Just stop OIL
KEEN TO KEEP EXCESS SHINE AT BAY? ABI JACKSON LEARNS HOW 4. skinSense Bi-Phase Cell Renewal Serum 30ml, £30 5. Ultrasun Face Fluid Anti-Pollution SPF50+, £28
OILY skin can be extra bothersome in spring and summer, with warmer weather and sunshine in the mix.
But managing excess shine isn’t just about mattifying make-up, topping up your powder and dabbing with oilabsorbing sheets as the day goes on. We asked skincare experts to talk us through the key points...
Avoid harsh cleansers
Reaching for heavy-duty cleansing products could actually be making things worse.
“With oily skin, the temptation is to use harsh products that are oil-free and strip the skin of natural oils. However, all this leads to is the skin’s moisture barrier becoming damaged, causing the skin to become dehydrated and attempt to make up for the lack of moisture by overproducing sebum to counteract this imbalance,” explains facialist and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner Ada Ooi, founder of 001 Skincare.
“I use an ‘oil attracts oil’ methodology with my clients and in my skincare range, to break down excess sebum and reduce congestion.”
Hydrate and use sun protection
Ada Ooi
“As we all know, trends are not based on science,” says Izabela Pawlitka, aesthetic therapist and skincare specialist at
Dr David Jack. “The two essential elements of daytime skincare are anti-oxidations and SPF50. Use antioxidant serum as a first layer and follow by moisturiser with built-in SPF50,” she suggests.
“The majority of people benefit from fewer layers of skincare routine, as after more than three layers, the penetration and absorption of the products is questionable anyway. Well-hydrated skin is key, so it’s extremely important to keep hydrating your skin with a light-textured moisturiser or lotion, rather
than a rich moisturiser.”
It starts on the inside
“There are lots of lifestyle factors that can contribute to your skin’s production of excess sebum, and it’s important to look at the root cause rather than just applying topical solutions,” says Ada.
“A diet consisting of lots of heavy and greasy foods, refined sugars, processed foods and dairy can all throw your system off-balance, because they require a lot of energy from our body to digest, and in Chinese Medicine, this creates excess heat and dampness that stagnate in the body, bubbling outwards as excessive sebum or spots on the skin surface.
“Hormonal imbalances and fluctuations also have a part to play in how much sebum your skin produces.”
This hydrating serum feels super lightweight and sinks in like a dream, giving your complexion a subtle glow and helping protect your skin’s natural barrier function.
High-SPF formulas can often be greasy and heavy – but this one is lightweight and absorbs fast, while also being packed with antioxidants and antiinflammatory active ingredients. Ideal under makeup all summer.