A SKINCARE GUIDE FOR OILY ACNE PRONE SKIN THAT REALLY WORKS

  

Hello lovely people, I hope you all are doing great.

In this blog I’m going to talk about building a skincare routine for people who have oily acne prone skin. Sometimes even after you are eating healthy and making healthier choices, our skin doesn’t seem to listen to us. It is because we need a proper skincare based on our skin conditions. You can read a detailed version in my previous blog.  This guide shall put a light onto a few aspects that people with oily and acne prone skin should look into. As I always have said every skin type is unique so, try these and see what works for you.

The steps to follow:

Cleanse- Daily

Tone - Optional 

Treat- Daily/ few times a week(depending on the ingredients) 

Moisturize - Daily

 Protect - Daily

Exfoliate - 2/3 times a week

Mask - 1/2 times a week

 

CLEANSER

The most important step is to properly cleanse the face so that it is clean of all the dirt, dust, impurities, sweat  which can clog your pores. But, make sure you don’t overcleanse it. The right cleanser will make your skin feel:

• Soft and supple
• Normal with slight oiliness after hours of washing your face.
• It shouldn’t make your skin feel tight, dry, itchy or uncomfortable.

Choices of cleansers can be:

• Mild cleanser
• Low pH cleanser
• Acid based cleanser
• Oil cleansing method.(with the right oil and method it can do great) You will find the details in my previous blog.
• Double cleanser(night)
• DIY powder cleanser

 

Just because you have oily skin you do not need some strong foaming cleanser. It will strip off the skin’s natural oil and induce more sebum production. Sebum is not your enemy rather it helps your skin to maintain a healthy skin barrier which protects the skin against different environmental damages. Sebum when mixed with sweat also creates an acid mantle (a thin protective layer on the skin surface) called the pH(skin ph= 4.5 to less than 5) which protects it against bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, sebum helps to maintain the healthy bacteria which help in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Your skin should never be too clean as it is not healthy. You need a balanced microbiome and a strong skin barrier to have beautiful skin.

 

How to cleanse your face?

Take a small amount of cleanser, put it on your face and let it sit for 60 seconds(very important if using an acid based cleanser). And then, wash it off.  This will help the cleanser to work on the skin.

 

How often to cleanse your face?

I say at the max 3 times and not more than that. Here, in Assam it’s very humid so, you will end up sweating and feeling uneasy during summers. I understand the urge to keep splashing water on the face. I did that too but, I didn’t realize that it was making my skin oilier and compromising my skin barrier.

 

What can you do instead of splashing water on your face or washing it?

You can spray any cooling hydrosol or mist to avoid washing the face constantly.

Some good choices of hydrosols are:

• Calendula/holy basil/lavender/tea tree hydrosol

 

TONER(optional)

The work of a toner is mainly to balance the pH of the skin. The ‘natural’ pH of our skin is acidic(4.5 or lesser than 5). If you are using a low pH cleanser or an acid based cleanser you particularly do not need a toner to balance the pH. Instead you can use any good hydrosol or mist. Also, if are using an exfoliating toner then, limit the use to 2-3 times a week only. They gently exfoliate the dead skin cells from the upper layers of skin and bring a glow.

1. Calendula/lavender/tea tree/holy basil hydrosols( AM)
2. Exfoliating toners(PM, 2-3 X week):

• AHA based toner

           Glycolic acid toner(5% concentration )

            Lactic acid toner(5% - 10% concentration )

• BHA based toner

           Salicylic acid toner

 

SERUM/TREATMENTS

Oily skin people often have large, visible pores. Also, the problem of blackheads, whiteheads and acne is very common. So, these actives will look into these issues effectively when incorporated consistently. Use these serums after toning and before moisturizing.

Take a few drops on your palm, spread it on your face and pat for maximum absorption (do not rub).

 

Niacinamide:  Balances sebum production, reduces pigmentation, PIH over time, controls acne. 3%- 10% concentration of niacinamide is good to start with. Helps in brightening the skin and is safe to use during the day.

Results: 6-12weeks

Great for all skin types.

 

Hyaluronic acid:

The main function of hyaluronic acid is to retain water to keep your skin moist and hydrated. It can hold 1000 times its weight in water.  It will keep your skin hydrated to an optimum level which will reduce the amount of oil your skin produces.

Great for all skin types

 

MOISTURIZE

Oily skin needs moisturizer to keep the hydration locked. A lightweight gel based moisturizer is best suited for oily to combination skin types. Avoid-mineral oils, petroleum, fragrance and added colors for they aren’t required by our skin. Also, just because you feel or look oily or think your skin produces enough oil do not skip a moisturizer. The gel moisturizer will not feel oily at all. It will be absorbed by the skin. Added to that, a little bit of oiliness after some time is natural and do not stress over it. Look for ingredients that are beneficial for our skin such as- ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and so on.

MY CHOICE- Suganda White Lotus Moisturizer. You can read the review here.

Facial oil- Hempseed oil

 

 PROTECT

Protect your skin from the damaging sun rays with the help of sunscreen. It helps to prevent early signs of aging, pigmentation, freckles, fine lines, protects skin from harsh UV rays. Also, using all the serums and treatment will make your skin really sensitive to the skin. So, to reap off maximum benefits from all those serums and treatments is to apply a thick layer of sunscreen whether you go out or not. If you don’t use the sunscreen then, think expect your skincare has gone to waste.

For oily skin:

Check the formulation and choose a sunscreen suitable for oily skin. There must be no excuse to using it. Your skin will thank you later in life.

SUNSCREEN CHECKLIST

• Spf 50 or more
• Physical sunscreen- Titanium oxide, Zinc oxide

While using a sunscreen is necessary make sure to take in some Vitamin D at the morning time(4am- 6am, during summers) for 10-15 minutes. Sunlight boosts your mood, refreshes, makes your bones strong, releases which make you happier. Sunlight has so many benefits so, do not be dead scared of it. I again emphasize the morning sun during summers and a bit of walk under the sun during winters is a necessity.

 

EXFOLIATION

Exfoliation is a way of removing dead skin cells from the outer layers of the skin. It boosts circulation, deeply cleanses pores, reduces breakouts, blemishes and improves absorption of the skincare products we regularly use.

There are two kinds of exfoliation:

1. Physical exfoliation:

Never use sugar, salt, baking soda or walnut/apricot scrubs on your face. They might look harmless but, they do more harm than good.

You may exfoliate using finely ground oats or clay.

      2. Chemical exfoliation:

It is better when you have acne and don’t want to spread the bacteria all over your face(moderate use). ‘Chemical exfoliants’ are acids that help in getting rid of dead skin cells and they come in various concentrations. It is best to start with lower concentrations.

Upon exfoliation the dead cells are removed and it is the nature of skin to repair itself to compensate. Thus, it is advisable to exfoliate at night so that it gives time for the fresh skin to repair itself. Also, never forget to use a broad spectrum sunscreen every single day. Leave on exfoliation depends on the product and your skin’s tolerance level. So, be mindful of how many exfoliating products you are using---whether it’s exfoliating toners or exfoliating serums. Never use them together.

If you have too many active acne on your face then, avoid too much exfoliation as it might cause irritation or spread the acne.

 

Salicylic acid serum(2% concentration):

It is a Beta Hydroxy Acid(BHA). BHAs are oil soluble molecules i.e., they can reach deeper into the skin and pores. They also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Along with that it helps control sebum production, treats blackheads and whiteheads, minimizes the appearance of pores and treats acne.  If you are a beginner use it 2-3x per week, you may increase over time. Use only at night. Our skin needs time to adjust to a new routine.

Results: Wait for 1-2 months to see visible results. Be consistent.

 

FACE MASK

Use a face mask 1-2 times a week for 10 mintues.

Clay masks are beneficial for oily skinned people as it draws out the impurities and dirt from the skin.

A few ingredients to look for:

• Kaolin clay(very gentle and it won’t over dry your skin; suitable for all skin types)
• Neem powder
• Licorice powder
• Turmeric
• Oats powder
• Hibiscus/calendula/rose powder

That's all. In case you have any doubt you can comment down below or comment on my latest Instagram post.

thank you.