Oil Cleansers are the Secret to Clear Skin
Counterintuitive as it may seem, to fight acne and clogged pores, you need an oil cleanser. But not just any one will do.
If you’re acne-prone, putting more oil on your skin might be the last thing you want to do, but estheticians and skincare experts know that one of the secrets to a clear, even complexion lies in doing just that.
When you have clogged pores, the sebum, or oil, in your skin sometimes hardens and becomes waxy, even oxidizing on the surface, which results in blackheads. A common way to combat this is by drying skin out with harsh products and cleansers, but this is actually counterproductive and causes your skin to produce even more sebum to compensate. Oil attracts oil, so by beginning your skincare routine with a thorough oil cleanse, you can gently extract the hardened sebum from your pores, resulting in clearer, smoother skin. However, not just any oil will do. When on the market for a cleanser to treat acne and clogged pores, the main ingredients to look out for are oils high in linoleic acid to try when your skin needs a little extra love.
An Omega-6 essential fatty acid naturally present in skin, linoleic acid is often lacking in those who are acne-prone. While you can get the fatty acid via meat, eggs, nuts, and plant oils, applying linoleic acid topically via an oil cleanser unclogs pores, strengthens the skin barrier, and even soothes dermatitis and eczema. These oils also tend to be more lightweight, making them ideal for use on oily skin.
Oils high in linoleic acid include safflower oil, evening primrose oil, and sunflower oil. Keep in mind that cleansers with a high amount of linoleic acid have a shorter shelf life than those with smaller amounts. By storing your oil cleansers in a cool, dark place, opting for opaque packaging, and using them up relatively quickly, you can ensure your oil cleansers last as long as possible. Here are a few of our favorite oil cleansers high in linoleic acid.
