Skincare Myth Busted: Tight Skin = Clean Skin

Noooooooo! This is my least favourite beauty myth and it’s one that so many of us believed was firmly true (including me!) in decades gone by.

Growing up with combination skin that was seriously oily in the t-zone and prone to cystic pimples from my teens into my early 20’s, I was all about stripping my skin of oil because I was told by so many “professionals” that my blemishes were being caused by my over-active oil glands.

I was told that if I removed said oil through a mixture of oral medication and harsh alcohol-based solutions, that I would solve my problem! 

That tight, squeaky clean feeling, is actually your skin in a state of shock. It’s a sign that you’ve over-cleansed and stripped the skin of its natural oils.

Natural oil is not the bad guy at all. The complete opposite actually! It’s very much the good guy as it provides a protective barrier and keeps your skin hydrated.

That youthful plump skin so many of us desire wouldn’t be possible without  natural oils! 

You might find your skin feels this way after using a foaming facial cleanser that contains SLS, when you have a really hot shower (we’ve all done it in the throes of winter haven’t we?!), have spent too much time in chlorine or salt water, have used a harsh mechanical exfoliant or have “forgotten” to moisturise.

Here are just a few sure-fire ways to ensure those good oils remain where they belong (on your face, in case you were wondering!) whilst still keeping blemishes and excess oil at bay: 

• Switch to a lotion, cream or gel cleanser (we're not saying that foaming facial cleansers are all bad, but if you’re determined to stick with a foaming facial cleanser, ensure it’s one without SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is the key "bad guy" ingredient that makes many of them foam and is supremely harsh on the skin).
• Steer clear of showers that are too hot. Warm is the way to go. Hot showers can not only play havoc with the skin, but they can also exacerbate and cause visible blood capillaries. 
• Use non-comedogenic (AKA a product that contains ingredients that won’t block your pores) skincare and make up.
• Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Find a moisturiser that absorbs into the skin rather than sits on the surface. Contrary to popular belief, the thicker a moisturiser is, does not mean the more hydration it will provide. 
• Use a serum prior to your moisturiser and/or face oil after your moisturiser. Please note, this step is only if your skin needs it. Just because someone else is using a product, it doesn't necessarily mean it's right for you. For example, face oils are not the right product for me currently as they cause me to break out; but an aloe-vera based Vitamin C botanical serum (that I've formulated for release this year for Pink Hibiscus!), paired with Hyalauronic Acid is working beautifully to brighten and hydrate my skin effectively.  
• Adding a hyaluronic acid to your skincare ritual might be just what you need as well, as it helps to retain over 1,000 times its weight in water within your skin cells. 
• Use a gentle exfoliant twice a week. If you're opting for a mechanical exfoliant, please ensure that the granules are spherical (like the one we're going to be releasing soon which is formulated with jojoba beads - stay tuned!) rather than having square or rough edges (think apricot, salt, sugar, rice etc...). A micro peel may not feel as effective, but they can work wonders at removing dead skin cells to reveal renewed and revitalised skin and can penetrate the dermal layers more effectively than a mechanical exfoliant. 
• Turn to clay masks to detox the skin and absorb excess oil once a week after exfoliating. And yes, this is another product that we'll be releasing this year! 

Which of the above steps are you going to try or have you tried? Let us know in the comments below.