Oily skin refers to the fact that the oil glands in your face are overactive, and they produce extra oil- more than your skin needs to remain in proper balance. The excess oil then shows up as shininess in parts of the face; most often in the “T” zone- that “T” shaped area making up the forehead, nose, and chin. There are several causes for this oily overproduction, but the other issue with oily skin is that, very often, the pores of the face are also enlarged.

If you look at your face in a close up mirror, can you see the pores of your face? And, if you can, do you notice that they are definitely more visible in the “T” zone region?

If so, you are likely to have extra skin oilinesss that needs to be addressed. Another way you can tell is if your skin becomes oily or shiny just a few hours after you’ve showered- normally, women with oily skin complain that they wash their faces in the morning and their skin is oily and shiny by lunch-time.

If you struggle with oily skin, one of the most important things to remember is that you should use a cleanser specially formulated for oily skin. Keep your skin clear and gently exfoliated- this will keep dead skin from accumulating in your pores; causing blackheads or whiteheads. If you are troubled by too much shine during the day, you might try using a skin friendly blotting paper. These little papers soak up oil without distrubing your makeup. They are a skin-healthy alternative to constantly applying additional foundation or base.