The Skincare Ingredients You Should Look For If You Have Oily Skin

The truth is that, as per Byrdie, curating a skincare regime that works to aid your oily skin is easier said than done. When it comes to treating oily skin, it's common practice to opt to use strong products in a bid to curb sebum production, but sometimes going overboard with these kinds of ingredients can make oily skin worse.

Oily skin which, according to SheKnows, is caused by excess sebum production and can cause a number of skin issues, with the most common problem being acne. Overproduction of sebum — the skin's natural oil — can cause pores to become clogged, bacteria to be trapped, and thus for acne to occur. While oily skin can be problematic, the good news is that there are plenty of ways that you can manage it. One of the best options for managing oily skin is being selective about the products that you use.

Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, explained to Byrdie that, "If you have oily skin, you need to be careful about the products that you are using. The wrong ones can promote breakouts or even cause skin irritation."

Bearing this in mind, the question remains: what are the skincare ingredients you should be using to manage your oily skin?

Some of the products that you should look for if you have oily skin include salicylic acid, tea tree oil, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and hyaluronic acid, as per SheKnows. Bottlecode suggested adding retinol to the mix. Retinol — the superhero of skincare ingredients — can help to regulate the skin's oil production, and can also help to reduce the occurrence of acne.

Hyaluronic acid is commonly used in moisturizers and other hydrating skincare products, according to Bottlecode. There's a common misconception that oily skin doesn't need moisturizing, however this couldn't be further from the truth. In many instances, oily skin is actually the result of skin that is dehydrated and over produces oil to compensate for this. By using a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, you can keep your skin hydrated while also minimizing the appearance of oily skin.

Salicylic acid is known to be another fantastic ingredient for skin that's prone to oiliness. Often added to cleansing products, salicylic acid can be a great ingredient to use if your skin breaks out due to excess oil production. SheKnows explained that tea tree oil acts as a natural antiseptic which can help to dissolve excess oil, while also killing the bacteria that causes acne. Popular in over-the-counter acne products, benzoyl peroxide destroys bacteria and promotes healthy cell turnover.

Now you know what ingredients to look for, you can say goodbye to overly oily skin!