I get more questions on how to take care of oily/acne prone skin than anything else. I’m going to address all of these questions today. Or at least try. If you have more questions leave them in the comment section below. I will list my favorite products at the bottom.
In my opinion, oily skin is the hardest skin type to take care of. Most people I meet with this skin type don’t know how to take care of their skin. Let’s start with the basics. There are a few things that every skin type needs: Cleanser, Moisturizer, Eye Cream, Exfoliator, Mask.
Now, let’s just put to rest the idea of using harsh, stripping products on oily skin. Do not rub alcohol or peroxide or Cetaphil or St. Ives scrub all over your face. You want to control your oil production, not strip it all away. Oil is not your enemy, it is a necessary thing for your skin. Without it you would have alligator skin. The use of a harsh product will only make your skin produce more oil.
Here is the truth- our bodies respond to whatever we put on it or in it. When your body gets all of it’s oil stripped away it totally freaks out and thinks it’s going thru an oil drought. So what does your body do? It kicks the sebum glands into high gear and over produces oil. Then you feel way to oily, so you strip it all off. And the cycle continues… Even though you are oily you still need a moisturizer! If you don’t moisturize you will get flaky skin on top of your oily skin. Who wants that look?
The answer? You need to use products that will regulate your sebum glands so your body will produce a regular amount of oil. I’m not saying that you will go from oily skin to normal skin just by using different products. I’m saying you can get more control on your oil production and begin to even out your skin tone.
A side note- if you have acne skin be careful with exfoliators. Exfoliating too much will irritate your skin, and can spread the oil around and create more break outs. Use a cleanser with enzymes that naturally and gently exfoliates. A good one is BioElements flash foam cleanser.
What to look for when purchasing skin care products. Look for things that are labeled “oily” or “acne”. Cleansers that are clay based are great. They may not get off all your make up though. In that case use a cleanser “for all skin types”. If you are extremely oily get a moisturizer that is “oil free”. Exfoliating is very important. With oily skin, the excess oil will mix with the dead skin and settle in your pores (sorry if that is a gross image, but it’s true). Exfoliating is a key part to an even complexion, it will remove the dead skin and clean out the pores. Using a mask will be your best friend! Get a clay based mask and use it once a week. This will soak up all extra oil without drying you out or stripping your skin. An eye cream is very necessary. Even though you are oily and you may think you don’t need that heavy cream by your eyes- you do! The skin around the eye area is different from the rest of your face and it doesn’t produce oil the same. So, eye cream, eye cream, eye cream. Protect that area from wrinkles!
What products to stay away from. Anything that has alcohol in it! Many companies put alcohol in their oily/acne skin care products. It is a cheap way to mask the skin care issues. Think of products with alcohol as putting a band-aid on a broken leg. They don’t actually work!
Many people don’t want to spend the money for high end skin care products. I get it, they can get expensive. Here is how I think of it. I can spend $10 on a cleanser or moisturizer from a drug store. It is filled with ingredients that will be bad for my skin. My complexion will look blotchy and uneven every day. And the product will last me 3-4 months. Or I can spend $20-$40 on a high end cleanser or moisturizer that lasts me 6 months (you use a less amount of a high end product). The ingredients are good for my skin, and my complexion will be even and glowing. Obviously, your make-up will look better on an even, glowing complexion. The bottom line is, quality ingredients that are good for your skin can only be so cheap.
With that being said, here is a list of my favorite skin care lines and products at all price points for oily and acne skin. Some start as low as $20. Spend a few dollars more than drug store products, your skin will thank you.
Lush $7-$39
- Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser – clay based cleanser, deep cleans & gently exfoliates
- Enzymion Moisturizer – natural astringent that soaks up excess oil & dead skin all day
- Imperialis Moisturizer (combination skin) – balances oily t-zone
- Brazened Honey Mask – pulls dirt & impurities from pores, deep cleaning mask
- Ocean Salt Scub (for all skin types) – cleans blocked pores, blackheads & blemishes, leaving skin brighter
- Enchanted Eye Cream – great eye cream for everyone
BioElements $23-$33 (purchase it on Amazon, it’s cheaper than anywhere else)
- Flash Foam Cleanser (for all Skin types) – removes dirt, dead skin and make-up, gently exfoliates
- Decongestant Cleanser – deep cleanses skin while removing excess oil & impurities
- Oil Control Mattifier – oil blotting cream absorbs excess oil, leaving a matte finish
- Acne Spot Treat – clears & prevents acne/break outs
Mario Badescu $12-$22
- Botanical Facial Gel – oil controlling cleanser, deep cleaning, removes dirt & oil without over drying
- Acne Facial Cleanser – prevent and heal existing acne
- Control Moisturizer for Oily Skin – for acne inflamed and oily skin, reduces redness while balancing moisture
- Oil-Free Moisturizer – lightweight, non-clogging for oily & problem skin
Cleansers $24-$38
- First Aid Beauty ‘Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay’ – for problem-prone and oily skin, removes excess oil, detoxes and unclogs pores
- Fresh ‘Soy Face Cleanser’ (for all skin types, great at make-up removal) – cleans away every impurities & make-up without stripping the skin
Moisturizer $30-$65
- Kate Somerville ‘Oil Free’ – provides perfectly balanced hydration without any oil
- Fresh ‘Umbrian Clay Oil-Free’ – helps regulate sebum production, absorbs impurities and calms flare-ups
Exfoliator $19-$32
- Fresh ‘Umbrian Clay’ – polishes away and dissolves dead skin cells and impurities, revealing a healthy and clear complexion
- First Aid Beauty ‘Facial Radiance Polish’ – gently buffs & polishes skin, leaving it soft and renewed
Mask $25-$34
- First Aid Beauty ‘Skin Rescue Purifying Mask’ – peel off mask to detoxify, reduce pores & control excess oil
- Boscia ‘Green Tea Oil Control’ – peel off mask, eliminates excess shine and reduces oil production
Thank you for reading! Let me know if you have any questions. And tell me your success stories too :) I love to hear it!!
XOXO
