Put Your Best Face Forward — With Oil?

An esthetician debunks the myth that oily skin doesn't need moisture, when, in fact, their faces are hurtin' for a squirtin’ of quality facial hydration. — An esthetician debunks the myth that oily skin doesn’t need moisture, when, in fact, their faces are hurtin’ for a squirtin’ of quality facial hydration.

Smooth, creamy glowing skin, the pinnacle of true cleanliness, is clear skin. Some may go through great lengths to achieve clear, maybe even more youthful-looking skin. Remember being in high school, obsessively checking the back of every face scrub or cream for any trigger that may cause your rosy cheeks to breakout? I remember the sheer horror I felt when I found out that my favorite drugstore aloe vera contained none other than my mortal enemy: oil.

But what if oil was, in fact, a sheep wrapped in a wolf’s clothing? Well, friends, it turns out that your skin may just be hurtin’ for a squirtin’ of some quality facial hydration, so Texas-based esthetician Laura Garza gave TheBlot Magazine some protips on achieving that supermodel sparkle your skin is craving.

But first it helps to know what type of skin you have to best treat it. Garza suggests simply asking a professional if you’re really unsure. “If you don’t know your skin type, find your nearest esthetician and book an appointment for a facial,” she said. “A good skin therapist will be able to direct you in the right direction. It is important that you find the right cleanser for your skin type. Using the wrong cleanser actually cause more problems than fixes.”

Hydration is also important in keeping those baby faces fresh. The problem may be that lot of people aren’t drinking enough water, and that shows in the skin one wears. This actually causes quite the opposite of what many people think and makes skin oilier then it should be.

“What people don’t realize is that most skin is caused by dehydration,” Garza explained. “People with oily skin think, ‘Oh, I have way too much oil, I don’t need a moisturizer, it’ll only make my skin more oily.’ When in reality, their skin is overproducing oil because they lack moisture.”

Garza recommends Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer as a lightweight formula to nourish sensitive skin due to dryness. Patchouli oil can also be a great cheaper alternative to give skin that extra push it may need to avoid dry, flaky skin. Ylang ylang may also help in keeping a healthy dewiness to your shell, and this oil is great for all skin types.

We can’t forget the golden rule of skin care: Removing makeup at the end of the day is pivotal to maintain a healthy outside look. Letting one’s skin breath by removing impurities can make the difference between blemishes or a luminous look.

Some oils can be used as cleansers, like castor oil. This medicine-cabinet staple acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to unclog pores, and this potent oil requires the less-is-more method, too much can actually dry out the skin. “Cleansing oils are great before a face wash,” Garza said. “They dissolve makeup and leave a nice clean palette for your cleanser to be able to get into every pore.”

All the oils listed here can be found at your local health food or specialty store. Remember that healthy skin starts at its foundation, a healthy diet. Oils and lotions may help, but water and lots of veggies will, too. Take care of you, and your outside will sure be thankful.

Jessica Castellanos is a contributing journalist for TheBlot Magazine.