A few Words.
Oily skin or oily shine is a major problem for girls with slightly dark or tanned complexions (specially in Asian regions). It tends to create concerns and depressing thoughts of inferiority and not being pretty opposite to people with fair skin tones. Everyday lots of teenage girls and women rush to dermatologists for treatments, medicines and even surgery just to get rid of all that oil. Some treatments may work but thats only till they last. And the result is lots of money spent and no control over oily skin or its effects.
Contents at a Glance
My focus.
I am one of those girls who have been struggling almost all their lives to fight acne and oil with creams, treatments and remedies. So in this lens I'm going to share with you, what i do to keep my skin relaxed and oil free. What worked for me and what didn't. Besides that some product recommendations and tips.I'm not a dermatologist but i have learned a lot about my skin throughout all this time. I hope i can help you out with my experience.
Few things to keep in mind.
- Information is based on query regarding my skin type only.
- Tips and recommendations are for girls and women who have the same or close skin tone as mine.
- Some products mentioned below are subject to availability.
My Skin Stats
Type: Very Oily.
Complexion: Medium
T-Zone: Yes
Tans easily: Yes
Acne Prone: Yes
Open Pores: Yes
Products
That work for me.
Multani Mitti (Fuller's Earth)
This mineral is widely used in Asian countries to improve complexion and get rid of acne. It is highly effective on oily skin and I recommend it to all ladies who suffer from acne. It's not expensive at all and has no side effects. Just mix it with a little amount of water to form a thick paste and apply all over face. Let dry completely and wash off with water. The result is beautiful, glowing skin. I use it everyday before I go for a shower. Acniso
Calamine Mask
This was prescribed by my dermatologist as well, but calamine is widely used in general too. Its basically a very light pink powder which you mix with water and apply. For me it cured my acne and lightened my complexion. Its texture when dried is like fuller's earth. I used it 2 times everyday in morning and evening. Its very good for oily and acne prone skin. Clinique Clarifying Lotion
One of the best products i ever used. Clinique products nowadays are quite expensive in Asia and not very easily available. But I have used the clarifying lotion for oily skin and yes, it did help remove acne and bring out a brighter complexion and healthier looking skin. I am on a lookout for this product and I will definitely use it again. Noni Juice
Noni is a fruit with a soury taste. This product was also a prescription by my dermatologist but it can be used in general. It's very good for improving skin texture, nails and hair. It is a bit expensive throughout Asia but it works wonders.I had to take 2 doses, one in morning and one at night before meals.
Cucumber Products
My skin seems to love cucumber. Everything I've used that has cucumber extracts has always impressed me. The product you see on the side is a 3 minute mask by the Boots Company. I use it once a week. It removes excess oil and really softens my skin. A very good product.I also use exfoliating scrub, moisturizer and gentle cleanser by this company.
I found on Amazon
Fullers Earth Powder - 1 lb., (Starwest Botanicals)
Amazon Price: $10.18 (as of 01/08/2010) 
List Price: $12.50
Usually ships in 3-4 business days
Noni 100 100% Pure Liquid Juice Pulp By Genesis Today - 32oz bottle
Amazon Price: $33.58 (as of 01/08/2010)
List Price: $41.95
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Breaking Out: A Woman's Guide to Coping with Acne at Any Age
Amazon Price: $15.34 (as of 01/08/2010)
List Price: $17.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Products
That don't work for me.
Rose Water
Rose water is a very good toner and wisely used, but somehow, it didn't suit my skin at all. Infact, if i applied it with cotton or mixed it with a mask, it darkened my skin. I don't why that happened but because of this i stopped using rose water. But i wouldn't say its bad for other girls with oily skin. Citrus Fruit Products
I've had a share of bad days with citrus fruit products as well. Be it orange, grape fruit or any other citrus extract, it just doesn't suit my skin. It darkens. I even tried grinded orange powder which my mother asked me to use. I had to mix it with water and apply on my face but the result wasn't what i expected. So citrus products are a no no for me. SunBlock or Sunscreen
Sunblock is recommended by every skin expert, dermatologist, beautician etc, but it doesn't go well with my skin. I've used some of the top brands but in vain. All that happens is that, it turns all weird and yellow and melts off my skin. So I guess the best way for me to protect my skin from the sun is to not step out a lot in sunlight. Fairness Creams
Oh boy, I must have used more than 10 fairness creams throughout my life. Today I feel surprised and funny when I think how provoking those commercials on t.v are and I was stupid enough to believe them. Some fairness creams gave me a matte look but that like stayed for less than 15 minutes. Some darkened my skin tone instead and others just didn't do anything. Be it a local or a top brand. I've had it with fairness creams for good. What else have i used?
Well countless face washes perhaps, like Neutrogena acne wash and deep clean, Ponds perfect matte, Himalaya herbals, Clean n Clear and a lot more. Cleansing astringents from companies like Noxzema. And more products I don't even remember names of. Lol. Well, all this stuff is good quality and from reputed companies but I had to let go because the results varied with constant use. Tips
- Drink lots of water. It really helps keep skin well hydrated and glowing. I drink 8-10 glasses per day.
- Use a good astringent to wipe off dirt and impurities that can clog pores.
- Pat dry your face with a soft tissue instead of a towel. This helps prevent acne.
- Don't always look for oil stripping products. Use a good oil free moisturizer.
- Don't wear makeup when its not necessary.
- Don't go to bed with your makeup on. Always remove makeup.
Product Recommendations
- Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin.
- Visit for information on what works with oily skin.
- How to prevent Oily Skin and T-Zone
- T-Zone problems are very common and this lens is a must read about it.
- Best Cleansers for Oily Skin
- Every skin type needs cleansing. Here's whats recommended for oily skin.
- Homemade Masks for Oily Skin
- Make masks with natural products which are more beneficial and have no side effects.
What's more?
As long as my list seems, there are still a lot of products out there that i haven't tried. And i doubt i ever will. After writing the above content i was actually surprised to read what i have used on my skin over all these years.
O.k so here are some products i have seen on t.v or read about at places which have mixed reviews. Thinking of using any of these? Then read below.
Proactiv Acne Solution
Celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams and Jennifer love Hewit have used this stuff. I saw the commercial on t.v and thought of doing a little research. So here are some sites with reviews about Proactiv.
* Acne.Org
* Ciao Reviews
* Ultimate Cosmetics
* E-opinions
You can find video reviews on Youtube.
Clearasil Ultra
Clearasil is quite famous among other acne treatment solutions. Here's what i found out about it.
* Acne.Org
* E-opinions
* Ciao Reviews
Look for more reviews on Youtube.
Is Tea Tree Oil the Next Big Thing?
I've heard a lot about tea tree oil and its benefits in the last few days. And I can see that a lot of brands are using it in their products. I came across tea tree extracts when I bought Freeman's Foot Lotion which contained tea tree extracts. I've also heard its very good for oily skin. The Body Shop has a tea tree face wash in their current line of tea tree products and I might give it a try.
Moving onto Makeup.
Shopping for oil free makeup is a hard task. Because a lot of stuff doesn't do what it says on the packaging. But, here are a few things that I keep in mind when shopping for makeup.
* Foundation: It has to be oil free and water based. For information and recommendations visit This Lens
* Use powder for touch ups. But avoid using frequently as it can make the skin look cakey.
* Use a water shine lip gloss or lipstick.
* Use a light to medium coverage blusher.
* Avoid applying cream eye liner.
Was i helpful?
-
Reply
- Stazjia Stazjia Aug 10, 2009 @ 5:48 am
- A very informative and well illustrated lens.
by slackira
Hi,my name's kiran and am 23 yrs old. I'm a simple person and try to remain happy. I'm like every other girl out there,i love make-up,jewelry,hand bag...
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