Glowing, dewy, glistening: all are words frequently used to describe the perfect complexion, however, for those with oily skin these adjectives can mean greasy and sticky. There’s a fine line, between radiant, fresh skin and feeling like the swamp thing. Being on the right side of that line, however, isn’t as hard as we think. There are usually several reasons, concerning diet and proper skin care, why the skin is oily. We at ÀTOI have several suggestions for how to balance your skin and bring you out of the swamp and into the radiant light.

Changing day in, day out habits, especially those regarding food, is not easy, but is always worth it in the long haul. 

1. Proper Cleansing: Oily skin needs to be moisture balanced. The best way to do this is by proper cleansing. This means getting the skin gently, but scrupulously clean, without drying it out. We often think that oily skin is over moisturized, when in fact the opposite is true. Drying out oily skin actually strips the skin and encourages the oil glands to overproduce. The skin gets oily all over again and the vicious cycle continues. Cleansers and toners with drying ingredients, such as alcohol, often contribute to long term oiliness.  
2. Using Moisturizer: Those of us with oily skin tend to avoid moisturizer for fear of it adding to our already sticky situation, and yes, the wrong moisturizer can add to the problem. However, because dryness contributes to oiliness, it’s important to find a light moisturizer such as ÀTOI’s Balancing Day/Night Cream with ingredients such as witch hazel that has gentle astringent properties.
3. Drinking Water: Drinking water is so important for all skin, but especially for an oily complexion. Alkaline water is the best, and it really does make a difference. Neo Water is the ÀTOI house favorite because it tastes so good! Other liquids like fruit juices, fruit drinks, sodas, coffee and tea do not count! They do nothing to balance, hydrate, or benefit the skin the way the way a good water does.
4. Tracking your Dairy: Animal fat found in butter, cheese, ice cream and even frozen yogurt can contribute to oily skin prone to acne. Cutting down on dairy is great, but just being careful not to have dairy every day can make a big difference. Rotate the days that dairy is consumed and if possible only have those dairy products every 4-5 days. Regular yogurt, not frozen yogurt, is the easiest on the system, and fat free is always the best choice. Cooking with and eating butter may be delicious, but it’s very hard on the skin. As a substitute, try Spectrum Apricot Oil. It tastes like butter but is excellent for the skin.  
5. Eat Real Fruit: It is always better to eat fruit than to drink fruit juice. Fruit juice is too high in sugar and lacks the beneficial enzymes found in real fruit. When eaten for breakfast, before any other food, fresh ripe pineapple, mango, kiwi and papaya actually reduce the pores. Wait 1/2 an hour or so before eating anything else and you will see a difference in the pores. However, with the exception of papaya, these fruits are all high in acidity and should not be consumed every day. To even it out, eat a different one of these fruits daily for 2-3 days in a row maximum. In general, the best dietary “rule of thumb” is to rotate your food and not have the same food day in and day out.
6. Eat your Veggies: The skin is the largest organ in the body and needs to be nourished correctly. With the modern time crunch, many of us short circuit our meals and don’t get enough green and orange vegetables. Vegetables are lifesavers and help balance both the body and skin. Additionally, dark leafy vegetables are excellent for darkness and fatigue around the eyes.

Balancing oily skin requires a change of both internal and external dynamics. Changing day in, day out habits, especially those regarding food, is not easy, but is always worth it in the long haul. Eating thoughtfully and well is entirely doable and will make you feel and look so much better, you won’t even believe it. For a phenomenal Cleansing Routine for oily skin, try ÀTOI’s Clarifying Milk and Clarifying Toner. They gently, but deeply cleanse, balance oil, even the skin and reduce the pores without stripping the skin. Follow with ÀTOI’s Balancing Cream, a light moisturizer specially formulated to balance the skin and  to even skin tone and balance oil. Please call ÀTOI at 212-929-2182 or email admin@atoiskincare.com to discuss your skin in more detail.