More often than not, common misconceptions about skincare cause more damage than benefit. Some of these include: the false sense of security when basing sun protection on SPF alone; greasy food causes acne; antioxidants can reverse wrinkles; products can close the pores and “erase” them; and lastly, drying up the skin can solve its oiliness and prevent acne breakouts.
Even oily skin needs to be hydrated and moisturized, too. Balancing that moisture with the prevention of breakout can be quite tricky, but with the right steps and right products, you’ll surely put an end to the love-hate relationship you have with your oily skin.
Tip #1: Cleanse using gentle products
Some acne-focused cleansers contain harsh ingredients that are meant to dry up acne breakout. These ingredients are not only far from being skin-friendly, but as they dry out your face, they encourage dead cell buildup. This them would cause bacteria and oil to be trapped under the skin, which further leads to more breakouts.
Products to use:
Zelens Z Detox Foaming Cleanser ($80)
Highlights: lighter than air; mops up sebum removing good stuff.
Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser With Saw Palmetto & Mint ($23.50)
Highlights: totally void of oil; saw palmetto busts bacteria; salicylic acid locks pores.
Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser ($68)
Highlights: flushes impurities out; soothes redness; and balances the production of sebum.
Tip #2: Never Use Toners with Alcohol in Them
Alcohol-free toners will be your best bet if you want to boost your skin’s moisture. Alcohol can dry out the skin, and if you have been paying attention to what we’ve been saying so far, drying out skin is a no no for oily skin.
Products to use:
Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner ($26)
Highlights: controls oil; reduces the appearance of pores.
Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic ($26)
Highlights: calms, nourishes and balances the skin; eliminates impurities; infused with lavender.
Clarins Toning Lotion With Iris ($26)
Highlights: removes your cleanser’s every trace; balances skin; tightens pores; normalizes surface oils.
Tip #3: Exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
Exfoliation can balance out your oily skin, but don’t overdo it. Just 203 times a well of exfoliating can rid your face of the layers of dead cells. By doing so, it can prevent the overproduction of oil, which then leads to breakouts.
Products to use:
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub ($22.50)
Highlights: unclogs pores, softens fine lines; de-flakes skin.
Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish ($32.00)
Highlights: exfoliates; cleanses; removes dead skin cells with microbeads.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment ($85.00)
Highlights: deep cleanses pores to remove clogging without over-drying skin; gives you a healthier-looking complexion.
Tip #4: Moisturize!
Never skip moisturizers in your daily skincare regimen, as it is important that your skin remains moisturized. Using moisturizers won’t add to the oiliness of your skin, as some might claim, but in reality, they do the opposite: keep your face oil at bay.
Products to use:
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream ($175)
Highlights: hydrates through the Miracle Broth; works on all complexion; plumps and soothes the skin.
Tatcha Water Cream ($68)
Highlights: hydrates skin; helps control excess oil through Japanese leopard lily.
Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer ($34)
Highlights: hydrate skin and smooth the texture of your skin; reducing any extra shine
There you go, oil-burdened gals! These tips are tried and tested methods to help you care for your oily skin without looking too shiny all day. With the suggested products above, and being faithful to a full regimen of daily skincare including the tips we mentioned, you’ll surely be fine. Trust us.
Image Credits: Living Nature, Zelens, Kbeauty Bee, Tata Harper Skincare, Bustle, A Little Pop of Coral, Sheisnaturallybronze, The Netski Beat, Nina’s Style Blog, GG-Reviews, Reviews and Other Stuff, In Gloss Mode, Shiseido, Unsplash.
