Given our hot and humid weather in Singapore, most of us are likely to have to deal with oily or combination complexions, where your T-zone is full of shine and your cheeks are dry. Couple that with stress, hormonal change and an unhealthy diet that is low in fibre and high in fat, you get a recipe for clogged skin.

While constant washing is not recommended to cut the shine, there are some things you can do to reduce the over-production of sebum that is causing your complexion to become oily.

Here are 6 good-to-know tips from Simple:

1) Use warm, not hot water to cleanse
Hot water dries and damages skin over time, and cold water does not dissolve embedded dirt and grime. So stick to lukewarm water when you're washing your face.

2) Do not overwash
Over cleansing stimulates the skin to produce more oil, as our skin has a natural mechanism to produce sebum to prevent itself from being dried out. Using a gentle cleanser twice a day will help to keep skin looking clean. But if you have extremely oily skin, you can consider cleansing your face up to four times a day.

3) Round and round, up and out
When cleansing your face, make sure to massage your face with your fingertips in an upward and outward motion.

4) Eat your greens
A diet rich in protein and which includes a lot of leafy green vegetables and fruits can cut down the shine.

5) Bulk up on your vitamins
Did you know that even a slight deficiency in vitamin B2 can cause your skin to become oily? Good sources of vitamin B2 include whole grains, beans and nuts. Iron-rich grains such as buckwheat and black beans can also rejuvenate skin.

6) Cut down on your intake of oil
Oily skin can also stem from consuming too much oil in your diet. Take it easy on fried, highly seasoned foods and fatty meats.


Try:

Simple's Oil-balancing range. The Exfoliating Wash (top left) contains gentle micro-particles to help unclog pores and remove dirt, while the moisturiser (top centre) has a light and non-greasy texture that does not sit heavily on skin after application. For on-the-go clean, whip out a handy cleansing wipe (top right) which removes make-up very effectively.