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Popular misconceptions about getting rid of oily skin and anti-shine tips
Between magazines and the internet, oily skin is a subject that elicits strong feelings as well as advice, tips, tricks, eccentric grandmother remedies and natural solutions, each more zany than the last. Beware in particular of homemade mixtures using essential oils – they are ineffective and can provoke allergies. How do you separate the glow from the shine and identify the really bad ideas for combination and oily skin? And the really good ones that remove pimples?
Isn’t cleansing morning and night a bit too much? NOT AT ALL!
Certainly not! Even for those who don’t wear make-up and have problems with blemishes, cleansing oily skin twice a day is indispensable. If you wear make-up, it’s out of the question to go to bed with foundation on, right at the moment when skin naturally launches its biological processes to detoxify and renew cells. The tip to remember? No products that are too harsh and remove the skin’s protective hydrolipidic film. Choose instead a purifying cleanser that respects skin balance, such as Sebium H2O micellar water or Sebium Gel Moussant.
Is it possible to use powder or high coverage foundation when skin is oily? YES.
It depends on the products used, but most of all they must be completely removed EVERY night. It’s completely normal to try and hide pimples as much as possible. Choose a foundation and corrector that are non-comedogenic and specially formulated for oily and acne-prone skin. Avoid foundations that cover up too much and produce a mask-like effect, thick and compact powders and mineral oils that block pores. The ideal product to use is one that covers up and that also treats: Sebium Global Cover is a tinted cream that also acts on skin blemishes – it’s perfect. And every so often, go for a day without make-up.
Smoking isn’t good for blemishes. PROBABLY.
It’s true that smoking has the reputation of aggravating skin problems in general. Tobacco is thought to make skin duller and thicker. Even if no direct link to blemishes has yet been found, smoking is highly suspected to have a negative role on acne lesions.
The sun reduces excess sebum. FALSE.
Not at all! The sun is directly responsible for the rebound effect that dermatologists know all too well. Every summer, they warn about the real risk run by acne-prone oily skin. The sun starts by drying up excess sebum, which seems at first to improve skin, but not so fast! UV rays thicken the epidermis and block pilosebaceous follicles. Sebum stays below the skin during the summer period, when secretion is highest. It’s the perfect time bomb! During this time, bacteria also multiply. When skin thins again, the rebound effect occurs, and acne sprouts in time for back to school and work – which so many of us have already endured. The solution is to limit UV rays on the face and avoid any exposure without having applied a sunscreen adapted to oily and acne-prone skin. Photoderm AKN Mat SPF30 is one example, specially formulated to protect from UVA and UVB rays, mattify the skin and reduce blemishes.
Chocolate is bad for skin. IT DEPENDS…
It’s true that some foods have long been accused of having a role to play in oily skin problems, without conclusive scientific evidence up until now. Recent studies seem to show the impact of dairy products, especially ‘light’. Junk food, full of fat, and especially too much sugar, are known for their overall post-inflammatory effect, bad for health in general and for skin in particular. Nutritional advice for oily skin and blemishes is therefore the same as for weight and ageing: avoid industrially-made products, opt whenever possible for fresh fruit and vegetables and go for homemade. For chocolate addicts, don’t panic! Savouring a square of chocolate made with minimum 70% cocoa will always be better than downing industrial cakes and goodies with a high glycemic index. Dark chocolate also boosts good humour (but that’s not an excuse to down a whole bar!).
My mobile gives me spots! YES.
Yes indeed, mobiles carry a lovely nest of germs that we put to our cheek numerous times throughout the day. Remember to clean it carefully several times a week, and use earphones for phone calls!
Contraceptive pills also treat oily skin problems. NOT EXACTLY.
The pill can improve oily skin with pimples if it is carefully chosen, with an adapted balance of hormones. But it’s not a treatment all on its own. Some types of pills can have an adverse effect and make blemishes worse. It’s best to consult your gynaecologist to find the best strategy.
As soon as I shave, blemishes pop out! TRUE.
During adolescence, oily skin problems often coincide with when facial hair appears on boys, unfortunately. Shaving tends to aggravate pimples as well as symptoms of irritation tied to oily skin treatments. Specialists recommend using an electric instead of a cartridge razor, and to shave as infrequently as possible. The good news is that beards are in! Not for you? With Sebium Gel Moussant, you can still shave and limit the appearance of spots.
Hygiene & skincare
Combination to acne-prone skin
The Sébium range
The skin changes during adolescence: it becomes thicker, shiny, blemishes appear to a varying extent and sometimes remain into adulthood.
BIODERMA’s solution: Sébium, a range tailored to oily and acne-prone skin.
The Sébium range has cleansing and care products that are specifically recommended by dermatologists: face cleansers for oily skin (foaming gel, micellar water, soap bars, etc.), anti-blemish creams, moisturisers for acne-prone skin, and more. Choose your routine!