OILY SKIN

 What is Oily skin and who gets it

Oily skin is mainly caused by excessive skin oil (sebum) being produced. During puberty increased androgen levels (male hormones present in both males and females) signal the oil glands of the skin to mature. At this time the body begins producing much more skin oil. For some people, oil glands go into overdrive and the skin takes on an oily look. This oily appearance normally subsides to some degree after puberty, but can persist into adulthood, and is often seasonal, coinciding with humid weather. In general, people with oilier skin tend to suffer more with acne.

Oily skin can be shiny, thick and dull coloured. Often a chronically oily skin has coarse pores and pimples, other blemishes and is prone to blackheads. In this type of skin, the oil producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look.

 What can cause Oily skin & what can make it worse?

Things to Avoid:

Over-cleansing. It may be tempting to wash your face often to reduce the shine that comes with oily skin. However, over-washing your skin is one of the worst things you can do if you are acne-prone. Over-washing produces excessive dryness and irritation, both of which are known to increase symptoms of acne. Wash your face properly, and only twice a day. 

Heavy cosmetics. Scientists have performed no specific research into how heavy foundations or other greasy makeup specifically affect oil production, but anecdotally, these products seem to make people experience symptoms of oily skin. Regardless of whether these heavy cosmetics produce increased oil production, they should be avoided because there are likely to comedogenic (pore blocking) products in them.

Astringents, harsh soaps, and alcohols. These dry and irritate the skin. You may have read that the use of such products causes the skin to compensate by producing more oil. There exists no scientific evidence to support this, but anecdotally many people find this to be the case. Regardless, these products irritate the skin, and irritation of the skin can result in acne.

What about moisturiser?

The use of heavy or greasy moisturisers should be avoided for anyone with oily skin. However, regular application of a light, non-comedogenic (will not clog pores) moisturiser can help stabilize the oiliness of their skin. Moisturisers containing Jojoba Oil tend to be recognized for their oil regulating prowess.

Myths about oily skin

Myth 1: Oil can be controlled by stripping skin with harsh, drying ingredients such as alcohol.Stripping the skin of oil can cause an overproduction of oil. Why? Because skin’s trying to make up for and replace what’s lost! Those who self-treat oily skin with alcohol-based products often end up with dehydrated, irritated, sensitised skin.Myth 2: Sunscreens increase oil production.  Speak with your professional skin therapist about new, sophisticated formulations that won’t clog pores.  Myth 3: A little sun exposure is ideal for drying up skin.Sun exposure is never good for skin. While it may seems that the sun provides a temporary “drying” effect, sebaceous glands will fire into overdrive to help replace lost oil. The result: more oil on the surface than before.MYTH 4: There’s nothing that can be done to help control oily skin.An oily skin condition is just as manageable as any skin condition. Speak to a professional skin therapist who can analyse your skin, then provide a proper diagnosis including a regimen of products and lifestyle changes to keep skin under control.

Solutions for Oily Skin 

-        Controls sebum production and cleanses without harsh skin stripping

The Refreshing Cleanser is a gentle cleanser which removes oil without irritating the skin. It is essential for oily skin types to have the removal of excess oil, dead cell build up, makeup and everyday dirt so to not clog pores.

The Refreshing Cleanser is designed for managing oily skin types by having a gentle cleansing action which removes the oil and build-up without irritating the skin. The Refreshing cleanser also contains antioxidants in Jojoba Oil, Kakadu plum and Vitamin E and the anti-inflammatory properties of these ingredient too sooth and nourish the skin.

The Refreshing cleanser also contains Jojoba Oil which has a similar structure to the skins natural oil, sebum. It is theorised that the Jojoba Oil mimics the sebum and tricks the skin into thinking that there is enough oil produced, therefore regulating oil control.

-        Removes excess oil without irritating

The Bamboo Pearl Exfoliator is a gentle exfoliator which encourages the natural process of desquamation (cell turnover). This natural process of cell turnover is aided by exfoliation with the removals the dead cells build up, and allowing the replacement of these cells with younger and revitalised cells.  Aiding the desquamation is important in dry skin management because by removing the build-up of dead cells which allow the creams and serums that follow to penetrate and restore the impaired barrier function (protective layer) seen in dry skin.

The Bamboo Pearl also is designed to be a gentle exfoliator that encourages desquamation without over irritating the skin, this is because the Bamboo Pearl contains soothing and nourishing ingredient of Jojoba Oil, glycerine and Aloe Vera. These ingredients provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hydration properties for the skin.

-        Absorbs excess oil and minimises open pores

The Brightening Masks contains Australian ivory clay and French white clay which absorb the excess sebum produced by the skin.

The Glycolic Acid in the Brightening Mask is a chemical exfoliator which dissolves the glue like structures which hold together the dead skin cells. This reduces the accumulation of dead skin cells and unclogs pores and therefore allows the oil to be removed easier and stops a build-up of oil on the skin.

The Brightening Mask contains the potent anti-inflammatory ingredients Sea Buckthorn, Green Tea, Beta Glucan and Vitamin E. These ingredients reduce redness and skin irritation.

An oily skin can have a tendency to be a more frequent occurrence of breakouts and that is why the antioxidant oat meal mask and its healing properties to redness and irritation is utilised. The oats have also shown great potential in reducing inflammation and irritation of the skin when applied topically. The oat meal Mask also contains a potent mixture of nutrients that the skin requires for optimal functioning these ingredients include Beta Glucan, Vitamin E, and Chamomile and Jojoba Oil.

It’s important in oily skin concerns that a skincare routine contains nutrients for skin functioning, as oily skin can sometimes mask concerns like hydrations, irritation, dryness and premature aging.

-        Absorbs excess oil and minimises pores

The Refreshing Toner is a hydrating toner with the addition of the Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and for health skin and its structures. The Refreshing Toner also contains a potent mixture of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory’s and nutrients for skin protection and healing. These ingredients in Jojoba Oil, Green Tea and chamomile. This mixture of nutrients and hydration aids in oily skin concerns as nutrients for protection and cell renewal are still required by the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid for oily skin is essential because even though your skin is producing excess oil, yours skin requires hydration.  Hyaluronic Acid is a great addition to an oily skin regime. The topical benefits of Hyaluronic Acid is well documented by researchers and supported by dermatologists. Primarily why Hyaluronic Acid is accepted is because of its unique water binding capacity of 1000 times its weight in water which is not seen in any biological substance, for direct hydration into the skin.

The Hyaluronic Acid also contains no oil content so not to add any extract oil to the skin and therefore no greasy feeling afterwards. The serum must be followed by a moisturiser and for oily skin concerns the Clear and Brightening Moisturiser is recommended due to its light weight and non-pore clogging ingredients. 

-        Water based non clogging serum that doesn’t block pores

Even though your skin is oily, you still require nutrients for skin function and there is nothing better for your skin than Vitamin C. The soul 20% Vitamin C contains the purest and most active form of Vitamin C called Ascorbic Acid. And the Soul 20% Vitamin C serum is the best way and most stable way to transfer the benefits of Vitamin C into the skin.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is a powerful antioxidant for protection against free radical damage, natural tyrosine inhibitor for the brightening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) and an essential part of collagen formation.  Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is the work horse Vitamin for your skin and is necessary for health glowing skin.

-        Gel based that doesn’t leave the skin oily

Bright Eyes is a great addition to an oily skin routine as Bright Eyes is a gel base and does not leave any greasy aftermath. Bright Eyes contains a plentiful supply of nutrients, anti –inflammatory and antioxidants which are required to maintain a healthy skin and particularly  the delicate areas around the eyes. These ingredients include Sea buckthorn, Kakadu plum, cucumber and Vitamin E. Bright Eyes is also excellent for darkness and puffiness around the eyes due to the nutrients and the soya and rice peptide.

-        Helps with minor breakouts and does not clog pores 

The Clear and Brightening Moisturiser is a lightweight moisturiser which contains ingredient that do not clog pores. The Moisturiser contains sea buckthorn, Kakadu plum and Beta Glucan which provided essential nutrients to the skin for nourishment and cell renewal without clogging the pores or adding extra grease to the skin. The moisturiser also contains Hyaluronic Acid for essential hydration and normal skin