How I manage my oily skin: Let's talk cleansers

For the last two years, I’ve been fully in control of my oily skin.

A bold claim I know, but over here dewy isn’t a dirty word, and hydration is my best friend. Oil-free moisturisers don’t live here, and face oils? Bring them on! (Stick with me, I’ll explain.)

I had to learn to understand my skin, how it reacts, what some of the ingredients we barely glance at on a bottle do and most importantly, what I’m better off not using. I’m not an expert, but I’ve learnt a bit from the experts, research, trial, and oh so many errors.

My skin’s the best its ever been, but that’s with the basics in check. There’s a long way to go still. For now, I’m starting a series.

To start, let’s talk cleansers.

Tip no. 1: Ditch the wipes!

Wipes are alcohol heavy evil little things that lure us into a false sense of security, and I haven’t used them in five years. If you’re oily, they wreak havoc as they strip and aggravate your skin. If you’re dry, well I’m guessing they’re not much friendlier.

Micellar waters are a gentler first step. Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water for Combination Skin is my favourite, but I also really like REN’s Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 CleansingWater.

La Roche-Posay Ultra Sensitive Micellar Water is okay, but it contains fragrance which to me defeats the purpose of being sensitive. And Bioderma Sébium H2O - MicelleSolution is popular, but I dislike the slightly soapy feeling it leaves and I don’t find it removes my eye makeup well.

Tip no. 2: Foaming cleansers are not oily skin friendly!

The first time I came across Caroline Hirons on YouTube years ago, she had stern words about wipes and foaming cleansers. I listened, and haven’t looked back!

Foaming cleansers, like the sulphate-laced formulas we all start with, strip skin of its natural oils and send oily skin into a counterproductive overdrive of producing more oil. Cream cleansers, oils, and balms are kinder to our skin.

My current rotation includes REN’s Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser, the Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil, the ever-awesome Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, and Bobbi Brown’s Rich Cream Cleanser.

In the morning, I prefer REN, but if I’m super sleepy or I’ve used a rich night cream, the Superfacialist oil. Both do a great job of removing residue on my skin, aren’t abrasive, and brighten my skin, but I don’t consider either of them the best makeup removers.

This is my holy grail of cleansers is the Renaissance Cleansing Gel, the one I refuse to leave home when I travel, my one stop fixes all. It’s decidedly in-between a balm and an oil. I still don’t understand how a cleanser can make such a difference to the texture of my skin longterm, and in brightness. Maybe it’s the blend of pumpkin enzymes, Vitamins A, C, and E, and Omega 6, or maybe it’s just sorcery. Whatever, I’m on board!

Another beautiful balm is the RMK Moist (YUCK!) Cleansing Balm, with avocado, rosehip, and olive oil, and shea and mango butter. You can barely smell the rose scent, which is a bonus in my books! It’s silky, very slippery, emulsifies with water, and doesn’t leave any residue.

Tip no. 3: Double cleanse every evening!

Once upon a time, I was loyal to the double cleanse, back when I used the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm, my first serious cleanser. But I struggle with how the balm hardens in the cold weather as it’s harder to work with, and I hate pulling on my skin.

Yet removing every trace of makeup every day is important. I found when I didn’t cleanse properly, my skin felt congested and I’d be oilier. Using balms is a great way to make sure you exfoliate gently every day, if you remove them with a muslin cloth or a soft damp towel.

Once you start using two pumps of Oskia it’s hard to go back to one, and that made me lazy. But I’ve been better behaved in the last few months, mostly because I love the Bobbi Brown Rich Cream Cleanser, but it’s sadly been discontinued. Why on earth would any brand discontinue a brilliant emollient rich cleanser made with Jojoba, Grape Seed, and Avocado Oil? Why? In terms of ingredients, it’s quite like the Trilogy Cream Cleanser, minus the essential oils.

I do also like an oil as a second cleanser, and others I enjoy are Elemental Herbology’s Harmonising Cleanse Facial Cleansing Oil, though some of its ingredients may aggravate sensitive skins, and the Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re awesome! I’ll stop now, but I hope these tips can be helpful if you struggle with oily skin.

Next, I’ll talk about my favourite part of my skin care routine, toners!

*All of these cleansers are paraben free.