The commonest cause of acne is clogged pores, but don’t worry: even oily skin has its positive sides. One of its essential characteristics is that it is thicker and maintains its elasticity for longer, which also helps it stay youthful for longer.
Oil is secreted by the skin for a very specific purpose. To protect the hydrolipid layer of the epidermis and supply the skin with the ideal balance of moisture and nutrients so that it remains vital and elastic. Your skin type actually depends on how much oil your skin produces. This is the basis on which we classify skin as dry, oily or combination. Oily skin is skin that secretes a greater quantity of oil or sebum. Failure to take suitable care of this type of skin can lead to clogged and enlarged pores and a build-up of dead skin cells. This creates an ideal environment for the development of blackheads and acne.
How do I know if my skin is oily?
- Your face has an oily sheen during the day.
- Your make-up doesn’t last and your skin quickly loses its fresh look.
- When you use products with light, rapidly absorbed, hydrating textures your skin is happiest.
- You keep getting blackheads and acne in areas where your skin secretes oil most actively.
- If you mainly have enlarged pores in the forehead, nose and chin area, you have an oily “T-zone”.
It’s worth dedicating particular care to the T-zone. The area of the face consisting of the forehead, nose and chin. The sebaceous glands are generally more active in this area than elsewhere, so with the right care, you can prevent many spots from forming. If your T-zone is oily but the rest of your face is dry, you probably have combination skin. Skin is often a mixture of several different types and conditions. This can change constantly as the result of factors such as hormones, climate and stress.
What causes oily skin?
- Genetics; if one of your parents has oily skin, then there’s a good chance you will have oily skin too.
- Poor diet; overconsumption of processed foods, sugar, hydrogenated oils, fried food, red meat, milk and dairy products.
- Hormonal imbalances; disorders of the endocrine system.
- Enlarged pores; ageing, frequent acne outbreaks and weight fluctuation.
- Stress; increased stress levels increase sebaceous gland activity.
- Insufficient sleep.
- Use of unsuitable cosmetics; it is important to follow the needs of your skin by choosing suitable products and constantly adapting your skincare routine.
- Climate factors; if the climate where you live is hot and humid, there is a greater likelihood that your skin will produce more oil. Pollution is another negative environmental factor.
How can you care for oily skin and acne?
The good news for everyone struggling with oily skin is that with careful skincare it is possible to keep the condition of your skin under control. The important thing is to be consistent with skincare and choosy about the products you use.
Cleansing
Thorough cleansing morning and night is the key step of every skincare regime. It is worth remembering, though, that as well as being thorough, cleansing should be gentle enough not to further stress the skin or dry it out. Begin your morning and evening cleansing routine by wetting your face with lukewarm water, then apply a gentle cleansing gel that removes excess oil and allows the skin to breathe again. Massage the product in gently, then rinse off carefully using plenty of lukewarm water. When choosing a cleanser, it is important to exclude those containing artificial foaming agents, alcohol, fragrances and other additives which are potential irritants and which your skin does not need.
A natural choice is a Purifying Face Cleanser gel based on hemp hydrolate and hemp oil.
Try to avoid using coarse cleansing sponges and wipes, since these can accelerate oil formation and can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which increases the chance of inflammations.
Toning and hydrating
The next important step is to help re-establish the skin’s optimal pH level after cleansing. Remember that toners containing alcohol are not the best choice, since they dry the skin and can cause subcutaneous pimples. It is better to choose a product that hydrates, establishes an optimal pH level and supplies the skin with antioxidants. In this way the skin is ideally primed to receive all the other active ingredients that follow.
The perfect selection of active ingredients to balance the skin can be found in Moisturising Bright Essence
Targeted moisturising care
A big mistake made by people with oily skin is to skip this step. Every skin needs both moisture and nutrients. The important thing is to choose a non-comedogenic oil and active ingredients that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The synergy of the right combination of ingredients can be an excellent support for oily skin.
CBD is a natural molecule that is recognised by the receptors of our skin’s endocannabinoid system (in other words it is “skin-identical”), enabling it to balance excessive sebum secretion and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Balancing Face Cream contains CBD and a selection of the finest natural ingredients that help restore the skin’s lost balance.
You can achieve a great deal by listening to yourself and your skin. Some causes of acne, such as genetic predisposition or hormonal imbalance, are difficult to control. Nevertheless, you can achieve enviable results by eating food that is as fresh and unprocessed as possible, drinking plenty of water and taking consistent care of your skin. One thing is for sure: your skin truly is a mirror of your health.
