Controlling oily skin and keeping the extra shine at bay can be tricky. Knowing correctly what products and routines work for you, though, is key to achieving a clearer complexion with less excess oils. Here are some practical methods for oil control.
Wash and Cleanse Regularly
Washing your face with a targeted cleanser is crucial to prevent your pores from becoming clogged with excess oils and to reduce the amount of oil already on the skin significantly. Try La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash for Oily Skin, which ensures it doesn’t strip your natural oils. And our favorite to use for acne-prone and oily skin? Edible Beauty No. 1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk, which contains salicylic acid to unclog pores and control oil.
Avoid Harmful Products
If you have oily skin, avoid any products that contain added moisturizers, harsh chemicals, or fragrances as these can irritate the skin and result in your sebaceous glands producing more oil. Just like Aveda revolutionized the hair care industry with the founder touting ingredients so clean he ingested them without harm, so does Edible Beauty now with skincare ingredients. Edible Beauty‘s gold standard for purity focuses on using pure and organic ingredients.
Avoid Tough Washcloths or Loofahs
Washing your skin with a loofah or rough washcloth can also result in your skin producing more oil as the increased friction can stimulate the skin, making it important that you avoid using these completely to prevent your pores from being filled with even more oil.
Invest in An Acid
Incorporating acidic products into your skincare routine can be an effective way of dealing with and controlling your oily skin. You should consider one of the following acids to reduce and control your oil levels, but always be sure to test out a product first before applying it all over your face. These acids are:
- glycolic acid
- salicylic acid
- benzoyl peroxide
- beta-hydroxy acid
Try fan-faves like The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% and L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum.
Don’t Skip The Moisturizer
It’s a common misconception that those with oily skin should steer clear of moisturizers and avoid moisturizing altogether. This is not true at all. You should consider an oil-free moisturizer if you’re concerned about your skin appearing ‘greasy’; however, using the correct moisturizer for your skin type is an effective way to eliminate oily skin. For a great lightweight pick try Edible Beauty No. 4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion.
Try DIY
Naturopath and Nutritionist Anna Mitsios suggests common pantry items for a quick mask you can whip up in your quest for oil control. Her suggestion? Try your favorite avocado. The unique profile of fatty acids in the fruit hydrates and balances oil topically.
Combine 1/4 avocado, 1/2 lime juiced, 1 tablespoon oatmeal, 1 teaspoon coconut nectar, 2 tablespoons coconut yogurt and 1 heaped tablespoon collagen (eg Native Collagen Powder) or vitamin C powder.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Stir until combined together well. Apply the mask to a clean face and relax for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Watch how this is done here.