Oil turmoil

They’re everywhere, staring at you silently in the elevator and Nordstrom’s Café: smooth, matte foreheads—and they don’t look anything like yours.

If you have oily skin or acne, you may have tried over-the-counter medications, special cleansers and periodic facials to no avail. You may cover up your blemishes more or less successfully with foundation or powder, but why should you need a mask to face the world?

There’s no proven link between eating greasy foods and having oily skin, but there is a connection between clean skin and a clear complexion. So the best way to relieve distressed pores is to gently and effectively remove impurities. And like your mother always said, keep your hands away from your face.

Two misconceptions about oily skin

One. That you can scrub it away. Two. That you can dry it out.

Oil isn’t dirty. It’s is a perfectly healthy secretion that helps lubricate the skin. But when hormones or stress cause pores to produce too much, beside a gleam this oil can mix with bacteria and cause clogged pores or acne.

Getting rid of oil from the outside does little to cure the problem systemically. In fact, scrubbing with harsh soaps and vindictive zeal will only aggravate the problem by irritating skin and spreading bacteria. Instead, use a deep cleaning gel cleanser that gently yet thoroughly removes excess oils, like Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals^TM Refining Cleanser.

Also, keep your skin hydrated! Even if it seems counterintuitive, the more moisturized your skin is, the less oily it will be. That’s because the body will respond to the presence of a hydrating cream by producing less oil over time. Of course, be careful to select a cream that’s mineral oil-free and non-comedogenic, so you don’t end up doing more damage than good. Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals^TM Dew Cream is both. Apply it at night, over acne medication if necessary, for an eventually clearer and softer complexion.

Refining Cleanser

Dew Cream