What Are the Best Oily Skin Tips?

The skin naturally produces oils to stay lubricated and healthy, but when these oil glands are overactive, it can lead to an oily, shiny-looking complexion. It also can increase acne and blemishes on the skin. When confronted with naturally oily skin, picking the right types of products for cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing is important. Some of the best oily skin tips are to regularly cleanse, tone and moisturize the skin with products that have been formulated for oily skin types.

One of the best oily skin tips is to wash the shin at least twice a day — once in the morning to wash away oils that build up at night and again in the evening to cleanse the skin of oils, dirt and makeup. An oil-free cleanser that is formulated for oily skin works best. These cleansers often contain acids that help strip excess oils from the skin's surface.

There are chemically formulated cleansers and natural cleansers. Some chemically derived acids used in cleansers include benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and beta-hydroxy acid. There are a variety of natural products formulated for oily skin as well. These acids are derived from fruits and plants. Some ingredients to look for include pineapple extract, lemon extract, papaya and apple cider vinegar.

A toner is an astringent water-based product that can be used alone or after cleansing. One of the best oily skin tips is to use a toner at least twice a day after cleansing. Toners for oily skin often contain alcohol, witch hazel or a combination of both. The toner washes away residue from the cleanser, removes oils and dirt particles and tightens the pores.

Oily skin still requires a moisturizer. Using an oil-free astringent moisturizer can help control natural oils by keeping the skin healthy and supple. The moisturizer should be applied after toning in the morning and at night.

There are some oily skin tips that can help control shine during the day. Periodically applying a toner to the skin can help keep down the skin's shine. A blotting paper product also can be used. These sheets of paper are designed to absorb oil and reduce shine.

Weekly treatments also can help keep the skin healthy and reduce oil. Oily skin tips include using a mask once or twice a week. A clay or mud mask draws oils and dirt out of the skin while cleansing the pores and reducing shine. Masks can be applied all over the face and neck. They usually can be left on for a period of five minutes to half an hour.