How to keep greasy skin at bay

Keeping greasy skin at bay can seem like a never-ending, full-time job. But since we all yearn to look dewy and not greasy, we chatted to skin expert, Tilly Barnett, owner of No.13 The Beauty Avenue, on how to solve this common skin problem.
RELATED: 10 of the best pore minimising must-haves
RELATED: 8 of the best cleansers for acne-prone skin
“Oily skin occurs when too much sebum is being produced by our glands,” explains Tilly.
“Our skin type can absolutely change due to many factors in relation to oily/acne skins. This change usually occurs with hormonal changes such as pregnancy and puberty. People who have a tendency to be oily will also notice it can get worse in the warmer months especially with humidity.”
Tilly says there are specific types of products you can use to combat greasy skin.
“I love BHAs when it comes to oily skin including glycolic acid and salicylic acid,” says Tilly. “Both help to reduce excess oil, leave pores smaller, which helps prevent the plugging of pores (blackheads).”
beautyheaven loves: Dr. LeWinn's Reversaderm Glycolic Clarifying Cleanser, philosophy the microdelivery triple-acid brightening peel, Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid, Proactiv+ Cleansing Body Bar
Another great ingredient, Tilly recommends, is Kaolin. This oil absorbing skin care ingredient is usually found in masks that can help to leave the skin with a balanced finish.
beautyheaven loves: Palmer's Purifying Enzyme Mask, Lush Cosmetic Warrior, Blessed by Nature Purifying Face Masque
Tilly also has a great solution for an oily T-zone but dry cheek combo. “When you have combination skin, apply serum and masks made especially for an oilier skin to the T-zone area and use a more hydrating mask/serum on the cheeks.”
beautyheaven loves: Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, Nutrimetics Clear Pore Minimiser, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus
“It really important to cleanse using a purifying cleanser or one containing AHAs, which is also going to give your skin a gentle daily exfoliation and keep pores clear,” says Tilly. “You also need to exfoliate one to two times a week with either a scrub, peel pad, or a serum infused with glycolic, salicylic or Vitamin A.” The bonus is you’ll also firm the skin and tighten pores. Considering oily skin can often become quite dehydrated, Tilly recommends using a moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid that’s hydrating and light-weight.
beautyheaven loves: Alpha-H Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Grapeseed, DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C serum, DermaE Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
“When it comes to in-salon treatments it’s all about reducing pore size,” says Tilly. “This can be achieved with the use of peels or microdermabrasion. But you can also get good results with a deep cleansing facial that includes a purifying mask.”
“Omnilux light therapy is also great combined with any of the above treatments for stimulating collagen and tightening pores,” explains Tilly. “It’s also calming and anti-inflammatory for those oilier skins with acne.”
How do you deal with an oily face? What are your fave greasy skin products to use?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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35 Member Comments
Love oily skin! Ages so slowly comparing to other skin types have noticed. Trying to keep mine producing stuff for as long as possible hehe
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Great information, I have dry skin.
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helped me soo much, thank you!
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I have tried omnilux but the treatments initially are very expensive. Great at home tips, will have to keep a look out for these ingredients.
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Some very good recommendations. I used to have oily skin but then the hormones hit me again and now Im all over the place!
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My skin still gets a little oily, a good toner and makeup setting spray do help
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Great article about oily skin! I definitely have oily skin everyday. For me, diet plays a major role. The minute i start eating sugary or oily food, my skin would go out of wack.
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Awesome article. I find that the Aspect Purastat Cleanser to be very oil-balancing for my oily skin T zone. It's a weird name but it works.
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My skin's a bit on the dry side, so this info doesn't really apply to me, but a good article for those with oiler skin.
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Thanks for this great article!!!! I never realised my enlarged pores could be contributing to my oily skin.. I’ve battled with oily skin my whole life and am now informed on what ingredients and products to use.
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I only wish my skin produced some of it's own natural oils! I've always had dry skin and have to apply so many products and oils to get it to feel good. Maybe oily skinned girls hate their oil but they always look younger!
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I've never had oily skin.
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Even for dry skin AHA cleansers are awesome - helps to clear old skin!
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thankfully this is not a problem for me
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What a great article! Nothing I have tried so far has worked, come lunch time - even before my face is always shiny! Will have to try some of the above and see if there is a difference..
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I find oiliness equals blackheads, so exfoliation is vital! I like a good scrub, but cleansing brushes are good too. Facial oil (rosehip) has also helped me.
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My skin is parched nowadays. I dont miss the management of oily skin but I do miss the youthfulness it gave me.
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I don't have oily skin now, and even as a teenager I only had a slightly oily T-zone.
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A mattyfting sunscreen, good primer and pressed powder keep the oil at bay. If it's not a full face, just rock the shine and blot throughout.
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I'm lucky enough not to have this problem... But some great tips to try here if I ever do...
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It's been a while since I've had really oily skin. I remember my teens whenI'd just touch my forehead and my fingers would be all shiny from greasy oily skin.
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Good tips and product recs, thank you bh! There's a lot of frustrating trial and error with my combination skin.
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I'm still a fan of blotting papers, which are sufficient for me as oiliness/greasiness is not a huge issue for me, but rather an occasional, often seasonal occurance.
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Glycolic acid is great for exfoliating the skin and I use a vitamin A cream at night as well which helps with my oily skin
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In high school, my skin used to be quite oily and sometimes shiny. Ever since I got into uni (this is my second year), my skin became more on the dry side. Huh.
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