Your skin is unique. That is why finding the perfect skin care routine involves a lot of trial and error. While there is no magical formula, here we offer some tips for various skin types. Find what makes your skin glow and embrace your natural beauty.
Oily skin
It should come as no surprise that rule #1 for oily skin is regular cleansing. In order to remove excess oil from your face, as well dirt, makeup and environmental toxins that clog your pores, it is essential that you wash your face at least twice a day. However, the key is to keep it gentle. Those with oily skin are often so desperate to keep the shine in check that they opt for harsh cleansers that strip away every bit of moisture. The skin then detects the absence of moisture and produces even more oil to counteract it, which is why your face may feel tight after cleansing and oily again in just a few hours. In order to interrupt this vicious cycle, choose gentle cleansers that will remove excess oil without leaving your skin too dry.
Step #2 after cleansing is moisturizing. You might be tempted to skip this step if you have oily skin, but remember - the dryer your skin is, the more oil it will produce. You may find this absolutely counterintuitive, but jojoba oil is considered an excellent moisturizer for oily skin. Technically a liquid wax that mimics the skin’s natural oils very closely, jojoba oil is non-comedogenic and will trick your skin into thinking it has already produced enough oil, thus cutting back on excess oil production. If the thought of putting oil on your face still scares you, choose a light, oil-free moisturizer with sun protection. Whatever you choose, just make sure it keeps your skin feeling soft and dewey.
When you have a little extra time between cleansings, try natural facials proven to reduce excess oil and gently nourish your skin. For example, mix one egg white with one teaspoon of lemon juice, leave the mixture on your face for about 30 minutes or until it dries and rinse it off with warm water. This natural remedy will absorb excess oil and tighten pores, which makes it an excellent natural toner. As a bonus, if you have post-acne hyperpigmentation, the lemon juice will help lighten those marks. Honey, especially raw Manuka honey, can also be a great facial mask for oily skin. It contains antibacterial properties that will gently draw out impurities while naturally hydrating your skin. Just slather it on your face with a few drops of water and leave it on for as long as you want. It’ll make your skin feel soft and clean.
Dry skin
If you have dry skin, keep your cleansing routine light and avoid harsh cleansers that make your skin feel irritated or tight. Either buy cleansers for sensitive skin or go all-natural by opting for a honey face wash. Simply apply honey with a few drops of water to your face, smooth it on like a cleanser for a minute or so, let it sit for a couple of minutes and rinse it off with warm water. Honey has excellent humectant properties, which restore moisture to your damaged skin, and it is effective at cleansing without over-drying.
Moisturizing after cleansing is obviously crucial if you have dry skin. Choose regenerative, moisture-rich oils like rosehip oil or almond oil and stay away from chemical-laden moisturizers that can irritate your face. Follow up with a sunscreen to protect your delicate skin from the drying effects of the sun.
If you need an extra boost of soothing moisture in between, try a nourishing oatmeal-honey face mask. Simply mix uncooked oats with a bit of warm water and honey until you get a thick paste, spread it on your skin and let it sit for about half an hour. Both of these ingredients are known for their healing, moisturizing properties.
Mixed skin
If you have mixed skin, you are probably feeling confused. Parts of your face are dry but others are oily. The key for you is to choose products that are good for both skin types and spot treat as necessary. Choose a gentle cleanser that will blot out the excess oil on your T-zone without over-drying the sensitive areas or try a honey face mask to benefit from its oil-balancing properties. Try incorporating a couple of drops of balancing essential oils such as lemon, grapefruit, rosemary and lemongrass into your moisturizing routine, using non-comedogenic oils such as jojoba or safflower oil as carriers and paying special attention to the rough areas of your skin. Apply the tips described above selectively as needed. For example, if your T-zone is feeling especially oily, apply the egg-lemon mask only to that area to reap the benefits without drying out the rest of your skin. With a little experimentation, you will find the combination that works for you.
