Do you walk out the door in the morning with perfect skin, and by that afternoon find yourself battling shininess, runny makeup, and blotching? Afternoon shininess requires a little extra attention to your skincare routine and makeup.
Afternoon oily skin can be caused by several factors. Fortunately, there are solutions. Keep reading!
What causes afternoon oily skin?
Though you may think oily skin is limited to those with an oily skin type, this isn’t necessarily true. Though some people are genetically programmed to produce more skin oil, anyone can experience breakthrough shine and excess oil throughout the day. Here are some of the reasons why:
Oily skin
You have oily skin, so even though you may wash off that oil in the morning, it comes back by the afternoon.
Stress
You become stressed by something during the day, which can trigger oil production in your pores.
Dry skin
If you forgot to moisturize in the morning, your skin is likely to react by trying to hydrate itself with more of its natural oils—hello, shininess.
Hormones
During your monthly cycle, you may be more likely to experience breakthrough shininess by the afternoon hours. Pregnancy can also cause changes in your skin.
Medications
Were you sick recently? New medications can throw your body out of whack, causing the overproduction of skin oils.
Over-treatment
If you’ve gone on a “skincare frenzy” lately, you may have piled on too many products and treatments for your skin to handle at once. Many times, oiliness is your skin’s reaction to stress, which it may be experiencing because of too many treatments.
Climate changes
If you travel to a different climate, or experience sudden changes in weather patterns, your skin may react in an attempt to hydrate and protect itself.
Wrong products
Sometimes, we use the wrong products for our skin type. If you’re oily, for instance, you need products that contain oil-balancing ingredients. If you’re a dry skin type, you need deep hydration. Using the wrong products can result in afternoon oily skin.
The basics of skincare for afternoon oil skin
No matter what may be causing your shiny skin, the goal is to get rid of it. First, you need to start with some good, basic skincare.
Determine your skin type
If you need help, check with your local dermatologist or makeup artist. Determining your basic skin type will help you tailor your skincare routine to what your skin needs.
Cleanse regularly but gently
Cleansing is key to controlling oil production, so don’t skimp on your cleanser. You need something effective but gentle. Being too aggressive or drying in your cleansing can backfire, as your skin will produce more oil in the afternoon to compensate for the stress and dryness.
So don’t over wash—just twice a day should do it unless you’re involved in exercise or other activities that make you sweat, after which another cleansing will be required. Be careful, as many common over-the-counter products contain harsh sulfates that can cause afternoon shininess.
Tone
Your toning step is also more important than you may think. An alcohol-based toner is likely to be drying, which may feel good in the morning, but will encourage your skin to produce more oil by the afternoon.
Use a moisturizing toner that helps control shininess without dryness.
Moisturize
No matter what type of skin you have, moisturization is important. If you have oily skin, however, you’ll want to choose a light, balancing formula. Dry skin types will need a little more moisturization.
Always look for products that are free of mineral oil and other petrolatum-based products, as they clog pores and stimulate shininess.
Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation gives you a smoother, softer skin surface to work with. If your skin is in the middle of a break-out, exfoliate less frequently to avoid additional irritation until the skin heals.
Absorb
Using a mask to absorb excess oil a couple of times a week can help your skin to adapt and adjust to changing conditions, and can help balance natural oils.
Makeup tips
Sometimes, no matter how good a job you do at taking care of your skin, you can still end up with afternoon shininess. Here are some makeup tips to help you deal with this problem.
Beware your moisturizer
If you’re experiencing afternoon shininess, you may not be hydrating enough, or you may be hydrating too much. Your best bet—try a light, skin-balancing moisturizer under your makeup. Even dry skin types that are experiencing afternoon shininess may need to switch to a lighter moisturizer for a while. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Use a mattifying primer
If you haven’t tried a primer under your foundation, this may be a good time to do that. Just be choosy—you need one that allows your skin to breathe (avoid dimethicone and other silicone ingredients) but that will help absorb oil.
Use an absorbing foundation
Mineral oil foundations work well for many with oily skin, so this may be one to try for you.
Don’t overdo the powder
Our natural inclination when we see shininess is to use powder. Be careful, however, as powder on oily skin can highlight pores, and can highlight any fine lines or wrinkles you may have. Blotting paper may be a better option.
Carry blotting tissues
These are easy to carry in your handbag, as they come in booklets you can take anywhere. In a pinch, use one to simply blot away the excess oil without disturbing your makeup. Press on the oily area, then roll off the skin (don’t rub).
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