Summer is great for breezy footwear and outdoor fun in the sun. But, if you have an oily complexion, the increase in temperatures may also seem to bring an increase in unwanted shine. Hale Cosmeceuticals has some tips to help.
Cleanse Gently
It seems pretty obvious that if your skin is going into oil-production overdrive you need to remove the excess sebum. So, you need to cleanse your face. Two pieces of advice:
- Stick to twice-daily cleansing. Cleansing more frequently than morning and evening will not make your face less oily, but it could make your skin dry and irritated.
- Find a cleanser that is formulated to dissolve oil, not just push it around. Gentle acids, like glycolic, lactic and/or salicylic acid, are ideal for twice daily cleansing for oily skin and that makes our Dermist GSL-624 Clarifying Cleanser an excellent oil-control option.
Of course, stick to best facial cleansing practices use lukewarm water and blot dry with a towel.
Use a Toner
Toners are formulated to (re)balance the pH level of your skin after cleansing. By doing so, many toners have antibacterial properties and can actually help absorb oil. So, toners can help reduce both the amount of acne-causing bacteria and bacterial growth medium.
Moisturize
Oddly enough, natural oil does not always function well as a facial moisturizer. Chances are, you still need a moisturizer formulated to replenish and maintain hydration. To get the benefit of your moisturizer without exacerbating oiliness:
- Use a light, water-based lotion. A formula with retinol like our Re-Fine Milk Lotion is perfect because retinol can help regulate sebum production.
- Find a moisturizer that enhances hydration and/or locks in moisture using ingredients that already naturally occur in/around your skin, such as hyaluronic acid and hydrogen.
You may also opt to only use moisturizer on parts of your face prone to dryness, irritation or that are simply less oily than others (like your cheeks but not your T-zone).
Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face
Although the shine of oily skin may seem obvious to you, most people actually don't notice. But, they are more likely to notice an acne breakout. The single most effective thing you can do to keep oily skin from becoming acne-ridden skin is to keep your hands away from your face. Your hands introduce a lot of bacteria to your skin, some of which can cause black- and/or whiteheads. Picking at any blemish also incites an inflammatory reaction, creating raised red bumps that take a long time to calm down and are nearly impossible to cover with makeup.
Blot, Don't Powder
It is tempting to dim an oily shine with powder, but powder makeup or not can create the same acne-prone conditions as touching your face. Powder + oil is likely to create a sticky mess that traps dead skin cells and bacteria, increasing the likelihood of a breakout. A better alternative is to blot excess oil with a powder-free tissue.
You may also combat oily skin with occasional deep treatments like our Super Silk Silt Masque for Oily Skin. Contact us to request samples of any product formulated for oily skin or to order your full-size products.
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