Are you the lucky owner of oily skin? No, I’m not being sarcastic as this skin type can certainly be considered a blessing. As it turns out, oily skin is considered to be better at warding off wrinkles as opposed to dry or normal skin. Not to mention how oils created by our skin help relieve dryness, keep the skin smooth and elastic, and ensure a healthy glow. But unfortunately, people with oily skin regularly struggle with enlarged pores, blackheads and acne, even years after they are out of the „teenage phase“.
The mistake that many people make when it comes to dealing with oily skin, is that they use harsh products which strip the skin entirely of its healthy sebum layer. This prompts the skin to overcompensate by producing even more sebum which in turn leads to even more breakouts and aggressive acne, turning the process into a vicious circle. So, what is the right way to deal with this? Here are some tips on how to adopt a proper oily skin care routine and turn your skin from greasy to luminous.
Retinoids – First Line of Defence
Retinoids, or in other words – serums and creams containing vitamin A, can work wonders for preventing acne. Vitamin A helps reshape the lining of the pores, allowing excess oil to come out easily and preventing it from getting trapped and causing a blackhead, or a pimple. When the oil is out on the surface of the skin, it’s much easier to clean the excess out. This kind of products are recommended for nightly use, as they help prepare the skin for the cleaning treatment in the morning. Besides being a staple in oily skin care, vitamin A products also speed up cell turnover, making them one of the best anti-ageing products. Quite the win-win!
Find the Right Cleanser
A combination of natural exfoliating acids and potent antioxidants is something to look for in your morning cleanser. For instance, the amazing healing and anti-inflammatory ability of lavender oils combined with the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil is a proven way to control those dreaded breakouts. While it might seem counter-intuitive to use oil-based cleansers, in reality, the oil in the face wash attracts the skin’s excess sebum, so when you rinse it off it goes away easier. You can alternate these types of potent products with more calming cleansers containing ingredients, such as rosemary extract, which can help soothe any inflammation.
Don’t Forget to Hydrate!
One of the biggest mistakes that oily-skinned folks can make is skipping moisturising. After a cleansing face wash, moisturising is essential for keeping the skin’s barrier healthy and hydrated so it can block out external threats, such as bacteria or UV rays, better. But don’t use thick creams and heavy ingredients such as coconut oil or shea butter as they are known to clog pores. Instead, go for lightweight serums and lotions based on glycerin or hyaluronic acid.