Makeup, humidity, and pollution can exacerbate oily skin during summer. Here’s the good news: Taking the proper steps in your skincare routine can help prevent your skin from becoming an oily-looking mess while maintaining that fresh-faced glow we all secretly crave. Ahead, we’re sharing the top skin care tips for balancing oily skin as recommended by dermatologists. We’ve also included high-performance skincare products to combat shine and improve your complexion overall.
7 Ways To Balance Oily Skin in Summer
1. Don’t Over-Cleanse
Washing your face too frequently can remove your skin’s protective layer. This layer shields your skin from environmental aggressors and helps it retain moisture. Excessive cleansing can harm this layer by removing essential oils and hydration. It may also stimulate sebaceous gland activity, causing it to overproduce sebum, making your skin appear shiny or greasy. The best cleansers for oily skin are cream or milky cleansers, as these will dissolve dirt and debris without disturbing the barrier function and natural moisture levels of the skin. We also recommend using cleansers containing BHAs (or salicylic acid) to really assist in dissolving excess oil.
Best Cleansers For Oily Skin:
LANEIGE Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser, £26.50
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser with Niacinamide, £10
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser, £9.30
2. Use A Light Moisturiser
A common misconception is that applying moisturiser will exacerbate oily skin. However, moisturiser is still necessary to hydrate your skin and help prevent excessive sebum production that leads to oily skin. Replace heavy moisturisers with light, oil-free formulations that absorb quickly to hydrate the skin without exacerbating shine.
Best Balancing Moisturisers For Oily Skin:
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly, £33
Aurelia London Balancing Ultra-Light Moisturiser, £30
ESPA 24-Hour Balancing Moisturiser, £36
3. Stay Hydrated
Summer seems to be a plausible excuse to indulge in a couple of extra drinks in the sun, but alcohol can take a toll on the appearance of your skin. Be sure to drink water between glasses of wine or cocktails to stay hydrated. And don’t forget about hydrating your skin on the outside with a well-formulated moisturiser or mist.
Best Balancing Face Mists:
4. Take Your Makeup Off
Taking off your makeup at the end of each day is essential if you want to prevent oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts. Always take the time to remove your makeup, no matter how late it is or how tired you are. Plan ahead by leaving a bottle of makeup-removing micellar water and face wipes at your bedside table if you think it will help. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water with Vitamin C helps brighten skin while taking off every last bit of your makeup.
Best Makeup Removers For Oily Skin:
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water with Vitamin C, £6.99
This Works in Transit No Traces Cleansing Pads (X 60), £18
Vichy Normaderm Micellar Solution Cleanser, £8.45
5. Detox Skin With A Clay Mask
Today’s beauty shelves might be piled high with increasingly innovative formulas, but sometimes the oldest treatments remain the best for problem skin. A clay mask will target oiliness and detoxify the skin as it behaves like a sponge to absorb excess oil. Choose one with French green or bentonite clay, as these are the most absorbent. Kaolin clay is also an excellent all-rounder.
Best Clay Masks For Oily Skin:
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay, £17.15
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clay Mask, £12
The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask, £5.49
6. Hydrate Your Skin Overnight
An overnight cream that controls the over-production of oil yet still infuses the skin with much-needed hydration is the ultimate accessory for nighttime skin recovery. It’s a universal truth that we need our beauty sleep, and with a regenerating night cream on hand, you can balance oily skin while you sleep for an enviably smooth and hydrated complexion the next day.
Best Hydrating Night Creams For Oily Skin:
Fenty Skin Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream, £39
PSA GOALS Multi Acids & Probiotics Perfecting Night Serum, £37
7. Use The Right Foundation
If you have oily skin, don’t limit yourself to long-wearing liquid foundations. Mineral powders are an excellent choice for oily-prone skin because powder formulas absorb excess oil. They’re mostly non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog your pores), which is ideal for acne-prone skin. But if you’re loyal to a liquid, that’s fine too — just invest in a great setting powder to seal the deal.
Best Foundations For Oily Skin:
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder, £27
bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation, £29
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, £36
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