Note: Affiliate links are used on this page where I may earn money for products mentioned in this post. However, I will only recommend products that I wholeheartedly recommend and believe are of value.
Post Updated November 2020
My skin is one of my biggest annoyances. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not awful – but equally, it isn’t brilliant. It definitely has its flare-ups and it’s quite rare if I don’t have any spots or blemishes which is my main gripe with it. I also have incredibly oily skin, to the extreme and its texture could definitely improve. However, having said all that, there are definitely some products that help it to improve, or at least help reduce its time as a spotty, oily mess which is my state of being 90% of the time.
 |
| Photo by Anastasiia Ostapovych on Unsplash |
Skincare Product 1: The Ordinary Niacinamide
This is a recent addition to my skincare collection and after hearing so many positive things about The Ordinary I promptly added this to my basket. So far, I’ve used it for about a month now and would say that it helps to improve skin texture and oiliness. I haven’t seen a drastic improvement like most of the reviews say, but there has definitely been a slight difference in oil levels and skin texture. The problem hasn’t completely gone but it’s definitely getting there so I’m hoping with continual use some of those issues will become less prominent.
Skincare Product 2: Simple
You can’t go wrong with Simple products in my eyes and this daily moisturiser I find is perfect for my skin and I’ve used it for years. It also has SPF 30 which always helps and it’s a fairly light-weight and scent-free formula so doesn’t leave my face feeling greasy or heavy. It’s also pretty cheap and the pump is a nice design feature.
Skincare Product 3: Carmex
I apply this lip balm every night religiously and it helps to stop my lips from turning into cracked and dry messes. I prefer the Strawberry version over the Cherry one but the formula is exactly the same. It’s a fairly heavy-duty lip balm so I don’t tend to use it during the day but as soon as I’m about to go to sleep I put some on and it definitely keeps dryness at bay.
Skincare Product 4: Bio-oil
Although I have incredibly oily skin it also tends to be prone to dry patches, annoyingly. I use Bio-oil to re-hydrate these areas in a bid to stop makeup from clinging to it and also to help heal acne scars. Supposedly, the high concentration of Vitamin E in Bio-oil is what allows scars to heal more quickly and there’s definitely been an improvement since I started using this regularly.
Skincare Product 5: Acnecide
This is a pretty heavy-duty and intense spot cream that definitely needs to be applied lightly and sparingly. It works incredibly well to dry up any spots and to kill any bacteria and I find if I put this on a blemish before it reaches its full potential then, often, it makes it go away before it reaches peak spotness. It definitely helps with reducing the length of time a spot is on the skin, but like I say, it’s quite heavy-duty and can leave your skin looking dry or red if too much is applied so it’s one to be careful with. The benefits of it do outweigh the negatives and I find if I put some Bio-oil on after using it for a few days then my skin goes back to normal.
Those are some of my top picks for oily and acne-prone skin. I think it’s important to remember that these are not miracle products and using some of them for a few days is not going to cure you of acne/oiliness/poor skin texture/redness/dryness but they are definitely a way to help manage and maintain those problem areas of your skin and I’ve definitely seen slight improvement since using them!
What do you use on your skin? I’m always interested to hear your recommendations!
If you liked this post you might also enjoy 6 beauty essentials you need!
I use a lot of Simple products as well; I like how it's mild and gentle on my skin. I bought a lot of them during my trip to England :") Carmex is really good too, and it's my go-to lip product since my lips chap easily. Thank you for sharing with us!
Anna Jo | http://helloannajo.blogspot.com
Thanks 🙂 I use the same simple moisturiser, as I can never find one that is a higher SPF, its great for everyday , also under makeup
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
I've never used a rice toner before so I'm not sure – sorry!
It's so annoying! Ooh, I'll keep my eyes out for those ranges, thanks!
I agree – it definitely helps to calm my skin. I love Carmex so much!
Yes, I agree. I don't think I could live without it now!
My skin causes me so many frustrations, it's very dry and not at all acne prone but it's so sensitive that just about anything can cause it to flare up, even stuff I already use sometimes so I feel like I'm in a constant battle trying to keep it calm. I'm glad you've found some products that work for you x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
This is a great list! I love carmex a lot and would have to agree that their lip balm is one of my all time favourite saviours, especially in the winter. These are some great suggestions, I have a simple moisturises as well. It is one of the best things I use for my skin!
Em x
http://www.loveemblog.com
Oh no, that sounds annoying! Skin can cause so many frustrations!
I agree – I love them so much!
Thank you – I hope you like them!
I always go back to Simple products when my skin is flaring up! I also love the cetaphil cleanser to really calm my skin down! And I bought a chemical exfoliator from the Ordinary which I love, defo need to check out more of their products!
Great post! I used to have the lip balm and it was pretty good! I love simple as it's a really good brand!
It is great when we find some skincare products that help us big time. I've heard so many great things about Carmex. I haven't tried it myself but see lots of friends using it! Oooh you can never go wrong with spot cream. The sooner our blemishes goes away, the better!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Very good products! Thank you for listing them 🙂
Lindifique
I'm such a big Simple fan but I haven't tried that specific product – I'll have to check it out! I like that it has 30 SPF as I'm always getting sunburnt!
I love Carmex!
It sounds like you've found a group of products that work well for you. I used benzoyl peroxide products when I was a teenager, but now use more products made with healing herbs. There are many herbs which are astringent and helpful for acne and oily skin, such as yarrow, sage, calendula, lavender, and more.
I love Carmex! Its great isn't it! Thanks for sharing I love seeing what products other people use!
Amber – The Unpredicted Page
Thanks for these! I use the ordinary nicinamide and like you I think I've seen some texture improvement but not miraculously clear skin like so many reviews said. I'm also a big fan of Simple and use their moisturizer. I was using the one you recommend but have moved to their Vitamin C one which I also really like! I love Pixi Glow Tonic and have used it for years. It's perhaps the one product I've found has made the biggest difference to my skin
I've heard so many good things about that exfoliator from the Ordinary – I definitely need to try it out!
Thanks! I love them too!
Exactly, this cream really helps!
No problem!
Same – it's been really good since we've had all the hot weather!
So do I!
I've never had that issue so I'd definitely recommend it! Acnecide is industrial but really good!
Thank you!
Thank you!
I've heard so much about the Pixi Glow Tonic and always mean to try it but the price puts me off – maybe I'll have to invest!
Great post, these products sound good! And I feel ya, skin can be such a nuisance. I had a serious case of acne as a teenager and went on a 6-month medication then. The medication was so strong that even almost 15 years later my skin has stayed quite clean. That doesn't mean, though, that I wouldn't need to take very good care of it. I've found basic products that work well and if I try something else my skin goes nuts. But there are 2 things that are free and absolutely essential for keeping my skin looking radiant: drinking water and getting some sun. Simple but really effective 🙂
I agree. I try and drink lots of water and the sun always makes my skin clear up. I dread the winter months for my skin!
It's such a good product!
Really informative posts, thanks for sharing this Natasha, its so informative.
My lips are a dry cracked horrible mess if I don’t use balm, and I hate putting it on during the day. I’ll have to check Carmex out, if I can put it on at night and that will do, that will be happy days 😃
I love the ordinary foundation so I definitely think I need to try some of their skincare products as well!
Thank you!
I recommend it!
Oooh I didn't know they did a foundation! I'll have to check it out!
Absolutely love hearing about skincare products! I used to use simple all the time, but now I find it dries my skin out a bit. I now mostly just stick to Lush, their Celestial face cream is aaamazing! Should definitely check it out if you haven't already! Meera-Abroad | Travel, Fashion & Food
I've heard lots about that mask so I'll have to give it a try! Thank you for commenting!
Thank you for these recommendations, I have horrible oily and acne prone skin. This is a great little shopping list for me xxx
Thank you – I hope you find something that works for you!
You really should try them!