If your skin has enlarged pores and excess shine and sebum shortly after cleansing - and it gets worse throughout the day - this article is for you.
Yes, your oily skin may not be perfect, but with a suitable and personalized routine you will be able to control and improve the appearance of your face.
Don't believe it if you are told about products to close pores - it is neither possible nor desirable to completely eliminate sebum production, as it protects the skin from dehydration and participates in the barrier that prevents the entry of harmful microorganisms.
Yes, we can reduce the dilated appearance of the pores and control the excessive production of sebum, which prevents the formation of pimples (closed comedones) and blackheads (open comedones), while applying mattifying ingredients, for example based on powders to control exaggerated shine.
The three stages in the care of this type of skin, which you really cannot neglect are:
- Cleaning
Good facial hygiene keeps the skin healthier, as it eliminates impurities and microorganisms and allows better penetration and effectiveness of the products applied afterwards.
The choice of product to use can go according to your personal taste or habits! If you like to clean your face with water, you can opt for soaps, cleansing gels or foams. If you don't like washing with water, you can choose micellar water – the best way to use it is soaking it in a compress or cotton.
Water should always be temperate or lukewarm, since cold water doesn't clean as well and hot water can irritate and even dry the face! It should clean without rubbing and with small soft touches.
It can be advantageous to do a double cleansing, combining several products, unless your skin is very sensitive.
It is not advisable to perform skin hygiene more than twice a day, morning and night.
Suggested rinse-off cleaning products:
Toners or serums are optional, but can be helpful if they include ingredients that can improve your skin's current condition, such as astringents, anti-inflammatories (niacinamide) or exfoliants (glycolic acid). They allow to add one more step in a fat-free formulation, which does not interfere with the application of the remaining products to be used.
It is very important to include an exfoliating scrub or an exfoliating mask, as they do a deeper cleaning and accelerate skin renewal.
In general, they should be used 1 to 2 times a week.
2. Hydration
Yes, you read that right, oily skin also needs hydration!
Hydration has to do with water retention in the skin and not with the oil it contains. Thus, oily skin (with excess sebum) can be dehydrated (with a lack of water) just as dry skin (with a lack of oil) can be well hydrated (not lacking in water).
Choose textures that are more fluid and less greasy (the “oil free”), which can include powders with a matte effect for a “dry touch” finish.
You should then apply a moisturizer twice a day.
In the morning, you can opt for a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF), never less than 30, to avoid too many layers of products on your face.
If you opt for a moisturizer without sun protection, like the ones below, don't forget the next step!
Useful, although not essential, are the formulations with powders to apply with the included brushes and which you can use during the day and anywhere to control your skin's oiliness. There are even versions with sunscreen included, which allows you to reinforce your skin's sun protection several times a day.
3. Sun Protection
Sunscreen should be applied as the last step in a skincare routine or before makeup, if used.
It is essential to maintain the health and beauty of the skin, preventing diseases such as cancer, actinic keratoses, premature aging of the skin with the formation of fine lines and wrinkles and even pigmentation spots.
We often say that sunscreen is the best anti-wrinkle cream!
Almost all current formulations contain antioxidants to fight pollution and skin DNA damage.
As in the case of moisturizers, you should prefer more fluid textures, less greasy (“oil-free”) and with a mattifying action.
In the case of tinted sunscreens, the pigments provide additional protection against radiation and can help to even out and disguise imperfections, although they normally do not have the covering power of a foundation.
In this case, you should pay attention to the amount you apply. There is often a tendency to apply a smaller amount of sunscreen when you have color!
Now that you know what steps to take on the way to more beautiful, healthy and balanced skin, let's talk about what YOU SHOULD NOT DO :
- Using cosmetics (creams, make-up, photoprotectors) with a lot of fat, which can lead to increased oiliness and the appearance of imperfections and acne.
- Not regularly washing or sanitizing sponges, brushes and other make-up applicators, increasing the accumulation of fat and residues and the proliferation of fungi and other microorganisms involved in skin diseases such as acne. Nor should you share your utensils.
- Abuse the use of exfoliants, irritating the skin.
- Do not clean or remove make-up before applying the products, contributing to the obstruction of pores and the ineffectiveness of the other products applied afterwards.
- Having routines with too many products or steps, which can contribute to increased oiliness. Prefer simplicity or exchange some products for others with less greasy textures, such as a serum for a tonic, as long as they have similar ingredients and effects.
- Use “homemade tables”. The cosmetic industry is highly regulated and subject to strict microbiological control. The objective of the brands is to develop products that fulfill the objectives and satisfy consumers, who are more and more demanding . Homemade solutions not only may not have the intended effect, but also the opposite.
- Expect miracles, not allowing time for products to reveal their effectiveness.
Now that you know how to take care of oily skin on a daily basis, follow this routine and you will see fantastic results. Your skin thanks you!