Desperately needing help!!! OILY

[Ezmii]

Hey so Im desperately needing help with my huge pores and my acne problem, oily skin. I have tried Becca matte, all drugstore, makeup forever, urban decay matte primers. I’ve tried using matte moisturizers and matte foundations, baking powders. And I just can’t see my face matte for more that 1-2 hours max I need to find something soon that can help me out.

[gnocchibee]

Totally agree with everyone about eliminating products from your routine that contain alcohol. I’ve stopped buying products for oily/acne prone skin and focused on using heavy duty moisturizers at night and dry oil during the day, along with blotting sponges and hydrating mists for touch ups. I have noticed that the amount of product I use can make my skin more oily (e.g. 3 drop of dry oil, opposed to 1 drop). Good luck and try things slowly 🙂

[TrysBeautyItems]

@Ezmii for most skin, the Clarisonic everyday is overkill. Also take out the toner, it may be contributing to the over oil production, not everyone needs a toner. Witch hazel is drying. Also pilling on mattifyiers can backfire, they tend to have ingredients that trap oil, so it can't expel easily. Skin produces more oil when it's dehydrated,  to rebalance. 

Acne, you're not using anything to treat. Over exfoliation can cause irritation, which can look like acne bumps. 

[kittichick]

Hi!

I agree that you've received some great advice here but I thought I'd add my two cents. I have freakishly oily skin caused by hormonal issues so there's only so much my skin care will do for it. Without mattifying products, my foundation will stay on for maybe an hour. If I'm lucky. 

I definitely agree that you need to use a GENTLE cleanser! Be careful about alcohol as most of it is too harsh. Fortunately there are a lot of options out there. And I highly recommend a good AHA/BHA serum. Personally, I've found DE's Framboos to be HG for my hormonal acne and it seems to help some with the oiliness as well. 

And definitely moisturize! But you need to be sure to use a really light one. No heavy creams. I really like belif's aqua bomb (the one that's a gel, not a cream) during the day and SR's Tidal at night (belif's sinks in more quickly so it's easier for daytime.)

For mattifying products, I've found several primers that help quite a bit but my favorite is Hourglass' Mineral Veil since it seems to be less comedogenic than others. But I've also had solid results with Benefit's Porefessional (NOT the "matte rescue" since I found it too hard to apply foundation over it), PTR's Skin to Die For, and Smashbox's Pore Minimizing, and Tarte's Poreless Mattifying. 

For foundation, I've been using Fenty's Pro Filter Soft Matte Longwear. I seem to have more foundation on at the end of the day than with any other foundation. Of course it depends on how much coverage you want. Fenty's is a medium coverage that can be built to more of a full coverage. KVD's stayed put quite well but it is VERY full coverage. A bit too much for my preference. I also liked Hourglass' Immaculate foundation and MUFE's Matte Velvet (but I think I read that MUFE changed the formula so it may not still be great.) I often hear that Estee Lauder's Double Wear is supposed to be great, but I haven't tried it yet. 

Finally, I love Laura Mercier's translucent loose setting powder.

I still get shiny after about 3-4 hours so I have to blot (definitely get some blotting papers!) and my foundation certainly doesn't look as good at the end of the day as at the beginning, but at least it's still THERE. 

Of course, YMMV with these particular products but this is what has worked for me.

I hope some of that helps! 🙂

[sockmagnet]

@Ezmii you've been given some great advice, but I also wanted to strongly recommend using blotting papers as they are cheap, efficient, and can be easily carried around for use during the day.

[darlyndar]

All the matte primers and moisturizers will only work for a little while, @Ezmii. What is your skincare routine? That is what will help you control your oil production. I don’t have acne or large pores, but I was very oily, specifically oily/dehydrated. 

A lot of skincare that is geared towards oily skin (especially at the drugstore), contain a ton of alcohol. That will only make you more oily, so you need to check the ingredient list. If alcohol is the first or second ingredient listed...run. 

I don’t know what your price point is, but there are products and routines that will help. For example, using an acid toner will help clear your pores, which will then shrink them in size. A squalane oil will help hydrate your skin and in return, balance your oil production. Using a clay or sulfur mask twice a week will de-congest your skin, treat your acne and help prevent future breakouts. Using a salicylic acid cleanser will also treat your skin. Even a cleansing tool like a Clarisonic will give you a great deep cleaning. 

If you can tell us what your routine is and a roundabout price-point, there are many of us that can lead you in the right direction. There are amazing products at Sephora, but there are also amazing and affordable Korean skincare brands and a few trusted ones at the drugstore. 

Just know there is a solution. I used to be soooooooo oily and now I can wear dewy foundation! I never ever thought I would be able to do that. ❤️

[Ezmii]

This I what use

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Ezmii The Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash may be too harsh for your skin.  The current formulation has orange and limonene which are known irritants.  Some people also find this scrub too gritty.  I used a discontinued version of it, and I really like it but I can totally see how many would find it problematic.

CeraVe is known for making good cleansers, but foaming cleansers can stress the skin.  You could try one of their other cleansers.  If you are looking for something at Sephora, I rec FIRST AID BEAUTY - Face Cleanser

The Thayer's Witch Hazel has a cult following, but IDK if it's for everyone.  Witch hazel can be irritating to the skin.  If you are looking for a toner, I rec Paula's Choice.  They have a variety of toners for varying skin types.

The moisturizer you are using is all right, but I wonder if the SPF isn't agreeing with your skin.  CeraVe PM is a great lightweight moisturizer that would be nice for oily skin.

Good luck!  🙂

[Ezmii]

And I use the cetaphil moisterizer

[Ezmii]

I use the brush everyday but I use the exfoliating cleanser 2-3 times a week to not over do it the rest of the times I use the other cleanser

[quspork]

@Ezmii  So to start, I just want to clarify... are you using the clarisonic once or twice a day? You may be overusing it. Honestly, I'd ditch the cetaphil moisturizer and get something better suited for your skin. The one you posted a picture of is only a daytime moisturizer anyway as it contains spf. So you shouldn't be using that at night. Do you have a budget in mind for products? I'd recommend getting a light moisturizer for daytime and nighttime use, then a separate sunscreen. Once you have that in place clay masks once or twice a week can be so helpful with oil. And also exfoliating products, but don't start those until you're using a good moisturizer and standalone sunscreen. 

[quspork]

@Ezmii How often are you using the spin brush and Microdelivery? Also, what about moisturizer?

[dermalogica]

Hello there @Ezmii,

Dermalogica Active Moist Moisturizer 3.4/96.39 g this moisturizer is super light and nourishes skin without adding to the oil content. 

To help control the oil production, our Sebum Clearing Masque can be used 1-2 times a week over congested areas. Find this product here: https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/sebum-clearing-masque-P423138 

We hope you find this helpful!