How should I care for oily skin?

There’s more to oily skin than sebum, clogged pores, and shine. Did you know oily skin is thicker than other skin types and more resistant to fine lines and wrinkles? There’s also more to caring for oily skin than soap and water. Skin care for oily skin should gently wash away excess sebum, visibly shrink pores, re-balance, and nourish. Let’s take a look at how to control oily skin.

1. Understand what causes oily skin

If you’ve been battling oily skin lately, it can feel as if oil is the enemy; but it’s not. Oil – called sebum – has an important job to do. It keeps our skin lubricated, supple, and healthy – allowing the skin to do its job, which is to keep vital moisture inside the body and act as a barrier against pollutants and bacteria that may be dangerous to the body.


As your body produces sebum, it travels to the surface of the skin, collecting cells that are shed inside the hair follicle. When a follicle is full, the sebum flows onto the surface of the skin and is joined by lipids from skin cells, sweat, and environmental matter. When trapped or allowed to pile up on the skin’s surface, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples rear their ugly heads.


Essentially, your skin type is determined by the amount of oil your body produces. Oily skin produces an oversupply of natural oils. There are many reasons for this: Hormones that are especially active in puberty, menstruation and pregnancy, illness or diseases like Parkinson’s, certain medications like oral contraceptives, extreme stress or sleep deprivation, and the wrong choice of skin care for oily skin.


If you’re still not sure and you’re asking yourself – what is my skin type? – take a quick look in the mirror. Oily skin is dull-looking, has an overall shine that feels oily to the touch, open pores mainly in the T-zone, and a tendency to break out in pimples or blackheads on the face, chest, and back. A face mask like Clarins SOS Pure Rebalancing Clay Mask is a great way to dial back dull-looking skin while mattifying and helping to visibly shrink pores.


Keep in mind that since sebum production is affected by hormone activity, your skin’s oil levels will change throughout your life – increasing at puberty and typically starting to decrease by age 20. Oil production will continue to slow with age, which can mean that skin that is oily during adolescence and through your 20s can become normal or even dry after 40.


Irrespective of your age, choose the right oily skin products that can help to balance your skin’s moisture levels while giving it all the nourishment it needs. The difference between clogged and blemished skin, and a clear, healthy-looking complexion, is skin care for oily skin that really works. It shouldn't be about how to get rid of oily skin but rather how to take care of it and how to address its unique challenges.

2. The ultimate skin care routine for oily skin

To achieve a beautiful-looking complexion, use gentle oily skin products that work to eliminate excess sebum and purify pores. Getting rid of oily skin starts with using a cleanser for oily skin, morning and night. Resist the urge to cleanse more than twice a day. Use a gentle, foaming face wash for oily skin, and never scrub your skin. Products that are labeled non-comedogenic will not clog your pores. Clarins’ best face wash for oily skin is a Purifying Gentle Foaming Cleanser PURIFYING GENTLE FOAMING CLEANSER that deeply cleanses and helps visibly mattify skin. The non-drying, purifying facial cleanser – with mattifying Organic Meadowsweet extract and pore-cleansing blue granules made with salicylic acid – rinses away impurities, trapped makeup, excess oils, and dead surface cells to promote a shine-free complexion. Follow with the best toner for oily skin.


If you’d like to know how to visibly shrink pores, your next step to smooth, clear skin is a serum for oily skin. Clarins Pore Control Serum helps to visibly tighten pores for a refined, shine-free complexion. Vine Flower cells and mattifying Organic Strawberry Tree fruit extracts help to visibly purify and unclog pores. Tamarind pulp acid naturally exfoliates pore-clogging debris to help visibly refine skin's texture for a boost of radiance. This serum’s "blur effect" texture contains mattifying powders for oily skin and light-enhancing pigments that visibly minimize pores.


Now you’re ready for a moisturizer for oily skin. If you’ve never thought to apply oil to your oily skin – think again! Clarins iconic Face Treatment Oils are formulated with 100% plant extracts that have real benefits for oily skin. These moisturizers for oily skin are great because they do not leave a sticky or greasy after-feel. Lotus Face Treatment Oil is a natural astringent that uses an aromatic blend of essential oils – including Lotus, Rosemary, and Geranium – to hydrate and visibly tighten pores. Hazelnut Oil, rich in Omega 9 and Vitamin E, helps to visibly soften and soothe and seals in moisture. It has a fine, lightweight formula that absorbs instantly and won’t stain clothes. Always ensure that you use a non-comedogenic face moisturizer.


Need a 10-minute reboot for oily skin? Invest in a purifying clay face mask. Clarins SOS Pure Rebalancing Clay Mask mattifies and reduces the appearance of pores. This best face mask contains Organic Alpine Willow Herb extract to help minimize shine and visibly shrink pores. White Clay and Green Clay help absorb impurities, visibly smooth the skin, and promote a healthy-looking glow.

3. Your oily skin go-to

Oily skin can produce excess sebum throughout the day. The last thing you want is an oil slick or makeup mudslide. Pore-blurring face powder for oily skin lets you put your best face forward no matter how busy you are.

4. Shop the best products for oily skin at Clarins


We are committed to ensuring that your skin care needs are met. You will find all the latest skin care products to help you along your oily skin journey. With Clarins oily skin products, it’s easy to care for oily skin in the right way – so it’s you that gets to shine and not your skin!

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