Hi everyone! This is Karina speaking. I’ve taken over Laura’s blog for the day!
As any oily skinned person knows, it is a huge pain trying to control the shine on your face. Every day is a new battle, and a lot of the time there’s just no winning against humidity and heat. Here are some steps for creating a basic skincare routine that may work for you:
Step 1: Face Wash
Some people can get away with not washing their faces. I’m one of those people, but I do think it’s important to rinse off the grime that can accumulate during the day.
Recommended Face Wash: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, $13.99
Step 2: Exfoliators
I prefer chemical exfoliation over physical exfoliation because it tends to be less harsh on the skin. Also, chemical exfoliation removes dead skin more evenly. There are two types of chemical exfoliators: AHAs and BHAs. AHAs help lighten hyperpigmentation and even the skin tone. BHAs help keep pores clear and help kill bacteria that contribute to acne. You can use one or the other, or both!
Recommended AHA: Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle, $15.49
Recommended BHA: Stridex Maximum Strength Pads* (In the red box), $4.99
When you first start using a chemical exfoliator, make sure to use it only once every few days, and then gradually increase use. After exfoliating, wait at least fifteen minutes before applying moisturizer.
And if you’re using an AHA, make sure to use it only at night! It can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. BHAs can be used at any time.
Step 3: Moisturizer
There’s a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need as much moisture as dry skin. After all, isn’t moisture causing the oiliness? However, it’s actually very important for oily skin to be moisturized. The use of harsh products can make skin dry, which causes it to compensate and create excessive oil.
For a daytime moisturizer use: Simple Gel Moisturizer, $12.49
This stuff is great for use during the day! It absorbs into the skin well, and it contains glycerin, which helps attract moisture, and makes makeup go on smoother.
As a nighttime moisturizer use: Whatever you want!
Overnight moisturizers are usually thicker than daytime ones, but it really depends on your preferences.
I use: Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin, $12.79
I also recommend: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM, $14.99
(Optional) Step 4: Sunscreen
I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve yet to find a sunscreen that doesn’t turn into a grease fest by the end of the day. However, it’s super important to protect skin from the sun’s rays, so I deal with it! It’s best to use two separate sunscreens for your face and body, because body sunscreens can have ingredients that would be irritating when used on the face.
Recommended Facial Sunscreen: CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50, $14.99
Step 5: Makeup Primer
This technically isn’t skincare, but I decided to throw this in.
Recommended Primer: Rimmel Stay Matte Primer, $6.99
If you like a more dewy look, the Nivea Men Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin ($6.79) is a good alternative. It keeps your makeup from disintegrating off your face, but still keeps your glow.
That’s a basic skincare routine! Be sure to introduce only one product at a time. I know it’s easy to get carried away and just pile on everything, but this step is really important. Some people test products for only a couple of weeks, but I like to wait a month. Other factors can also affect skin (such as menstruation, stress, amount of sleep, etc.), so by waiting a month I can make sure it’s really the product making a difference.
So what’s your skincare routine like? Have any of you with oily skin tried these products?
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