All You Need to Know About Sebum Control

You don't want everything that shines, especially not your face. But it’s inevitable sometimes, and also completely normal. However, if you feel like an oil slick no matter how often you wash your face, it might be time to take sebum control into your own hands. 

In this article, we’ll be discussing all things juicy (read: oily) about the topic and will also let you in on some ways to manage your sebum production more effectively, helping to bring balance back to your skin. So stick around until the end!

Understand the Role of Sebum

Before we get to discussing sebum control, let's first take a step back and make sure we know what sebum is and where it comes from as this is undoubtedly the first step in effective oil management. 

Sebum is an oily, waxy, and slightly acidic substance produced by our skin's sebaceous glands. It is an essential part of healthy skin and helps protect the skin from drying out, UV damage, and irritants. Too much sebum however, can cause issues like acne, whiteheads, and blackheads which is why it's imperative to maintain optimum levels for glowing skin. 

Now that we're familiar with the source of all that shine, let's jump in and talk about some of the tried-and-tested methods people have used to reduce their own sebum production!

Incorporate Gentle Exfoliation

Gentle exfoliation helps in controlling sebum production by removing the top layer of dead skin cells and allowing skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin to perform their job of managing excessive oil production effectively. Opting for products containing salicylic acid such as the Leovard Multicleanser can help to do the trick! However, that does not mean that you over exfoliate because that can lead to irritation and dehydration, both of which can lead to overproduction of sebum as the skin tries to compensate for the lost moisture.

Don't Over Cleanse the Skin

Another easy method to help manage your sebum production is to not over cleanse your skin. You want to keep your skin's natural oil balance in check, and washing or exfoliating too much can disrupt it.

Your skin is naturally oily because it has natural sebum that helps keep the outer layer of skin soft and supple. Overtime, sebum also helps protect the deeper layers of your skin as well as provide a barrier against external elements.

Therefore, it's important to find the right balance between cleansing and moisturizing. Too much of either one can make the issue worse either by wiping away too much oil and leaving you dry, or filling up on too much oil and congesting your pores.

Ensure Balanced Use of Moisturizer 

Balancing facial moisturizer use is key for sebum control. On one hand, your face needs some oil to stay hydrated, but on the other hand, too much oil will make your face look greasy and lead to breakouts.

By doing a few simple things, you can get the balance right and start seeing results:

1.     Use a gentle cleanser: Start with a gentle cleanser that won't strip the natural oils from your skin. Choose something that's suitable for your skin type if you have oily skin. We recommend the Leovard Multicleanser which is a great pick for oily skin owing to its fantastic list of ingredients such as salicylic acid and green tea, known for not only their sebum management abilities but also in combating acne, blackheads and whiteheads which are a common occurrence with oily skin. 
2.     Look for oils that absorb quickly: Go for facial oils beneficial to your skin, like jojoba oil or rosehip seed oil. Avoid mineral or petroleum-based oils, which don't sink into the skin and can block up pores. The Leovard Oil Fusion is a blend of eleven premium oils and makes a wonderful, non-sticky, nourishing facial oil.
3.     Find the right moisturizer: You don't need heavy creams or lotions; a light hydrating gel or serum will be enough here but make sure it's fast-absorbing so it won't sit on top of your skin and cause breakouts. The Leovard Multicream is a lightweight and non-comedogenic moisturizer that prevents the pores from getting clogged, making it the best bet for oily skin.
4.     Don't forget SPF: Finally, apply sunscreen everyday. It isn't just about keeping wrinkles at bay, as an SPF helps protect against UV damage that can age you prematurely and make breakouts worse!

Consider Your Environment

Another way to manage your sebum production is to take a look at your environment. As you may have noticed, hot and humid conditions can cause your skin to produce more oil. If this is the case, try to avoid spending too much time outdoors during the hottest parts of the day. Also, use an air conditioner in your home and office to ensure that the temperature stays cool and comfortable.

If you live in an area with high levels of smog or pollution, this could be another factor affecting your skin's sebum production. Try wearing a face mask when you're outdoors, and use a cleanser with natural exfoliating ingredients twice a day. This will help clear away any dirt or debris from the surface of your skin, which can help reduce oiliness.

Conclusion

Overall, it's essential to have a proper skincare regimen that works for your skin type and environment in order to ensure that the skin remains fresh and hydrated instead of either drenched in sebum or dry and yearning.

While there are lots of tips and tricks - from adjusting your diet, to natural remedies and oil-absorbing products - that can help you keep your sebum levels in check, everyone's skin is different and reacts differently, so find what works best for you and stick to it.

Sebum control may not be easy, but it's worth it in the end. With the right mix of knowledge and patience, you'll be able to eliminate unwanted shine and achieve healthy, balanced skin that is truly a sight to behold.