OILY & BLEMISHED SKIN
WHAT IS OILY & BLEMISHED SKIN?
What is Normal Skin? Skin types are largely determined by genetics, but 90% of how the skin ages is within our control. Normal skin, or eudermic (medical term for healthy skin), is the ideal skin type and is a term widely used to refer to well-balanced skin. Overall, sebum and moisture are balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Skincare routines are done to support the skin rather than “combat” a problem.
OILY & BLEMISHED SKIN AT A GLANCE
BALANCE
The scientific name for well-balanced skin, is eudermic. Factors that affect skin health, like moisture content and sebum production, are well regulated by the body and supported by the right skincare.
SKIN SURFACE
Fine pores, a smooth and even texture, no chronic blemishes, and it is not prone to sensitivity and inflammation like other skin types. The skin is neither too oily nor too dry and can look "rosy" and radiant.
GUT-HEALTH
It’s no longer a secret that good skin reflects a healthy gut – and there's scientific evidence to back it up. Healthy skin can be a reflection of a healthy lifestyle, environment, and proper skincare routine.
SKINCARE
Although the skin is free of noticeable problems, maintaining a skincare regime that includes moisturizing, regular cleansing, and preventative skincare treatments is important.
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
1. Inside & Out
It makes sense to start from the inside while using the right skincare on the outside.
2. Hormones & Inflammation
Balancing hormones and reducing inflammation in the body is key.
3. Sebum
Regulating sebum production to ensure proper sebum flow.
SOME TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OILY & BLEMISHED SKIN
A comedo (plural comedones), or acne, occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This process can lead to pimples or acne. Here are the different types of acne:
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Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
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Blackheads (open plugged pores)
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Papules (small red, tender bumps)
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Pustules (papules with pus at the top)
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Nodules (large, solid, painful lumps under the skin)
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Cysts (painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin)
The lead-up to acne starts out the same way, but some may progress to form different types of breakouts: the microcomedone, a microscopic blockage of the narrow duct extending around a hair follicle starting from the deeper dermis and affecting the skin’s surface. As the the microcomedone persists, the result can show up as one of the acne forms mentioned above.
There are generally four main factors that cause acne:
1. Excess sebum (oil) production, also known as Seborrhea
2. Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
3. Bacteria
4. Inflammation
WILD LEAVES TIPS & TRICKS
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Avoid the “dry skin-oily skin cycle” by using mild cleansers (like ours) and avoiding overly harsh washes that strip away the natural protective barrier. This causes the skin to dry out and the body to react by overproducing oil again.
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When you do wear make-up, choose products that are “non-comedogenic” and remove them every night with mild soap or a gentle cleanser and temperate water.
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Avoid over-exfoliation so you don’t damage the barrier of your skin. Micro-tears can also cause bacteria to spread and lead to more infection and inflammation. Instead, try natural chemical peels to accelerate skin renewal and exfoliate away dead skin without tearing the skin’s surface.
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Oily skin can sometimes mean dry skin. You read that right! So it’s important to moisturize regularly to help keep your skin’s oil production in check and not over-produce sebum.
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Reduce the chance of bacteria contamination by changing pillowcases frequently and regularly disinfecting things that touch your face, like smartphone screens.
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Don’t squeeze! Applying pressure to sensitive areas often inflames surrounding healthy tissue. Pimples can contain bacteria like Propinionbacterium acnes (or P. acnes) causing the infectious purulent material (aka pus) to spread infection to other parts of the skin, or aggravate the primary infection below the skin’s surface.
THE WILD LEAVES SKINCARE ROUTINE
FOR OILY & BLEMISHED SKIN
Our face wash, algae serum, face oil, and rich cream skincare routine are great for moisturizing and hydrating, supporting well-aging, and protecting against daily stresses.
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