5 Products that will help you keep oily skin under control this summer

Cleanse twice a day

Excessive cleansing may feel like the only way to get rid of oil build-up on the skin, but it can be counterproductive.  Combined with harsh soaps, cleansing too frequently will strip the skin of the oil it needs, and send the sebaceous glands into overdrive, resulting in over-production of oil to compensate. Opt for a gentle, gel-based cleanser that will remove oil, dirt and other impurities and use it twice a day only.

Exfoliate weekly

The jury is still out on how often we should be exfoliating, but experts agree that is vital to your skin care routine, especially if you have oily skin. Excess oil combined with dead skin cells results in clogged pores, inflammation and breakouts. 

Start off by exfoliating twice a week (less if you have sensitive skin) using products containing a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) such as salicylic acid. This active ingredient is oil-soluble, so it can deep-clean pores while sloughing away dead cells - and, has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making it the perfect choice if you're suffering from a breakout, too.

Don’t skimp on moisturiser and SPF

Keeping skin hydrated is one of the keys to combatting excess oil production - choose light-weight moisturisers, serums and gels that contain hyaluronic acid, the gold standard of moisturising ingredients.

Applying SPF daily is also non-negotiable to protect your skin from further stress caused by sun damage. An oil-free formula is best so that your skin doesn’t feel weighed-down. 

Use a primer

A primer is vital if you have oily skin - as it will not only make your final look last longer, but also reduce the number of touch-ups you need during the day. Because, let's face it, we know how inconvenient it is to have to bring a powder compact along and head off to the bathroom everytime you need a touch up or feel that your T-zone is getting a little out of hand. If you want to skip the foundation, a BB Cream is a great option if you only need light coverage.

Blotting paper

No better way to take control of a greasy T-Zone than this. Blotting paper is made from super absorbent material that removes excess shine and sweat without disrupting your make-up.

Blotting paper sheets come in neat little packets you can carry around in a pocket, and while they aren’t a long-term solution to oil control, they certainly are convenient when you’re on the on the go. 

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