Each of us has our own unique skin goals, the checkpoints on our “ultimate glow” mood boards that we work towards. With such a diverse range of what we all want from our skin, no two people’s goals will necessarily be the same. We know that often deciding where to work backwards once you reach the end of the journey can be an overwhelming prospect. To help, we thought we’d gather some of the goals we hear most often from the Tropic community and guide you through those first steps on the journey to your dazzling destination. Welcome to Glow Academy…
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a radiant glow is unmatched in the skincare world… but sometimes, that glow gets a little too bright for its own good. Read on for our tips on how to handle it MORE GREASE.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS EXCESS FAT?
The first thing to note about this is the word “exaggeration.” Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually good for your skin to not be completely oil-free. If it were, it would be impossible to maintain our skin’s moisture barrier and we would be dealing with dryness every day. Our bodies all naturally produce an oil known as sebum, which helps prevent moisture loss and protect our skin from infection – we like to think of it as our skin’s bodyguard. Sometimes, however, external influences on the skin cause the sebaceous glands to become more cautious and produce more sebum, which leads to extra shine and skin that can feel greasy to the touch.
If this is the case with your skin, you’ll likely notice that it quickly begins to feel greasy with a constant sheen, even after a recent cleanse. As excess sebum begins to merge with dead skin cells in our pores, it increases the likelihood of blockage, meaning pimples aren’t far behind. A sudden appearance of spots like pimples or blackheads in a concentrated area can be a strong sign that your sebum levels are on the rise.
WHAT CAN INFLUENCE EXCESSIVE FAT?
While the journey to a glowing white skin, free of unnecessary oils, always seems to start with a cleanser, in reality we need to be careful not to overdo it when faced with a sudden increase in shine. It seems logical that more oil should mean more cleansing during the day, but we really only need to leave it as a twice-daily part of our morning and evening rituals. Additionally, a domino effect begins as we end up completely stripping the skin of the minimum level of sebum it needs to stay hydrated, further upsetting the balance of the moisture barrier and causing the sebaceous glands to think they need to produce even more oil to overcompensate. It’s a slippery, well-intentioned slope, but leave the cleanup to your wake and wind – unless you’ve really done some intense exercise and want the skin to be fresh!
People often have the illusion that moisturizer is the natural antidote to oiliness, but whether your skin is in the driest of moods or feels super shiny, it should be a non-negotiable daily essential. If you miss out on moisturizer, it’s much more likely that the pendulum will swing the other way and your oily skin will quickly begin to dry out, which again sends the sebaceous glands into overdrive to try and help. When you’re going through a shiny spell, add a light, oil-free moisturizer to your beauty trick box that will absorb easily without unwanted greasiness.
We’re not saying you can eat your way to a completely balanced complexion, but when it comes to avoiding oily skin days, it sure helps! The areas of the supermarket to avoid? High-sugar snacks, dairy products, and foods high in refined carbohydrates, such as white rice and white bread, have been linked to increased sebum levels.
HOW DO I REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF MORE FAT?
- Exfoliation, all the way (well, twice a week, but there’s nothing like dramatic results). A gentle exfoliator is just what you need to break up any clogged mix of dead skin cells and excess sebum that’s built up on your face, allowing shine-causing congested layers to be removed and pores to be cleared. Keeping it to twice a week means you have an extra treat in your routine, and it’s also the kindest choice for the skin, as overuse can actually damage the capillaries that lie far below the top layer of your skin.
- Play detective with your skincare ingredients and avoid products that use harsh sulfates, alcohols, and astringents. Even when these say they focus on reducing excess oil, they can take things too far and completely strip away any remaining moisture in the top layers of your skin. It is not too difficult to guess what will happen next. Your barrier function weakens, your skin dries out and your sebaceous glands start the cycle all over again producing even more oil.
- While you’re using skincare products to target the underlying causes of oiliness, grab some over-the-counter pads as an inexpensive, on-the-go quick fix to banish shine in the meantime. Remember – tap, don’t swipe! If you’re wearing makeup, things could very quickly start looking streaky otherwise…
- We’ll stay in the realm of makeup to suggest that if skin is taking the turn of the oily, you’ll achieve the perfect matte finish with a mineral powder foundation instead of a liquid foundation. Liquid options tend to be cakey (clogging pores), but sticking with mineral powders, known for absorbing excess oil, lets you top off your layers throughout the day while keeping shine under control.
- Time to take a tour of the perfect kitchen cabinets to keep oily skin at bay! Start by searching the supermarket for any natural omega-3-rich goodies such as nuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds, as their fatty acid content provides perfect support for your barrier function. Then it’s zinc’s turn on the menu, found in abundance in red meat, shellfish, legumes and whole grains. It also happens to be great at regulating sebum production!
WHICH INGREDIENTS ARE GOOD FOR MORE FAT?
Look out for skin care that has…
Hyaluronic acid – Ah, the hydrator supreme! This is the perfect ingredient to help you find a moisturizer that’s not too heavy, providing effortless hydration while remaining incredibly lightweight.
Clay – Sometimes you can’t beat a classic salt of the earth. A more indulgent way to say goodbye to shine, treat yourself to a face mask that uses kaolin or green clay to absorb any excess oil, mattify skin tone and refine pores.
Bio-retinol – Retinol itself is often associated with inflammation and redness, while a plant-derived alternative like bacucciol lets you experience all of its collagen-boosting, oil-regulating benefits without any of the fuss.
THE EXCESS OF FAT FAQ
Does drinking water help with excess oil? When skin is dehydrated, it’s the water that’s missing from your body’s cells, not the oil. This means that your skin could very well be experiencing an increase in oiliness and dehydration at the same time – in fact, dehydration could even be affecting your extra glow. When our cells are low on water, those strong-willed sebaceous glands may decide they need to increase their moisture production to try to overcompensate, and all that really does is look for blemishes. Aim to drink at least seven glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and keep skin as balanced as possible.
Why does my nose seem to be oilier than the rest of my face? This will be the case for most people. The sebaceous glands in the nose are naturally some of the largest on your body, so it’s inevitable that you’ll see more oil produced in this area of the skin.
