Many people with oily skin often struggle with constant skin troubles and pigmentation caused by frequent breakouts.
(By the way, I have oily skin myself.)
Oily skin is more difficult to manage than dry skin,
and if not cared for properly, it can lead to regret later in life as you age.
By taking proper care of your skin from adolescence,
you can prevent acne scars, pigmentation, and redness from remaining into adulthood,
and maintain clear, healthy skin. In this post, I’ll share how to do that.
Am I really oily-skinned? (Including dehydrated oily skin)
Oily skin = 脂性肌
As the name suggests, this refers to a skin type with excessive sebum production.
People with this skin type (myself included) tend to have frequent breakouts starting in adolescence,
and even as adults, they often struggle with ongoing skin issues such as enlarged pores and oiliness.
The chart below shows the Baumann Skin Type Classification, often referred to as the “MBTI of skincare.”
O / D: Oily or Dry
S / R: Sensitive or Resistant
P / N: Pigmentation-prone or Normal
W / T: Wrinkle-prone or Tight (firm skin)
We won’t go into detail here, but feel free to use it as a reference :)
For dry skin, frequent washing or the use of acidic peels and scrubs can be irritating.
However, for those with oily skin, regular cleansing is recommended.
One of the most important things for oily skin is to effectively remove excess sebum.
To do this, you’ll need two essential items:
While you should use a regular cleanser on most days,
it’s recommended to use a cleanser that contains at least 1% BHA or LHA once or twice a week.
The one I personally use contains 2% BHA.
(This is not an ad, of course!)
Since oily skin produces excess sebum, using oil-based cleansers for emulsification helps cleanse deep into the pores.
(It’s also great for managing blackheads!)
Here’s how to use it:
Before using your regular cleanser, apply a cleansing oil to emulsify and dissolve the oils,
then follow up with a facial cleanser to wash everything off thoroughly.
For the record, the one I use is something I grabbed randomly from Olive Young (lol).
You don’t need to be picky about cleansing oils — an inexpensive one is totally fine!
Toners and lotions used after cleansing are mainly for gentle exfoliation and hydration,
so you don’t need any special or expensive products.
※Most of the products you find online are likely sponsored ads.
If you have dehydrated oily skin (low moisture, high sebum),
choose a product with a slightly richer texture rather than a watery gel type.
However, be cautious if you’re using skincare products that contain the following ingredients:
Differin (Adapalene)
Acne creams (e.g., Aclief)
Retinol / Retinal / Tretinoin
These ingredients can cause dryness and irritation,
so make sure to apply a moisturizing cream regularly when using them.
Aclief / Differin: These require a prescription from a dermatologist.
Eclain Ointment: Available over the counter at pharmacies.
Here are some key ingredients that are especially effective for oily skin:
Retinol (Vitamin A derivative)
Retinal
Tretinoin
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Benzoyl Peroxide
Mupirocin
(Apply only to inflamed areas, and limit use to no more than 3 days.)
Cica (Centella Asiatica extract)
Madecassoside
EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)
When choosing your basic skincare or cosmetics,
it's important to check whether these types of ingredients are included.
Shea butter and ceramides are excellent moisturizing ingredients,
but when present in high concentrations, they can make creams too rich and heavy.
For oily skin, this can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
In particular, it’s best to avoid thick, heavy creams.
(However, for those with dehydrated oily skin, moderate hydration may still be beneficial.)
Oily skin requires more attention than dry skin.
Due to frequent breakouts, it’s helpful to use different ampoules or ointments depending on the level of inflammation.
Heavy creams with high concentrations of ceramides or shea butter may clog pores and should be avoided.
That concludes this overview on skincare tips and recommended products for oily skin.
I hope this information is helpful to many of you.
If you have any questions about treatments or skincare,
feel free to leave a like or comment, and I will personally respond with care.
Thank you!
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