If your face is oily, your first instinct may be to reach for a strong cleanser that leaves your skin feeling completely dry.
It feels satisfying.
The oil is gone. Your face feels “squeaky clean.”
Then a few hours later, the shine is back.
And you start wondering: Why is my skin still so oily?
The problem might not be that you aren’t washing enough. Your cleanser could simply be too harsh for your skin.
That tight feeling isn’t necessarily a good thing
After washing, your skin shouldn’t feel painfully tight, uncomfortable or extremely dry.
A harsh cleanser can remove too much of the skin’s natural oil, potentially leaving the skin irritated and dry.
If you respond by washing again and again, you can end up in a frustrating cycle of trying to get rid of oil that keeps coming back.
Clean skin doesn’t have to feel stripped.
You’re not supposed to remove every bit of oil
Your skin naturally produces sebum, an oily substance that helps protect and lubricate the skin.
The aim of cleansing is to remove excess oil, sweat, dirt, sunscreen and other build-up — not to make your face completely oil-free.
If you’re constantly scrubbing, washing or using very strong products because you hate the feeling of oily skin, it may be time to simplify your routine.
Look at what’s actually in your cleanser
For oily or congested skin, ingredients such as salicylic acid are commonly used because they can help with clogged pores and blackheads.
But more active ingredients aren’t automatically better.
If your skin is becoming red, flaky, sore or unusually sensitive, consider whether you’re using too many strong products together.
Sometimes the solution is a gentler cleanser, not a stronger one.
And don’t skip moisturiser
This is one of the biggest mistakes people with oily skin make.
You might think:
“My face is already oily. Why would I put moisturiser on it?”
But oily skin still needs hydration.
Look for a moisturiser that feels comfortable on your skin and doesn’t leave you feeling excessively greasy. A lightweight, non-comedogenic option may be preferable if you are prone to clogged pores.
Your routine doesn’t need to contain ten different products.
A cleanser, moisturiser and daytime sunscreen can be a perfectly sensible starting point.
So, is your face wash the problem?
Possibly — especially if your skin feels tight or irritated immediately after cleansing and you’re constantly trying to compensate for it.
Try paying attention to how your skin feels rather than simply how “clean” it feels.
And if you have persistent or severe acne, painful spots or scarring, speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist for personalised advice.
The bottom line
Oily skin doesn’t need to be attacked.
It needs to be managed gently and consistently.
If your face wash leaves your skin feeling stripped, it may be time to reconsider what you’re using.
Because sometimes the reason your skincare routine isn’t working isn’t that you need more products.
You might simply need the right one.
