If you have combination or oily skin, your face probably gets a little break from oily shine during the winter months. However, spring is just a few weeks away. This means warmer temperatures and increased oil production. Now is the time to start a daily regimen to control oil and shine. These daily oil control tips will have your face looking radiant and less like an oil slick.
Use Different Cleansers for Morning and Night
Your face needs cleansing both morning and night. Your morning cleanser should be gentle since not much dirt and debris accumulates on the face while you sleep. An oil-free foam or cream cleanser should do the trick. Gently massage cleanser into face with fingertips and rinse off with warm water.
At night use a cleanser containing either salicylic or glycolic acid. These acids dissolve dead skin cells and oil. They also help with acne and discoloration. All of the benefits of these cleansers will be helped when used before you get a good night’s sleep. Here’s why, according to Dr. Orloff of Burbank Plastic Surgery:
The skin goes through a rejuvenation process during sleep. Our skin temperature elevates and blood flow to the skin is increased during sleep. This opens the pores more allowing those acids to penetrate the skin to do their job. In addition, salicylic and glycolic acid increase photosensitivity (sun sensitivity) so using a cleanser or any product containing these acids should be done right before bedtime.
Swipe Away Excess Oil with a Toner
Toner is not necessary for all skin types. However, it is beneficial in controlling excess oil production in oily skin. A gentle astringent to use is witch hazel. Witch hazel is really good for combination skin as it is gentle on those areas prone to dryness. Some toners come with alcohol which you will need to be careful with as alcohol can be too drying and might cause your skin to increase oil production.
Oily Skin Needs a Moisturizer
Yes, our skin’s natural oils are what hydrate and protect it so adding a moisturizer seems unnecessary. However, after cleansing and toning you have removed a lot of your natural hydrating oils in the process of controlling the issue. So a lightweight moisturizer with sunscreen is needed to prevent the skin from thinking it needs to increase oil production. The best moisturizers I found for oily skin are mattifying lotions. These lotions hydrate but also absorb excess oil and control shine. At night you use an oil-free moisturizer without sunscreen.
Control Oil Throughout the Day
If you go bare faced during the day, carry around toner pads to swipe away excess oil when needed. The only caveat is you may need to reapply your oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen. For those who wear makeup, use oil blotting papers to control shine. Blot your face with these papers whenever you notice excess oil production to control shine.
These four tips for daily oil control will help combat excess oil production and shine. You may also want to incorporate a clay mask once or twice a week to help with clarify skin and control oil. After a few weeks you will be able to control oil and shine daily for radiant skin this spring.
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