It seems like we always wish to have the type of skin opposite of what we were given. If you have dry skin, you are fed up with the feeling of tight skin and always needing to reapply moisturizer to keep your skin from looking dull and flaky. With oily skin, most fight acne and breakouts and long for the feeling of balanced skin. Needless to say, each skin type has its own challenges, but for us at the spa it is oily and acne-prone skin that has many of our guests struggling to find effective at-home treatments.

Is oily skin harder to treat daily? Not with the right techniques and products. And on the plus side, people with oily skin tend to have less wrinkles … so there’s a great reason to embrace the shine. Let us help you become an expert on treating your oily skin so it is no longer a nuisance in your daily life. This guide provides some tricks and tips so you can have spa-beautiful skin between facial appointments.

Cleanser
For oily/acne-prone skin, a gel cleanser is great for everyday use. A gel or foamy cleanser will remove oil and layers of makeup, and help unclog pores. The only side note here is that you may need to switch up your cleanser when there are changes in the climate or changes in your frequency of washing. Beware of formulas that can be overly drying as this can actually lead the skin to try to overcorrect by producing even more oil.

Moisturizer
You always want to follow any cleanser with a moisturizer. It may sound crazy, but the goal here is to use a light moisturizer. Sometimes these formulas will be called a fluid or a lotion, rather than a heavy cream. Also, get really good at reading ingredient lists. Look for oils and emollients that are good for oily skin and avoid the ones that can add more congestion such as high oleic fatty acids like coconut oil or shea butter. Here is a good guide from our friends at Source Vitál Apothecary that breaks down oils that work well for oily and acne-prone skin types.

Dr. Eric Schweiger explains why you should still use moisturizer with oily skin, saying “By skipping the moisturizer, your skin will dry out and in turn rebound with more oil production, which can actually cause more breakouts.”

Mask
Many guests think that since they are under the “oily skin” umbrella, they should use a face mask that goes for the “drying effect,” but this is a common misconception. You may want to dry up the “excess” oil, but overall you should think more along the lines of balance. Use masks that regulate oil and clear pores. A good mask to achieve this would be any type of clay mask. Clay masks absorb the toxic agents in your clogged pores, but are also mineral rich and feed the skin nutrients it may be lacking.

Exfoliate
Exfoliating is the trickiest treatment to perfect because if you do it too infrequently, you can look greasy, but if you are exfoliating too often, you run the risk of irritating your skin or even drying it out. A good benchmark to use with oily skin exfoliating is 2-3 times a week. By removing dead skin, grime and excess oil, pores will be clear of the material that leads to breakouts and appear smaller.

Facials – at Sanctuary Spa
Since oily skin is the most prone to acne breakouts, it can be beneficial to come in routinely for one of our extraction facials. This special treatment is designed for those in need of regular extraction services for moderate to heavy congestion and impacted skins. It will speed up the healing process of acneic skins that are experiencing problems with blackheads. It is also a more hygienic and safe way to deal with breakouts. Picking at your skin at home could cause scarring and more irritation. Professionals at the spa are trained to know the right way to handle blemishes. Our extraction facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, steam, extraction, nourishment, and moisturization. You can also add additional extractions as an enhancement to our other facials.

And never forget….

Drink Water
It is so important to always drink plenty of water to keep your skin properly hydrated! It will help to bring about a more balanced feel to the skin and aids in the removal of toxins that can cause irritations – so drink up.