking care of oily skin, it’s all about starting your skin care routine on the right foot—we’re talking about cleansing. Keep reading for the best face washing tips for your oily skin.

FACE WASHING TIP #1: Pick the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

It’s important to find the best facial cleanser for oily skin, to help address its needs. Look for a facial cleanser that has a matte finish, as this can help keep your complexion from looking overly shiny throughout the day. Your skin has a certain set point of oil it requires to maintain its homeostasis state and pH balance. Some people’s levels are less oily than others. If your skin is oily, instead, don’t buy a harsh face wash loaded with chemicals, but a strong natural face wash and use it multiple times a day.

FACE WASHING TIP #2: Wash Your Face with Lukewarm Water

If your skin feels uncomfortably tight or not quite clean enough after you wash it, don’t be so quick to blame your cleanser. The problem might be your rinsing game. “Stick with lukewarm water when you rinse. Hot water dries out your skin, and cold water doesn’t remove dirt and oil as well,” says Debra Luftman, MD, a dermatologist in Calabasas, California and a Simple Advisory Board Member.

FACE WASHING TIP #3: Using a Facial Brush

You accomplish several things when you use a face cleansing brush. First, you get a deeper cleansing of your pores, leaving you with less need for extractions than you normally would. Your skin’s pores will expand depending on how much dust, debris, and oil have collected in them. Therefore, it stands to reason that as all of these contaminants are removed, the pores will begin to appear smaller in size.

Face cleansing brushes also help you to get a thorough exfoliation so that over time, your pores will be completely clean leaving you with skin that looks smoother, cleaner, and fresher. When the pores are clean, you’re also removing dead skin cells, which collect in and around them leaving the clogged and causing blackheads and acne.

FACE WASHING TIP #4: Follow Up with Moisturizer

Cleansing and moisturizing go hand in hand. After you’re done cleansing, you shouldn’t skip out on moisturizing. And don’t think you get a free pass if you have oily skin! Just as you did to find a facial cleanser, look for a moisturizer that’s formulated for your skin type.

FACE WASHING TIP #5: Exfoliate Regularly

Last but not least, you should consider exfoliating your oily skin regularly. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cell buildup from the surface of your skin. Look for a facial scrub that’s formulated for your skin type, then get to work. Keep in mind that how often you should exfoliate depends. Some people are able to handle daily exfoliation, while others may find they can only handle doing so once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your oily skin responds to determine what works best for you.