Where are my oily skin friends at? I know first hand how frustrating it can be. Over-active sebaceous glands, producing excess sebum, leaving you with a shiny, greasy-looking face. Then you throw in the skin struggles such as acne, blackheads and whiteheads, enlarged or clogged pores etc. Ugh…The struggle is real.
However, there are some positives about oily skin though. Oily skin is less prone to wrinkles and other signs of aging primarily because the oil tends to lock the moisture into the epidermis which is the outermost layer of the skin. With all of that aside, wouldn’t it be nice to avoid “butter face”?
Today I will all of my beauty tips on keeping your oily skin a bit more balanced. Trust me, I know first-hand and everything I share has been tested and approved by yours truly.
Skincare Tips For Oily Skin
So many of my clients want to know which makeup products will help with oil control, but it’s crucial for any skin type to start with an essential skincare system, especially oily skin. The goal is to try to get your skin balanced and it really does start with the correct cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
Did you notice the word “correct”? It’s just as important to use the right system for your skin type as it is to use it. The wrong products can make your skin even more unbalanced. Let’s dive in a little deeper…
Cleanse
One of the first steps to control excess oil is to cleanse it and keep it clean. It is important to cleanse your face twice a day to rid it of all the accumulated dirt and oil build-up which leads to clogged pores and acne. Please don’t be an overachiever and think cleansing more is better. Over cleansing can strip too much moisture from the skin which can trigger your sebaceous glands to produce more oil to make up for the lack of moisture.
Choose an enzyme based, soap-free, fragrance-free and pH balanced cleanser. While many facial cleansers have the ability to remove sebum and dirt, they can be harsh and irritating, which can result in dry, flaky skin. Many of these products achieve cleansing with soap ingredients that are not compatible with the skin’s pH. A mild surfactant enzyme-based cleanser effectively removes dirt and excess oil from the skin. Ideally, a facial cleanser should provide mild surfactancy, moisturization, and soothing and smoothing without stripping the skin of essential lipids.
Tone
Ah yes, the second step in an essential skin regimen that honestly is equally important as the cleanse and moisturize step that is often skipped!
Toning fulfills a basic daily need by preparing the skin to receive the benefits from other products and should be performed twice daily, after cleansing. Toners works in several ways. They calm and soothe the skin; toning also minimizes the appearance of pores and balances the skin’s pH. And remember, our goal is balanced skin.
Oh, and you guessed it, the RIGHT toner for your skin is crucial. Don’t go grabbing an astringent or other harsh products that almost burn and tingle. A toner should be should be gentle, alcohol free, soothing, and balance your pH.
Moisturize
The third step in an essential skincare regimen is moisturize. Ok, if you have oily skin, you may actually skip this step. If you’re anything like me, you probably have had a difficult time finding a moisturizer that doesn’t feel greasy or you think you don’t have to moisturize because you have too much oil.
Oil and moisture are completely different things. Think of it this way, if your skin is dehydrated, it will produce more oil to try to compensate. And honestly, a lot of my oily skin clients are very dehydrated especially going into the winter months. So yes, the right moisturizer is crucial. Look for one that is oil free and non-comedogenic with time released moisturizing ingredients.
Exfoliate
It is also imperative to exfoliate oily skin at least once or twice a week. This is another one of the very important oily skin tips. The excess sebum produced leads to dead skin cells to accumulate on the skin’s surface, resulting in pimples, acne, whiteheads, and blackheads, and of course a dull-looking skin. To eliminate dirt and dead skin cells and renew your skin’s surface, as well as to keep breakouts at bay, include exfoliation in your skin care routine.
If you have acne prone skin, use a gentle exfoliator and do not scrub your skin in a harsh manner. In addition I recommend using a mask a couple times a week. Choose one that will detoxify and exfoliate the skin but also contains the natural oil-absorbing power of kaolin and bentonite clays.
Here is my go to. It does all of the above. This Volcanic Exfoliating Mask is formulated to detoxify, enhance skin’s glow, and dramatically improve tone and radiance. Utilizing rare earth elements and infused with AHA complex and the natural oil-absorbing power of kaolin and bentonite clays, this treatment creates a balanced detoxifying/exfoliating action that leaves skin glowing, revitalized and healthy. This intensive treatment will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as brighten and smooth skin’s texture.
Makeup Tips For Oily Skin
Now that we got skincare essentials out of the way, we can move into some makeup tips that I have found extremely helpful with not only my oily skin, but my client’s too!
Primer
Start with a primer. Use a primer which is formulated for oily, acne prone skin. Stay away from silicone primers. A good primer not only acts as a good base for your makeup, but it plays an important role in absorbing the oil that our glands produce. This in turn will help in making our makeup last longer on oily skin. The oil that is produced causes makeup to fade, streak and look all weird if you don’t use a good primer. Always apply the primer after you have toned and moisturized your skin.
I struggled with finding a primer that worked well with my skin until I found this gem.
It’s not technically promoted as a primer, but it works great for just that!
The Pore Minimizing Serum is a lightweight serum that instantly blurs imperfections and reduces the appearance of pores. This innovative formula is designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize and eliminate shine. Perfect for all skin tones this universal shade gives your complexion a semi-matte finish.
Even though it is listed as a serum, you actually apply it after your moisturizer and before your makeup, or it looks beautiful to wear alone for that “no makeup, makeup look“.
Foundation
If you prefer to wear foundation, choose one that is water based. An oil-free foundation will work better on oily skin, and will allow your skin to “breathe” and won’t clog your pores.
Apply your foundation with a clean foundation brush. A high-quality foundation brush can be easily cleaned after each use which will prevent bacteria from forming. Blending sponges are difficult to keep clean and the warmth and pressure of your fingers can activate your oil glands, which can all increase your chances of developing acne problems.
Refrain from slapping on foundation on your problem areas like acne on your face – This will only accentuate them making your skin look uneven.
Powder
After your foundation is applied, wait for it to settle into your skin for 5- 10 minutes, followed by applying a translucent powder.
Avoid using powders that contain shimmer, because it will eventually create your own glow. Apply in areas such as your forehead and bridge of nose because those areas tend to get oilier. Gently sweep the powder in circles using a kabuki or powder brush for an air- brushed look.
My go to is this HD Powder. It is a translucent finishing powder developed with ultra-blurring and light reflecting pigments that set makeup for an airbrushed, high-definition finish. The lightweight formula leaves an undetectable veil that reduces the appearance of shine and blurs imperfections for a beautifully smooth, matte look-which is everything I need. It’s easy to throw in your purse so you can apply when needed throughout the day.
What about the rest of your makeup? Powder based blush and eyeshadow will work best for oily skin. If your eye shadow always seems to disappear or crease, start with an eye base. Oh, and be sure to blend eyeshadows, avoid harsh lines. If you have issues with your eye liner smudging, try using the darker eye shadows in your palettes instead. You can spray an angled brush with setting spray first, then dip into your eye shadow and apply. This will lock everything into place.
Setting Spray
After you are done applying your makeup, set your face with a makeup finishing spray. This setting spray will set your makeup and help it to last longer. The right one forms a barrier over your makeup and resists oil production. Just a few sprays will help set your makeup. It also prevents you looking all caked up and lets your skin breathe.
The best I have ever used is No More Shine. It’s a setting spray that mists on weightlessly to control oil, deflect surface shine and keep skin looking beautifully matte. Oily skin has met its match! Keep your skin looking smooth — but never shiny — with this spray.
You can even spray it on before your foundation for a little extra oil control.
Tips For Oily Skin Throughout The Day
If you are on the go, you need to keep a few items in your bag for standby in desperate times. Always carry oil-blotting sheets. Oil blotting papers do a great job to control oil production. If you start looking like a butter ball – just blot away the oil with the help of these miracle sheets. If you find yourself in a bind, you can always use a thin sheet of facial tissue. Once you blot away the excess oil, you can touch up with your translucent powder to help control the oil.
Remember when I talked about how oil is different than hydration? If your skin feels a bit dehydrated as the day goes on, using a product to add moisture to your skin can help tremendously.
Rejuvenate your skin with just one spritz of Rosé Refresher. Aloe and Botanimoist effectively soothe and moisturize for skin that feels soft and smooth to the touch, while Phytic Acid brightens for a more refined, radiant complexion. This versatile mist is a pick-me-up for your skin that instantly refreshes makeup and provides long-lasting hydration. Revitalize, renew and reset skin by spritzing over your makeup throughout the day.
Additional Tips For Oily Skin
Beauty starts in the inside and there are a few things that I have found to help that you can incorporate into your life.
Be sure to drink enough water. Water is essential and I have personally noticed that the more water I drink, the better balanced my skin is. Beyond skin, drinking a sufficient amount of water is great for your entire body.
I have also personally found that certain supplements are beneficial for skin health.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for our body’s overall health and you are not likely getting enough through your diet.
I know what you’re thinking, taking a fish oil supplement is good for those with oily skin? Yes, I have had some great success stories with my clients consistently taking Omega-3 supplements.
I hope that you find some of my beauty tips for oily skin helpful. Let me know which tips you have success with!
