Posted by Elina Fedotova on May 12th 2020
Q&A With Elina - Face Masks For Oily Complexion
If you have oily skin, what ingredients are most important to look for in a face mask?
People with oily skin usually have overactive sebaceous glands (oil glands). To balance them, we need to look for ingredients which can deliver a cooling and calming effect. Such as, burdock root extract, dandelion root extract, calendula extract, peppermint extract, lavender extract, and saint john’s wort. Those herbs not only could balance the skin's oil production but also have antibacterial effect and help to prevent breakouts. As we know, people with oily complexion are prone to acne because the excessive oil in the pores create a great environment for pathogens. A combination of Salicylic Acid, in its natural form it is extracted from willow bark or Fulvic acid which is a 100% all natural acid derived from certain types of soil and has a beneficial blend of trace minerals and electrolytes. They have strong skin purifying and exfoliating effects. It helps to visibly minimize the appearance of pores and smooth the texture by removing excessive dead skin cells from the skin's surface. Balancing microbiome of our skin helps to reduce excessive oil. By using conventional skincare products with harsh chemicals we are often damaging friendly bacteria which lives on our skin's surface and supports our skins protective function. Skin care products with a blend of live probiotics helps to restore your skin and balance oil production. Another helpful Ingredients which help to observe excessive oil and support the health of your skin is Zinc Oxide and powdered pearls.
What ingredients should you avoid?
I would suggest for people with oily complexions to avoid ingredients that can over dry there skin. By over drying it, it can stimulate compensations response which leads to more oil production. Among those ingredients are sulfate based cleansers and other products, alcohol. I would suggest to avoid using straight oils on their skin. Some people like to use oils in place of moisturizers for example coconut oil. Yes coconut oil has an antibacterial effect on the skin but it is still an oil and it is going to make your face even shinier and can clog your pores. I suggest to use specialty oil controlling serums on the T Zone or other problem zones and use a very light skin hydrating lotion that is water based with not more than 20% of oil into the formula.
How often should you apply face masks if you have oily skin?
People with any complexion can apply face masks daily. You can buy masks from your favorite skin care company and simply make them from your foods. Clay based masks are helpful for oily complexion because it helps to absorb excessive oil. Also masks made from Keifer, yogurt, or kombucha help to balance the skins microbiome and calm down the skin. Masks from egg white helps to tighten the skin and smooth the texture. Stock from boiled artichoke can be used for skin calming and healing compresses which will soothe your skin and balance oil production
Do you have any particular products you recommend?
I recommend my award winning Oil Control Formula which has been a best seller for two decades. Oil Control Formula minimizes pores, reduces oily shine, cools your skin and helps prevent outbreaks. Use once or twice a day along the t-zone area or over the entire face after cleansing the skin. It will help tame, sanitize, PREVENT skin congestion and irritation while cooling off your skin. Oil Control Formula contains skin restoring Fulvic Acid, White Willow Bark Extract providing naturally occurring Salicylic Acid, soothing Aloe Vera and detoxifying Burdock Root as well as other natural ingredients which help to reduce skin inflammation. These amazing ingredients come together to provide a powerful combination combating enlarged pores, acne, rosacea, and prevent future breakouts. This is an all around multi-tasking crowd pleaser essential for your skin care regimen. Very often people can use healthy skin care products but then completely destroy all the great affects of that by applying chemical filled makeup which congest the pores and do not allow the skin to breathe. To avoid that, I suggest people use my Pearl Powder makeup which is not talc or mineral based. The crushed pearls help to nourish the skin with proteins and minerals and absorb excessive skin oil while also keeping moisture in the skin. When it is blended with zinc oxide and natural pigments it can help to serve as good makeup while also protecting your skin from sun exposure.
Elina Fedotova is the formulator and CEO of Elina Organics, an award winning cosmetic chemist, and aesthetician. She hand makes her professional skin care line in her laboratory using holistic principles and organic ingredients from around the world. In 2007, she founded the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners (AHSCP); a nonprofit organization that provides ongoing training and education for professionals.
