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.

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $125.50 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 14:23:08 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $189.50 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 15:47:23 PDT   | Watch this Item

ACNE PRONE&OILY SKIN-GREEN SOAP w/ NATURAL VIT. C US $19.95 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 20:54:28 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $197.09 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 10:22:45 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $189.50 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 10:51:28 PDT   | Watch this Item

obagi CLENZIderm PORE THERAPHY # 2 normal/oily ACNE US $14.49 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 11:15:28 PDT   | Watch this Item

TREATMENT: Acne spots blackheads eczema scars oily skin US $9.37 (3 Bids) Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 12:11:15 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $125.50 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 12:12:32 PDT   | Watch this Item

WILMA SCHUMANN DNA 15ml(0.5oz) OILY/ACNE SKIN US $39.00 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 13:02:25 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $189.50 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 13:29:26 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $125.50 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 15:37:52 PDT   | Watch this Item

Breakout Control Serum Oily Acne Skin Hyaluronic, B3+ US $19.99 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 15:54:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

MyChelle ALL IN ONE GIFT KIT Oily Acne FREE SHIPPING US $27.95 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 16:14:35 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $130.79 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 16:20:30 PDT   | Watch this Item

Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne Oily Skin Salon US $199.00 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 17:45:23 PDT   | Watch this Item

Mary Kay Classic Basic Skin Care. Oily or ACNE Skin NEW US $10.80 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 18:37:37 PDT   | Watch this Item

Mary Kay Classic Basic Skin Care. Oily or ACNE Skin NEW US $12.60 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 18:37:37 PDT   | Watch this Item

Mary Kay Classic Basic Skin Care. Oily or ACNE Skin NEW US $11.70 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 18:37:37 PDT   | Watch this Item

Mary Kay Classic Basic Skin Care. Oily or ACNE Skin NEW US $16.20 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 18:37:37 PDT   | Watch this Item

Medicated Astringent Toner for Acne Blemish Oily Skin US $28.99 Auction Ends: Saturday Jul-31-2010 22:47:49 PDT   | Watch this Item

ACNE TREATMENT, CURE OILY SKIN DEEP CLEANSER FACE MASK US $7.79 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 1:58:41 PDT   | Watch this Item

ACNE TREATMENT, CURE OILY SKIN DEEP CLEANSER FACE MASK US $5.78 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 2:06:17 PDT   | Watch this Item

NATURAL ACNE TREATMENT, CURE OILY SKIN DEEP CLEAN MASK US $4.61 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 2:23:20 PDT   | Watch this Item

TREATMENT: Acne spots blackheads eczema scars oily skin US $7.79 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 12:11:12 PDT   | Watch this Item

Kanebo Freshel White C Whitening Lotion 200ml Acne Oily US $19.95 Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 16:02:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

OBAGI CLENZIDERM M.D. ACNE SYSTEM NORMAL TO OILY SKIN US $55.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 17:12:02 PDT   | Watch this Item

Tamanu Cream - W/Green Tea - For Oily/Acne Prone Skin US $12.15 Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 18:05:06 PDT   | Watch this Item

MARY KAY ACNE TREATMENT GEL NEW TUBE HELPS OILY SKIN US $8.50 Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 18:23:05 PDT   | Watch this Item

LEOREX PURE,CLEANS & PREVENTS ACNE/BLACKHEADS-OILY SKIN US $99.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 19:41:54 PDT   | Watch this Item

LEOREX PURE,CLEANS & PREVENTS ACNE/BLACKHEADS-OILY SKIN US $69.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Aug-01-2010 21:43:49 PDT   | Watch this Item

Anna Lotan Herbal Drying Lotion - oily, acne prone skin US $19.99 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 1:02:31 PDT   | Watch this Item

All in One Oily Acne - 9 items - Trial Sizes US $21.03 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 5:01:11 PDT   | Watch this Item

Let's Face It - Oily Skin & Acne-Fighting Masque US $26.50 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 10:19:43 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $189.50 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 10:24:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $189.50 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 11:42:21 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $125.50 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 15:37:07 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dinur Camphor Lotion – Oily /Acne Skin, 120 ml, New US $18.95 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 16:30:01 PDT   | Watch this Item

MANDARIN LEMON NATURAL CLEANSER Normal Oily Acne Skin US $13.48 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 16:48:59 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $125.50 Auction Ends: Monday Aug-02-2010 17:16:47 PDT   | Watch this Item

Nano Silver Cyclic Soap 15g Normal / Oily Acne Skin NEW US $8.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 1:54:49 PDT   | Watch this Item

4oz Salicylic Acid Chemical Peel 40% Pimples Acne Oily US $59.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 9:51:04 PDT   | Watch this Item

S3 Skincare- Clearing Mask- 1 oz. Acne/Oily/Problematic US $31.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 13:05:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

PIMPLE & ACNE OILY SKIN-GREEN SOAP+NATURAL VITAMIN C US $21.95 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 13:40:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dr. Sebagh Breakout ( For Oily & Acne Prone Skin ) 6pc US $130.79 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 15:46:53 PDT   | Watch this Item

Dermanew Oil Acne Microdermabrasion Creme 2.6 oz Oily US $30.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 16:20:35 PDT   | Watch this Item

Murad Enzyme Treatment Gel & Powder For Acne /Oily Ski US $197.09 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 17:12:40 PDT   | Watch this Item

ACNE OILY SKIN TEA TREE PEPPERMINT FRENCH CLAY 1 SOAP US $3.35 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 17:40:50 PDT   | Watch this Item

4 oz ORGANIC TEA TREE & VINEGAR TONER Natural Acne Oily US $5.95 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 18:12:49 PDT   | Watch this Item

SKIN CLEANSING BAR - soap acne razor rash greasy oily US $5.85 Auction Ends: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 19:57:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

3x ACNE CLEANSING GEL Spots PIMPLES Blackhead Oily SKIN US $4.67 Auction Ends: Wednesday Aug-04-2010 0:33:09 PDT   | Watch this Item