By: Melissa Federico, LE and Beauty and Fashion Writer
Stress, seasonal changes and the sampling of everything in the fridge for the last four months may find your skin freaking out and getting oilier. We’ve rounded up this list of ingredients to keep your skin regulated, as society is on the cusp of getting things “back to normal”. So whether it’s a random string of pimples, an imbalance in your t-zones, or just being tired of having an oil slick on your forehead these featured products below will help to solve acne, large pores, and a rough, orange-peel skin texture.
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: This multifunctional form of vitamin c is essential for maintaining healthy connective tissue. It’s a powerhouse ingredient in any daily routine, and particularly helpful with building skin elasticity, because it contains antioxidants. As a tyrosianase inhibitor, it inhibits UV-induced melanin production to help brighten skin, and also heal post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Rare C Serum by Hale and Hush has a highly bio-available form of 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid that reduces the appearance of pore size by 20% within 4 weeks. If you’re looking to add a daily serum, treat dark spots and reduce the appearance of pores, then this is the ingredient to look for when you turn over the bottle.
China Clay: Another name for Kaolin, this clay is detoxifying and known for absorbing sebum and impurities from the skin. It’s nifty for unclogging pores, often an issue for skin types that produce excess oil. There is no way to change your pore size, it’s based on genetics but by keeping pores clean of daily debris it will help to reduce the depth of the pore, and as a result they will appear smaller. The Clear Cell medicated acne masque from Image will gently exfoliate, reduce blemishes and absorb sebum without leaving oily skin dry or irritated with its mix of kaolin, peppermint leaf and honey extracts (naturally anti-bacterial and wound healing).
Lilac stem cells: Produced from Lilac flowers, this ingredient improves sebum-related skin conditions by regulating oil, yeast and anti-inflammatory activity. It’s a smart addition to any acne/oily skin product and The Method: Polish Blemish Control by Dr. Lancer has a fine, micro-gritty texture that really polishes skin for better pores, skin tone and reduced blemishes.
Sulfur: This natural ingredient is a topical with antifiungal and antibacterial qualities that make it particularly great for acne. Used as an all-over mask for oily skin, sulfur helps clear out pores and also remove dead skin cells. The drying benefits of this ingredient also make it a key product for spot-treating, especially for those with sensitive skin. If you have combination skin, you need to keep your t-zone regulated so it’s always a good idea to give this ingredient a weekly spot in your routine. Dr. Lancer formulated a Clarifying Detox Mask with no synthetic fragrances and 3% sulfur, green tea and green clay blend. It has also fruit extracts and azelaic acid so you can use this mask to treat acne and improve the overall radiance of your skin tone. It instantly mattifies your complexion while reducing inflammation, benefits for those who notice their skin becomes oiler during the day. Be sure to follow up with serums, hydrating facial mists and moisturizers to keep skin from feeling overly tight.
Resorcinol: A topical keratolytic, like salicylic acid, it helps skin shed and contains antiseptic qualities that make this ingredient great for treating and controlling acne. Used in the Ice Clear Stick, a spot treatment by Lira Clinical, is a pen-size treatment stick used for targeting acne lesions. The added ginger root extract and topical probiotics help to calm inflammation typically associated with blemishes.
Keep with a regular routine of cleansing, moisturizing and protecting, SPF for AM and treatments for PM, is still the most important thing you can do regardless of any new products that you introduce. The sebum-regulating, detoxifying and exfoliating ingredients featured above
can be found in masks, serums and spot treatments, making them easy to add into a weekly self-care routines and in conjunction with your other products.