BellaSugar

5 Great Cleansers to Balance Oily Skin

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:00:00 PST

Even though we're in the heart of Winter, there are many of us, myself included, who still experience issues with oily skin. Over the next few days, I'll be featuring some highly rated cleansers from all price points using our Product Reviews pages for a part of my inspiration. For those of you with dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, stay tuned; you're up next. For now, check out these five cleansers that help to put oil in its place.

Source: Flickr User qhwa

How-To: Prevent Greasy Bangs

BellaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:22 PDT

Right after my freshman year in college, my high school friends and I decided to have a girls-only Mexican dinner at the local Chi-Chi's (remember that restaurant?). As we were getting ready for our big night, I reached for a can of what I thought was hairspray to finish off my look, and my bangs just kept getting greasier and greasier. Oops - I had grabbed my friend's high sheen finishing spray, instead!

Needless to say, most of the photos from that night showcase my Jennifer Aniston "The Rachel" haircut, complete with stick-to-the forehead bangs. If I had only known about these tips below, maybe I wouldn't have to have lied that it was my birthday just to get the free sombrero gift just to cover up that oily fringe.

Dry shampoo - Use a dry shampoo or powder between shampoos to tame the oily factor, such as Bumble and Bumble Hair Potion ($34), which comes in a variety of colors, Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion ($23), or Johnson's Baby Powder ($5.69).
Pin it back - Obvious, yes. Greasy bangs? No. Try a cute hair accessory instead. These Leafy Barrettes ($9.95) from Anthropologie should do the trick.
Just wash your bangs - A shampoo with an oil control formulation will work wonders for bang only cleansing. Try Matrix Scalptherapie Cooling Mint Shampoo ($12).

To see more tips,

Don't condition - Condition your hair, but not your bangs.
Keep the complexion oil free - Try a water based foundation like Revlon Colorstay for Combo/Oily Skin ($12.99) and touch up with a powder such as Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder ($9.99) as needed.
Hands off - Oils from your hands can make an oily situation worse, so keep them away from your face area.
A little dab will do ya - Use blotting papers when you feel your oil glands go in overdrive. I like Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($5.29).
Blow dry - Run a blow dryer over your bangs to absorb excess oil. It might not work for extreme oiliness, but it's an easy temporary fix.

Source

A Philosophical Approach To Shine-Free Skin

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:00:20 PDT

Brand-new from Philosophy is a range of mattifying skincare products called Never Let Them See You Shine. Each of the three items aim to cut down sebum production and reduce the look of oily skin, while leaving your face feeling refreshed. The light blue formulas have a minty, sea-inspired scent and are best suited for those with oily and acne-prone sensitive skin.

After trying everything out, I really liked the way my face reacted to the scrub the best. It's thick, but it spreads easily and the beads are smooth as opposed to feeling grainy and rough - so they don't irritate your skin. Plus, the menthol is the strongest in the scrub; after you wash it off, your face feels soft, smooth and cool.

For an up-close look at each of the products,

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Oil And Shine Control Cleanser ($20) gently breaks down deep-seeded dirt and grime in your pores without drying out your skin. It leaves your face feeling moisturized, clean and thanks to some added menthol, also a little bit tingly (in a good way).

Oil And Shine Control Scrub ($20) helps remove dead skin cells with the help from small blue polishing beads. To use, simply massage a little bit into your skin in small circles for one minute and then rinse with lukewarm water.

Oil And Shine Control Velvet Touch Primer ($20) is a mattifying pre-foundation, pre-powder primer that helps keep your face looking dry and oil-free all day long. It also calms, soothes and eases any redness and inflammation. It has a super-soft texture that leaves skin ultra smooth and helps reduce the look of large pores.

View 3 Photos ›

SPF For Your Skin Type: Oily Skin

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:40:06 PDT

Hey everybody! Welcome to Beach Week on BellaSugar. Since we all love and adore then sun, but understand just how dangerous its powerful rays are to our skin, we've got to play on the offense. Take precautions when going to the beach, pool or playing outside this summer and slather on the appropriate sunscreen for your skin type.

In this first installment of SPF For Your Skin Type, I've collected a few different sunscreens that are best suited for oily skin. The challenge here was finding products that don't include common SPF ingredients such as zinc oxide, which can clog your pores and cause a breakout. But have no fear, we've found a few that'll do the trick to keep your skin safe in the summer sun!

Dermatalogica Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20 ($45) is a special kind of sunscreen formulated to absorb already existing as well as any new oils on your skin to create a matte finish. It's oil-free, color-free and fragrance free so it won't irritate your skin, and it's also made with green tea to help soothe and calm any special attention areas. Apply liberally and thoroughly to your face before exposure to the sun.

For two more sunscreens for oily skin,

Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF30 ($8) is a fragrance-free, ultra-light dry and non-greasy sunscreen spray that absorbs quickly. And it's got a fab mess-free spray nozzle, which is always handy at the beach. It is formulated with lots of anti-oxidants, vitamins A & E and Parsol 1789r (which protects against UVA and UVB ray penetration). It won't clog your pores, and it's titanium dioxide and zinc oxide free!

SmartShield SPF 30 Sunscreen Gel ($8.95) has a an alcohol base which creates a cooling sensation on the skin. It's made with aloe vera to moisturize and heal, and it's also fragrance-free, waterproof (for up to 80 min), and it won't clog pores-which makes it great for those with oily and acne prone skin.

Fantastic Facial Creams, Part I: Oily Skin

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:36:39 PDT

Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of chatting with acufacialist Shellie Goldstein, who caters to a number of celebrity clients at her Amagansett, NY, practice. We got to talking about skin type versus skin condition - skin type is something you are born with, while your skin condition is determined by your diet, your stress level, and your skin care regimen. There are five types of skin - dry, sensitive, oily, normal, and combination - and basically, you're stuck with the one you've got.

You can, however, change your skin condition by finding the right products for your face. Welcome to Part I of my five-part series on fantastic facial creams for each of the five skin types. Here are three great products best suited to oily skin.

Yon-Ka Creme PG ($43) is a lightweight and non-greasy lotion that helps balance oil production in your skin. It controls shine, tightens the pores, and fights blemishes. Made with retinol, burdock, vitamin A, and climbing ivy, it will give your skin a terrific matte finish. You can use it in the evening or in the morning as a base for makeup.

To see two more fantastic moisturizers for oily skin,

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion ($33) is a light moisturizer intended for super-oily skin. It helps combat shine and tighten up large and inflamed pores, and since it contains salicylic acid, it also helps fight blemishes. It can be used as an all-over facial moisturizer or just in your T-Zone where shine is most apparent.

Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Moisturizer ($42) is an oil-free facial cream with a gel-like texture that is great if you're prone to blemishes. It is formulated with azulen and Vitamins A and E and will help soothe and hydrate skin without making it look or feel greasy.

Key Skin Care Products Every Woman Should Own

Jaime Richards — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:10:00 PDT

A trip to the skin care aisle can be a dizzying experience, but it doesn't have to be so complicated. And while it's obviously important to make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, there are a few key items every woman should include on her must-have list, explains Suki Kramer, founder and president of Suki skin care. They are . . .

A great exfoliator: "From jump-starting collagen to purifying pores to removing dryness and blemishing to making us feel great because of the immediate way an exfoliator takes care of business, this product is a can't-live-without product," Kramer explains.
The right moisturizer: "Even if your skin type tends to be normal to oily, using a high-quality moisturizer with good oils on a regular basis can be the key to improving the way your skin functions, looks, and feels," she adds.
A great lip balm: Everybody gets dry, chapped lips at some point or has problems with flaking and/or dryness. A lip repair product will help keep the lips smooth, supple, and kissable. Bonus? It also provides an excellent base for your lipsticks, glosses, and liners, keeping them fresher- and purer-looking all day (or night) long.

What We're Sweet On: A Scrub That Brings the Spa Home

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:47 PDT

When it comes to swanky spa havens, the Willow Stream spas are among the best. There are 16 tucked into Fairmont hotels around the world, and each offers something different. If you want to bathe in floral-accented waters, you can do that in China. If soaking in a marula milk bath is more your speed, head to the Willow Stream in South Africa. Swimming in a rooftop pool? Scottsdale. Point is: if you're looking for luxury, this is it.

But if, like us, a trip to Willow Stream isn't in your immediate future, here's the next best thing: its Ener.G mineral body scrub ($45). The same salty slough-er used in the high-end spa treatments, it's infused with bergamot, clary sage, rose geranium, and chamomile oils. (Need we even say that it smells amazing?) What's most impressive, though, is the texture. It's completely devoid of even the slightest oiliness, yet skin is left soft and moisturized. We're dreaming of someday being spa regulars, but until then, this is the next best thing.

What We're Sweet On: The Feel-Good, Look-Good Serum

Jaime Richards — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:05:00 PDT

When a product makes you feel good not only because of the skin-enhancing benefits it provides, you know you've hit the so-called beauty jackpot. Such is the case with celebrity makeup artist Lina Hanson's new Global Face Serum ($85). The feel-good part? Several of the ingredients used in the oil blend are harvested by women all over the world to help support their economies.

Free of parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, and silicone, the eco-friendly serum smells like a dream. It's fresh, clean, and uplifting thanks in part to essential oils such as ylang ylang and neroli. Most of all, it's a multitasker, quelling redness as it brightens the skin, leaving the complexion nice and plumped up - but not oily. Argan oil (aka liquid gold) helps fight free radicals, while palmarosa helps ward off minor infections. You can't go wrong with this one. Besides, how often does one really get a chance to strike gold?

How to Wear Makeup While Working Out (If You Must)

Allure — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:42:16 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

Track and field star Jessica Ennis, currently in training for the London 2012 Olympics, recently admitted that she always competes in a full face of makeup. And Ennis's explanation of her race ritual to The Daily Mail certainly makes sense: "I definitely think if I feel I look good, it makes me feel more confident," she told the London paper.

Her story also made me wonder exactly what effect makeup could have on your complexion if you are really sweating up a storm. "Wearing makeup while working out can hinder some of the natural ways your skin adjusts to exertion, like sweating and dilating pores," says New York City dermatologist Erin Gilbert. "This can be a disaster as it often leads to clogged pores and breakouts." If you are like Ennis and feel the need to not go bare-faced, get her tips on how to protect your skin while you sweat:

What We're Sweet On: The Mother of All Facial Serums

Jaime Richards — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:25:51 PST

As an esthetician friend once explained, "Serums are like vitamins for the skin." And while that may be the case, for Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, they're more like the Fountain of Youth. The luxury brand has just come out with a new line of antiaging products, including the Forever Youth Liberator Serum ($150 to $200) that use synthetic saccharides to stimulate the skin's regeneration. (Editor's note: YSL's serum was sent to us by Neiman Marcus for review.)

Once applied using the perfect-amount-every-time dropper, you'll love the way this serum sinks luxuriously into the skin. The complexion is instantly brightened and plumped. After several uses, the face feels more smoothed out and even, but not tight or tacky. Perfumed skincare haters beware, though. This serum, while not overly strong in scent, still contains that perfumed essence many high-end department store brands possess. And unlike other premoisturizers of its ilk, Forever Youth is not sticky, won't cause pilling, and doesn't leave an oily residue on skin. But is it worth the price tag? If you have the cash to spend and are looking for a bit of luxury, then yes. The Fountain of Youth may not actually exist, per se, but today's technology might just be bringing us closer.