5 ways to balance oily skin this summer

Oil on the skin plays an important part in our skin’s barrier health and age defence, but when it begins producing too much oil it can cause various problems. Glowing skin is always in, but when glow turns to persistent shine it can become frustrating, often affecting makeup application and in some cases leading to congested skin and acne. If you’re experiencing more shine than glow, don’t fret! Read on to learn more about the causes of oily skin and how some lifestyle changes and the right skincare products can get your skin back in balance.

What Causes Oily Skin?

An Oily Skin Type often shows the below characteristics:

• Your skin is visibly oily on most areas of your face
• Oil build up is obvious first thing in the morning or at the end of the day
• Pores may be enlarged or congested
• You may find it hard getting your makeup to stay put 

Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce excess sebum. This can be influenced by a number of factors - from genetics to the environment you live in. It’s important to understand the potential underlying causes of your oily skin to help guide you to an effective treatment plan.

Genetics

If one or both of your parents have oily or acne prone skin, you’re likely to have overactive sebaceous glands that can cause excess oil and an acne prone complexion. Unfortunately this is not something you can change, however there are still many ways you can balance the symptoms.

Age and Hormones

When you hit your teen years it’s almost inevitable that you’ll encounter an increase in oil production and breakouts thanks to the surge in hormones throughout this time. But don’t worry, they usually balance out as you reach your later teens and beyond.

While you don’t necessarily grow out of oily skin, in most cases your skin will naturally begin to produce less sebum as you age. As our skin matures the sebaceous glands slow down, along with the production of collagen, leading to dryer skin that shows more fine lines and wrinkles. A little excess oil would actually be welcomed as we mature to help slow the signs of ageing!

Diet

What you eat can significantly impact your hormones and the health of your skin. If you’re experiencing excess oil, it might be time to cut back on the following while increasing your water intake:

• Fatty Meats such as beef, pork and lamb
• Dairy Products
• Excessive Sugar and Salt
• Deep Fried Foods
  
  

Environmental Factors

Unless you live in an extremely cold climate, most of us experience some form of excessive sweating and oil production throughout summer, thanks to the increase in humidity. If you live in a warm, humid climate, this may be something you experience more regularly. While it may not be viable for you to change locations, altering your skincare and makeup choices to lighter, mattifying products may assist you to manage excess oil production in times of high heat and humidity.

Stress

Stress can severely impact our mental and physical health, and can even trigger hormonal changes that may result in an increase in oil production and breakouts. Maintain balance of your body and mind with self-care activities and regular physical exercise to combat stress and keep your skin as healthy and balanced as possible.

Hygiene

It’s a myth that excessively oily and acne prone skin is caused by poor hygiene. However, not washing your hands or face properly, regularly touching your face throughout the day and using dirty makeup brushes will certainly not help your situation. To avoid spreading bacteria and potentially stimulating more oil production, follow these daily hygiene tips:

• Wash your hands regularly and particularly prior to touching or cleansing your face
• Avoid touching your face throughout the day
• Sterilise and wash your makeup brushes regularly
• Don’t sleep in your makeup
• Wash your pillowcase at least 1-2 times per week
  
  

How to Balance Oily Skin

Now that we’ve identified some causes, let’s look at some solutions to help keep that shine at bay! While it’s important to manage oil production, it’s equally important to avoid stripping your skin with harsh products as this can lead to irritation and result in your skin producing even more oil in an attempt to re-balance the natural moisture that you’ve stripped away!

Choose the right cleanser

Double cleansing at night with a gentle cleanser designed for oily skin is first priority when it comes to balancing sebum production and reducing breakouts. Double cleansing at night is particularly important, as the first cleanse will remove SPF and makeup, allowing the second cleanse to actually clean the skin and ensuring the active ingredients reach your skin to do their job. If you find you wake up with excessively oil skin, you can complete a gentle wash in the AM, however in some cases you might find a water wash with a damp face cloth is enough to remove overnight oil buildup. This also provides your skin with a break from stripping natural oils and may assist it to naturally balance sebaceous gland activity.

If you have oily skin, it can be tempting to go in with harsh ingredients that leave your skin feeling dry, but trust us - you’ll most likely cause irritation and trigger an increase in oil production. Look for gel based cleansers that contain natural AHA’s to help break down excess oil and dead skin buildup as this will help to provide a deep clean while also supporting skin healing by promoting collagen production. Natural bio-actives that also deliver anti-inflammatory properties, such as Mountain Pepper Leaf, can help to calm and balance the skin. LAMAV’s Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser was specifically designed to support oily skin types and is multi-award winning for a reason!

Exfoliate Weekly

Exfoliation is an important step in managing oily skin as it will help to prevent oil buildup in pores that can lead to breakouts. Avoid harsh physical scrubs as they can irritate the skin and potentially trigger more oil production. Opt for a chemical exfoliant, or two in one scrub that contains non-abrasive ingredients that will gently buff away dead skin without scratching or damaging your complexion. Try LAMAV’s AHA Face Exfoliant for a two in one deep clean that will stimulate cell turnover without the irritation.

Moisturise twice per day

Despite what you may have been told, hydration is essential for balancing oily skin and moisturiser should never be skipped… ever! 

Many people with oily skin fear moisturiser will make their skin appear greasier, which is an understandable concern. However, applying the right type of moisturiser will deliver hydration without contributing to excess oil. Look for lightweight oil free or gel-based formulas to support hydration on a lighter scale. 

Don’t Forget SPF

Sunscreen is vital to protect all skin types, including oily skin. Too much sun exposure can cause oily skin to intensify oil production along with premature ageing and pigmentation. If you have oily skin it can be tempting to skip the SPF to avoid the greasy residue that often comes with sunscreen, however there are many lightweight, oil free and mineral SPF options now available on the market that will work well for your skin type.

Mattify Your Makeup

When it comes to base products, it’s best to avoid oil based foundations and concealers that can feel heavy on the skin and leave a greasy residue. It’s also best to avoid any products that contain silicone as this leaves a film over the skin, which makes it appear smooth but it’s actually blocking your pores in the process. Mineral Makeup Powders are best for oily skin thanks to their lightweight, breathable and natural oil absorbing properties. Investing in a mineral setting powder can also help to keep shine at bay throughout the day. LAMAV’s Mineral Foundation and Mattifying Powder are the perfect everyday makeup duo for oily skin, delivering breathable and mattifying complexion perfection!

Your Daily Skincare Routine to Balance Oily Skin

With so many skincare products available to choose from it can be overwhelming to find products to benefit your skin type. So, we’ve done the hard work for you! Read on to discover our Oil Balancing Daily Routine to keep skin healthy, clear and unwanted shine away.

LAMAV Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser

Our Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser is gentle enough to use daily for any skin type, but is particularly beneficial for oily and acne prone skin thanks to its carefully selected bio-active ingredients. Your oily skin will get a deep clean with the added benefits of reduced redness and inflammation, all without stripping or drying the skin.

LAMAV AHA Face Exfoliant

Keeping oily skin free from dead skin buildup is essential for reducing and preventing the formation of acne. LAMAV’s AHA Face Exfoliant is a powerful but gentle 2 in 1 exfoliant that supports the breakdown and exfoliation of dead skin. Containing fruit derived AHA’s, Matcha Powder and Bamboo powder to deliver on cellular turnover, calming inflammation and deep cleaning dead skin without the irritation.

LAMAV Probiotic Toner

Toners aren’t an essential skincare product, but this one can deliver some serious benefits when it comes to battling oily skin and breakouts. LAMAV’s Probiotic Toner provides an additional boost to support sebum balancing, hydration, repair and smoothing skin texture with the added bonus of probiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome.

LAMAV Skin Balancing Fluid

Moisturising is essential for acne prone skin to protect the skin’s barrier and balance oil production. Choosing a moisturiser that is hydrating but lightweight is key when trying to balance oily skin. This skin balancing fluid is light in texture while delivering on hydration and antioxidant support with the addition of Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and Davidson Plum.

LAMAV Glow Beauty Mask

Incorporating a clay mask into your weekly routine can help to absorb excess oil, reduce shine and detoxify the skin. LAMAV’s Glow Beauty Mask contains Yellow Australian Clay - known for it’s antibacterial and oil absorbing properties to support inflamed, oily and acne prone skin. The addition of Turmeric Extract and Kakadu Plum also provide anti-inflammatory and skin healing support. Use 1-2 times per week to absorb excess shine and reduce the chance of breakouts.