The Acne Series: TIPS FOR MANAGING OILY SKIN
- jennysmithmattfeldt
- Dec 19, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 10
some tips and tricks that help manage oily skin...
By JENNY SMITH MATTFELDT Published December 19, 2024
The Acne Series is your ultimate guide to navigating acne with confidence and grace. As someone who’s been through the trenches of cystic acne, and come out stronger on the other side, I know how tough it can be, both physically and emotionally. That’s why I’ve poured my personal experience, hours of research, and hard-earned insights into this collection. From must-have products and proven techniques to debunked myths and insider tips, this series is all about helping my acne-prone girlies tackle skincare, makeup, & more! You’re not alone in this journey, and I promise, it gets better.
If you have oily skin or acne prone skin you are in the right place. Each skin type comes with it's own challenges and components that make it unique and over the years I have accumulated many tips and tricks that help me manage my oily skin. They might sound a little weird to those who haven't had oily or acne prone skin but if you know, you know;
When doing your skin care routine let your products soak in before layering on the next step. Don’t just pile everything on at once, it leaves you feeling like a slippery mess and doesn’t give each product a chance to do its job. And don't skip the moisturizer! Acne fighting ingredients tend to be very drying, which in turn causes your skin to produce more oil. You can read all about the importance of a good, hydrating morning routine in The Acne Series: Morning Routines.
Even though I don’t wash my face in the morning, I still make sure to do something. If you leave your skin untouched, it can start to feel oily fast. A solid morning routine can really set you up with a good base for the day.
Skip the “oil-absorbing” lotions and sunscreens. This might just be me, but I never liked any of the products I tried in this category. My skin was so oily that those products often left me feeling cakey and uncomfortable instead of refreshed.
Niacinamide is an affordable, secret weapon for balancing oil production.
When it comes to sunscreen, skip the glowy formulas and opt for something mattifying, or even a sunscreen-primer combo. Trust me, it helps keep that shine in check. You can read all about these kinds of primers in Primers for Acne Prone Skin. And as tempting as it is, maybe skip the highlighter on your cheekbones, it can make you look a shinier, and highlighter tends to draw attention to texture differences which isn’t ideal when you're trying to keep things smooth.
As tempting as it is, skip the highlighter on your cheekbones, it can make you look a little shinier, and highlighter tends to draw attention to texture differences, which isn’t ideal when you're trying to keep things smooth.
For a flawless base that stays matte longer, here’s what works for me: start with a mattifying primer, then apply concealer to the spots I really want to cover. Next, go in with a foundation that's made for oily skin, like Estee Lauder Double Wear. For me going too thick with the foundation is a recipe for more oil. So just build it up in areas where I need more coverage, then lock everything in with All Nighter setting spray. Let it dry, and finish with Airspun loose face powder all over. That’s the formula for the most flawless finish I can get.
My tip: Always finish with powder, not setting spray, and keep a little powder puff with you for touch-ups throughout the day if you start to get oily.
When getting ready try to do your hair before you do your makeup. This helps you avoid getting overheated while doing your hair and getting oily before you leave the house.
Try to take your makeup off as soon as you get home. Follow up with your skincare routine so you're not sitting in your makeup longer than necessary, your skin will thank you for it.
Clay masks are a great addition to your routine, they help combat excess oil and leave your skin feeling balanced. For an extra boost, look for a mask that contains sulfur—it not only calms inflammation but also works to unclog pores,.
Let’s talk about diet: eating junk food will make your skin oilier. This might just be me, but I know my skin was way slicker when I was eating fast food and lots of junk foods. Your diet plays a huge role in your skin’s health. If your diet could use a little help, try leaning into more protein, healthy fats, plenty of fruits and veggies, focus on healing your gut health. It makes a real difference!
Incorporate peppermint tea into your daily routine. 1-2 cups a day help to slow oil production in the skin and decrease inflammation in breakouts.
Starbucks napkins make excellent oil blotters. Skip the expensive little sheets.
We don't get to be the girls with the super fun skin care routines. It took me a long time to realize one of the most beneficial things you can do is find a routine that works and stick with it. I always wanted to be the one trying out fun masks and serums but my skin is just not made for that. Just be patient, you'll be able to have more fun with it when your skin is in a more balanced place.
Appreciate what you have because oily skin now means less wrinkles later in life. Just like each skin type comes with it's challenges, they each have their benefits too. Your oils create a natural barrier that can help protect your skin from environmental factors, it's usually naturally softer, tans more easily, and wrinkles much less in the long run due to the thickness and natural moisture.
Comments