The Problem:
If you have Oily or Acne Prone Skin, you likely deal with a lot of shine in your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). You likely are dealing with large pores and regular breakouts all over.
The Details:
To help bring your skin back to balance, drink plenty of water and start using more balancing beauty products. But it needs to be the RIGHT products.
The problem with conventional beauty products for oily and acne prone skin (beyond their overall toxicity) is that most of them contain harsh, drying and irritating chemicals which actually work against your skin’s needs. So you strip your skin’s protective barrier with a harsh cleanser and replace that moisture with nothing or very little, and you may even add a blemish drying product. With this regimen, your skin will just get worse and end up needing more of the products over time. This cycle actually changes the overall pH of your skin, putting your skin off balance. By stripping your skin of it’s natural moisture with all those products, your skin is actually working overtime to replace the oil at a rapid pace. You need the right products to actually fight oil with more oil. Yes, more oil will balance out your skin and trick it into thinking it doesn’t need to produce so much.
So, what are the right products? Those that help build up your skin’s natural defenses, work with your skin’s existing pH levels, and balance out your skin’s production of moisture in both areas of the T-zone and cheeks. And above all, products that contain zero dangerous or irritating chemicals.
Where do I Start?
Ready to Buy:
Now that I have been at this green beauty thing for several years, I recommend starting with ready to buy products instead of making your own. This is because until you know what really works well for your skin, I don’t want you sinking a bunch of money into individual bulk ingredients that you don’t know will work for you. For that reason, I recommend starting with completely clean, but relatively simple and economical product choices wherever possible, so you can save money for the better products that make the biggest difference. In this case, the Cleanser, Toner and Face Wipes are super cheap (grocery store prices), while still being USDA Certified Organic. While the moisturizers and treatments are more mid-ranged price wise, but they are the most important for your skin. Moisturizers actually stay on your skin longer, working to help repair damage and prevent aging (because it’s never to early for that).
Cleanser: Acure Facial Cleansing Gel (Normal to Oily Skin)
Toner: Acure Balancing Rose & Red Tea Facial Toner
Day Moisturizer: Blissoma Smooth A+ Correcting Serum
Night Moisturizer/Treatment Serum: Blissoma Flawless Equalizing Anti-Blemish Oil Serum
Cleansing Cloths: Acure Unscented Argan Oil Facial Cleansing Towelettes
FAQs:
Q: Do I really need a morning and night moisturizer? A: For all the other skin types, I don’t really insist on two, but for your skin type, the “morning” moisturizer is to help balance your skin and help smooth it out under makeup. The night time suggestion is meant to be both a repairing moisturizer and a treatment for combatting bacteria in your blemishes.
Q: Don’t I need a blemish treatment too? A: Honestly, no you probably don’t, or at least not long term. I believe once you give a less harsh routine a chance (30 days at least), you will see a big change in the oiliness of your skin. Most acne spot treatments are very harsh and contain dangerous chemicals. If you want something to dab on your blemishes in the meantime, I suggest a single drop of high quality Melaleuca (tea tree) Essential Oil on a q-tip dabbed on all your blemishes as the last step in your routine at night. It will kill the bacteria, but won’t cause your blemish to dry out and flake up.
Q: Do I need the Face Cleansing Cloths? A: Absolutely not. I just love the convenience of them in the morning when I have a crying baby ready for breakfast. I find a lot of people love the convenience of wipes, so why not point you in the direction of a safe and clean option.
Q: Can’t I just make it? I thought going green was all about DIY skincare? A: When I started, it was all about DIY, but now there are a lot of great green beauty skin care products that have such amazing, clean, skin-transforming ingredients.If I were to try to buy all the ingredients I currently use and make my own, it would cost exponentially more money. Now, I still do use my own recipe of Oil Cleanser half the year when I need more moisture. After a lot of requests and number crunching, I am happy to offer you the best oil cleanser for your skin type. I have spent three years at this point researching and developing recipes for each of the four major skin types. I’m proud to now be offering products of my own.
An oil cleanser is actually much better suited to Oily Skin types than my own dry skin type. Remember what I said before about balancing oil with more oil? Well, this is it.
My personal journey started with the Oil Cleansing Method, which I explain in very specific detail on that post. Looking back, I probably went around the world to find what was right for my skin in my own back yard. But everyone’s skin is different and I don’t want to discourage you from trusting your instincts. If you are interested in trying oil cleansing, I recommend you start it in the winter when your skin naturally needs more moisture.
