ONE
In the morning, wash your face with a mild cleanser. Don't use anything drying, as this will encourage your skin to start overproducing oil. Check the ingredients; if alcohol or alcohol denat are in the top three on the list, chuck that cleanser in the bin. It will overdry your skin and cause it to become even more oily to compensate. Try Cetaphil; Laura Mercier Flawless Skin One-Step Cleanser; or a basic micellar cleanser from Nivea or Garnier.
TWO
Don't skip a moisturising product. Choose something light and oil-free such as Organic Surge Ultra-Light Oil Control Lotion, or Kiehl's Oil Free Moisturiser. I have also recently discovered the wonders of Blithe Pressed Serum, a Korean skincare solution (available at cultbeauty.co.uk). It sounds odd but it's a hydrating mixture of oil, serum and moisturiser in a lightweight gel mixture that will be particularly good if your skin is dehydrated. You can tell that oily skin is dehydrated if it is flaky or if foundation clings to some areas and slides from others.
THREE
Prime that face to beat the post-lunch foundation slide. Mac Prep and Prime and Laura Mercier Primer are the classics and will provide a great base. Smashbox Oil Free Primer and Catrice Prime and Fine are also good options and will keep your foundation on for as long as possible. Remember not to rub your face: it will undo all your good work.
FOUR
Try a foundation fixative. Some of them will set your make-up rock-solid and are good for sweaty nightclubs but are too much for daytime use. During the day you need something fresher and lighter. Clarins Fix Make-Up is a good option; spray it over your make-up. It will also refresh and hydrate.
- amcdermott@irishtimes.com
- Twitter @aismcdermott
