By Felicia Sawyer
A quick disclaimer is that I am not a licensed professional and am simply offering what works for me, my own experience, and what I have learned along the way with my own skin type.
Oily skin is commonly identified by a shiny looking face, mainly in the T zone, this is due to excess sebum production. This skin type is prone to clogged pores and breakouts. One benefit of this skin type is that it is less prone to wrinkles or other signs of aging.
In caring for this skin type it is important to follow some simple steps that will make all the difference. Many lifestyle choices can have a big impact on the health of the skin, in fact, the skin often is a way our body alerts us of our own internal health. This would mean that to have and maintain beautiful radiant skin we must have radiant internal health first. Stress levels, emotional health, hormones, sleeping, and eating habits can all play a huge role in the way our skin, looks, feels and behaves. I have found that when I eat healthily and drink a lot of water my skin is less oily and looks much younger and breaks out less often than when I don’t. So my biggest tip is to have healthy food habits, drink lots of water, and maintain inner peace as much as possible through journaling, calling a friend or practicing healthy stress coping mechanisms.
My second tip is to avoid sugar, dairy and gluten as much as possible as these things damage the gut flora in the intestines and make digestion difficult which leads to sluggishness, tiredness, skin issues, the inability to detoxify the cells which cause more acne and so much more!
My third tip is to maintain cleanliness by washing pillowcases and sheets often! Use natural detergents so as to not clog pores or irritate the skin anymore! Wash your mask every day, and buy an anti-acne face mask that will stop the spread of bacteria and stop causing “Maskne”
My fourth tip is to not confuse oil for hydration. It is very important to prevent aging, acne, and excess sebum production. Keeping the skin very hydrated with not irritating, hypoallergenic, and natural products will help the skin to become more balanced. One principal cause of acne is that the skin has been over-stripped and produces sebum to help combat dryness or perceived dryness caused by the environment and by overly harsh and overly drying products being used on the skin.
My fifth tip is always to exfoliate at least once a week, this will aid in cell turnover which helps to rid skin of scars, slow aging, tighten pores, get rid of dead skin, and keep skin clean. I prefer AHA and BHA acids, but always consult a dermatologist and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these chemicals.
My last tip is to use a natural, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly SPF every day even when you’re inside because the sunlight in your house can still affect your skin which can cause premature wrinkles, dark spots, and many other issues. In fact, if you don’t use an SPF this can erase all of the progress and work you already put into your skin.