Skin Focus: Oily and Combination Skin
Oily skin is characterised by a shiny appearance, enlarged pores, plus possible blackheads and even acne. This tends to be all over, although you can have some oily and some dry patches on your face.
Combination skin is a shiny t-zone - forehead, nose and chin, whilst the rest of the skin can be normal or even dry.
The first thing to say is that you have oily skin there's reason to celebrate... Oily skin tends to show less lines and wrinkles, so get you looking youthful!
But I totally understand there are still challenges so let's look at what you should do to look after your skin:
Cleanse thoroughly - this applies to every skin type, but do make sure you cleanse properly. As you know, I am a fan of double cleansing, particularly at the end of the day to ensure all make up is removed thoroughly. You may find a wash off cleanser helps your skin to feel cleaner, rather than a wipe off formula that is often more suited to dry skin.
Facial oil - don't think that because you have oily skin you can't use a facial oil - you can. They are all the rage now, and are a great way to cleanse and nourish your skin.
Avoid harsh products - please don't be tempted by some of the harsh products available, particularly those designed for teenage acne prone skin. Overuse of harsh products can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture, leaving your skin feeling tight and prone to dryness, and actually make it more greasy, as the sebaceous glands go into overdrive.
Exfoliate - still exfoliate regularly, but I don't suggest doing it daily, 2-3 times per week should be enough. You don't want to overstimulate the sebaceous glands. A Lilac Room salon favourite - O2 Soft Scrub is a great choice and is gentle and suitable for all skin types.
Moisturise - I'm always concerned when I speak to somebody with oily skin who tells me they don't moisturise. Your skin still needs the protection of a good moisturiser, formulated for your skin type. And remember, oil and moisture are not the same thing. Choose a fluid or lotion as opposed to a richer cream.
SPF - don't skimp on sunscreen, that's important irrespective of your skin type. And actually, you should use it all year round. There are moisturisers with built in SPF that will be fine during the Winter months, if you don't want to use lots of different products.
Mask - again masks are great for every skin type. I am a big fan of using a mask, as it forces you to relax for a few minutes! If you fancy trying a Germaine de Capuccini mask let me know and I can recommend a good choice for your skin needs.
Products for oily skin - if you find shine a continuous problem during the day experiment with a primer that is mattifying to reduce shine. But be aware that these can feel drying, so you will need to test different ones to find the one that is best for you. Equally, it is worth trying matte foundations to keep shine to a minimum.