Cleansing can be a nightmare for oily skin. It’s often hard to find a cleanser that sufficiently mops up excess oil and keeps it away. On the other hand, some formulations can be too harsh, stripping the skin of its moisture and causing oil glands to go into overdrive to counteract the dryness.

It’s a fine balance – and we’re here to help! Take note of these tips and find your skin zen…

Don’t use a drying soap

A major drawback of ordinary soaps is the fact that they brutally eliminate any oil from the facial skin. Not only this, but they also remove the hydrolipidic film that protects the epidermis and the barrier function of the skin. This hydrolipidic film plays an important role and protects the skin from dehydration. If the barrier function of the skin is destroyed, the skin becomes more vulnerable to external aggressions.

Instead, cleanse your oily skin with a formulation that will not only respect your skin’s natural balance, but give a really deep and effective cleanse. The Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel, £10.00, has a really refreshing gel texture that removes impurities and unblocks pores. Used daily, the gel will really make a difference to your troublesome skin.

Don’t think that troublesome skin needs an industrial strength scrub!

Using a scrub cleanser that is too aggressive may cause significant discomfort and damage to skin, and the chances are it won’t make a difference to the visibility and size of your blemishes. Whilst the abrasive action is beneficial in refining pore size and skin texture, stripping the skin of its natural oils with a harsh formulation will really throw your skin out of balance.

It is better to regularly use a soft scrub with a mechanical action on skin with blemishes such as the Vichy Normaderm Exfoliating Gel Scrub, £10.00, which will eliminate dead cells and prevent pore obstruction. The formulation includes micro-particles instead of large abrasive materials, so as not to damage the skin.