Many Pinays believe that when it comes to your skin, oiliness is next to ugliness.
But according to dermatologist Dr. Zharlah Flores, it's time to toss that idea into the trash bin because oily skin is enriched with vitamins that keep the skin moisturized and protected from the sun.
In an interview held at the event of Cetaphil on August 16, 2019, the dermatologist explains, "Yung pagiging oily ng skin natin, huwag natin masyadong tinatanggal.
"It's because, number one, the sebaceous glands kasi when they secrete oil, they protects you in a way from sun damage."
The sebaceous glands are the part of your skin that release oil and waxy matter called sebum onto the outermost surface of your skin or the epidermis.
Although too much sebum can cause pimples, Dr. Flores says that "it filters in a little way some of the UV [ultraviolet] rays.
"So may protection ka. That's number one," she points out.
OILY SKIN IS ENRICHED WITH VITAMIN E
Another reason to embrace your oily skin is that it is full of vitamin E.
"Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It's very good for the skin," Dr. Flores details.
As an antioxidant, Vitamin E fights the free radicals or toxins that can damage the tissues of your skin.
It also keeps your skin moisturized.
Dr. Flores confirms, "It also retains a little bit of moisture in the skin.
"Hindi man siya water, oil man siya, nire-retain naman niya yung water inside your skin."
You can get a good dose of Vitamin E by eating green leafy vegetables, nuts, cereal, juice, margarine, and seafood like abalone and salmon.
PROPER CARE FOR OILY SKIN
For Pinays that have really-oily skin, Dr. Flores suggests using mild and gentler skin products as well as having a healthy diet.
For your cleanser, Dr. Flores recommends the brands with labels pointing to oily and acne-prone skin.
Use them every day in the morning and before bedtime.
Applying tretinoin cream or oil-free moisturizer on your face before going to bed also helps nourish your skin.
For the diet, she prescribes avoiding "food that contains a lot of sugar, fatty oily food, yung mga spicy food because it can trigger the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil so lalo ka magiging oily."
Instead, choose foods that are rich in fiber and antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables and nuts.
She also recommends fruits with high fatty acids like coconut, banana, and avocado.
Dr. Flores explains, "Coconut and broccoli could also hydrate your skin, maintain the water inside the skin, at the same time, make your skin a little bit oily. Banana and avocado are very good for the skin as well.
"They contain essential fatty acids that are very good for the skin. They maintain the hydration as well that limits the oiliness of your skin."