Summer can be a really sticky situation for oilier skin types, in every literal sense. Those who reside in tropical regions where it’s hot and humid all year round would find acne and clogged pores as common as day.
7 hacks to help you manage oily combination skin
1. Don’t over-wash
During the hottest weathers, it becomes really tempting to cleanse, cleanse and cleanse the oil off your skin. In terms of face washing, more is not always better. Washing or stripping off the oil from your face can leave you feeling clean and fresh at the moment but cause your skin to produce even more oil over time. Stick to the usual cleansing routine of twice a day, morning and night. Avoid harsh facial washes that leave your skin feeling really uncomfortably tight.
2. Exfoliate
If you do not know yet, acne is formed when our pores are clogged with oil, dirt and dead skin cells. Exfoliating removes both dirt and dead skin cells, which spells good news for skin that produces more oil. If you have oily or combination skin, exfoliate up to twice a week. Regularly removing build-up can help prevent the occurrence of acne.
3. Summer mask-querade
Two types of masks that we’ll recommend for oily skin types: hydrating mask and clay mask.
For oily but dehydrated skin, a hydrating mask will be helpful to inject a surge of moisture into your skin.
Clay masks on the other hand are useful for pulling out impurities, dirt and oil. Due to its more drying nature, these should be used once a week.
4. Hydrate lavishly
Regulate the oil levels by hydrating well. Our main goal is to achieve a balanced sebum and water level to prevent breakouts. Be generous about applying your hydrating essences or toners, then seal the moisture in with a lightweight moisturiser that doesn’t feel too heavy on your skin. This step is especially important as it is easier for moisture to evaporate off your skin under the scorching hot sun, so be sure to lock them all in.
5. Oil control
For effective oil control, add an oil-control serum that helps with sebum production and effectively balances the oil levels in your skin. Those that contain astringent ingredients can also help to eliminate excess oil. We recommend applying DR’s Secret Spot Serum 8 and Refining Serum 9.
6. Take cover
We’ve said many times about diligently putting on sunscreen during summer. But here’s a trick to further oil-proof your skin: try mattifying sunscreens. By that we mean looking for sunscreens that contain mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Those reflect UV rays away from the skin and have a more mattifying texture which is refreshing for oil-prone skin.
7. Go foundation-free
Cut back on the makeup and allow your pores to breathe. Caking on heavy makeup for long hours can result in a melting mess by end of the day during the summer heat. Mixed with sweat and sebum, it’s the perfect combination for clogged pores. Go foundation-free as much as possible, but if you’d still like to have some coverage, choose non-comedogenic lightweight tinted sunscreens that do not clog your pores.
To blot or not?
There have been mixed opinions on whether these delicate oil-blotting sheets really do work or are more harmful to the skin. We think that the key is to have a very clear perspective of what you are using these sheets for.
It is normal to want to get rid of the oil on your skin, especially when your skin starts to give a distracting shine by midday. Blotting sheets then become useful for a quick fix. It gives an instant gratification of removing the oil from your face, restoring it to a temporal freshness. If you have makeup on, blotting can lengthen the staying power of your makeup, preventing it from melting and clogging pores.
However, a quick fix should never be seen as a long-term solution. For all their merits, blotting sheets do not solve the root of the problem and should not be seen as the ultimate oil-control method. In fact, over-blotting may cause your skin to produce even more sebum to compensate for the lack of oil. Basic skin care habits as mentioned above such as moisturising and using products with oil-controlling ingredients are essential steps in reducing oil production in the long run.
We hope this guide will help you to weather through the hot humid season.
While it takes a bit more effort to manage oily skin, it’s not all bad news! People with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and show signs of ageing later as compared to dry skin. So while you do all that you can to balance things out, learn to embrace your skin type too!