When you have dry skin, facial oils seem like an obvious choice; but when you are constantly battling with acne and oily skin, using facial oil seems counter-intuitive, as general consensus holds that breakouts are caused by an excess of oil.
Many people, as a result, turn to mattifying products to eliminate all traces of oil from the surface of the skin, believing that no oil automatically equals no acne. It is however quite the opposite. These products may make your skin less shiny and oily in the short-term, yet the truth is many of them are emulsified with pore-clogging waxes, which contrary to popular belief, actually lead to skin congestion and breakouts. In addition, prolonged usage of such products will strip your skin from its natural oils, which in turn will cause it to overcompensate and rebel by producing even more oil. This excess oil eventually sinks into pores, causing even more dreaded breakouts. And worse, completely drying out spots and their surrounding skin will leave scars that will take weeks if not months to fade!
While certain comedogenic oils such as mineral oil and unfractionated coconut oil do clog pores, a more effective solution to combat acne and oily skin is by incorporating the right facial oils, i.e. those with high linoleic acid content, to balance your complexion with properties that help your skin produce less pore-clogging sebum, kill acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation and even heal scars and hyperpigmentation from past breakouts. This is because, when the skin is deficient in linoleic acid (omega-6) or is stripped of its natural oil from over cleansing, the skin’s natural sebum turns thick and sticky as it becomes predominately composed of oleic acid (omega-9), skin becomes oily, pores clog and acne appears.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Since oily skin lacks essential fatty acids, go for oils with high linoleic acid content such as hemp, rosehip, grapeseed, black seed, watermelon seed, jojoba seed, pumpkin and helichrysum oils, all of which have shown to balance sebum production, protect the skin’s lipid barrier and help restore optimal pH consistency.
Oils such as blue tansy, German chamomile, rose, lavender, frankincense, neroli, geranium, and peppermint also have superior anti-inflammatory and regenerating benefits that are particularly good for acne-prone skin.
ANFISA
LILOU Radiant Hydra Balm <- Click to shop
Rich in soothing and regenerating Organic Blue Tansy Oil, Helichrysum Oil and Carrot Seed Oil, as well as Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, Blueberry Seed Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Kakadu Plum extract, Green Tea, White Tea and Matcha, this beautiful balm is packed full of linoleic acid. Together with a full array of vitamins, phytonutrients, omega fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, LILOU fights and soothes acne, reduces redness and hyperpigmentation, and restores balance like no other.
OUMERE
Serum Bioluminelle™ <- Click to shop
Combining precious water-soluble and oil-soluble organic botanical ingredients including Carrot Seed Oil, Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Green Coffee Oil and Black Seed Oil, which are known to have superior anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and regenerative properties, as well as Ursolic Acid, Beta Glucan, Elastin Protein, Ginseng, Reishi, Sea Kelp, Broccoli Sprout, Cilantro and Turmeric Extracts that contain high amino acid, essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrient content, the bi-phase formula targets skin cells at the cellular level to balance skin, soothe and reduce acne, remove toxins, promote collagen and elastin synthesis, minimize scarring, and reduce hyperpigmentation from acne.
AGENT NATEUR
holi(oil) Ageless Face Serum <- Click to shop
With a base of Rice Bran Oil and Rosehip Oil, as well as actives including Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Ketogluconate, Damascus Rose Extract and Helichrysum and Sandalwood Oil, not only can holi(oil) nourish the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, promote cell and collagen regeneration and self-hyaluronic acid production, calm, reduce redness, soothe and improve rosacea and eczema. The ingredients are also clinically-proven to actually reduce acne, scarring and hyperpigmentation!
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Elixir™ <- Click to shop
Rich in high concentration of Vitamin C, as well as Omegas-3, 6 and 9, Vitamins ABDEK, Antioxidants, Flavonoids, Tocotrienols, Phenolic Compounds, Proteins, and Minerals etc., the Apricot Oil, Marula Oil, Sunflower Oil, Neroli Oil, Frankincense Oil and Rose Geranium Oil in Elixir™ effectively brighten the skin, reduce scars and hyperpigmentation, repair the skin barrier, lock in moisture, slow aging, soothe sensitivity and eczema, fight inflammations, bacteria and free radicals, and promote skin cell regeneration.
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