As we go about our day-to-day lives, our skin is constantly exposed to various environmental factors that can lead to the production of facial oil and ultimately, the appearance of pimples.
Pimples are a common skin problem that affects people of all ages, but fortunately, there are steps you can take to control facial oil and prevent pimples.
In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks from a dermatologist’s perspective on how to keep your skin healthy and clear.
Cleanse your face twice a day:
Firstly, it’s essential to understand that acne is a multifactorial condition caused by various factors, such as genetics, hormones, and environmental factors.
However, maintaining proper hygiene can help prevent the accumulation of oil and dirt on the skin’s surface, which can contribute to the development of pimples.
When you don’t clean your face regularly, oil and dirt can accumulate on the skin’s surface, clogging pores and leading to acne breakouts.
Regularly washing your face helps remove excess oil, dirt, and debris from your skin’s surface and prevents the formation of acne.
Here are some dermatologist-recommended tips for washing your face:
- Use a gentle cleanser: Choose a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser that does not contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin.
- Wash your face twice a day: Cleanse your face in the morning and at night to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup that may have accumulated on your skin during the day.
- Use lukewarm water: Avoid using hot water, which can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause dryness and irritation.
- Be gentle: Use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin. Avoid using a washcloth or any harsh scrubbing motions that can irritate your skin.
- Pat your skin dry: Use a soft, clean towel to pat your skin dry after washing your face. Avoid rubbing your skin vigorously, as this can cause irritation.
- Exfoliate once or twice a week: Exfoliation is a process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This can be done using a variety of methods, including scrubs, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
By exfoliating regularly, you can help to control facial oil and prevent pimples from forming.
When dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, they can clog pores and trap oil and bacteria.
This can lead to the formation of pimples and other types of acne. Exfoliating helps to remove these dead skin cells, which can help to unclog pores and prevent pimples.
In addition to unclogging pores, exfoliation can also help to control facial oil. When there is an excess of oil on the skin, it can contribute to the formation of pimples.
Exfoliating helps to remove the excess oil and keep the skin clean and clear.
There are different types of exfoliants that you can use to control facial oil and prevent pimples.
- Physical exfoliants, such as scrubs and brushes, work by physically removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
- Chemical exfoliants, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), work by dissolving the bonds between the dead skin cells, allowing them to be easily removed.
When choosing an exfoliant, it’s important to consider your skin type and the severity of your acne.
For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to choose a gentle exfoliant that won’t irritate your skin.
If you have severe acne, you may want to consult with a dermatologist to determine the best type of exfoliant for your skin.
Exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine, as it helps to remove dead skin cells that can clog your pores and cause pimples.
However, over-exfoliation can irritate your skin and cause it to produce more oil, leading to breakouts.
Dermatologists recommend exfoliating once or twice a week using a gentle exfoliating scrub or a chemical exfoliant that contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).
Moisturize your skin:
Maintaining a healthy balance of moisture in the skin can help control facial oil and reduce the occurrence of pimples.
When the skin is dehydrated, it can produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. This excess oil can clog pores and lead to the formation of pimples.
Moisturizing the skin helps to hydrate and balance the skin’s oil production. When the skin is well-hydrated, it doesn’t need to produce as much oil, and therefore, there is less chance of clogging pores and causing breakouts.
Moisturizing also helps to create a protective barrier on the skin, preventing external irritants and pollutants from penetrating the skin and causing inflammation.
It is important to use a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type. For oily skin, a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer is recommended.
Look for moisturizers that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which are effective at hydrating the skin without clogging pores.
It is also essential to choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer, which means it won’t cause blackheads or whiteheads.
When it comes to controlling facial oil and pimples, consistency is key. It is best to moisturize twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, after cleansing the skin.
Avoid over-washing the face, as this can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause it to produce more oil.
Contrary to popular belief, moisturizing your skin is essential, even if you have oily skin.
Skipping moisturizer can cause your skin to produce more oil as it tries to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Look for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which can help hydrate your skin without clogging your pores.
Use sunscreen daily:
Sunscreen is a crucial component of any skincare routine, and it offers numerous benefits beyond just protecting the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
One of the benefits of using sunscreen daily is its ability to control facial oil and prevent pimples.
Facial oil production is a natural process that helps to keep the skin moisturized and healthy.
However, excessive oil production can lead to clogged pores, which can result in the formation of pimples.
Sunscreens contain ingredients that can help to control oil production and prevent clogged pores.
Most sunscreens contain ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and silica that absorb excess oil from the skin’s surface.
These ingredients work by creating a physical barrier between the skin and the sun’s rays, preventing the skin from becoming too oily. This reduces the likelihood of clogged pores, which are a major cause of pimples.
In addition to absorbing excess oil, sunscreens also help to regulate sebum production. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin.
When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, sebum production can increase, leading to more oily skin.
Sunscreens containing ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid can help to regulate sebum production, preventing excessive oiliness and reducing the likelihood of pimples.
Another way that sunscreen can help to prevent pimples is by reducing inflammation. Sun damage can cause inflammation in the skin, which can lead to the formation of pimples.
Sunscreens containing ingredients like vitamin E, green tea extract, and niacinamide have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and prevent pimples.
To get the maximum benefits of sunscreen for controlling facial oil and preventing pimples, it’s important to choose a sunscreen that is specifically formulated for oily or acne-prone skin.
Look for sunscreens labeled “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “acne-prone skin.” Additionally, it’s important to apply sunscreen daily and reapply it every two hours if you’re spending time outdoors.
Avoid touching your face:
Avoiding touching your face is a simple yet effective way to control facial oil and prevent pimples. Here’s why:
Bacteria:
Our hands carry a lot of bacteria, and when we touch our face, we transfer this bacteria to our skin. The bacteria can cause inflammation, which can lead to acne and breakouts.
When we touch our face, we also transfer oils and dirt from our hands onto our skin, which can clog pores and cause pimples.
Oil Production:
Our hands also stimulate the oil glands on our face, which can lead to overproduction of oil. Excessive oil production can cause clogged pores and acne.
Rubbing and Scratching:
Touching our face often leads to rubbing or scratching, which can further irritate the skin and cause inflammation. This can also damage the skin barrier, leading to dryness and even more oil production.
So, by avoiding touching your face, you can prevent the transfer of bacteria and oils onto your skin, reduce oil production, and prevent irritation and inflammation.
Here are some tips to help you avoid touching your face:
Be mindful of your hands: Make a conscious effort to keep your hands away from your face. If you need to touch your face for any reason, make sure your hands are clean.
Avoid picking or squeezing pimples: This can lead to further inflammation and scarring.
Keep your hands busy:
If you find yourself touching your face out of habit, try to keep your hands busy with something else, like a stress ball or fidget toy.
Use a gentle cleanser:
Regularly washing your face with a gentle cleanser can help remove excess oil and prevent breakouts.
Watch what you eat:
Watching what you eat can have a significant impact on controlling facial oil and preventing pimples.
Your diet can affect the levels of hormones in your body, which can in turn affect the production of sebum, the oily substance produced by your skin’s sebaceous glands.
- Foods that are high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels, which can trigger the production of androgens, such as testosterone, in your body.
- Androgens can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, which can lead to oily skin and clogged pores, both of which are associated with acne.
- On the other hand, a diet that is rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, can help to regulate hormones and prevent acne.
- Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts, can also help to reduce inflammation in the skin, which can contribute to the development of acne.
In addition to making dietary changes, it’s important to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and to help flush out toxins from your body.
Dehydration can cause your skin to produce more oil, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
It’s also important to avoid foods that are known to exacerbate acne, such as greasy or fried foods, dairy products, and foods that are high in saturated and trans fats.
These foods can contribute to the production of sebum and can make existing acne worse.
While there’s no specific food that causes pimples, research suggests that a diet high in sugar, dairy, and processed foods can lead to breakouts.
Therefore, it’s essential to watch what you eat and opt for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Manage stress:
Stress can cause your body to produce more oil, leading to breakouts. Therefore, it’s essential to manage stress through relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Conclusion:
Controlling facial oil and preventing pimples requires a consistent skincare routine and healthy habits.
Cleansing your face twice a day, exfoliating once or twice a week, moisturizing your skin, using sunscreen daily, avoiding touching your face, watching what you eat, and managing stress can help keep your skin healthy and clear.
If you have persistent acne or severe breakouts, consult a dermatologist for personalized advice and treatment options.
References
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Acne: Overview. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047.
Del Rosso J. Q. (2013). The role of skin care as an integral component in the management of acne vulgaris: part 1: the importance of cleanser and moisturizer ingredients, design, and product selection. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 6(12), 19–27.
Dréno, B., Thiboutot, D., Layton, A. M., Berson, D., Perez, M., Kang, S., & Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne (2015). Large-scale international study enhances understanding of an emerging acne population: adult females. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 29(6), 1096–1106. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.12757
Leung, A. K., Barankin, B., Lam, J. M., Leong, K. F., & Hon, K. L. (2021). Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris. Drugs in context, 10, 2021-8-6. https://doi.org/10.7573/dic.2021-8-6
Eichenfield, D. Z., Sprague, J., & Eichenfield, L. F. ( 2021). Management of Acne Vulgaris: A Review. JAMA, 326(20), 2055–2067. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.17633
