It was probably a hangover from the astringent-focused teen skincare advertising of my ‘nineties youth (remember those filthy cotton pads on the Clearasil ads?), but coming around to the idea that putting oil on my (sometimes oily and sometimes dryly irritated) skin would not cause it to breakout, took some reprogramming. But I did it at the advice of a leading skin therapist and now, Ive been using facial oils, to delightful effect, for a good five years. They’ve certainly been having a major moment in the skincare industry en masse. But many oily skin sufferers still can’t quite fathom why adding more oil could do any good. Mostly, it’s to do with hydration. Though, what’s key to remember about facial oils is that, like moisturisers, they do not hydrate in themselves. The molecules are hydrophilic (they repel water), so you’ll need to continue using a hydrating product, like a serum. Where oils come in, is that they create a barrier on the upper layers of your skin, trapping the moisture inside, where it might otherwise evaporate. But what’s moisturisation got to do with treating oily skin? Well, a common misconception about oily skin is that it should be dried out. Not so. If skin is made to be too dry, it will produce more of its own oils, throwing the secretion glands into a state of confusion. This is when clogged pores rear their inflamed heads. Furthermore, on the barrier front, using a facial oil before you apply your makeup will block the dirt and pollutants you’re destined to encounter during the day, keeping your pores safe from invasion by external gunk* (*scientific term). It will also help your foundation to glide on super smoothly - by the way - giving a plump, glowy finish and adding a natural iridescence to any level of product coverage. I see oil application as being part of my makeup routine, as much as skincare, these days. But by no means are all facial oils are created equal. Many people dip their toe into facial oiling using simple health shop ingredients like almond or coconut oil, and this can work fine, but without understanding how each one works - for example that the molecules in coconut oil are far too big to penetrate the skin in any useful way - you’re entering into a minefield that could do more harm than good. So steering towards a product that’s specifically tailored towards your skin type is always a winner, in my book. Here’s my three-step oil balance skincare routine: SHOP NOW

Step 1:

I like to cleanse with an oil or a water, rather than anything foaming (it’s a personal preference, but I find them too drying) and This Works Clean Skin 5-in-1 Water packs a serious punch for its price tag. A blend of olive and almond oil to cleanse, glycolic acid to balance pH and rosewater to help shed skin cells, means this leaves skin in the perfect state of readiness for the two following steps. SHOP NOW

Step 2:

Here’s where we hydrate, using a product that’s really good at penetrating deep into the skin, giving a shot of waterbound nutrients that a standard moisturiser never could. Clarins Hydra Essentiel Bi-Phase Serum is a cult favourite for its one size fits all approach to hydration and anti-ageing, via organic, medicinal kalanchoe extract, a powerful natural hydration activator that boosts the skin’s hyaluronic acid production. SHOP NOW

Step 3:

Though many choose to use both, I’ve actually replaced my moisturiser altogether, with an oil. If you have oily skin, Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil is specifically targeted towards you. This product combines hydrating hazelnut oil, which soothes and seals in moisture, with a natty blend of rosemary, geranium and lotus extracts, which purify the skin, tighten pores and refine skin texture.