Taking care of mixed, oily or asphyxial skin is not easy: shine, blackheads and pimples are all characteristics that those who recognise themselves in this skin type must learn to cope with.

Each type of skin has, in fact, different characteristics and needs that it is good to know in order to be able to treat it in the most appropriate way: an acne-prone oily skin has different needs from a dry skin. In this article we will look at some advice and strategy to better treat oily skin. In particular, here are the topics we will address:

• Oily skin, first tip: abandon traditional cosmetics
• Caring for oily skin: treatment objectives
• The 8 steps to take care of oily skin
  • 1. Cleanse oily skin
  • 2. Toning oily skin
  • 3. Normalising sebum production
  • 4. Purifying oily skin
  • 5. Exfoliate oily skin
  • 6. How to moisturize oily skin
  • 7. Protect oily skin from the sun
  • 8. Make up for oily skin
• One last tip on how to care for oily skin

Oily skin, first tip: abandon traditional cosmetics

First, to take care of oily skin you need to decide to abandon the traditional cosmetics that is rich in mineral oils, silicones and acrylates, which initially seem to be able to immediately give a dry and silky touch to the skin but that in reality, They limit their perspiration and in doing so risk worsening the situation.

Much better to switch to a natural cosmetics, choosing specific products and carefully studying the reactions of our skin.

Caring for oily skin: treatment objectives 

The oily skin appears shiny and oily, with a dull complexion and with the presence of comedones, pimples and enlarged pores. To the touch it is oily, rough, with an irregular texture. In short, a disaster! In order to make amends we must therefore intervene with an ad hoc treatment. 

The main objectives of a cosmetic treatment against oily skin are:

• Improve the appearance of the skin, making it visibly less greasy and healthier
• Gently cleanse the oily skin
• Purify the skin and normalize and contain sebaceous production
• Exfoliate the skin, encouraging cell renewal
• Counteract bacterial proliferation, responsible for papules, pustules and acne lesions
• Encouraging the closure of pores
• Deeply moisturize
• Protect the skin from the elements

The treatment for oily skin involves the use of different products with synergistic action. The functional ingredients in a cosmetic for this type of skin must be carefully selected to improve the disorder without being too aggressive against the skin

We can take care of our oily skin and achieve these goals in 8 easy steps.

The 8 steps to take care of oily skin: 

1. Cleanse the oily skin
2. Tone up oily skin
3. Normalize the production of sebum
4. Purify the oily skin
5. Exfoliate the oily skin
6. How to moisturize oily skin
7. Protect oily skin from the sun
8. Make up for oily skin

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1. Cleanse the oily skin

Although the operation may seem easy and trivial it is necessary to pay special attention to the detergent used for cleaning. An overly aggressive product, in fact, can act as a stimulus for a further increase in Sebaceous production.

The use of detergents excessively degreasing leads, in fact, to the appearance of what is known as "paradoxical effect", a situation in which the sebaceous glands respond to the excessive stimulus suffered by the skin with the increase in sebum production. To avoid it is much better to use delicate and easily rinsed products, such as cleansing gels, specially formulated face cleansers for oily skin, mousse cleansers, light cleansing milks, preferring a slightly acidic pH, around 4.5 and 5.5, which helps to control the secretion of sebum sustained sebum of the sebaceous glands and thus limit the shiny effect and the presence of impurities.

2. Tone up oily skin

After cleansing oily skin, you can resort to the use of a tonic.

This should be alcohol-free since alcohol-based products can be irritating to this type of skin, which is already very sensitive in itself.

The best solution in this case is to choose a specific face lotion or opt for active or hydro water with a balancing and purifying effect.

 3. Normalize the production of sebum

Oily skin is the result of an overproduction of sebum, favored by the sebaceous glands. To take care of our oily skin we must try to reduce this excessive sebum secretion. The products able to normalize the production of sebum are obtained by carefully combining some specific ingredients that interfere with its production, while absorbing the excess, and are:

• Absorbent and matting ingredients, such as white clay, rice powder or bentonite, which make less fluid sebum and visibly reduce the glossy-oily effect
• Sebum-regulating or sebum-normalizing ingredients, such as Niacinamide + Zinc, a derivative of vitamin B3 (or niacin) ideal for mixed and impure skin. Together with zinc, with its soothing and astringent properties, it is the perfect ally in the fight against pimples, imperfections and blackheads. To learn more about this amazing ingredient ideal for combination and oily skin you can read our in-depth Niacinamide + Zinc = the face serum for mixed happy skin.

Another way to normalize the production of sebum is to use specific dietary supplements that promote the purifying functions of the body and the well-being of the skin.

More and more in recent years cosmetics is going towards an in&out approach to solve complex problems, so in the face of proper nutrition, you can get excellent results with specific supplements.

Sometimes the skin is oily not so much for an excessive production of sebum but rather for a qualitative variation.

The sebum is waxy and oily and little fluid. The skin is not shiny but dull and asphyxiated because covered by a layer of sebum denser than normal. In this case, it may be useful to use some vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid (such as hemp oil, or wheat germ).

This has rebalancing properties in the composition of sebum (but not on the amount secreted!) and, for this particular type of skin, the application of oils or creams containing them, can be effective.

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4. purify the skin 

Oily skin is often associated with acne, blackheads and various skin impurities.

Possible allied ingredients, to limit the proliferation of bacteria, are natural essential oils, such as those extracted from lavender or tea tree oil, also known as tea tree oil.

Astringent masks based on clays enriched with such oils or masks with rice powder and anti-imperfection serum have proved important friends for the treatment of oily skin. Activated charcoal masks are also perfect for oily skin and deep cleansing.

Azelaic Acid is particularly indicated in the treatment of impure and acneic skin. It is a natural substance present on the skin and obtained from wheat that can inhibit the formation of free fatty acids on the surface of the skin, promoting its balance. It also has excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, inhibits the formation of bacteria that cause acne and is a powerful ally against pimples and blackheads.

Other top ingredients to treat impure skin are Succinic Acid and Shikimico Acid, particularly appreciated by acne skin for several reasons. Studies have shown significant activity of these two ingredients against one of the bacteria responsible for acne formation, Propionibacterium Acnes. They then have the ability to regulate sebum production. They are also gentle exfoliants that promote the skin turn over without irritating the skin, making the complexion uniform and bright.

You can use all over your face creams that contain Azelaic Acid, or creams that contain Shikimic Acid or other matting ingredients and serums specific for more targeted action to prevent blemishes or treat pimples.

5. Exfoliate the oily skin 

An exfoliating cosmetic treatment is able to give new light to oily skin, which we often see turned off and graying. By using a product with this feature we can encourage cell renewal and stimulate the production of new cells, collagen and elastin. It is also very suitable for mixed skin because it helps to get rid of imperfections, often caused by clogging of pores.

Thanks to a good exfoliating product, therefore, we can get rid of the excess sebum trapped in the glandular ducts, cleaning the skin in depth.

There are 3 ways to exfoliate the skin:

• Mechanical Scrub: the action of exfoliation occurs through small abrasive elements present within the formula. The scrub is applied on moist skin and is activated with circular movements (brushing). Very delicate facial scrubs and therefore particularly suitable for combination skin can be gel or mousse.
• Enzymatic peeling: it is formulated with enzymes such as papain, bromelain, cocoa, red fruits, pumpkin. 
• Chemical peeling: can be formulated with AHA, BHA, PHA acids or a combination of these. Deep exfoliates the skin, promotes cell renewal and the production of elastin and collagen

6. How to moisturize oily skin 

Hydration is another key step when we talk about oily skin. Because of its shiny and oily appearance, in fact, many hope to obtain good results by using detergents with strong degreasing properties and making excessive use of scrubs and exfoliants.

Be careful though, because an excess of washing and cleaning can impoverish the natural hydrolipidic film and by doing so, the protective efficacy of the skin barrier is less and the water present in the superficial layers of the epidermis evaporates more easily, making the skin, in addition to being increasingly oily, even appears dehydrated!

Oily skin also needs hydration choose: light creams but rich in moisturizing ingredients and even better if they contain active ingredients such as Melissa, Burdock or Aloe Vera. You can use it morning and evening on clean face and after a specific anti-blemish serum. If the areas of the face show strong differences (for example if in the T zone you notice excessive oiliness) you can choose to use a specific serum opacifying only in the affected parts.

If the skin is also dehydrated and asphyxiated you could also benefit from the use of moisturizing active, particularly useful could be the synergistic extract of tamarind or hyaluronic acid, You can use it instead of serum or in addition to your moisturizer.

7. Protect oily skin from the sun

Let us not be fooled by the initial beneficial touch of the sun that dries the skin and erases imperfections: we always use a sunscreen to protect us from the damage of sunlight, the benefit is only momentary, the sun leads to premature aging of the skin and, in the long term, to an exacerbation of the problem.

Be careful though, an inappropriate cream can even increase sebum production, and as a result of blackheads and pimples. The texture to be preferred is very fluid and light, able to protect, moisturize and dull the skin, without clogging the pores and favoring proper perspiration of the epidermis.

8. The perfect makeup for skin with oiliness.

Making up oily skin can be a real hassle, especially in summer, when you tend to sweat more.

Oiliness, micro sweating and enlarged pores are the main enemies that characterize this type of skin and that are sharpened during the hot period. Not only that, the trick can turn out to be a mess in a short time.

How to make up for such problems?

The last step of our beauty routine and the first step of make-up could be a primer cream with a matting effect: especially if you have particularly shiny skin, use a primer or a serum with a matting effect before make-up, it will be of great help.

Afterwards, it is preferable to proceed with compact foundations specially designed to suit the skin type. If there are no major imperfections, a light BB Cream with a natural effect is ideal.

Next, choose light, impalpable powders that can absorb oiliness and mattify the complexion. These types of products:

• Do not excessively increase skin hydration
• Contrast the glossy effect, having a matting effect
• Increase the tightness of makeup, "absorbing" the sebum on the surface
• Avoid the appearance of black and white spots, and pimples under skin

You can replace the face powder pure rice starch that fixes makeup and does not polish the skin, with constant use improves the elasticity and softness of the skin. Put it on your face, dry the sebum without whitening the skin!

Then complete with blush or earth or compact natural illuminant.

Le BB Cream: an alternative to foundation

As we have seen, the BB Cream (Blemish Balm, which translated means cream anti imperfections), is a multifunctional cream that can perfect the discoloration of the skin.

It was born a few years ago in Germany as a curative and aesthetic product for those who had undergone laser surgery on the skin, and the world of cosmetics then began to approach this new product.

To put it another way, BB cream is a moisturizer and a foundation put together, a 2 in 1.

These are moisturizing treatments with a slightly colored texture that, unlike colored creams, perfectly covers redness, pimples, skin spots and small wrinkles, thus making the uniform complexion in a single gesture.

It combines the function of the foundation, a healing function of the skin and also protects against UV rays. In addition, they do not change the color of the complexion, but perfect it making it more radiant. 

The complete face packs

Routine impure skins

The complete beauty routine for impure, mixed and oily skin can be found in the Impure Skin Routine: it is a kit package that contains all the products of the Impure Skin Line, ideal for building a skin care for mixed skin, fat, shiny or impure looking for brightness! The package has a 15% discount.

The package includes these products, all in full size version:

- Deep Pure facial cleansing gel, the cleansing gel that regulates the production of sebum, gently cleanses the skin and leaves the face fresh and clean.
- Pure Glow facial lotion, exfoliating and regenerating face lotion to reduce enlarged pores, even the complexion and brighten the face
- Stay Matte face cream, matting and smoothing, ideal to use as a primer and then to use in the morning before make-up
- Stay Pure face cream, the intensive face cream to regulate the production of sebum, prevent the formation of pimples and blackheads and mitigate redness due to imperfections to be used in the evening
- Pimple Kill Bump Serum, for a targeted treatment on pimples, the localized bump serum to see the blemish dry out and disappear faster.

👉 You find here the package Routine skins impure

Kit Beauty Routine Stop Imperfections

A complete skin care to take care of combination, oily and asphyxiated skin can be found in the Beauty Kit routine stop imperfections: it is a package of products at a 20% discount and with free shipping! 
Here is everything you need to build a facial routine with powerful sebum-regulating action, to nourish dry or asphyxiated areas and extinguish inflammations and impurities. The perfect routine for those who want to stop polishing and start shining!

The package includes these products, all in full size version:

- Mousse Mirtilla 
- Wonderscub 
- Constitutional Water at Melissa 
- Anti-imperfection serum 
- Face cream with lemon balm 
- Purifying Wondermask 

👉 Find here the Beauty routine kit stop imperfections 

Kit enlarged pores

Another interesting package for those with mixed skin and imperfections, is the Kit enlarged pores, the complete package to minimize pores and soothe redness. 

The package contains these products, all in full size version:

- Purifying solid face cleanser - Bye Bye Impurity 
- Active water Melissa
- Niacinamide 
- Hyaluronic acid 
- Anti-imperfection serum 
- Purifying face mask - Bye Bye Impurity 

👉 You can find the Dilated Pores Kit here 

One last tip on how to care for oily skin

Avoid touching your face too much during the day!!! 

When you touch your face with your hands you can spread sebum and bacteria. Only touch your face when cleaning, moisturizing, or applying sunscreen or makeup, and make sure your hands are clean before doing so.