Oily Skin, Shine and Pores — البشرة الدهنية واللمعان والمسام

النسخة العربية بالأسفل — اضغطي هنا ↓

Oily skin is the most over-treated skin type there is. The instinct is to strip it — strong cleansers, twice-daily scrubs, alcohol toners, skipping moisturiser — and the result is skin that produces more oil, not less, with a tight, uncomfortable feeling in between.

Why stripping backfires

Your skin's surface needs a certain amount of oil and water to stay comfortable. Remove it aggressively and the skin compensates. That's the cycle behind the familiar pattern: squeaky clean at 9am, shining by noon.

There's a second, more common problem hiding inside oily skin: dehydration. Oily and dehydrated at the same time is normal — oil is not water. Skin short on water often feels tight and looks dull while still shining by the afternoon.

What actually helps

• Cleanse twice, gently. Morning and night, lukewarm water, no scrubbing. If your face feels tight after rinsing, the cleanser is too harsh.
• Don't skip moisture. A light layer keeps skin from over-compensating.
• Protect daily. UV damage makes texture and pore appearance worse over time.
• Blot, don't re-wash. A tissue at midday beats a third cleanse.
• Give it weeks. Oil production responds slowly. Judge a routine at four to eight weeks, not four days.

About pores

Pore size is largely genetic — no product closes a pore, and anything promising that is overpromising. What does change how pores look: keeping the surface clear so they aren't stretched by build-up, and daily sun protection, since UV affects the firmness of the skin around them.

What to stop

• Cleansing three or four times a day.
• Alcohol-heavy toners used to chase the squeaky feeling.
• Daily physical scrubs.
• Skipping moisturiser because skin is "already oily".

Frequently asked questions

Should oily skin skip moisturiser?

No. Skipping it is one of the main reasons oily skin gets oilier. Choose a light texture rather than nothing.

Is a tight feeling after cleansing a good sign?

No. Tightness means the cleanser removed more than it should have.

Does sunscreen make oily skin worse?

A heavy one can feel greasy, but skipping protection makes texture and marks worse in the long run. Apply in two thin layers rather than one thick one — see our sunscreen guide.

Can I use blotting paper all day?

Yes. Blotting removes surface oil without disturbing the skin the way repeated washing does.

A simple routine

Morning: Breath cleanser, then Day Cream SPF 50+. Night: cleanser, then Night Cream. Three steps, twice a day, and nothing extra while your skin settles. The first-week guide covers the application detail.

These are cosmetic products for the appearance of the skin. They are not a substitute for medical advice.