Those of you that deal with an oily skin every day know the drill – 11am shine check in the bathroom mirror, grasping at tissues to blot away the oil, a slip and slide on the sides of your nose by lunch time and your friends (or husband in my case) commenting on how your skin has started to glow all of a sudden.
Recently, due to some lovely (not!) hormonal changes my skin has become a lot oilier than it has ever been and so I thought that I would share some products that I think will really go a long way to help control the sudden excess of oil being secreted. Some of them I have tried, some of them are on the shopping list.
1. Nivea Shine Control Moisturising Day Cream (R59.99 from leading retailers) Often people who have oily skin are too nervous to moisturise their skin as they think that this will make their already oily skin even worse. If you use the correct moisturiser this is not the case at all! I love this Nivea moisturiser as it is not only affordable but it hydrates your skin (this means it pumps your skin full of water, not oil) while regulating your skins oil production, helping to lessen the shine. Bonus – it has a built in SPF 15!
2. Neutrogena Deep Clean Scrub (R59.95 from leading retailers) A scrub is essential to an oily skin! This awesome one from Neutrogena contains Beta Hydroxy Acids that remove the gunk clogging your pores . There are also microbeads that gently exfoliate the skin helping to leave it feeling soft and squeaky clean.
3. The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash (R99 from The Body Shop or Clicks) First of all – why seaweed? It is full of nutrients for the skin to keep it healthy and at its optimum. This specific face wash doesn’t have any excess oils in it which means a beautifully clean, matte skin, hurrah!
4. Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier (R660 from Dermalogica skin centres or concept stores) This is a product that I have used and loved! Its a medicated balm with a silicone base – it leaves your skin feeling like velvet. It also creates an amazing primer-like effect on your skin and so your foundation looks amazing when applied. Cinnamon bark helps to eliminate blackheads (can I get an Amen?!) and botanicals reduce oil secretions and shine. All and all, its a complete win in your fight against the shine.
5. Acidophilus Powder (price ranges but available from all good health stores) This is a supplement that a friend of mine recommended to me and I am so glad that she did, it truly is a miracle worker. Some studies have shown that acne can be caused by digestion problems where toxins are not eliminated properly. Acidophilus is a “good” bacteria that assists in digestion and helps to keep the intestines healthy. I found that it not only helped to clear my skin, but I was bloated a lot less – two birds with one stone.
6. Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant (R750 from Dermalogica skin centres or concept stores) I’m all for 2-in-1 products and this one from Dermalogica is a firm favourite of mine. If you have acne resulting from oily skin, this mask/exfoliator duo is for you! Because it is not abrasive, you cannot spread the infection as you might with a normal granular exfoliator. Natural enzymes chomp away at dead skin cells like a little pac man while aloe helps to soothe and calm an angry skin. I don’t have acne (anymore) but I still use this product – my skin always feels so soft afterwards and the absorbant clays definitely help with the oiliness.
7. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish Gel (R65 from The Body Shop or Clicks) This is literally your magic wand and an essential for your handbag/office desk drawer/car. Pop some of this wonder gel on those pesky pimples when they rear their ugly head – the tea tree oil helps to disinfect the area and heal the blemish, at the same time the area is being soothed and cooled to make it look like nothing was ever there. You can use this on an existing pimple or as a preventative measure when you feel one coming on.
8. Lavender essential oil (R55,95 Soil or any other reputable brand will do) Every single house should have some of this stashed away in my opinion. It is an absolute wonder on burns or skin irritations and is great for breakouts. I often found that neat tea tree oil was too harsh on my skin. Lavender essential oil is extremely healing and is fine for a sensitive skin. Dab some on on an existing blemish or again, you can use it as a preventative measure.
I know which products I will definitely be picking up this weekend, if you have any other suggestions let me know, I would love to hear about them!
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