What does it mean to have balanced skin?
Balanced skin has a healthy balance of water and oil that allows skin to do its job - protect, absorb, eliminate, and regenerate. Balanced skin doesn't appear to be super dry or to over produce oil.
What causes an imbalance in skin?
Environment can impact skin - such as now having to wear a mask frequently, but the most common reason I see someone's skin appearing to be out of balance is due to a lack of a moisture barrier. Often people use harsh products to get rid of oil or acne and it actually causes their skin to over produce oil.
If you find your skin producing a lot of oil, having redness or feeling irritated, then please continue reading! Assuming that you are well hydrated and do not have any special skin conditions, here are some of my favorite products to help balance your skin and why they work.
Let's start first with a cleanser.
If your skin feels dry or tight after cleansing, switch your cleanser ASAP. My favorite gentle cleanser is the Countertime Cleansing Oil. It contains Vitamin E and Essential Fatty Acids that help maintain the integrity of your skin. It leaves your skin feeling clean but soft.
Another great cleanser is the Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm. It contains lotus extract which is an active stem cell to help soothe and de-stress skin and a blend of jojoba seed oil and avocado seed oil that mimic the skin's natural lipids to help retain moisture and leave skin balanced.
Next, ditch the harsh astringent and switch to an essence.
The Countertime Essence is the best one in my opinion to calm skin. It contains fermented sugars that soothe skin and mineral enriched sea water from France that helps restore vital nutrients and minerals to the skin.
Now, let's treat your skin.
I recommend the Countermatch Intense Moisture serum for daily use. It works with most skin types and contains hyaluronic acid that provides lots of moisture without clogging pores. It's also packed with antioxidants vitamin C and E to protect skin.
A good treatment to use 2-3 times per week is the Charcoal Facial Mask. The charcoal powder helps balance and purify skin. This mask is great for the annoying T-zone oil. Just be sure to avoid any super dry areas and don't use too often.
Alright, the most important part when it comes to balancing your skin - protection.
The product you have to have if you are trying to balance your skin is the No. 3 Balancing Oil. It contains meadowfoam seed oil which acts as an emollient to lock in moisture and create a protective seal. It helps soothe inflammation and acne prone skin. The other powerhouse ingredient in the No. 3 oil is ylang ylang. Ylang ylang has been shown to improve blood flow to the skin which helps fight inflammation as well as brighten skin. It contains antibacterial compounds to purify, protect and heal. This oil is most commonly used to balance and regulate oil production. The No.3 Oil can be used as a moisturizer itself or you can mix it with your PM moisturizer.
The moisturizer I would recommend starting with is the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion. It will provide moisture, omegas, and vitamin E without being too heavy on your skin. If your skin is particularly dry, give the Countermatch Sleeping Cream a try in the evenings. It has the same effective ingredients as the Adaptive lotion but is also packed with hyaluronic acid.
I hope this helps if you have been trying to troubleshoot your skin.
Request samples here if you would like to give something a try!
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