OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN RECOMMENDATIONS

This blog post is for my gorgeous oily skin types. Here are my product recommendations for each section of the Korean 10-step routine. A quick recap over what symptoms you may have if you do have oily/acne prone skin:

- Constantly experiencing breakouts and blackheads

- Medium to large visible pores

- You are oily in the morning

- Oil also builds though-out the day

1. Oil Cleanser

In the Korean 10-step routine, the first step is oil cleanser. For my oily skin types, I would recommend Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [BHA]. This oil cleanser actively fights blackheads and excess sebum by utilising ingredients like fruit (orange, lemon, and grapefruit), olive, and jojoba oils. As well as salicylic acid, as I’ve written in my skin types blog post, it helps exfoliate, control sebum, and help remove and prevent the re occurrence of blackheads.

2. Water-based Cleanser

The Second step is a water-based cleanser. I recommend the NEOGEN A-Clear Soothing Foam Cleanser. It is a gentle formula is free of parabens, artificial fragrance, animal ingredients and mineral oil. It is acne-fighting without drying out the skin. It includes salicylic acid and tea tree oil which effectively remove excess oil, bacteria and pore-clogging dead skin cells, while soothing irritation and sensitivities. It also has centella which is one of my all-time favourite ingredients; it not only suppresses acne inflammation and aids healing acne scars, it hydrates, and has anti-aging and collagen making properties due to its rich anti-oxidants. Finally, this cleanser also has liquorice root extract to sooth the skin.

3. Exfoliation

Third step is exfoliating. NEOGEN is one of the best innovators of skincare. Thus, their exfoliating pads are absolutely amazing. The Bio-Peel Gauze is both a physical and chemical exfoliant but is still gentle on the skin. The lemon one uses lactic acid, glycolic acid, and lemon, orange, and papaya extracts to deeply cleanse pores. Furthermore, its vitamin C assists in fading acne scars. Dead skin cells are also scrubbed off, which reduces the chance of acne forming. You only have to do this twice a week. I have faith that you’ll remember.

4. Toner

Now that you’ve got clean exfoliated skin, it is time to restore the skin with hydration. The fourth step is to tone. Think of your skin as a sponge. A dry sponge won’t soak up the cleaning products without the sponge being wet first. Toner is the water in this scenario.

KLAIRS Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner is the perfect starter toner. It uses liquorice root extract, aloe leaf extract, and centella to calm any irritation and hydrate the skin.

5. Essence

The fifth step is essence, which is basically a more hybrid of toner and serums. As an oily skin type you might think your skin is already hydrated so you might be doubtful about essence, but that shouldn't be the case. There's a difference between lacking water and oil, which means that oily skin types can still be dehydrated. The best essences for oily skin still include hydrating ingredients, plus added actives that specifically target oil production, enlarged pores, and breakouts. So here are my recommendations; for sensitive/acne prone skin; DEWYTREE Cica 100 Essence, containing a single ingredient: centella. Known for its high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins which strengthen and calming irritated skin. ISNTREE Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence is my overall recommendation. It contains Glycolic acid (4%) and lactic acid (4%) which help remove dead skin cells (the main cause of acne. It also has centella (soothing) and hyaluronic acid (hydrating).

6. Serums

Number 6 goes by many names; serum, ampoule, or treatment for example. You could really target this one to whatever your skin needs. For example, I have two-day ones and one night serum. Though a tad excessive you get the idea. So, for oily/ acne prone skin, my recommendation is Some by Mi; AHA-BHA-PHA Miracle Serum. It’s sort of a multi-strand serum with tea tree leaf and centella, AHAs, BHAs and PHAs to gently exfoliate, and plant-based oils to hydrate. Vitamin C serums are also a good choice for a night serum (makes skin to sensitive to sun during the day). Since it is a powerful antioxidant it reduces inflammation, heals and brightens skin while improving skin texture and health. The NEOGEN powder Vitamin C is such a winner since it doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge like most VC products.

7. Sheet Mask

Step 7 is more an every once in a while, or special occasion product. Sheet masks are face-shaped sheet fabrics soaked in nutrition-packed solution called serum. They are basically serums 10x. You leave them on for around 10-20 minutes depending. Primary ingredients are cica, centella, charcoal, and tea-tree for acne; though beware of cheap products especially tea-tree or charcoal ones as they can be full of chemicals that fry your skin. For example, if you feel stinging it’s probably not sitting right with your skin. Korean over supermarket ones pleasssseee. The Enature Cica Herb Restore Sheet Mask is a great mask to help heal and relieve inflammation; formulated with centella. Green tea and aloe are also great ingredients to sooth your acne need be.

8. Eye cream

Eye cream is the 8th step and something you shouldn’t skip out on. Your eye area is one of the first places that shows signs of ageing. Thus, using an extra nutrient packed cream for the area will assist in slowing the process. The ERBORIAN Seve de Bamboo Eye Matte cream is a light gel cream. It uses Bamboo Sap to hydrate and Bamboo Fibre to target fine lines. Because it is a gel, it will feel light for your oil skin.

9. Moisturiser

Finally, moisturiser, step 9. Drum roll please… it is the COSRX green tea smoothing Gel cream. As my dear friend has reviewed for me, she absolutely loves this cream. It feels light and absorbs easily. You definitely won’t be feeling too heavy and oily with the gel cream. This product is all about soothing and hydrating; utilising Vitamin B5, Camellia leaf, and Aloe.

10. Sunscreen

Last but not least is step 10. Sunscreen. I have two recommendations for this one and have taken into consideration: no white cast, no oiliness, and light in texture. So first is THANK YOU FARMER Sun Project Light Sun Essence which is a lightweight, broad-spectrum, and semi-matte sunscreen. It also uses aloe, lotus flower and soybean lipids to hydrate soothe, minimises the appearance of pores and repair the skin barrier. Second is TROIAREUKE Acsen UV Protector Essence a lightweight, semi-matte, and fast absorbing sunscreen. It was made with sensitive acne prone skin: adding ingredients like centella to the product. Check out Troiareuke for more sensitive acne products.

And with that I give you the 10-step oily and acne prone skin recommendations. Even if you don’t get all of them, even one is a start. Do your own research and find products that will benefit your skin more. So, go forth and be prosperous my oily little friends xx

Love from author,

Bridie Conroy