A skin phase all of us are familiar with, many of us have to go through, and unfortunately some of us go through again in our 30’s, 40’s and 50’s: Oily, problem skin.

It’s certainly no fun when dealing with this issue, as it makes social and business functions more stressful, can potentially lead to scarring and basically makes or breaks a lot of people’s lives regarding skin care.

To help you better deal with oily, problem skin, we wrote this simple guide on the 5 Do’s and Don’ts of caring for oily problem skin.

Do’s:

1. Moisturize every day

This has been mentioned on in 5 Do’s and Don’ts of Skin Care yet there is so much misinformation out there regarding oily/problem skin, we feel it bears worth repeating.

If you don’t use a moisturizer, your skin will produce more oil and sebum on its own to compensate, and that will only lead to further breakouts. Re-hydrate by using a mattifying moisturizer free of any harsh ingredients, and know that by sealing moisture into the skin you’re not “clogging your pores”, you’re giving troubled skin the hydration it needs.

2. Use non-comedogenic products

Makeup can be the biggest culprit when it comes to clogging pores. If you have oily/problem you want to make certain you’re using non-comedogenic skin care and makeup.

What determines whether a product is comedogenic or not is whether the ingredients clog pores. Repêchage makeup is always non-comedogenic, so you can put your mind at ease – you really are getting the best of the earth and the sea!

3. Start using a GENTLE peel

Gentle peels can help target problem areas and leave the rest of your skin alone. Harsh exfoliation, while it may seem like a solution, can actually spread the oily problem areas around, so instead opt for a chemical peel which targets dead skin and dirt buildup. Give a try to the different alpha hydroxy acids out there like lactic acid or glycolic acid.

4. Commit to a skin care routine

The best thing you can do for your oily problem skin is to commit to doing the basic steps of a skin care routine. Too many times those who suffer from this tend to ignore the problem hoping it’ll go away or they’ll grow out of it, but that’s not the right solution. Dedication, care and patience are necessary to combat this common issue. A starter kit for oily/problem skin is an easy way to start an effective daily skin care program.

5. Reduce stress

Did you know that the stress increases your skin problems? Practice meditation or yoga, work on time management or consider spending more time with a favorite hobby to reduce stress. Any methods you can find to wind down your anxiety and stress levels will be better for your skin in the long-term.

Don’ts:

1. Pick at your skin

It may be tempting, it may seem harmless, but don’t do it! When you start to pick and poke at your skin, you’re spreading bacteria and oil around, and combining it with the dirt on your fingers. It doesn’t help, and actually hurts, so quit! Let a skin care professional take care of it, and always keep an overnight drying lotion in your cabinet.

2. Over-cleanse 

Over-cleansing might seem like a solution, but it’s not. It will just add another condition to your skin, making it dry and itchy as well as prone to breakouts. Routine cleansing that doesn’t overdo it is all you need, so that means don’t cleanse ‘til you’re red!

3. Put your skin under pressure

This may not seem obvious, but a big cause of irritated skin is heat, friction, pressure and rubbing of the skin for prolonged periods of time. Try eliminating points of hard skin contact from your clothing or accessories such as straps, bands and tight fitting elements and see if your skin improves.

4. Try a bunch of skin care products

When it comes to settling on products to use on oily problem skin, this is one of those cases where less is more.

Using too many products introduces way too many different ingredients to your skin, and you can’t be sure what exactly is helping or harming. Trust the recommendations of your esthetician or simplify your routine with a starter kit for problem skin.

5. Skip laundry day 

Believe it or not, laundry day plays an essential part in your skin care routine. Your skin spends a good amount of time pressed against your pillowcase every day, so can imagine how much oil and dirt reside there, waiting for you to come back the next day. Gross, right?

While it may not be affordable or practical for you to do laundry every day, the more often you wash your pillowcase, the better! Cleaning off the dirt and bacteria from your pillow may just be the step you need to break the dreaded problem skin cycle. And while you’re at it – give your makeup brushes a good wash too!