Oily skin has plagued women for years. From your teens to middle age, there’s no quick and easy solution for oily skin, but you can learn to manage it better so that when 5 o’clock rolls around, your skin still feels matte and fresh (the holy grail of the workplace). The key is cultivating the right skincare routine and using quality products specifically designed for oily skin, like much of the fantastic Loccitane collection. This switch alone can make a huge difference in your complexion, because while bright, dewy skin is always in style, shiny skin is so last season. Find out exactly how to get the skin you’ve always wanted below, because taking care of your skin is absolutely a form of self care.
- Cleanser
When you have oily skin, it’s so hard to resist using a tough cleanser to cut through the oil and leave your skin squeaky clean. But what you don’t realize is that you could be actually making your oily skin worse when you do this. Astringent cleansers actually trigger more sebum production, causing even more oily skin than before. If your cleanser causes your skin to feel tight and squeaky, it’s too harsh. Opt for a water-soluble foam cleanser to clean away oil, prevent more oil from building up, and leave you with matte, soft skin.
- Serum
A hydrating serum will quickly become your new best friend, and you’ll likely ditch that heavy moisturiser that hasn’t been doing you any favours. Every skin type needs hydration or it will dry out – yes, even oily skin can become dry and flaky. A lightweight but hydrating serum will give your skin just enough moisture without weighing it down or causing your skin to produce even more oil. A thick cream will just sit on top of your skin without sinking in, but applying a serum after cleansing your skin will seal in the moisture all day long.
- Light Moisturiser
If you have combination skin or dry spots, you might find a serum just doesn’t quite cut it. This is where you’ll need to find a quality light moisturiser and simply apply it where you need it. Applying it all over is not only a waste of the product, but it’ll cause your oily areas to feel even worse.
- SPF
No matter your skin type, you need SPF in your life. Sun exposure is a direct cause of premature aging, dark spots, and overall skin damage, and just a little SPF can go a long way towards protecting your skin for the future. While heavy sunscreens definitely don’t do oily skin any favours, there’s plenty of ways to ensure your skin is protected when you leave the house. Mineral foundation is a great way to get natural SPF and it’s a great, lightweight foundation option for oily skin so win-win! Otherwise, you can use a moisturiser with SPF in it, a BB cream with SPF instead of your usual foundation, or a finishing powder with SPF. Working SPF into your daily skincare and makeup routine makes it a lot less painful and ensures you’re protected from the harsh UV rays during your morning commute.
- Exfoliation
If you’re not already exfoliating 1-2 times per week, it’s time to work it into your skincare routine. If you’re currently using a scrub, you could be doing it wrong. For oily skin, an acid exfoliant is usually your best bet. Glycolic acid or salicylic acid chemical exfoliators are powerful enough to penetrate through oil and deep into your pores to clear the way for fresh, new skin to emerge.
