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Treating Oily Skin

What's worth trying

The most direct way to deal with oily skin is through using a facial cleanser. This doesn't need to be an "acne" cleanser, and in fact you may be better off it it's not. A gentle, non-drying cleanser is optimal (since you will be stripping your skin of its natural moisturizing agent). You should generally wash your face no more than twice per day  - once in the morning and once at night.

Medicated pads or wipes can also cleanse excess oil from your pores, although these tend to be harsher on your skin. With medicated pads or any strong cleanser, it is usually best to follow with a moisturizer so as to protect your skin in place of the oil you've removed. Just be sure to choose a moisturizer that won't clog your pores or block your body's ability to produce vitamin D (avoid sunscreen unless you're going to be spending a long time outdoors).

Using supplements is a good idea, provided those supplements actually target skin oil regulation. The great thing about a natural supplement that enhances your body's oil metabolism (such as B5) is that your body will stop metabolizing skin oil when it reaches an optimal level. That means you can eliminate excess skin oil without having to worry about being stripped of all oil, thanks to your body regulating itself. This way your skin won't be left vulnerable without any natural layer of protection.

Your diet can also play a big role when it comes to preventing oily skin. Certain foods, such as those high in processed sugars and carbs, can cause your oil glands to crank their production into overdrive. Besides avoiding problem foods, eating more fruits and vegetables can also help. For instance, the beta carotene in carrots can help reduce the oil production of your sebaceous glands, and this has fewer side effects than taking vitamin A directly.

What's not worth trying

While washing your face once or twice per day is fine, using cleansers too frequently is not healthy for your skin. Constantly stripping away all oil like that will both leave your skin vulnerable and agitate your pores, potentially causing other problems for your complexion. Remember, maintaining some skin oil is natural and healthy. Trying to eliminate it all will only dry you out, causing your skin cells to become less supple and more susceptible to damage and irritation.

Likewise, there's no need to go overboard with harsh chemicals when combating oily skin. Strong drugs intended to cause exfoliation or "kill all underlying bacteria", etc., are really not necessary. A gentle cleanser should be enough. Oily skin isn't the same thing as acne, and it would be overkill to try and treat it with the same products.