Oily skin is a common problemfor both teens and adults. Some are blessed with non-greasy skin; others are not as fortunate. They have very active oil glands that often leave them feeling greasy and sticky merely two hours after taking a shower. If you have the same problem, no doubt you need to be more stringent with your daily skin care routine.

Speaking of skin care routine for oily skin, here are effective ways on how you can cleanse your skin and remove that unwanted oil:

1. Use a mild facial wash formulated for oily skin.

Be mindful of the recommended skin types indicated in the labels. Facial wash for oily skin is usually foamy. The suds help wash off the excess oil from your skin. Experts recommend products with medicated cleansers like salicylic acid (clears blocked pores and removes blackheads) and benzoyl peroxide (kills bacteria).

Avoid products formulated for dry skin, too. They are made to activate oil glands, which is a way to make skin retain moisture and elasticity. This may be helpful for dry skin, but it’s a nightmare for oily skin.

2. Use lukewarm water to wash your face.

Cold water is not as effective at washing away dirt and grime; but if the water is too hot, you’ll risk stripping off sebum and moisturizing fatty acids from your skin. Lukewarm water is the perfect temperature. It dissolves loose oil and removes dirt and other impurities.

Also, refrain from using hot water for soaping followed by cold water for rinsing. This used to be a fad because hot water is believed to open the pores, allowing dirt to be washed off. In truth, the drastic changes in water temperature are not good for your skin.

3. Wash your face twice a day.

Washing your face more often than necessary will make the oil glands more active. Washing with soap or cleansers removes skin’s natural oil and moisture, and its natural response is to amplify the oil glands. Doing it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, should be enough to remove unwanted oil and dirt from your face without drying out the skin.

4. Use oil-absorbent paper to remove excess oil.

So, you can wash your face before and after going out to school or work. How about the in-between hours, when you probably won’t be able to go to a powder room to freshen up?

If in the middle of the day you feel like there’s enough oil build-up to fry an egg on your face, just dab your face with oil blotting sheets. You can also use facial tissue (the soft and smooth kind, not the hard and rough variety) and press it lightly on your T-zone. Lightly pat your face with the paper or tissue; don’t wipe your skin with them. You just need to remove the excess oil, not abrade your skin or completely remove oil and moisture (which will only prompt your oil glands to function double time, bringing you back to square one).

5. Moisturize.

Yes, even oily skin needs moisturizing. You must choose a moisturizer made specifically for oily skin, though. These are non-oil based (usually gel-based) and will keep your skin hydrated even as you remove the excess oil. To be on the safe side though, lightly apply moisturizer on the T-zone or the oiliest areas of your face.

Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid are highly recommended because it fights off bacteria and prevents pimples to boot.

6. Exfoliate once a week.

People with oily skin need to do facial scrubs at least once a week. Dirt easily settles into the pores when there’s too much oil build-up. This results to very visible blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. It’s therefore important to scrub off the dirt and dead skin cells before they become inflamed or cause skin discoloration.

7. Ladies, remove your makeup thoroughly before going to bed.

Remove your makeup

Leaving on makeup when you sleep will make things worse if you have oily skin to begin with. Since many cosmetics today are water-resistant (especially concealer and liquid foundation) and can’t be removed by soap or cleanser alone, gently wipe off your makeup before washing your face. Find a makeup remover that works best with your skin type. If you want to use makeup remover wipes, choose a brand that doesn’t contain alcohol.

Those are the SOPs for cleansing oily skin. Wash your face but not too much too often, use the right skin care products and then keep your skin moisturized.

Here are additional tips that will help you keep your oily skin under control:

• Wash your face towel with anti-bacterial laundry soap regularly.
• Wash and change your pillowcase once or twice a week.
• If you’re going to try out a DIY facial mask, follow the instructions and ingredients carefully. Don’t add too much of one ingredient (ex: lemon juice, extra virgin coconut oil) or your skin might be irritated, discolored, or form pimples.
• Don’t scrub your skin too hard.
• Avoid eating too much sweets and fatty food.
• Drink lots and lots of water!
• Always wash your hands and use antibacterial gel or wipes after touching bacteria-prone objects (ex: doorknobs, computer keyboard, armrests, money).
• Wipe down your bacteria-prone items (ex: cellphone, laptop and mouse) with alcohol or anti-bacterial wipes.
• Ladies, clean and rinse makeup brushes and replace sponge applicators as soon as they become too dirty.
• Don’t use oil-based cosmetics and facial creams.
• Don’t use too much hair gel or hair spray.

All these tips are the best for cleansing oily skin. However, it’s always possible that one person will not have the same exact results as another. Be attuned to your skin’s responses to each suggested tip and make adjustments wherever necessary.