Skincare and make-up tips for oily skin

Oily skin can be an amazing asset as you age, keeping you looking fresh and dewy and blurring the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Great! But how about those times when having oily skin is a struggle, when you’re dealing with breakouts and are feeling like a greasy mess? Read on for some great tips on making oily skin behave and effectively covering spots.

•    It is so important to cleanse your skin properly, and this is especially important if you are oily and spot-prone. 

No matter what path you've taken in your life, it's almost a certainty that along the way you will have encountered acne. We can even consider it a part of life, this results in crowds wanting to buy the 20 Best Acne Cleansers & Face Washes in 2019 for all Skins. Whatever your skin imperfection may be, if you treat it regularly there is a good chance that it will go away with time. Pollution and dirt build-up = clogged pores and acne, and nobody wants that. You want to go for a cleanser that is gentle and one that isn't going to exacerbate any existing problems. A good option is Ren’s Clarifying Clay Cleanser (£18). It is best if you remove any makeup with a cleansing balm or lotion makeup remover before using your second cleanser. This is known as a double cleanse, and whilst it isn't necessary every night if you can do it as much as possible your skin will thank you for it.

•    Hydrating your skin is also important, and it is an area that often fills my oily-skinned clients with dread. This is especially true when I tell them that oil is great as a moisturizer on oily skin. Yes, that’s right, oil on oily skin. It doesn't make the skin more greasy, I promise. Instead, many oils have a normalizing effect on the skin, plumping it and hydrating it in a calming and gentle way, and most importantly without increasing oil production. I've had great results using Dr Hauschka Normalising Day Oil (£25). You only need the smallest amount to hydrate your face. Alternatively, go for a good water-based moisturizer.

•    Many oily-skinned clients I've spoken to have complained that makeup just doesn't last on their skin, to the point where they just don’t bother wearing it. There are steps you can take to prevent makeup from sliding off your skin. Firstly, after applying your moisturizer always follow up with a primer before applying foundation. My favourite primer for oily skin (though it is fab on all skin types) is Benefit’s Porefessional (£24.50). Not only does it prepare your skin for makeup application, it also fills in pores, reducing their appearance and blurring imperfections.  For keeping eyeshadow in place, I always recommend Urban Decay’s Primer Potion (£16). This stuff is fantastic; it stops eyeshadow from creasing and increases its vibrancy.

•    There are some fantastic foundations out there for oily skin. A top pick is Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation (£29.50 – look out for its corresponding concealer as well); this foundation has a medium coverage and stays put all day. A dusting of powder over the top will increase its staying power. 

•    Oily skin is prone to breakouts. A client told me the other day that she uses her foundation to cover up her spots. This is a huge no-no, unless you want your makeup to look caked-on. To cover spots, first apply your foundation and then go in lightly with a concealer that is specially designed for the job. Whilst the Estee Lauder concealer mentioned above is perfect for covering dark circles under the eyes, spot concealing requires something a little more heavy duty. Allow me to introduce you to Vichy Dermablend foundation (£16/also available in stick form for £15). Ignore the name; it is NOT to be used as foundation, rather as a spot concealer only where needed. Use a domed brush with the smallest amount of product you can get on the brush (a little goes a long way with this stuff) and dab it onto the spot. Et voila! No more spot. Top with the tiniest bit of powder to keep it in place. Make sure this is done after foundation so the foundation brush doesn't displace all your hard work.

•    For oil-control during the day, consider using blotting sheets rather than carrying a powder around with you. They are small and easy to keep in your bag or on your desk. A top tip for desperate times; pop into Starbucks and after you've ordered your delicious Gingerbread latte, pick up a couple of their napkins on your way out. These things kill oil on contact. Dab gently so as not to remove your makeup. 

Follow these steps and feel confident that whilst dry-skinned ladies are out there desperately trying to achieve a glow, yours is inbuilt! I hope this has helped.

Lucy Palmer is a freelance makeup artist and writer based in Exeter.
lucy.palmer.richeson@gmail.com

Photo Credit to Honolulu Media:
http://bit.ly/1vLexzf

Where to find the products mentioned in this article:

Ren Clarifying Clay Cleanser – http://bit.ly/1ybqBfc

Dr Hauschka Normalising Day Oil – http://bit.ly/1w00WHj

Benefit Porefessional – http://bit.ly/13T69nT

Urban Decay Primer Potion – http://bit.ly/11LjDRc 

Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation – http://bit.ly/1jnWoST 

Vichy Dermablend foundation – http://bit.ly/1AWX35J