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It’s the tail end of summer, my favorite season of sun, sand and unfortunately, sebum. For those who don’t know, sebum is the oil produced by your skin’s glands which causes the shine buildup on your skin. Your skin naturally secretes sebum all the time, but during the summer, your skin produces waaay more of it due to the heat, just like how your body releases more sweat. It doesn’t sound cute, I know, but this process is completely normal and there are plenty of products that can help to keep the oiliness at bay.
As a person with naturally oily skin, I can say that I have gone through my fair share of products for oil control, and I am happy to pass on recommendations of those that have worked the best for me. Hopefully, they will for you, too!
- Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm
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Banila Co., sokoglam.com, $24; shop now
This oil cleanser, one of the most popular products from the Korean skincare brand Banila Co., is a literal blessing. It’s free of harsh chemicals, and the balm helps to break down makeup and hydrate skin without stripping its natural oils.
Now you might be thinking, “why put oil on my face when my face is oily?” Well, oil cleansers actually help to break down any dirt, debris, and excess sebum your skin gets covered with throughout the day. So, it’s not actually making your face any oilier.
This cleansing balm comes in four formulations for different skin issues, and my fave is called the “Revitalizing” Cleansing Balm. This one has resveratrol, which is a natural antioxidant that prevents free radical damage.
- Activated Charcoal Clay Mask
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Banish, banish.com, $29; shop now
If you’re invested in skincare at all, then you should be no stranger to charcoal masks. Charcoal and clay masks in general are great at absorbing bacteria, dirt, and of course, excess oils. Using a charcoal mask once or twice a week can help to purify your skin and give it a deeper clean helping to unclog your pores and reduce any excess shine.
My go-to is the Banish Activated Charcoal Clay Mask, and I use it once a week for about ten minutes.
- Light Sun Essence
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Thank You Farmer, sokoglam.com, $27; shop now
If you think layering on extra products is unecessary for oily skin, think again, especially when it comes to sunscreen. People might think that wearing sunscreen every day means slathering on a thick layer of Banana Boat SPF 50. However, if you have oily skin, there are less heavy facial sunscreens you can use — and your skin will thank you for it.
I recommend Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence. This sunscreen feels different in that it’s extremely light and absorbs into skin quickly. It has a mattifying affect to reduce shine. It has a whopping SPF 50+ to help battle those UVA rays and prevent damage. It’s definitely my choice for sunscreen that does not leave a white cast or make me greasy during the day.
- Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner
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Acwell, sokoglam.com, $27; shop now
Now, this toner is my holy-grail skincare fave. If you want glowy but not greasy skin, this is the toner for you.
This Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner helps to deep clean, hydrate, and brighten skin with the licorice extract. It can help lighten dark spots, reduce acne, and in turn, clean your skin of that extra sebum your skin produces without taking away your natural glow. Hands down the best product ever.
Having oily skin can be rough, especially when it feels like your makeup and skincare are melting off after a couple hours. But there are plenty of products like the ones I’ve mentioned that can help provide clean-yet-glowy skin, from summer leading into fall. Don’t let the sweat, heat and oil stop you from having a good time. Instead, use the season to play with other products that work for oily skin. And please, LMK what you find so we can get through this season together.