The Skin: Over production of oil (lack of water) on the skin. Pores are visible and are prone to breakouts, blackheads and acne. Skin has a visible oil shine on the surface usually 1-2 hours after washing. Skin may appear to be red or irritated.
The Person: Tends not to like moisturizer or sunscreens as they feel heavy or thick on the skin. Usually this skin type will try and “dry out” their skin with foaming cleansers, aggressive exfoliants, and drying benzoil peroxide spot creams. However, even with the use of these mentioned products, their skins may still break out and now become more surface dry but with their oil still showing up a few hours later. Face may still be red or irritated. May notice that by using these products, their breakouts, blackheads, and or acne have slightly slowed down and its not getting “worse” so they tend to keep using these products even though problem still persists.
Why is this happening? Oily skin lacks water. The skin to over compensate for the lack of water starts to produce more oil to try and fix the problem. With more oil comes more sebum which can clog pores. With the mix of bacteria and sebum in the pores, breakouts, black heads and acne can now be seen. Oily skin tend to have larger pores because of this thicker sebum. When strong foaming cleansers, exfoliants and benzoil peroxides are used the skin can become irritated with redness and sensitivity to the touch, and what little water their was in the skin has now been dried out due to these products which is why the skin seems to be more dry at the surface, although it still feels thick to the touch. Breakouts, blackheads and acne may be a little smaller, but may still be present.
How to Fix: Oily skin needs water. So hydrating the skin at all levels of care are key to get the skin getting back on track. Drink more water. Drinking caffeinated beverages or sugary drinks will not take the place of straight water. Try and drink 8 glasses of water a day to help the inside water level. On the outside, look for topical products that promote hydration as this will help the skin to stop the over production of oil and level off to a normal oil flow. Also look for key ingredients that help fight bacteria but not harm the skin in the process. Try not to over exfoliate as over exfoliation can lead to redness and irritation. Also if you are going to pick (and we all pick!) know the right way to extract blackheads and break outs. Over picking the skin adds unnecessary pressure to the skin which can cause the area of the breakout to rupture in the skin, and can lead to more breakouts, scarring and redness.
What products in the Apothecary can help: 1. # Wash. Helps to cleanse and exfoliate gently with natural organic honey (a natural humectant) to help cleanse and kill bacteria. Dried Nettle (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and astringent), rose (anti-inflammatory, hydrates cleans pores & tones skin), and marshmallow root (anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory) help to gently exfoliate and essential oils of lavender (soothing & calming), geranium (helps regulate sebum & heal acne scarring) & tea tree (antimicrobial & antibacterial) help to balance and restore the skin.
2. Lavender Hydrosol Helps to balance and tone the skin. Helps with hydration and and is antibacterial.
3. Magik Serum Contains Neem (anti-inflammatory & antibacterial) to reduce swelling and redness of acne, tamanu (reduces scarring & helps heal breakouts) to maintain moisture levels, and essential oils of clay sage & Myrrh help to heal acne and promote wound healing
4. Joy Moisturizer Joy will hydrate the skin without feeling heavy or thick on the skin. With the ingredients of burdock, nettle, and calendula these herbs help to purify, fight inflammation & heal breakouts, and evening primrose is terrific with aiding hormonal breakouts too.