Oily skin is one of the greatest beauty banes. Believe me when I say that my face is next-level oily. I sometimes even skip the highlighter because my face has a natural shine anyway.
There are a great deal of beauty tips and tricks out there on how to eliminate that extra layer of unwanted grease. After much trial and error, I have finally found methods that actually work.
Here are my tried-and-tested tips that will help you reduce oil and breakouts:
1. Use bentonite clay
It is no secret that clay masks work wonders – they control shine and help extract impurities from the skin. However, clay masks are sometimes pricey and contain other chemicals besides the magic ingredient that is clay. So why not just use bentonite clay powder?
Bentonite clay has the ability to produce an “electrical charge” when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals.
Here’s a simple DIY concoction you can start with:
1. Mix 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. If you find this too strong, add some water to the mixture (feel free to alter the amounts according to how much you need).
2. Apply the mixture all over your face and neck and leave on for 10–15
minutes.
3. Rinse off with water.
This magical mask is one of my best skincare finds ever. It causes slight redness upon removal but the redness soon subsides, leaving behind bright, clear, and deeply rejuvenated skin. I always feel like all my pores have been thoroughly cleaned out after using the mask. I now use this mask every week and my skin has never looked better. Don’t be surprised when someone starts complimenting you on how good your skin looks!
2. Exfoliate naturally
Exfoliating is an important step in skincare, especially for those with oily skin and large pores that trap dirt and excess oil easily. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum, speeding up the skin renewal process and allowing new healthy cells to take their place. This process turns a dull complexion to one that is bright, vibrant, and smooth.
Of course, exfoliating excessively or using exfoliants that are too harsh or contain synthetic chemicals can harm your skin. The solution? Go natural! You can easily make your own scrubs because not only is it super easy, the ingredients are also readily available and affordable!
Here’s how:
1. Slice tomato into thick slices.
2. Dip tomato slices into brown sugar.
3. Rub tomato slice gently all over face and neck and leave on for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse off with water.
I’ve never gone back to store-bought exfoliators ever since I started making my own. This DIY exfoliator is jam-packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants that are extremely beneficial to the skin. The soft insides of tomatoes make it really easy to glide the scrub around my face while the smooth sugar crystals work their exfoliating magic. The cool tomato juice makes using this scrub feel extra satisfying on hot days. Unlike some store-bought exfoliators that I’ve tried, this scrub did not hurt my skin at all. This tomato-sugar combination always leaves me with soft and refreshed skin with a natural glow.
(Bonus: This exfoliator tastes yummy too!)
3. Use a cleansing brush
Ciracle Pore Control Cleansing Brush, $39. Available from zalora.sg.
If you see black residue on your cotton pads after applying toner to your face, you might need a little more than just your hands. Instead of having to rely completely on toners to get rid of all that extra gunk, invest in a cleansing brush. There are both electric and regular cleansing brushes from various price ranges to choose from. Don’t be put away by the thought of using a brush on your face. Cleansing brushes are extremely delicate and feel great on your skin. They help exfoliate your skin gently without causing your skin to dry out or peel, and ensure that any dirt and grime are completely removed from your face.
I was sceptical at first but I’ve never looked back. It feels absolutely wonderful having a brush to not only do the cleaning job for me, but also do a better job. My face feels squeaky clean, but not too dry. The bristles of the brush deeply cleanse my pores and remove dead skin — it’s like having a facial every day!
4. Remove sunscreen the right way
Laneige Fresh Calming Gel Cleanser, $30. Available from zalora.sg.
Firstly, if you aren’t already using sunscreen, you need to start ASAP. I can’t emphasise enough on how important sunscreen is! Secondly, simply using a facial cleanser is not enough to completely get rid of sunscreen. For girls who do not wear makeup, make sure you still use a makeup remover to get every bit of that sunscreen off your face to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. If you’re too lazy, simply switch to a one-step cleanser.
At first, you might find all this very redundant. But in time to come, these extra steps will feel just like any other basic steps in your skincare regime. Plus, when you start seeing results, you’ll be so motivated to keep going you’ll turn these tips into habits!
Article originally posted on THREAD by ZALORA.
Header image: Laneige
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