Oily skin
Oily skin produces extra sebum in the pores, especially across areas of the t-zone such as the nose, chin and forehead. This leads many people with this skin type to use harsh products, often containing alcohol, that dry out the skin and leave it dehydrated. And while oily skin types do need skincare that cleanses the pores and regulates sebum production, they also need moisture to help the skin function properly. If oily skin becomes too dry, the skin overcompensates by producing even more oil and the cycle continues.
So what essentials are best? As with every skin type, your routine should always start with a cleanser. In the case of oily skin, try something gentle such as La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser. This facial wash is formulated with zinc pidolate to clear away dirt and oil without disrupting the pH balance or over-dry the skin. Next, follow with La Roche-Posay’s Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Toner to visibly reduce the appearance of the pores and refine your skin texture, before ending with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser. La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturiser is a great option for every day as it reduces excess oil while mattifying the skin and refining pores with a formula rich in micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acids. Your skin will be left feeling matte and prepped for makeup.
Dry skin
Dry skin is characterised by feelings of tightness and discomfort and may often appear dull with more prominent ageing signs. This skin type can also experience more sensitivity than most as the protective skin barrier is compromised. To help bring back plumpness and dewiness, dry skin needs skincare rich in lipids and natural moisturisers such as glycerine and hyaluronic acid. These types of ingredients help to attract and lock moisture into the skin while simultaneously repairing and strengthening the skin barrier function.
When it comes to your everyday skincare routine, start with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt and impurities from the skin. La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser helps to restore instant comfort while leaving the skin hydrated throughout the day. To really lock in moisture, follow this with a serum rich in hyaluronic acid like La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum that replenishes the skin’s natural moisture barrier. This should leave your skin looking plump and feeling hydrated for hours, but if it’s especially dry, follow with a lightweight moisturiser like La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Ultra Fluide.
Combination skin
If you have dry and oily patches on your face, you probably have a combination skin type. This means that your skin has quite different needs so you need to use skincare a little more strategically, targeting excess oil (usually around the nose and chin) with mattifying and oil-reducing ingredients, while hydrating drier areas with humectants.
Care for combination skin is really all about balance. To keep combination skin balanced, it's advisable to use a gentle micellar solution. La Roche-Posay’s Micellar Water Ultra cleanses and tones the skin with gentle ingredients such as glycerine, Thermal Spring Water and dirt-encapsulating micelles. This should be followed by Toleriane Softening Foaming Gel, specifically formulated for combination skin. You can then target any areas of oiliness and congestion once a week with a liquid exfoliant. La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Clarifying Lotion acne toner is formulated with salicylic and glycolic acids – both of which are gentle but very effective at unclogging the pores and refining skin texture. Finally, apply a lightweight moisturiser, taking care to apply it more generously where you skin feels drier and only lightly passing it over oilier areas. La Roche-Posay’s Hydraphase Intense Light Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser is perfect for normal to combination skin types and will provide immediate and long-lasting lightweight hydration.