Face like an oil slick - help.

[DeathMetalMum]

I need to get into a better skincare routine though a bit lost for where to start as I'm also on a budget. Currently I am cleansing and then moisturising (oil free moisturiser). Thats it. Though I think I am using the wrong type of cleanser for my skin at least Neutrogena one with micro beads.
I'm pretty sure I have oily skin, I also have very large pores. Never really done much in the way of make up. Help

[Kundry]

No micro beads! As you've probably noticed most of them don't burst so are a waste of time anyway and then the unburst ones go through the sewage system and damage marine life.

www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beauty-brands-pledge-to-end-use-of-microbeads-in-their-products-9431984.html

Is your skin just oily and shiny or do you have acne/blackheads as well? Plus how old are you?

A basic routine for oily skin would be:

Non-foaming cleanser such as Cetaphil, La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel, Avene Gentle Cleanser

Acid toner - if you have full on acne I'd go for Effaclar Duo. Assuming you have some blackheads or sebaceous filaments (things on your nose that look like blackheads) I'd go for salicylic acid rather than glycolic. So Clearasil pads, Nip Fab Dragonsblood pads, Pixi Glow tonic, Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion, Paula's Choice 2% BHA - or the Effaclar Duo. This stage will be the key bit for getting rid of spots, blackheads, minimizing oil, making pores look a bit smaller - bearing in mind they on't open and close and can't be tightened.

In the morning you may or may not need moisturiser as well as SPF - personally I find the SPF is enough. Sunsense Daily Face is a great oil-free SPF plus has niacinamide which is anti-acne and anti-ageing. Heliocare prob my favourite but more expensive. Key is to stick to oil-free.

In the evening again you only need moisturiser if you skin feels tight - after the Paula's Choice lotion and Effaclar Duo I didn't, but I do after the Clinique. So just go with what you feel is right, moisturiser isn't mandatory. It should be oil-free - anyone who's ever seen me post will know I'm obsessed with Cerave but other oil-free moisturisers are available

And that's it. If you then want to go the extra mile you would add a retinol at night as it's anti-acne, anti-ageing, anti-pigmentation, might make your pores a bit smaller and generally wonderful but your skin needs to have settled into all the other products first.

[violetbunny]

I have extremely oily skin so you have my sympathy.

Use a gentle cleanser and acid toner - some good suggestions from the previous poster. Don't skip moisturiser as oily skin can still be dehydrated. This is a common misunderstanding as dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water - so even though you're oily your skin may still need moisture. Try a lightweight moisturiser with SPF - Olay make some good ones for oily skin if you're on a budget.

You can also use a mattifying lotion/primer on bare skin after moisturising to keep the oil at bay throughout the day. Wait a few minutes after moisturising before applying.

[DeathMetalMum]

Thanks both of those replies really help. My skin is oily I do have blackheads and regular breakouts, though it's the very large pores which is noticeable most (to me anyway). I'm 26 and still feel like I have teenage skin!

I have been using neutrogena oil free moisturiser (no spf though :( ) for a while and have notice a big improvement in my skin. So I know I need to moisturise both morning and night will look at the olay ones for one with spf.

[hiddenhome]

I use Boots number 7 cleansing water and it's great for blackheads and general skin clarity. My skin hasn't been as oily since I started using it.

[avagosling]

Oily skin is usually a result of hormonal imbalance. Remedies such as evening primrose oil, starflower oil and agnus castus internally can be very helpful to balance the hormones.
Externally, I have found that the principle of 'like treats like' is very effective, so do not be scared of using oils on your oily skin. Drying your skin out too much with acid and harsh cleansers will only make your skin produce more oil to compensate.
The oil cleansing method is fabulous for both cleansing and replenishing. Also try moisturizing with oils at night, such as camellia or moringa, both of them are very light, but nourishing.

[SunnyBaudelaire]

just a word of comfort, if you have oily skin, you will age well.

[FrugalFashionista]

I usually don't have oily skin but in this heat my face is acting up. Blotting papers help a lot!

[Candra]

This weather doesn't help, my skin is oily and dry and just all over the place.

Follow kundrys advice

If you're not sure what to choose, I'd go for the lrp physiological cleansing gel and effeclar duo for now to sort your skin out then move on to other products once you've balanced your skin out. These worked a treat for me.