To understand how to treat oily skin, it’s important to first understand the cause of oily skin. Put simply, oily skin is a result of an excessive production of sebum, a substance produced naturally in the skin. While a normal production of sebum is not harmful for the average type of skin and its purpose is to provide natural moisture, an excessive amount can be a nuisance to treat and keep under control. This overproduction of sebum leads to clogging of skin pores, resulting in accumulation of dead cells and usually causes the formation of pimples and acne.

The basic goal in treating oily skin is to slow down and control the over production of sebum and balance the skin. Oily skin care products or procedures should never lead to complete removal of oil from the skin. Stripping the skin of all its’ oil would lead your the skin to behave worse by ‘thinking’ it needs to make more oil, and the cycle of over producing sebum begins again and again.

Care for your oily skin starts with the use of a good cleanser. You will usually need a cleanser that contains salicylic acid (i.e. a beta-hydroxy acid that retards the rate of sebum production). Cleansing should be done at least twice a day.

Most of the oily skin care products are oil-free, however it is always good to check the ingredients of the product before you actually buy it. This is especially important if a product is marked as ‘suitable for all skin types’, instead of ‘oily skin care product’. Oily skin care is also dependent on the degree of oiliness it contains. If you aren’t too oily, some of the ‘suitable for all’ type of products might work for you just fine. But for extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products should be used. Your routine can also include an alcohol-based toner to use after cleansing. Alcohol-based toners should only be used once or twice a day. Excessive toning with products containing alcohol can harm and strip your skin when used in excess.

The next step in your oily skin care routine can be a mild oil-free moisturizer. Again, the degree of oiliness of your skin will determine whether you need to include this in your oily skin care routine. If you do decide to include a moisturizer, be sure to use one that is not only oil-free, but wax-free and lipid-free as well.
You could also use a clay mask once or twice a week as an oily skin care preventative measure. Clay masks not only remove surface oils, but also go into the pore and absorb oil there as well. A good clay mask will absorb oil and impurities from your skin, not strip it of vital moisture.

As far as the oily skin care products go, you might need to try out a few before you arrive at the one that is really suitable for your skin.

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Skin "BRAND NEW" US $55.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 15:47:49 PST   | Watch this Item

Combination, Oily and Acne Prone Skin Types ALL NATURAL FACE TONER AND SERUM US $26.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 16:40:38 PST   | Watch this Item

GiGi Soap For Oily Skin and Acne Solar Energy Series US $22.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 0:31:25 PST   | Watch this Item

GiGi Drying Lotion Solar Energy Series /Acne, Oily skin US $21.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 0:32:16 PST   | Watch this Item

ANTI ACNE GEL REGULATE SEBUM REMOVE BLACKHEADS PIMPLES for OILY ACNE-PRONE SKIN US $20.48 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 1:56:32 PST   | Watch this Item

NIXODERM: Acne spots blackheads eczema scars oily skin US $13.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 9:48:31 PST   | Watch this Item

NIXODERM : Acne spots blackheads eczema scars oily skin US $26.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 9:51:59 PST   | Watch this Item

New Mary Kay Formula 3 DEEP CLEANSER For Acne Prone & Oily Skin Face Care US $11.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 10:18:39 PST   | Watch this Item

CHRISTINA ZAATAR CREAM Problem, Oily & Acne skin US $23.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 11:00:54 PST   | Watch this Item

GiGi Bio-Derm Lotion for oily & large pore skin / Acne US $45.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 11:31:33 PST   | Watch this Item

New Mary Kay Formula 3 DEEP CLEANSER For Oily Skin *Qty 3* Acne Prone Face Care US $34.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 11:56:06 PST   | Watch this Item

GiGi Lipacid Moisturizer for Oily / Acne skin US $32.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 11:58:30 PST   | Watch this Item

Phytomer Pruifying Acne Control Fluid Oily Skin 30 ml. US $26.60 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 13:09:25 PST   | Watch this Item

Zosimos Natural Facial Toner Lime Cerasee: Oily / Acne US $17.95 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 13:10:26 PST   | Watch this Item

Dancing Dingo Lavender Carrot Facial Serum: Oily / Acne US $15.95 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 13:54:05 PST   | Watch this Item

ANTI ACNE GEL REGULATE SEBUM REMOVE BLACKHEADS PIMPLES for OILY ACNE-PRONE SKIN US $20.48 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:04:22 PST   | Watch this Item

New Mary Kay Formula 3 DEEP CLEANSER For Oily Skin *Qty 2* Acne Prone Face Care US $24.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:25:35 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $6.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $6.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $6.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $8.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $8.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $8.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $12.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $12.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne, Oily Skin Control - Facial Lotion Non-Comedogenic with Aloe US $12.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:36:54 PST   | Watch this Item

CHRISTINA BIOPHYTO ZAATAR MASK problem/oily/acne skin+Serom gift US $28.29 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 20:15:22 PST   | Watch this Item

Mary Kay ACNE TREATMENT GEL Blemish Acne Teen Oily Skin exp 2013 QWIKSHIP *10 av US $6.95 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 21:02:57 PST   | Watch this Item

Rosette Hello Kitty Acne Wash 120g face cleaner oily US $23.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 21:43:40 PST   | Watch this Item

GM G.M. Collin Puracne Oxygen Purifying Gel 236ml(8oz) Oily Acne Skin Fresh New US $31.25 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 21:49:04 PST   | Watch this Item

GM G.M. Collin Gel Puracne Oxygen Gel 50ml(1.7oz) Oily Or Acne Prone Skin Fresh US $36.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 21:51:24 PST   | Watch this Item

GM G.M. Collin Derm Renewal Gel 1.7oz(50ml) Oily Acne Skin Fresh New US $41.75 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 21:51:39 PST   | Watch this Item

NEW 100g STIEFEL ACNE-AID SOAP BAR DEEP PORE CLEANSING PIMPLE OILY SKIN FACE AID US $10.25 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 23:20:33 PST   | Watch this Item

HOLY LAND Double Action Drying Lotion For Oily and / or Acne Prone Skin US $16.00 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 3:19:25 PST   | Watch this Item

Blended Essential oil 4 Acne and Oily Skin condition US $8.50 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 5:03:02 PST   | Watch this Item

BIOTRADE Acne Out Soap oily & acne prone Anti Acne pimples blackheads whiteheads US $5.44 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 5:06:03 PST   | Watch this Item

GM Collin Puracne Oxygen Purifying Gel Oily Acne 8oz US $30.60 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 6:20:30 PST   | Watch this Item

NATURAL SCRUB SOAP GREEN TEA GRAINS ACNE/OILY SKIN TYPES FACE & BODY **TOP** US $7.89 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 6:51:00 PST   | Watch this Item

ANTI ACNE GEL REGULATE SEBUM REMOVE BLACKHEADS PIMPLES for OILY ACNE-PRONE SKIN US $20.48 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 6:55:10 PST   | Watch this Item

Holy Land - Double Action: Acne Drying Lotion+MakeUp Blemish Concealer Oily skin US $18.50 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 10:09:41 PST   | Watch this Item

New Mary Kay FORMULA 3 Acne & Oily Skin *3 Pc Set* Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer US $37.99 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 10:12:40 PST   | Watch this Item

Antibacterial Acne Exfoliating Purifying Scrub Cream for Oily Skin 60ml 2 oz US $22.95 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 11:38:45 PST   | Watch this Item

Acne Elixir for Oily Skin Blemishes - Organic Acai, Copaiba, Andiroba 50ml 1.7oz US $24.95 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 11:42:22 PST   | Watch this Item

G.M. Collin, Puracne, oxygen, cleansing gel, 8floz/236 ml, oily or acne-prone sk US $14.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 13:35:39 PST   | Watch this Item

G.M. Collin, oxygen,Puracne, gel, 1,7 floz/50 ml, oily or acne-prone skin US $24.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 13:39:39 PST   | Watch this Item

G.M. Collin, Acne complex with essenti, 1,7 floz/50 ml, oily or acne-prone skin US $24.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 13:41:17 PST   | Watch this Item

Christina -N Night Treatment Acne /Oily Skin+Gift US $24.00 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 14:52:29 PST   | Watch this Item

Christina - Comodex Drying Gel /Acne & Oily Skin+Gift US $25.00 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 14:52:31 PST   | Watch this Item

Christina -C Day Treatment /Acne & Oily Skin+Gift US $23.40 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 15:00:15 PST   | Watch this Item

Christina -Comodex Night Treatment Acne /Oily Skin+Gift US $24.50 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 15:00:15 PST   | Watch this Item