When I have oily skin

My testimony

I don’t really have oily skin, but rather combination skin. Oily on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and drier on the rest of the face. Most of the time it’s only visible in the evening and I don’t have any problems with pimples or blackheads. However, when I’m tired, seborrheic production increases and I end up with a really shiny forehead and lower face all day long. If I’m not careful, I can end up with pimples on my forehead or little blackheads on my chin.

My tip

Oily skin requires special attention. It’s all about eliminating impurities which, when they mix with sebum, can form blackheads and pimples, but over-cleansing with a suitable soap can encourage sebum production.
In the morning, I recommend using cedar hydrosol to cleanse and tone the face, then moisturizing and nourishing the skin with an emulsion composed of equal parts good-quality cosmetic aloe vera gel (found on slow-cosmetique.com) and apricot kernel or jojoba vegetable oil. Simply mix 20 ml aloe vera and 20 ml vegetable oil in a pump bottle and shake well before use.
In the evening, use apricot kernel or macadamia oil on a washable towelette to remove make-up. Finish cleansing with cedar or rosemary hydrolate, before applying the morning’s aloe vera + vegetable oil emulsion to the still damp skin.
Once a week, I recommend making a mask with white clay and rosemary hydrosol. The clay helps to absorb excess sebum and regulate its production, and from time to time I use a natural sponge. It’s very gentle on the skin and gently abrades the face.

What does phytotherapy have to say?

Oily skin can be linked to a number of factors: heredity, hormonal imbalances, stress, climatic changes. It is characterized by high sebum production, known as “seborrhea”. Sebum is this oily lipid film which, when properly regulated, serves to protect the skin. But when there’s too much, the skin shines and pores clog more easily, opening the door to imperfections. Cedar hydrosol, with its purifying, rebalancing and astringent action, helps regulate oily and acne-prone skin. It is also effective in cases of eczema, psoriasis, itching and dermatitis. Cedar hydrosol’s circulatory and lymphatic tonic properties also make it an excellent ally against heavy legs, cellulite and water retention.

Did you know?

While a shiny face isn’t very aesthetically pleasing, excessive seborrhea does have its advantages: thicker, oily skin is less susceptible to eczema and more resistant to external aggression and the passage of time!

How to use hydrolats SAFELY

The following tips suggest the classic cosmetic use of hydrosols, with no contraindications.

CEDRUS ATLANTICA Atlas Cedar

The Atlas cedar is an imposing conifer that can reach 40 to 50 m in height, and is native to the Atlas Mountains. Its name, cedrus, comes from the Arabic kedron, meaning strength and power. Introduced to France in 1839, it is planted in public parks and châteaux for its majestic appearance and exceptional longevity. Its dense, rot-proof, easy-to-work wood was used in shipbuilding, temples and palaces.
Its fragrant resin, insecticide and fungicide, was used to embalm mummies. Today, cedar is reputed to repel certain insects, and to have lipolytic, decongestant and purifying properties.