Here's How To Keep Oily Skin From Breaking Out

If you have oily skin, you've probably experienced the acne flareups that come with it. There's just something about our larger pores and overactive sebaceous glands that make pimples almost unavoidable. Which is why targeted ways to help prevent oily skin from breaking out are a necessity. Because if your breakouts are triggered more by your oily skin than other factors, your treatment should also address your oily skin.

And sure, there are plenty of reasons why having oily skin is kind of the best. But the increased probability of breaking out is not one of them. So in order to learn more about how to keep oily skin from wreaking havoc on itself, I emailed with a skincare expert. Dr. Jennifer Linder, Chief Scientific Officer for PCA SKIN, offered some great insight for those of us who need a little extra help keeping oily skin in check. According to Dr. Linder, "Oily skin tends to be a 'sluggish' skin condition, meaning it does not effectively shed dead surface cells as easily as normal skin due to the increased oil production acting almost as glue holding the dead cells together." Since this buildup can lead to blemishes, there are certain ways of treating your skin that can be especially helpful to keep it balanced and clear. Here are five of them.

1. Exfoliate

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub, $8.99, target.com

To help rid your skin of those dead skin cells that tend to cling on, Dr. Linder stresses the importance of incorporating an exfoliating treatment on a weekly bases. Try a chemical exfoliator rather than a physical exfoliator to help purify your pores without damaging your skin.

2. Use Clay Masks

L'Oreal Pure-Clay Mask Purify & Mattify, $9.99, target.com

Clay masks are especially nice for those with oily skin because, as Dr. Linder notes, they help draw out impurities and minimize oil production. You could even simplify your skincare routine by trying an exfoliating clay mask instead of doing two separate treatments.

3. Try Retinol At Night

PCA SKIN Intensive Clarity Treatment, $106, pcaskin.com

"Nighttime products containing pure retinol are also a fantastic way to regulate cellular turnover and oil production," says Dr. Linder. While retinol can really help to balance your oil production and keep acne under control, it's important to use it at night as your skin will be more sensitive to the sun while using it, and sun-exposure can also cause retinol to break down and be less effective.

4. Don't Over-Wash

Pevonia Botanica Myoxy-Caviar Timeless Balm Cleanser, $45, pevonia.com

Although it may feel like washing your face more will help stave off the oil that could be causing breakouts, the opposite is actually happening. According to Women's Health, using products that dry out your skin too much or too often will cause your oil-production to go into overdrive.

5. Moisturize Regularly

Origins Zero Oil Oil-Free Moisture Lotion, $29, sephora.com

Just as it's important to not use too many drying products or wash your face too often, it's also important to make sure to moisturize every time after washing your face. While it may seem like skipping moisturizer will help your face stay matte a little longer, as Dove reports, the lack of hydration will actually cause your skin to overcompensate and produce even more oil. And if your oily skin is leading to breakouts, it's probably best to avoid increasing your oil production.

So if your oily skin is behind your breakouts, by keeping your oil levels balanced and under control, so too can you keep your blemishes under control.

Images: Leandro Crespi/Stocksy; Courtesy of Brands