How to Fight Oily Skin

If you have oily skin like me you’re more than familiar with the struggles — makeup that seems to melt off your face hours after applying, shiny spots on your T-zone at all times, and in warmer months? Forget about it. You might as well keep blotting sheets in your hands at all times. Luckily there are ways to get you closer to that matte complexion you’ve always wanted and I’m sharing the best tips of the trade here. 

Wash your face with a purifying cleanser.

Even if your oily skin isn’t accompanied by breakouts, you still want to reach for a formula that targets problem skin. When makeup or dirt is trapped in your pores it sends oil glands into overdrive, which is why deep cleansing is imperative when dealing with oily skin. Try a cleanser like Gel Nettoyant that removes debris and purifies skin without drying.

Give yourself a weekly facial.

An at-home Sunday spa day is a relaxing weekly reminder to pay attention to your skin, and lets you start off the week with a balanced complexion. Give yourself a mini facial by cleansing skin and then exfoliating to slough away dead cells. I like Gommage 303 which is a gel formula containing citrus oils and lemon extract. The gentle scrub doesn’t contain harsh granules like many exfoliators, and simply needs to sit on skin for a minute or two to do its job. After exfoliating, follow with a clay mask like Masque 103, which detoxifies skin and absorbs excess sebum. Do this routine once a week to help control oil and keep your skin healthy and balanced.

Swap liquid foundation for a mineral powder.

Heavy makeup can clog pores making them produce more oil. If you have oily skin, skip liquid foundations and opt for a mineral powder instead. Mineral powder gives similar coverage by blurring imperfections — and won’t melt off your face like heavy foundations. In fact, mineral powder absorbs excess oil on the skin so it will keep you looking shine-free long after application.

Skip the shots.

Keeping oil at bay throughout a long night is hard enough — throw alcohol into the mix and you’re really asking for trouble. Drinking dilates your blood vessels, which makes you sweat. After a few cocktails, skin will appear perspired and oilier than before. To avoid shiny skin when you’re out on the town, limit yourself to one or two drinks over the course of the evening, and sip water or club soda in between. For touch ups throughout the evening use blotting sheets, which will gently absorb any moisture on the skin without wrecking your makeup.

Step up your Vitamin A intake.

Vitamin A is one of the best vitamins for your skin and along with its regenerating properties it can also slow the production of oil. Incorporate Vitamin A into your diet naturally by eating foods packed with the skin saving antioxidant. Spinach, carrots, mangoes and sweet potatoes are a few of the fruits and vegetables that boast a high Vitamin A content.