Tips For Keeping Your Oily Skin Fresh
Kerri Stalton

Anyone who has an oily skin type will tell you that it is a mixed blessing. Although oily skin ages well and can help you look fresh and youthful until very late in life, keeping oily skin under control can be quite difficult. An oily complexion is free from the dryness that often causes early wrinkling and can make skin susceptible to irritation and redness, but oily skin has its own set of troubles including vulnerability to acne and unsightly shine. If you notice a shine of oil on your face by midday or evening, or find that only the harshest cleansing products can wipe away your skin's natural grease, try these tips to keep your skin looking matte and fresh all through the day.

If you use a moisturizer, make sure that it is water based rather than oil based. An oil based product can compound your existing skin problems and offers more heavy duty moisture than your skin needs. Look for a moisturizer that is labeled non-comedogenic, as this kind of product will minimize the risk of acne and clogged pores that often go hand in hand with your skin type. Reigning in your moisturizer is an important step towards smooth, grease free skin. Try cutting down on the number of applications per week. For people with oily skin types, moisturizer is rarely necessary more than once every three or four days. It's important not to skip moisturizer altogether, however; as the powerful cleansers that are designed to tackle oily skin can sometimes strip your face of the moisture it needs in order to stay resilient and strong. Without a little bit of extra help from a light, water based moisturizer, certain areas of your face may become prone to dryness and flaking.

If cutting back on moisturizer and following a regular cleansing regimen isn't enough to keep your skin under control, there may be hope in the form of a new kind of makeup. One cosmetic product that is a relatively new idea is a kind of matte finish gel designed to seal your face by absorbing oil. The gel goes on in a thin, imperceptible layer underneath regular makeup and will soak up any excess grease that your skin produces during the day. Several cosmetic companies produce gels of this type, including mainstream brands like Revlon and Cover Girl. If you have just a few areas where oil tends to seep through your makeup, try lightly applying the gel to just those spots to help you keep a shine free face. If you need heavy duty help to keep your t-zone from getting greasy, a matte finish gel may be the solution to your problem.