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We all struggle with trying to maintain a well-balanced life as well as taking care of our skin. We’re told to not sleep with our makeup on, have a strict skincare routine, and all types of other demands that can seem a bit overwhelming to keep up with. Skincare is supposed to be fun and something to enjoy doing. You don’t need to have a twelve-step program to keep your skin looking clear, glowy, and ageless.
The beautiful thing about skin is that nobody has the same makeup. We all have different skin types, sensitivity, and more that needs to be taken into consideration when preparing a skincare routine. Let’s break it down into three sections: oily skincare routine, natural skincare routine for acne-prone skin, and combination routine skincare tips. I suffer from combination skin and trust me, ladies, I know the struggle of having patchy dry flakes or pools of oil congregating on my face.
Oily skin doesn’t happen because you’ve chosen a dewy foundation. It all starts with your skin-care regime. I’m a sucker for a good routine so having a balanced skin-care routine can be incredibly beneficial when it comes to combating oily skin. If we want to know how to fight off an oily complexion, we need to understand where it comes from.
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Having oily skin can be a genetic skin type, just like anything else. Sebum is an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands that our skin naturally makes and shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. We all produce it - some more than others. This acts as a barrier to the skin and keeps the skin lubricated. However, an overproduction of sebum can cause issues. These types of issues could be oil getting trapped in the skin cells resulting in pores being enlarged or causing breakouts.
There are many products on the market specifically designed to target oily skin. While your skin will always produce oil, these products were developed to help control those types of issues. Let’s go over a skin-care routine for oily skin that you can start incorporating as early as today!
CLEANSE YOUR SKIN
Washing your face is crucial if you want to keep your skin balanced. It’s recommended to wash your face once you wake up to remove any excess oil that has been built up overnight. Even when you’re sleeping, your skin continues to produce oil. Try to not over wash your face or use cleansers that are harsh. These types of products can strip your skin of the natural oil it needs. A great cleanser for an oilier complexion is the CeraVe Foaming Facial Wash. A foaming face wash gets deeper into the pores which can help remove any dirt, oil, or bacteria.
TONE YOUR SKIN
Using a toner is something maybe people skip in their skin-care routine. However, it’s something that should be used. Toners are great because they help remove any leftover dirt that the cleanser missed. They also can help balance the skin's pH levels, which can result in lesser production of oil.
Toners are also known for smoothing the skin’s appearance (who doesn’t want that). The Pixi Glow Tonic is a great toner for people who are wanting to add one to their routine. Don’t let the “glow” scare you away. This toner gives you a glow from within rather than a dewey mess. This toner also contains glycolic acid, an AHA that helps to soak up any excess grease.
APPLY A SERUM
It took me a while to get into the habit of using serums. I always heard about them but never really understood what the purpose was. There are serums for every skin type out there. Try using Lixir Skin’s Night Switch BHA. The main three ingredients of this serum lactic, salicylic, and azelaic acid. Azelaic acid helps to control excess oils that can build up on the skin. This serum is also known to help plump your skin and reduce the appearance of any fine lines.
APPLY MOISTURIZER
Please do not miss this step. Oily skin still needs to be hydrated. While this might seem counterproductive, not moisturizing oily skin can lead to producing more oil and grease. Using an oil-free moisturizer is recommended for those with an oily complexion. Look for something that absorbs fast. Try using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. This moisturizer is a non-comedogenic, which just means it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts.
Many people have acne-prone skin but don’t know how to fight it. It can be difficult. With social media these days, folks are sporting their natural look and it’s beautiful. For some, it’s scary to go natural because they feel like they will be judged due to their acne. Having a smooth complexion is always on someone's radar.
It’s hard to believe that natural products can help to maintain an acne-free face. People often think they need to be loading up their skincare routine with different retinoids, acids, and more to diminish their pimples. This is not true.
A lot of companies are producing naturally based products because there has been a demand for clean makeup and skincare. Sephora even has a “clean beauty” tab on their website where they have added all types of products that are cruelty-free, vegan, etc. And while there are more options on the market, there are plenty of blogs out there that give recipes to make your skincare products at home - which can be beneficial for those who want to know exactly what they are putting on their skin.
CLEANSER
100% Pure makes a great all-natural cleanser that is perfect for acne-prone skin. The Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Cleanser is an organic face wash. It helps to clear up acne as well as providing an even complexion. It contains ingredients like rosemary, parsley, tea tree oil, and more. 100% Pure is exactly what it sounds like. This skincare brand is entirely cruelty-free and they strive to make skincare products with an environmentally conscious mind. Everything is made without chemicals, sulfates, fragrance, etc.
TONER
Chemical-free toners can be hard to come across these days. Many people opt out of using a toner because they are worried about swiping their skin with a soaked cotton round of acids. A natural toner that is made with very little ingredients is the Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner. This one is perfect for people who are looking for a more inexpensive toner. This toner helps to moisturize, balance, and cleanse the surface of the skin. Sometimes, cleansing alone doesn’t remove all makeup. Adding a natural toner like this one will help to remove any dirt or debris that can build up and cause breakouts.
SERUM
Serums are an important skincare step you don’t want to miss. There are so many great serums that can help to clear up acne or blemishes. Serums work by deeply penetrating the skin but have a high concentration of active ingredients that target specific skin issues. Give the Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Brightening Serum a try. This is a cruelty-free product made with simple ingredients like pineapple juice, vitamin C, and chamomile. It will help to brighten and smooth your complexion.
MOISTURIZE
You never want to miss this step. Moisturizer is important because it keeps the skin lubricated. Many acne-prone moisturizers also contain ingredients that can help fight off stubborn acne. Versed Skin Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream is an awesome one that can be picked up at your local Target. Not only is this a clean and natural beauty product, but it also helps to keep your skin looking acne-free and plump. This is a perfect product for people who want to keep their skin moisturized but don’t want it to feel greasy or weighed down.
Combination skin is having dry, sensitive, oily, and all of the above skin. It can be difficult to maintain because it can differ daily. Some people struggle with having some areas of their face get super oily while the others will stay dry and flakey. This can be difficult when applying makeup because it feels like there is no happy medium.
Typically, most people struggle with oily skin in their t-zone. The t-zone is the area that makes up your forehead, nose, and chin. It’s usually where people also have larger pores. While combination skin is typically a hereditary trait, some products can worsen it and make it more difficult to maintain. For instance, if you are using products that are more targeted toward oily skin, you could be causing the dry skin to become more irritated. If you are using products that are marketed for dry skin, you’re going to enhance the oil that’s already overproducing.
If you are trying to figure out if you suffer from combination skin, go over this list. If you wash your face and after some time parts feel oily and the rest feels tight or if the skin around your cheeks and temples are patchy and dry while the t-zone is oily, you probably have combination skin.
Don’t worry, while combination skin might seem like it’s impossible to deal with, there are steps you can take to help balance out your face.
Tip 1: Micellar Water
Before you go in with a cleanser, try removing any dirt or oil with micellar water. They are gentle on the skin and don’t contain any harsh ingredients. If you feel like you need to cleanse your skin after, try using something gentle like Purity by Philosophy. This cleanser works great at removing any makeup and leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. Also, don’t over-cleanse your face. Most people just do it once in the morning and once before bed. Over cleansing can cause more harm than good.
Tip 2: Exfoliate
Try to use a chemical exfoliator rather than a harsh and abrasive one. There are tons out on the market but chemical exfoliators should (usually) be done 1-2 times a week. They can be very powerful and depending on your skin sensitivity, you might want to start small then work your way up. Chemical exfoliators are great because they remove any dead skin cells and gives you a fresh new face.
Tip 3: Moisturize
For those who suffer from combination skin, it’s hard to find the perfect moisturizer that will help remove any dry patches but also won’t cause you to get more oily. Try to opt for one that has ingredients like hyaluronic acid. This will help dry up the flakey skin but also have silicic acid to help combat the oil.