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 anyone who talks about products to close pores - it is neither possible nor desirable to completely eliminate sebum production, as it protects the skin from dehydration and forms a barrier that prevents harmful microorganisms from entering.
We can indeed reduce the appearance of dilated pores and control excessive sebum production, which helps prevent the formation of pimples (closed comedones) and blackheads (open comedones), while also applying mattifying ingredients, for example powders to control excessive shine.
The three steps in caring for this type of skin, which you absolutely cannot ignore, 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 depend on 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 wash with water, you can choose one micellar water – the best way to use it is soak on a compress or cotton pad.
The water should always be mild or lukewarm, as cold water does not clean as well and hot water can irritate and dry out your face! You should clean without rubbing and with small, gentle touches.
It may be beneficial to double cleanse, combining several products, unless your skin is very sensitive.
It is not advisable to clean your skin more than twice a day, morning and night.
Suggested rinse-off cleaning products:
Toners or serums are optional, but they can be helpful if they include ingredients that can improve the current condition of your skin, such as astringents, anti-inflammatories (niacinamide) or exfoliants (glycolic acid). They allow you to add an extra step in a non-greasy formulation that does not interfere with the application of other products.
It is very important to include an exfoliant or an exfoliating mask, as these provide a deeper cleanse 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 the retention of water in the skin and not with the oil it contains.Therefore, oily skin (with excess sebum) can be dehydrated (lacking water) just as dry skin (lacking oil) can be well hydrated (not lacking water).
Choose more fluid and less greasy textures (“oil free”), which can include powders with a matte effect for a “dry touch” finish.
You should then apply a moisturizer twice a day.
Dand in the morning you can opt for a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF), never lower than 30, to avoid too many layers of products on your face.
If you choose a moisturizer without sun protection, like the ones below, don't forget of the next step!
Useful, although not essential, are the formulations with powders that you can apply with included brushes and that you can use throughout the day and anywhere to control the oiliness of your skin. There are even versions with sunscreen included, which allows you to reinforce the sun protection of your skin, several times a day.
3. Sun Protection
Sunscreen should be applied as the last step in your skincare routine or before applying makeup, if you use it.
It is essential to maintain the health and beauty of the skin, preventing diseases such as cancer, actinic keratosis, 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 combat pollution and DNA damage to the skin.
As with 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 do not usually have the covering power of a foundation.
In this case, you should be careful about how much you apply. There is often a tendency to apply less sunscreen when it has color!
Now that you know the steps to take on the path to more beautiful, healthy and balanced skin, let's talk about what DON'T DO:
- Using cosmetics (creams, makeup, sunscreens) with a lot of oil, which can lead to increased oiliness and the appearance of blemishes and acne.
- Not washing or sanitizing sponges, brushes and other makeup applicators regularly increases the accumulation of grease and residue and the proliferation of fungi and other microorganisms involved in skin diseases such as acne. You should also not share your utensils.
- Overusing exfoliants can irritate the skin.
- Not cleaning or removing makeup before applying products, contributing to the clogging of pores and the ineffectiveness of other products applied afterwards.
- Having routines with too many products or steps, which can contribute to increased oiliness. Opt for simplicity or swap some products for others with less greasy textures, such as a serum for a toner, as long as they have similar ingredients and effects.
- Use “homemade tables”.The cosmetics industry is highly regulated and subject to strict microbiological control. The aim of brands is to develop products that meet their objectives and satisfy increasingly demanding consumers.. Homemade solutions may not only fail to have the desired effect, but may do the opposite.
- Expecting miracles, not giving 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 will thank you!