Get clearer skin

Skin type is determined by the amount of oil produced by the face.The skin is made up of a network of small triangles and diamond shapes and has hair follicles and sebaceous gland pores.  If you magnify the skin, you can see small sweat dots, sebum layer. Though skin type is generally hereditary it can vary and also changes with age. 
The skin has natural waterproof barrier to protect skin in the form of sebum. With an oily skin there is an over secretion of sebum which makes the skin surface oily and an oily skin generally also has large visible pores. Oily skin tends to look shiny and thick and is well moisturised and reacts less to external factors, advantageous too, as it is less prone to wrinkles and signs of ageing prematurely. This layer of sebum attracts the dirt and dust of the atmosphere which then becomes stuck to the skin. The combination of the dirt and oil with dead cells close the skin pores, making oily skin prone to blackheads, pimples and acne. Adolescents and young adults usually have oily skin due to more active hormones. Oily skin looks fine in the morning after you have washed it but will gradually become greasier through the day. Oily skin can also be hormonally caused, as some women during their pregnancy can also have more active oil-producing glands.
Fortunately, the shine can be combated, follow these expert tips to a flawless, shine free skin all day long.
Wash right
Cleansing: Most important care of greasy skin is to keep it clean so that its pores are unclogged. You can use mild face washes and warm water to wash the skin. But there is word of caution too, do not over wash your skin as over drying can stimulate the oil-producing glands to produce more sebum and it will worsen the condition. You can prepare a cleanser for greasy skin by mixing a teaspoon of skimmed milk, a pinch of turmeric powder and enough water to make milky solution. Apply it with cotton wool on the face. Before going to bed at night, do not forget to clean your face properly. Remove all the makeup with the help of a cleanser designed to remove makeup.
Toning: A toner should be used after cleansing to remove any left over traces of oil and cleanser from the skin. It will help tighten skin pores. 
Give yourself a facial
Giving yourself a facial once a week can help to control shine, start by exfoliating and then apply a clarifying mask. If this DIY facial does not help, try out a chemical peel containing salicylic or glycolic acid.
Exfoliating: Exfoliation of greasy skin makes it feel fresh and smooth. Exfoliation removes dead cells from the skin and keeps the pores clean. If you have acne problem, do not apply manual exfoliating agents, a scrub, which scrub the skin harshly. You can try a chemical peel which contains exfoliaters like AHA or BHA, which are fruit acids.
These chemicals first help loosen the dead skin cells and then dissolve them. You will need to go to a trained specialist or dermatologist for this treatment. Scars caused by acne can be removed by abrasion (dermabrasion) or laser treatment. These treatments are carried out by a dermatologist or a qualified beauty therapist. A gentle peel will also help to cleanse pores and remove the upper layer of dead skin.
Mask: Apply a mask containing oil absorbing clay or exfoliating salicylic acid, which will temporarily decrease oil production.
Don’t skimp on the sunscreen
If your skin is oily you can get by with skipping your moisturiser but not without sunscreen. Sunscreen is a vital part of controlling oil and shine. Research has shown that exposure to UV light pulls water from the skin, while increasing the size of sebaceous glands and stimulating oil production.
Lighten your moisturiser
Firstly, watch where you put your moisturiser. You can skip the moisturiser on your nose as it has enough glands to keep it moisturised.
Secondly, at night your skin loses more moisture than during the day so it is ideal to moisturise just before bed to keep your skin hydrated through the night. To hydrate your skin without leaving it shiny, take your usual product down a notch and swap a cream for a lotion, or a lotion for a hydrating serum.
Cut back the make-up
The less makeup you wear with an oily skin the better. Perspiration makes pores and imperfections more noticeable, and it doesn’t mix well with heavy foundation leaving skin uneven and clogged pores which can lead to increased acne and oil produced. Try a tinted moisturiser in place of a foundation, or apply a lightweight powder to clean skin to avoid shine.
Blot, blot and blot
While you may reach for your powder puff at the sight of shine, multiple layers will make your skin look cakey. Try to use a blotting paper instead, if you cannot access blotting paper use ordinary facial tissues. This will soak up excess oil and will not over strip your skin of it’s natural oils. Alternatively, spray your skin lightly with water will cool your skin and won’t disturb your makeup.
Watch what you eat
Eating a balanced diet and exercising will make you feel good both on the outside and the inside! Try to avoid alcohol and spicy foods, as these dilate blood vessels making you perspire more which in turn will make you look oilier. Also try to eat foods rich in Vitamin A, such as carrots, cantaloupe and spinach. They will help to reduce oil production, but also Accutane which is used to treat acne and oily skin is a form of Vitamin A.
See a doctor
– If over-the-counter medications do not work after six to eight weeks.
– If acne causes psychological distress.
– If there are big, tender pimples.
– If the acne causes scars.
– If you have dark skin and dark patches form where the pimples used to be.
Depending on the severity of your acne, your doctor may choose to treat you or refer you to a dermatologist. Acne can be treated with medications that are either applied to the skin or taken by mouth.
You can be sure to get the best purifying and clarifying properties from the Clarins Truly Matte Range of products, containing an exceptional formula that slows down oil production, reduces the appearance of dilated pores and their changing condition over time to ensure a flawless skin texture.

– Enjoy life with Clarins whatever your needs are. For all your queries or to be added onto our database – missk@zol.co.zw