If you’ve got oily skin, this dermatologist has some advice

If you struggle with oily skin, you probably feel like you’ve heard it all when it comes to tips for maintaining a shine-free complexion.

But with so much advice - and conflicting information - flying around, it can be tricky (read: impossible) to know which suggestions you should actually take on board.

Enter Brisbane dermatologist Dr Davin Lim to save the day. He’s shared his top tips for caring for oily skin via his Instagram page and lucky for you, we took notes!

#1 / Cleanse twice a day with a BHA cleanser

Although it may be tempting to cleanse your face multiple times a day to get rid of oiliness as it appears, Dr Lim warns that if you do this, you’ll instead exacerbate the problem.

“If you clean your face six times a day, you’ll just keep producing more oil,” says Dr Lim.

“The cleanser you use is very important. You have to use a gentle cleanser but also an active cleanser.”

Dr Davin Lim recommends trying Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash, a gentle cleanser with BHA salicylic acid (not more than two per cent) or a cleanser containing tea tree oil.

#2 / Use a light moisturiser

Dr Lim says using a moisturiser two to three times a day is very important as it “counteracts what you’ve just washed off – your oil. You want to trick your skin into thinking it has a nice coat so use a light moisturiser.” 

As for products, Dr Lim likes The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, or something from the La Roche-Posay range (we’re big fans of La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Light). 

#3 / Consider ditching your toner

In the same vein as over-washing your face, toners can strip the skin of too much oil and instead send your skin into oil production overdrive. Yeah, not good…

So Dr Lim says it’s best to cut toner out of your skin care routine. If you’re set on using one, he suggests getting one that doesn’t contain alcohol or astringents.

#4 / Incorporate vitamin A to reduce oil production

When we think of retinol, we tend to think first of its anti-ageing benefits, but it turns out this wonder ingredient does more than just smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

“Vitamin A can help actually decrease oil production. It can help slow down the production of sebum,” says Dr Lim.

Wow! Less wrinkles, and less oil-slick? Sign us up.

There are plenty of over-the-counter retinol options available – check out some of our favourite retinol serums here.

#5 / Rethink your diet

Perhaps the most contentious tip on Dr Lim’s list, he explains that diet can in fact affect your skin. We’ve been hearing clashing views on this over the years, but Dr Lim is setting the record straight with scientific facts to back his view.

“Diet plays an important role in the development of oil production as well as acne. That’s been proven in many scientific journals… The trigger factors include dairy and foods which are refined (so basically, sugars). Cutting down refined foods and basically eating healthy foods can help,” says Dr Lim.

If you’re dealing with oily skin, check out some of our favourite foundations for oily skin. 

Will you be incorporating Dr Davin Lim’s tips for oily skin into your beauty regimen? Let us know how you go in the comments.

Main image credit: @taylor_hill