The oily-skinned have a lot to be thankful for (fewer fine lines being top of the list) however, when the weather warms up and the morning commute gets, er… greasy, these everyday {skin care} essentials will ensure the sun’s the only thing that’s shining (#smug).
The right {cleanser} should help to re-establish equilibrium. Anything too astringent can exacerbate oil production and in turn, contribute to congestion – so use something gentle and non-stripping, to clarify without leaving skin feeling stripped. Alpha-H’s {Balancing Cleanser} does exactly as its name implies, while Sunday Riley’s {Ceramic Slip Cleanser} stars French green clay to draw out impurities and ‘shrink’ the appearance of pores. Follow cleansing with a purifying treatment 2 – 3 times a week to keep blemishes at bay and help to ‘mop up’ excess oil; Aesop’s {Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque} is a beauty blogger favourite, adored for its phenomenal calming and clarifying capabilities.
Hydrate with something lightweight or hyaluronic acid-based – refreshing gel formulas feel soothing without suffocating oily or problematic skin types. Bio-Essence’s {Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Moisturising Gel} is ultra-lightweight yet replenishing – absorbing almost instantly to leave skin dewy but not smothered. Or, those with combination or mature skin types should choose Resultime by Collin’s {Anti-ageing Mattifying Fluid} – an oil-controlling formula which nourishes while stimulating synthesis of collagen (the ‘scaffolding’ that helps maintain skin’s firmness).
It seems counter-intuitive, but oils can really help to restore harmony – often skin makes oil because it’s feeling over-exposed, so by ‘tricking’ it into believing the opposite can gradually combat the problem. Uma’s {Deeply Clarifying Face Oil} stars a cocktail of essential oils to wage war on blemish-causing bacteria, while pausing the oil-production process. Similarly, Sunday Riley’s {Artemis} works to normalise skin that’s bewildered – toning, purifying and radiance-boosting to recover a luminous (non-greasy) glow (just apply overnight to ‘re-train’ your cells as you slumber).
Make up-wise, a mattifying primer applied sparingly will have a massive impact on the longevity of your base. Blend BECCA’s {Resurfacing Primer} on any areas you’d naturally see a sheen – forehead, nose and chin – to absorb excess sebum and enhance make up wear. Alternatively, those with enough wisdom to have graduated to the 35+ category should try Studio 10’s {Prime & Perfect Refining Powder Silk} – an ultra-finely milled priming {powder} that’s enriched with anti-ageing active, to blur visibility of fine lines and blemishes for a semi-matte, soft focus finish.
Jouer Cosmetics {Matte Moisture Tint} has a whipped, ‘mousse’ consistency to grant medium coverage and leave skin looking velvety-textured. Oil-free, this breathable tinted moisturiser doesn’t clog pores and blends imperceptibly for your-skin-but-better effect. Set everything in place with a quick spritz of Pixi’s {Make Up Fixing Mist} – a skin-freshening formula which prevents make up migration – then mattify on the move with NudeStix {Skin Pencil – Matte + Blemish}; a handbag must-have, this oil-absorbing crayon contains salicylic acid to stop spots in their tracks, while Amazonian clay ‘soaks up’ sebum.