How to care for oily skin, inside and out

Is your oily skin getting you down? Does it seem impossible to get rid of excess sebum and dilated pores? Ironically, while oily skin is often considered complicated, its needs are actually very simple: hydration, gentle techniques, natural skin-balancing active ingredients, and lots of TLC! Absolution gives you some tips and advice to help you care for your oily skin, inside and out!

Oily skin is characterized by excess sebum production. This oily substance is secreted naturally, and is essential for the balance of your skin’s hydrolipidic film, which helps to keep skin supple, but also protects it against environmental aggressors and dryness. The sebaceous glands – which are responsible for producing sebum – are most numerous on the forehead, nose, and chin, which explains why the “T-zone” can become shiny. In addition to being shiny in the T-zone, oily skin is often thick and dull, with dilated pores and occasional blemishes, such as spots or blackheads.

Pollution, stress, UV rays and lack of sleep are just some of the internal and external factors that can affect the upper layers of your epidermis and prevent proper skin cell renewal. Dead cells can build up on your face and, as a result, the skin can no longer correctly perform its “emunctory” (eliminating) role.

In order to restore balance to oily skin, it’s essential that you understand its needs: gentle techniques, active ingredients that both regulate and moisturize, and a lifestyle that gives your body what it asks of you.

Looking after your skin starts from within…

To fight dehydration and help your skin regenerate, make sure you give it enough Vitamin A. This vitamin exists in two forms: retinol, which is obtained from animal proteins (meat, fish, dairy products and egg yolks), and beta-carotene, which is found in orange, red and dark green fruits and vegetables (carrot, tomato, pumpkin, melon, apricot, spinach, broccoli, parsley, etc.). However, avoid eating too much meat or dairy, as these are acidifying foods. Overconsumption has been linked to problems with the digestive, intestinal, circulatory, and even immune system. If you don’t follow a particular diet, give priority to white fish (the smaller the better) or eggs. And if you don’t want to eat animal products, the good news is that there are more and more delicious, meat-free alternatives available today. They’ll enable you to get enough protein intake without upsetting your skin. But try to avoid too much processed food, even if it is vegan or vegetarian.

Another vitamin that’s essential for the skin is Vitamin C. Its antioxidant properties protect your cells against premature aging, and help your skin to produce collagen and elastin, to give it more elasticity. Good sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, kiwifruit, red pepper and parsley.

Vitamin E is excellent for fighting free radicals. It combats oxidative stress and helps to slow down skin aging. Foods rich in Vitamin E are vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts.

Zinc will help your skin to fight stress and prevent blemishes. Animal protein, legumes and whole grains are some of the foods rich in zinc. You can also take zinc supplements if you don’t get enough through your daily diet.

To banish dullness, don’t forget to look after your intestinal flora. Look out for foods and drinks that are rich in probiotics, such as kefir and kombucha, to help prevent digestive disorders that can cause dull skin and other skin problems.

Every day, make sure you eat plenty of fresh produce and ingredients. Avoid convenience and processed foods, as well as foods with a high glycemic index, as they can increase sebum production and make your skin more prone to blemishes.

As for hydration, it’s all about water! By drinking at least 1.5 liters of water a day, you’ll be able to flush out toxins and really help your skin to be more balanced. If you enjoy green tea, drink one or two cups a day – preferably in the morning. Too much green tea can lead to dehydration and prevent your body from absorbing iron properly. In the afternoon, give preference to infusions or herbal teas that will help to detoxify and cleanse your body (Burdock, Linden, Dandelion, Ash, etc.).

In addition to eating well, another way to look after your skin and body is by making sure you get plenty of regular exercise and repairing sleep. Go walking every day, do some yoga or Pilates in your living room (or any other sport you enjoy!), take a meditation break, etc. All these activities are good for both your body and mind, and help to rid your body of toxins. Your skin will be healthier and more radiant, and you’ll feel able to cope with anything!

A regular sleep schedule (and sleeping in now and again) will also help your skin to recover better after a long, hard day. If you start to feel tired during the day, practice some deep breathing exercises to oxygenate cells and boost your energy. If you work at a desk, either in an office or at home, make sure you take breaks and get up as often as possible so you’re not always sitting in a static position.

If you want your skin to really look and feel rebalanced, you need to use active ingredients with targeted benefits, to meet each of your skin’s needs.

We use many exceptionally talented, natural active ingredients in our certified-organic skincare products for combination and oily skin.

To rid your skin of impurities, gently cleanse with Le Nettoyant Pureté. This rinse-off facial cleanser contains Roman Chamomile, White Willow and Oat, with anti-stress and purifying properties, to leave your skin feeling squeaky clean every day.

In the morning, to remove impurities that have built up during the night, without damaging your skin’s hydrolipidic film, opt for La Brume Systémique. While you sleep, your skin repairs and regenerates itself, and if you start your day with a cleansing product, your skin may not like it. La Brume Systémique is the guardian of your skin’s ecosystem. Made with a blend of skin-balancing active ingredients, it brings freshness, radiance and vitality, while helping to maintain your skin’s ability to protect itself. It’s also an excellent alternative for men and women who like to use floral waters. If you prefer using a floral water, make sure it has regulating properties, such as one made with Lavender, Thyme or Verbena. Or you could try L’Essence Botanique PURETÉ, which gives your skin a hydration boost and leaves it more receptive to the active ingredients in the products applied afterwards.

As for targeted skincare products, Le Booster Pureté is a hard-working serum that’s ideal for oily skin. Rich in purifying Propolis (a plant resin collected by bees), it helps to control shine, reduce blemishes, and restore skin’s balance without drying it out or leaving red marks.

To moisturize without suffocating your skin, put your trust in La Crème de Santé. Rich in prebiotics and botanicals, this ultra-light cream works to moisturize, balance and regulate temperamental, oily skin. Aloe Vera hydrates, Hyssop calms, and BioEcolia® restores balance, to give your skin all the comfort it deserves.

In addition to your daily skincare routine, every ten days, use our La Crème Gommante face scrub and Le Masque Pureté Détoxifiant face mask. La Crème Gommante contains granules derived from the fossil shells of diatom microalgae, while Le Soin Purifiant is made with organic ingredients to deep cleanse the skin. They’ll leave your skin deeply purified and help boost cell renewal.

With the right lifestyle and the right products, you can take control of your oily skin and enjoy a clear complexion, all year round!