Sparkle and Shine!...Let's Not...

Maybe you have nightmares about people checking your cheeks to see if their eyeliner is smudged. Maybe you just covet that beautiful matte foundation on Mad Men. Whatever the reason, you have oily skin and don't want it. The root of this problem is in the sebaceous glands. Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands secrete too much sebum. Aside from not being considered the most beautiful of traits it's also problematic in the long run because the oil from your skin can clump together with dead skin cells and clog pores. This can then lead to acne. Fortunately, you can take care of this problem. The most important thing to do is cleanse and exfoliate regularly to avoid dead skin cells mixing with the excess sebum and then clogging pores as a result.  Also, make sure to wash off make up before bed. Here are some products and how their active ingredients work. However you must choose your tactics wisely for you can sometimes create more damage than good.

Citrus Fruit Juices- Citrus fruits are naturally acidic. They naturally dissolve oil off the surface of your skin without drying it up completely. This ingredient works best by simply being applied to your face.

Witch Hazel- I have been using witch hazel in between Proactiv deliveries since about middle school. Commonly used as an astringent, it's also good for controlling oily skin. It contains Gallic acid, which helps get rid of excess oil yet it also contains essential oils so that your skin isn't completely dried out. The result: a nice balanced amount of sebum and a beautiful face!



Clean & Clear's Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Scrub with Bursting Beads is like an army. It employs Lime and Grapefruit extracts, Witch Hazel, and Glycerin to absorb and dissolve oil. Plus is exfoliates which is very necessary to avoid dead skin cells clumping with sebum and clogging pores. - $5.84 for 5 oz

Take Caution with Beta Hydroxy Acid- Aka Salicylic Acid, this is an lipid soluble substance meaning it gets right to the sebaceous gland to exfoliate dead skin cells clogging your pores.  It is a commonly found ingredient in many acne products.  While this may sound absolutely wonderful it has a downside. It can cause skin to be more sensitive to the sun by up to 50%. This makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage such as dark spots and premature wrinkling. Many people also find Salicylic Acid to irritate their skin and experience symptoms such as redness, burning, or even scarring. Yet still many acne sufferers also find this to be their saving grace. If you decide to experiment, this is better in concentrations of 1-2%