Genetics is the main reason some of us have oily skin. Yes, you can actually blame your parents for this one! Oily skin is caused by an excessive production of sebum and can lead to spots, blemishes, open pores and blackheads. Diet and skin care routine play an important part in managing oily skin and avoiding all of these skin problems.

Eating a lot of processed, sugary meals and snacks, rich fried foods high in fat, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will not do your skin any favors. Instead of ready meals and take away dinners, sugary desserts and chocolate snacks, substitute salads, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. Replace fizzy drinks, alcohol and coffee with water, and you will see improvements in your skin.

Managing oily skin requires a consistent beauty regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. If you can cleanse your skin 3 or 4 times a day, you will really see the benefits. Use products which suit your skin type. If cleansing more than twice a day, use a gentle product. Strong alcohol based cleansers can strip the skin of natural oils and cause flaky skin patches and irritation.

Cleansers and toners suitable for oily skin may contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or a combination of acids. These types of cleansers benefit oily skin by controlling the excess production of sebum in the skin, reducing open pores and blackheads. They improve the skin's texture by exfoliating the top layer of dead surface cells, and as an added benefit, can reduce the appearance of acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles.

Other treatments to consider include microdermabrasion, skin resurfacing lasers and skin peels. Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure which removes the dead outermost surface of the skin. Microdermabrasion does not require any anaesthetic, and can be used to treat sun damaged skin, acne scars, fine lines and enlarged pores. A course of 6 to 8 treatments is usually required to achieve results. Various types of laser treatments are available which burn away the top layer of skin. 2 or 3 treatments may be required over a period of several weeks. After treatment, the skin may be red and flaky until the fresh new skin is revealed. Skin peels vary in strength. A more gentle peel will just exfoliate the outermost dead layers of the skin, to give a fresher look. Deeper skin peels can cause the outer layer of skin to literally peel away, and require several days for the skin to recover.

Beauty salons and skin clinics offer a wide range of treatments for various skin problems, and can advise on the most suitable treatment for your skin type. There are also a good quality range of products suitable for home use which can save you hundreds of pounds in expensive salon treatments.