We still often come across the (wrong) statement that oily skin does not need and is not suitable for any cream. Routines often include more than one serum, exfoliants and tonics are used, the skin is cleaned regularly, but the cream is missing - which leads to problems in the long run. Even skin prone to clogged pores needs its creamy care, but it is important to know how to choose it. Below, we present concrete steps for choosing the ideal face cream that will meet all the needs of your mixed or oily skin.
Define your skin type, if you haven't already
First of all, we'll define normal, balanced, or "normal" skin. Such skin is neither too oily nor too dry. You can recognize it by its smooth texture without (major) irregularities and enlarged pores, healthy glow and uniform complexion. Balanced skin is not overly sensitive to any external factors or weather conditions. Despite this, dehydration and a feeling of dryness can occur in certain conditions.
Combination (mixed) skin can be a combination of several skin types, usually normal and oily. The T zone (forehead, nose, chin) gets more oily during the day. Blackheads and pimples often appear in that area.
Oily skin produces significantly more sebum. This type of skin is characterized by the fact that it gets greasy very quickly already after cleaning. Enlarged pores are common, especially in the area around the nose, and it is somewhat more sensitive to hormonal changes. On the other hand, this type is still more resistant to the appearance of wrinkles.
Determine the goal of care
Creams are, in general, a product intended to nourish the skin, restore hydration and protect it from external influences. However, certain textures are thicker and richer than others, and creams can also contain different active ingredients. While acids and retinoids are usually part of serums, active ingredients aimed at moisturizing and soothing are found in creams. Which ingredients to look for and in which case?
Hyaluronic acid, ectoin, panthenol (provitamin B5), allantoin and beta-glucan - moisturizing ingredients that attract water to the skin without greasiness
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) : helps balance sebum secretion, hydrates and soothes
Green tea extract : a natural antioxidant that calms inflammation and controls oil production
Prickly pear cactus extract : helps prevent pimples
Choose light product textures
If there is a feeling of dryness, it is possible that the skin is in a state of dehydration, but the skin type is always present as a basic criterion for choosing a cream. For this reason, it is important to apply a cream that is not intended for dry skin, that is not too rich and too occlusive. The key is to focus on the moisturizing layers of products such as tonics, serums and creams in the form of fluids or gel-creams.
The question of comedogenicity of ingredients or products is also often raised. None can be fully characterized as comedogenic or non-comedogenic. In order to deconstruct this myth, it is necessary to define comedogenicity itself.
Watch out for comedogenic potential, but listen to your own skin
It is about the possibility that a certain ingredient in cosmetics, or the product itself, causes comedones. In other words, it is a potential that may or may not be realized. Comedones represent the initial form of acne that is caused by clogging of pores. In order to know the comedogenicity of a product, it is necessary to determine the comedogenicity of its ingredients.
In order to determine the comedogenicity of certain ingredients, various tests were conducted. Based on them, the so-called comedogenicity scale with markings from 0 (non-comedogenic) to 5 (very comedogenic), which numerically expresses the potential for a certain ingredient to cause clogging of pores, and thus skin irregularities. However, this scale does not take into account several key factors such as the percentage of potentially comedogenic ingredients in the product itself, its form or method of processing, and the rest of the ingredients and the formulation itself.
Moreover, a scientific consensus about how, for example, which oil will suit a certain skin in this sense, and especially with regard to other products in the routine, has not yet been reached. That's why it's good to test carefully, introduce new things slowly and listen to your skin.
Creams and fluids with SPF are an important part of the routine
It is already well known that UV rays are harmful to the skin. However, less is known about why. UVB rays cause the well-known tanning and burns, while UVA rays cause long-term, at first invisible damage that causes the skin to look prematurely aged. So, in addition to the risk of skin diseases, there is also the risk of wrinkles appearing before they would appear chronologically . The UV index changes throughout the year and is certainly highest in the summer, but UV radiation is present throughout the year. For this reason, it is best to find the ideal SPF and maintain the habit of using it regularly, except on days when you are at home or locked in the office from morning to night.
Adapt your routine to the season
A new season means a new wardrobe, which means layers, layers, layers! Toners, moisturizing serums, creams in thinner layers for mixed and oily skin are a better solution than a rich, over-occlusive cream that is more suitable for dry or more mature skin. The trick is to gradually introduce new products - using one product at a time will ensure that you can more easily monitor how the skin reacts to the novelty. It is good to do the initial patch test as well. When testing, apply the cream on the forearm and monitor for 48 hours, then repeat the same on the lower jaw.
Suggestions of creams for mixed and oily skin
Routeen deLIGHT Gel Face Cream – the lightest gel-type cream with beta-glucan and provitamin B5 hydrates and soothes the skin. The formula, completely created without oil, is suitable for everyone who prefers gel care, especially for mixed and oily skin. The gel-type texture absorbs extremely quickly without excessive shine. The wealth of ingredients such as beta-glucan, xylitol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5 (panthenol) contribute to deep non-greasy hydration without feeling heavy.
Routeen rePLUMP Silky Face Cream – a light cream with niacinamide (vitamin B3) gently balances sebum levels, while hyaluronic acid and allantoin contribute to skin hydration and renewal. Vitamin E nourishes the skin and provides an antioxidant effect, while sweet orange and apple extracts stimulate revitalization and a feeling of deep hydration. It is ideal for dehydrated mixed and oily skin.
Mattifying Fluid Immortelle – The gentle, airy and matting texture of the fluid is based on immortelle essential oil, squalane, camellia oil and thyme extract. Carefully selected ingredients synergistically alleviate the appearance of acne and pimples, balance sebum secretion and provide a soothing effect. It is ideal for oily and problematic skin.
Regenerating Cream Immortelle - the texture of the airy cream is based on essential oil of immortelle, oils of macadamia, evening primrose, calendula. The carefully selected ingredients of this cream stimulate skin renewal, provide it with the necessary moisture, and make the complexion silky.
Professional Face Fluid SPF 30 - light fluid with a silky texture with protection factor 30 provides high protection against a wide spectrum of UVA and UVB radiation. It is quickly absorbed into the skin, moisturizes and leaves a subtle semi-matte shine. Due to the addition of niacinamide, it is ideal for daily care and protection of mixed and oily skin.
Professional Face Cream SPF 50 - mousse cream provides protection factor 50, but also a special texture that mattifies and leaves a velvety finish on the skin. It also contains niacinamide, and is suitable for oily skin.
Amino Activator CM – the lightest Professional cream with a targeted composition aimed at dehydrated, irritated and red-prone skin. It contains azeloglycine and amino acids to soothe and hydrate, and the formula is light enough even for oily skin. It is ideal for sensitive skin prone to clogging of pores.
Vitamin Cream B3 – it is a gel-cream with a slightly thicker texture that does not contain classic heavy oils, and is based on niacinamide, magnolia bark extract, squalane and panthenol. It is suitable for mixed oily skin.
