In this post I want to help oily types manage their skin on a daily basis.
First, we have to define and understand what a true oily skin type actually is. Many people mistakenly think that they have oily skin when in fact it’s something else altogether.
What are the hallmarks of a true oily skin type?
-Large pores, particularly on the t-zone
-The skin NEVER feels tight, itchy, or dry
-Daily shine
-RARELY has blackheads or spots
If the above sounds like you, coupled with makeup that just slides off and hair that needs to be washed every day, then you have a true oily skin.
While it IS possible to have oily skin AND acne, they are two different things and having one does not automatically mean you will have the other. Many people with acne assume that their skin is oily when that is (in Irish Skin anyway) most often not the case. In Irish skin, perhaps 10% of the population will be a true oily skin type.
The benefits of oily skin.
Yes, there ARE benefits, lots of them! They include a slower rate of wrinkling, usually blemish-free complexion, and higher tolerance to a wider range of skincare products, treatments and cosmetics.
The downsides of oily skin.
Most people with oily skin get fed up with large pores, too much shine and makeup not staying put. As you can see these are mostly APPEARANCE issues rather than actual skin problems so they can be much more easily addressed then poor dry or red skin types.
How so?
There are two things to know about controlling the appearance of oily skin:
1.Cleansing and exfoliating often makes it worse (you’re doing it wrong).
2.Oil fights oil.
1. Trying to deep cleanse and exfoliate away oil is not just a waste of time, but is like trying to drive your car by pressing on the brake and the accelerator at the same time! One action is fighting against the other and you will most likely ruin your engine (or skin) in the process.
when you deep cleanse or over-exfoliate oily skin you get rid of the oil that is there at that moment, same as if you did a gentle cleanse. But with deep action products, you have stimulated a deeper reaction in the skin. The response by the oil glands of being ‘stripped’ is that they go into fast production mode to make up for lost resources. So you deep cleanse, scrub or exfoliate then a coupe of hours later your face looks like an oil slick. You did it to yourself! You gave your skin the signal that it was lacking oil and it produced more, it was only trying to please you!
The secret is to CONTROL the flow of oil, not stop it. Lipid secretions that are controlled continuously and gradually distribute oil evenly over the surface of your skin. There is no sudden stop/start, no patchy production. The result is an evenly lubricated skin surface with no sudden shine.
How to achieve that?
You need to regulate oil flow by applying minute amounts of the right oils in the right ratios to the skin surface so that it gets the message that oil is always available and stops sudden production. This might sound scary but it doesn’t take long to get in the habit and start to see results. Why not try it? What have you got to lose? Team oil! See more about oil for oily skin in Mariga’s video on daily management tips for oily skin below.
Best targeted Skin Essentials products for oily skin:
-Lipid Repair Concentrate
-Hydrating Cream
Click here to buy Mariga’s e-book for Kindle for more great advice, tips and expertise.
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