What To Do About Oily Skin Over 40

Dear Deborah,

I have oily skin, and no matter what I use, my face gets shiny within an hour. I feel like I look dirty. What can I use to keep the shine off?

Thanks, Lee

I asked beauty blogger Deborah Chase from No-Nonsense Beauty to answer this question.

Deb Chase: Rather than looking for the ultimate oil-resistant make-up, I’d love to see you get a handle on the underlying problem. A complexion’s “dirty” look is due to a build-up of stale oil and dead skin cells that stick together on the skin’s surface. Start by cleansing your skin with a soap fortified with salicylic acids, like Aveeno Clear Complexion Bar.

This widely used ingredient was born to remove the top layer of dead skin cells that make the complexion look muddy. As a bonus, sal acid slows down over-excited oil glands. The result? A smoother, brighter, less oily skin.

At night use a washcloth to wash your skin with a sal acid soap. Wet the washcloth, rub on some soap, and massage it into your skin; after washing your face the same way in the morning, top it with an oil-free sunscreen like  Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF30.

Taking off the top dead layer of skin cells leaves your new skin more vulnerable to UV rays, so this protection is extra important.

Once or twice a week, treat your skin to an oatmeal mask. Mix one egg white with one tablespoon of quick-cook oatmeal. Pat the goo on your face, let it harden for about 20 minutes, and rinse off with cold water.

Oatmeal has many properties, all good. Not only does it absorb excess oil, but it’s also an effective anti-oxidant, and it calms down irritation.    Follow this routine for a week and then go shopping for new make-up. I’d still stick with oil-free products, but you will have many great choices.

Disclosure: Fabulous After 40 received complimentary Aveeno products to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own.