As I get older, I have realised that oily skin isn't so bad after all. Oily skin types may actually age at a slower rate due to all that juicy hydration. I recently discussed my oily skin on our podcast, and was sent this from one of our listeners via Instagram:
“I take after my nanna. I have oily skin that has calmed down now I’m in my 40s, but 15 years ago I could literally wipe oil off my face. My nanna is now 100 and looks like she’s 75. Rock that glowy glorious oily skin!”
If you manage your oily skin with skincare and makeup designed for your skin type, you'll find that it's not so unmanageable after all. Dare I say, 'glowy' and 'glorious'?
What Causes Oily Skin?
Oily skin is caused when the sebaceous glands in the skin produce too much sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that protects and hydrates the skin and is vital for the health of your skin's barrier.
When you produce too much sebum, your pores may end up clogged, leading to those dreaded breakouts. Breakout that can then lead to post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, which are those little brown spots that linger well after your pimple disappears.
The best thing that you can do for your oily skin is to wash it properly. PSA: micellar water does not substitute for a proper cleanser!
Second to washing your face properly is finding (and sticking to) a skincare routine that keeps your breakouts under control.
Enter, chemical exfoliation...
Why Use A Chemical Exfoliant?
Dead skin cells on oily skin types don’t flake off as quickly, leading to a build up on the skin, which can block pores and feed acne-causing bacteria.
Regular chemical exfoliation will remove this build-up of dead skin cells, revealing smoother, clearer and brighter skin. However, you want to be careful not to over-exfoliate as this may accelerate skin-cell turnover to the point where your skin feels tight, sensitive and dehydrated.
Over-exfoliation may also strip the skin causing your skin to overproduce oil, leading to - yep you guessed it - breakouts. You can read up on exfoliation for oily skin types in our guide here.
The chemical exfoliant I turn to D'Lumiere Esthetique AHA 20% Oily Skin Solution. If you've never heard of this brand before, it's the brainchild of dermatologist and leading Melbourne cosmetic surgeon, Dr Daniel Lanzer.