TOP TIPS FOR OILY SKIN
Oily skin problems? Girl, I wrote the book. While some people's skin dries out during the winter, mine refuses to back down. Whatever the weather, an oily sheen is perpetually present across my forehead, catching the light and the wrong kind of attention.
Oily skin typically happens when excess oil is produced within your pores. This means that pores are often clogged up or blocked, leading to spots and inflammation. While it can be difficult to control oily skin, there are a few things that you can do to handle it. Here are my 6 top tips for dealing with oily skin:
Cut down on dairy
Did you know that oily skin is often linked to your hormone levels? As hormones fluctuate, your glands over-produce oil, resulting in excess sebum. One way to stabilise your hormone levels is to cut down on dairy. Dairy products contain high levels of hormones, and can therefore lead to oily skin, blocked pores and acne. Why not try cutting down on dairy to see if this impacts your skin?
Wear less make-up
For me, this is a biggie. Even though I'm super careful when it comes to which products I use, I still find it extremely difficult to wear make-up without breaking out. Because oily skin is susceptible to clogged pores, the more substances you add to your skin, the more chance there is that your pores will become blocked and inflamed. To control oily skin, I would advise wearing less make-up day-to-day, and if you are going to wear make-up, opt for lightweight products and natural ingredients as to avoid aggravating your skin.
Use skincare with a low comedogenic rating
A comedogenic rating is essentially a scale of how likely it is that a product/ingredient will clog your pores. The scale typically runs from 0 to 5, 0 being the lowest and 5 the highest. Get to know your ingredients and research their comedogenic ratings before using them - this should help when it comes to keeping your pores clear and oil-free. Personally, two of my favourite ingredients are rosehip oil and hemp seed oil as both have comedogenic ratings of zero and are known for balancing oily skin while simultaneously fighting acne.
Keep skin hydrated
A common misconception is that in order to control oily skin, you should dry it out. However, this can actually make things worse. When your skin is too dry, your oil glands will produce excess sebum to make up for the lack of moisture on your face - the joys are endless, I know! Take control of hydrating your skin by using a lightweight moisturiser or a low comedogenic facial oil in the morning and evening after cleansing. This will indicate to your glands that your skin is hydrated and ready for action.
Tea tree is life
A natural antibacterial, tea tree deeply penetrates the skin to help unblock the sebaceous glands. Not only does it dry out and prevent spots, it also cleans pores and breaks down troublesome bacteria. Doctor Botanicals have an excellent range of tea tree products, from scrubs to moisturisers and blemish treatments. I would seriously recommend trying them out to combat the effects of oily skin.
Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliation is key to balancing oily skin. Over-active oil glands cause sebum to sit on the skin's surface, blocking pores and dulling your complexion. By exfoliating, you will remove dead skin cells and trapped dirt, allowing your pores to breathe. How often you exfoliate is up to you - personally, I opt for once or twice a week to avoid over-scrubbing which can induce dryness.
- Rebecca Brown of @thingsthatgrowblog
