7 WAYS TO GET RID OF OILY SKIN
PG 20- 21
A perfectly matte complexion might not be something to aspire to, but there is satisfaction to be found in balance: after all, your skin needs oil, but an excess of the greasy stuff is less than appealing. The thing to remember though, is that you can’t ‘get rid’ of oily skin – and nor should you feel compelled to: after all, the days of drying our faces into oblivion are over, and glow is firmly back on the agenda. But keeping your face on the right side of shiny? That is totally possible. Understanding your oily skin is the key to managing (not eliminating) it, and once harmony is restored, you’ll have a happy, healthy complexion that looks glowy, never greasy. To achieve this, inject the following steps into your skin care routine and you are well on your way.
1. MASTER YOUR DAILY CLEANSING ROUTINE
When you have oily skin, the urge to wash your face at every available opportunity can be strong. But your frequent facewashing habit may actually be making things worse.
It seems logical that removing the skin’s oil would be the best way to clear oily skin, but overcleansing actually activates further oil production. Simply speaking, when you cleanse so much you remove the skin’s natural – and necessary – sebum reserves, it’s going to rectify things by producing more. Clearly, the cleanser you choose is crucial – but between milks and gels, foams and water, it can be near-impossible to decide which one is best for an oil-prone complexion. Try using a cream or milky cleanser, as these will dissolve dirt and debris without disturbing the barrier function and natural moisture levels of the skin. Pic -elizabeth arden
2. BE WARY OF PRODUCTS FORMULATED FOR OILY SKIN
Believe it or not, products specially formulated for minimising oiliness often exacerbates the situation, as so many contain harsh ingredients that sweep away every last drop of sebum from the skin (and we all know what that means). The main culprits are products containing alcohols, astringents and sulphates, so check the back of your bottle before making a purchase. Furthermore, these harsh products can interfere with your acid mantle: the skin’s protective barrier. A disrupted skin barrier can lead to sensitivity, breakouts, inflammation and dehydration. So, the verdict is clear: if any products in your
routine are making your skin feel dry and tight, give them the boot. Pic – products for dry skin might contain harsh ingredients
3. DON’T DITCH THE MOISTURISER
A common misconception is that skin can either be oily or dehydrated – but in fact, it can be both. This means there’s little sense in ditching the hydrating products which are, in fact, essential in every skin routine – no matter your skin type. Hydrating products are necessary to maintain moisture levels – as we know, if your skin is lacking in hydration, oil production can go into overdrive to compensate. But before you reach for the first face cream within your grasp, consider that your choice of product is an important one. If you’re worried about blackheads and blemishes as well as that dreaded shine, it’s best to avoid those that are super-creamy, heavy and occlusive. Your skin probably won’t appreciate thick heavy moisturisers, so avoid any creams with rich plant butters as these are likely to be too rich and lead to congestion.
4. GET TO GRIPS WITH SALICYLIC ACIDS ARE AN IMPORTANT STEP IN ANY REGIME,
but leave-on BHAs like salicylic acid, play an especially important role in controlling overzealous oil production, which in turn minimises the development of blackheads and blemishes. Salicylic acid is a betahydroxy acid which is lipophilic, meaning it is attracted to and helps to break down excess oil,’ As an added bonus, it’s anti-inflammatory and can penetrate pores to scoop out any debris, making it a great ingredient for targeting the congestion that often comes hand in hand with oiliness.
5. ADDRESS YOUR DIET
The root of your oily skin issues could actually lie in your gut. If you suffer from oily skin, avoid sugar and dairy, as they feed and increase oil production.
What’s more, a diet deficient in zinc, magnesium, vitamin B and omega 3 may alsocontribute to oil production.
Zinc helps to regulate the oilproducing glands, so they behave better! Great sources include shellfish, legumes and nuts.’ Pic- food rich in zinc
6. INDULGE IN A CLAY MASK
Today’s beauty shelves might be piled high with increasingly innovative formulas, but sometimes, the oldest treatments like the clay mask remain the best. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend a fortune on this, simply look for one containing French green or bentonite clay, as these are generally the most absorbent. Kaolin clay is a great allrounder, too.
7. CHOOSE YOUR FOUNDATION WISELY
When you’ve got oily skin, don’t restrict yourself to long-wear liquid foundations. Mineral powders come with so many benefits: not only are they largely non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog your pores), they’re unrivalled in the oil-absorbing department, and can easily be layered up as the day goes on. But if you’re loyal to a liquid, that’s fine too – just invest in a great setting powder to seal the deal.