Skin types vary; from normal and dry to extremely dry skin and oily skin types. Having an oily skin type is associated with various skin ailments and conditions. Normally, the skin needs a certain amount of oil. This oil is naturally produced by the sebaceous glands under the skin through the secretion of a substance called sebum. The sebum is what keeps the skin moisturized. An increased sebum production is the main cause for an overly oily skin. Oily skin can cause not just a shiny and greasy appearance, but also severe acne inflammations as well as clogged skin pores, thereby preventing the skin from breathing normally.
How to Determine If You Have Oily Skin?
There are a couple of basic signs that can prove you have oily skin. Firstly, at a certain part of the day, your skin may start to look more shinny. This can be easily noticed in the area around the nose and the eyes, also known as the T zone. This is because the glands that are located here are the most active.
Secondly you may notice that when you put on make-up, it doesn’t stay for a long time. The makeup tends to just “fall off”. Acne keep showing up, and more blackheads appear especially in the area around the nose and on the cheekbones.
And since the pores are already clogged, they become enlarged in the same areas mentioned above. The two main contributors for oily skin are the genetic predisposition (which means one or both of your parents had a similar problem), and as a result of a hormonal unbalance. Other reasons can be PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome), menstrual cycle, menopause, etc. But the good news is that oily skin can be easily kept under control and taken care of. All you need to have is the right skin care products and the right oil control film.
What Is Oil Control Film?
Today’s cosmetic industry offers different oil control films, also named oil blotting paper. These films should be chosen after careful consideration of the material that it is made of and the skin type it will be used on. Oil blotting paper can be made of different materials, such as powder that acts as an absorbent, absorbing the extra oil from the skin while at the same it keeping the make–up intact. There is also blue oil control oil, which is actually a flexible and soft gum that doesn’t damage and has 3 times bigger absorption power than the basic films.
How to Choose the Right Oil Control Films?
Oil control films are one of the many solutions for oily skin. They have implanted solutions inside them that absorb the excess sebum. When choosing, people need to pay attention to the material, main ingredients, storage pack, and the expiration date. It is important to choose the right one because some will absorb most of the sebum while at the same time push down all the dead skin cells, dirt, dust, and oil into the skin pores, thereby clogging them even more. Clogged skin pores will make the air flow almost impossible, which can be the cause of severe acne inflammations.
When it comes to ingredients, alcohol should be avoided due to the fact that it can dry off the skin. And we all know that the skin naturally still needs a certain amount of oil. Removing almost of the oil will cause the glands to produce more sebum as a defense mechanism to protect the skin from any outside contaminants. But some polymers, even though they remove the excess of oil from the skin, still keep the skin moisturized. When it comes to materials, cosmeticians recommend materials such as synthetics and combinations of materials.
Types of Oil Control Films and How to Use Them
Today’s cosmetic industry is developed at such a level that almost every other company can offer different types of oil blotting paper. The following are some of the films we have out there.
1. Polypropylene Oil Control Film
The main ingredient here is polypropylene. You just need to tap the one piece of the film on the skin for it to absorb the excess of oil. This especially works on those areas of the face with the largest concentrations of it – usually the nose as well as the chin and cheekbones. Polypropylene doesn’t completely dry off the skin. However, it reduces the redness and it can also be used if you have make–up because it does not remove it or even smudge it. They come in small sizes and can be easily stored and carried around.
2. Mineral-based Oil Control Film
This one is a mineral-based oil control film. It contains cotton, cornstarch, silk, and calamine powder. The two main ingredients are cornstarch and calamine. Cornstarch is used as a helping substance to prevent the film from sticking to the face, while calamine is responsible for the main effect because it contains zinc oxide which acts as an antiseptic. There can also be found small traces of ferric oxide. Silk and the cotton are there as a carrying base for the cornstarch and the calamine.
3. Vitamin-based Oil Control Film
As we said before, oily skin is the main cause of acne inflammations. Cosmeticians recommend the use of Vitamins A, E and C to put the acne under control. These not only act as antioxidants, but they can also stop acne breakout as well as reduce the redness. They are mostly combined with zinc oxide to maximize the antiseptic effect on the skin.
Overall Positive Sides of Using Oil Control Films
The films can be stored easily in every purse or handbag, no matter the size. They are disposable and you can just throw them out once they have been used. And, they are a real treat for the skin. These films do not dry it off completely. And while they may not be able to completely prevent acne from showing up, they will still help you keep them under control. Oil control films do not ruin the make-up while you are using them. Even better, they not only remove the extra oil, they also help you get rid of any dirt and dust from your skin, as well as unclog your pores.