brown beauty talk contributor, Kelle Salle has always suffered from oily skin. She shares her skincare regime and the products she uses to keep her skin in check. 

As someone who has oily skin, I can confirm that it is quite difficult to manage. Through the years, I’ve used an endless amount of products as part of my mission to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) shine.

People with oily skin just produce more oil than other skin types due to the overactivity of the sebaceous glands. These are the products that I use to help me manage my oily skin.

Morning

Choosing the right cleanser is important. Always opt for one that is light, creamy or milky in texture. The two cleansers that I alternate between on a daily basis are the Nuhanciam Dermo Purifying Anti-Blemish Gel Face Cleanser and Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense.

Both cleansers are lightweight and work to minimise the appearance of pores. Don’t use cleansers that dry out the skin because it needs to retain a sufficient amount of moisture. A misconception that some people with oily skin have is that anything to do with moisture will make their skin oilier, and this isn’t the case.

Contrary to what many skincare experts say, toners have a number of benefits for oily skin. They shrink pores, restore the skin’s PH balance and refresh the skin. If you do decide to use a toner, go for one that is alcohol free - alcohol dries out the skin.

Personally, I’ve decided to go down the spray route when it comes to using a toner as part of my skincare routine. Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner is my go-to. With a few sprays, my skin instantly looks refreshed. A bonus is that it can be used throughout the day whenever your skin feels stressed or tired.

Moisturising will not make oily skin worse. Adding moisture to oily skin will actually help to reduce oiliness. Neal’s Yard Yarrow and Comfrey Moisturiser is amazing; it has a lovely texture which sinks into your skin easily. I’ve been using it for a week or so and I’ve already noticed an improvement in my skin’s texture. It does have a herbal smell which may take a while to get used to, but I love the natural glow it gives my skin.

Vitamin C is one of my favourite active skincare ingredients. Medik8’s Super C30 Serum is my serum of choice. The entire Medik8 Vitamin C range has been renowned for its skin brightening and anti-ageing benefits.

I’ve used a few of Medik8’s Vitamin C serums and they do not disappoint as they absorb into your skin really quickly. In order to get the most out of the Super C30 Serum, I recommend leaving it on for two to three minutes before you apply anything else. 

Pore minimizing products can transform oily skin. The smaller the pores, the clearer your skin will be. Medik8’s Pore Refining Scrub tackles enlarged pores and what I really like about this scrub is how lightweight it is. It’s really gentle on my skin.

I also like that it has L-Mandelic and Salicylic Acid which are really good for oily skin. I’m currently using the scrub twice a week to start with and it does a really good job of exfoliating and leaving my complexion looking bright and fresh.

YA.BE’s Illuminating and Regenerating Face Mask is perfect for whenever my skin needs a pick-me-up. I know that oily skin can look a little fatigued from time to time, so I try my best to do a facial at least twice a week. This mask isn’t specifically targeted at oily skin types, but I love the natural glow it gives. It does what it says on the tube, also, the key ingredients (tomato, carrot and apple) even out my skin tone.

Looking for a suitable SPF when you have oily skin can be challenging. I’ve tried quite a few and the problem I have with them is all the same - the white cast. Eucerin’s Sun Fluid Photoaging Control SPF50 really works for me. It’s lightweight, absorbs into your skin really quickly and doesn’t leave a white cast. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which is renowned for its anti-ageing properties.

Evening

The evening routine is pretty much the same but I tend to bring in I use Medik8 Cleansing Pads, an Holland & Barrett Mist and then I either follow it up with the Afro Hair and Skin Co. Facial Oil or Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

To combat the oil I would advise you to stick to creams and lotions. Look out for labels such as ‘oil-free’ or ‘non comedogenic’ when buying skincare and makeup. Avoid any products that contain alcohol as it dries out the skin. If you decide to use natural products, make sure the main ingredient is appropriate for oily skin.

Also, I don’t recommend using food items as part of your skincare routine. With oily skin especially, you want to be using active ingredients that work over time.

Disclaimer

All of the products mentioned have been purchased by the writer or gifted to them from a PR or brand. We have not been paid to mention any of the products in the post. All of the advice given is impartial and based on the writer’s personal experience.