For oily skin, it might seem like the fastest or only solution is to blot the oily away or use products that matte skin without addressing the more fundamental causes of oily skin.
Based on my years of treating skin, here are three key ways I address oily skin to more visibly transform the shine into a balanced glow.
First, I think about inflammation. When skin is inflamed, it can actually trigger a response to produce more sebum production. While how much sebum your skin produces has a genetic component to it, your skin can actually produce much more oil when it's inflamed. Many things can trigger inflammation including external and internal stressors. Incorporating clinically proven ingredients that help visibly calm and soothe the signs of inflammation can help with oily skin.
Second, I focus on boosting cell turnover and exfoliation to combat retention hyperkeratosis (when cell turnover slows down).Here's why. When skin is inflamed, which is what might be leading to the excess sebum production in the first place, skin also can go into a state of retention hyperkeratosis where dead skin cells are not as easily being sloughed off. Plus, even without retention hyperkeratosis, oily skin can more easily trap impurities. Exfoliation and boosted cell turnover helps prevent oily skin from becoming clogged pores and breakouts.
Third, I really think about the skin's microbiome, which is the millions of bacteria that make up the unique ecosystem on our skin's surface. This is such an exciting arena of skincare research and studies show that a thriving microbiome can help balance skin's natural oils as well as help curb breakouts. Pre and probiotics can be helpful in contributing to a thriving microbiome.
Over the years, I met a lot of people who were frustrated with addressing oily primarily by trying to matte and blot it, only to find that it was a bit of a hamster wheel approach.
That's why we curated the Oily Skin Essentials Kit. While these products are great for all skin types, they have unique benefits for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
All three products include wonderfully soothing ingredients to help visibly calm signs of inflammation, which in turn helps balance skin's natural oils. The Super Reboot Mask and Good Acids Pore Toner includes calming allantoin and turmeric. Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer contains calming calendula, chamomile and licorice.
Meanwhile, the Super Reboot Mask and Good Acids Pore Toner provide a thoughtful exfoliation system. The Super Reboot Mask is your effective weekly deep-dive resurfacing. This could be used up to three times a week. But, with oily skin, you will likely need some maintenance of pores and skin-polishing in between, but you don't want to overdo it for skin. Too much exfoliation can lead to a host of other skin issues. The Good Acids Pore Toner is a gentle daily dosage of less than 1% AHA and BHA combined so that your skin can be polished and pores clarified without being too much for skin.
Finally, the Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer is not only oil-free while still being deeply hydrating, it includes a proprietary vegan pre and probiotic complex to help support your skin's microbiome.
We're excited to be able to provide a kit with these three oily skin essentials to add into your skincare routine. I believe you'll see a visible transformation of your skin that's meaningful and exciting - and the reviews about each of these products say just as much.
If you have any questions about skincare, oily skin or this Oily Skin Essentials Kit, please let us know below.
Cheers to radiance,
Alicia
