I’ve always had oily skin for as long as I can remember. Not wet, not greasy, not shiny, like a model – greasy. Not many people promised me that I’d age gracefully, because that’s enough to make it non-annoying. Even in winter
My T-zone is practically light-reflective and my makeup is gone by midday. That’s why a cleansing mask and a lightweight moisturiser are the cornerstones of my skincare routine, so two new favourites figured prominently in the discussion:
Sand & Sky’s Oil Control Purifying Moisturiser and Purifying Mask.
This Australian beauty brand is behind some of the hottest products in recent history. Take this rave-worthy Pink Clay Mask and their new Tasmanian Spring Water range. But now for Sand & Sky’s new Oil Control range
Sure your late summer MVP, or for my oily friends, year-round.
Sand & Sky Oil Control Cleansing Moisturiser, £34.90
The first product I tried was the Oil Control Moisturiser. I loved the packaging straight away. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try in the bathroom sink every morning. As you can see from the texture swatch above, this moisturiser has a light gel-cream consistency that my skin instantly loved. It feels thirst-quenching but slightly cooling when applied – perfect for summer.
It contains niacinamide, salicylic acid, prebiotics and geranium (an Australian native plant with anti-inflammatory and calming properties). A common misconception about oily skin is that it doesn’t need a moisturiser. However, if you don’t moisturise your skin, your sebaceous glands may actually produce too much sebum to compensate. (TL;DR: moisturising oily skin is still important!).
The Sand & Sky moisturiser felt really good on my skin and I would definitely use it again, but I can’t say for sure that I felt less oily throughout the day (but that’s a tall order). It works well as a light moisturiser.
Sand & Sky Oil Control Cleansing Mask, £30.90
On to the next product, the cleansing mask. I love oil-control masks, so I had a feeling I’d love Sand & Sky’s white clay formula for acne-prone skin (it also comes with a tapered applicator brush for added spa-facial vibes). The product is the color of pistachio ice cream and has similar ingredients to moisturizers for maximum oil absorption. My skin isn’t particularly sensitive, but I felt a slight tingling sensation when I applied it to my T-zone and cheeks. The instructions say to leave it on for 10 minutes, but the first time I tried it, I rinsed it off after five minutes just to be safe. Not long after, I noticed a noticeable difference in the appearance of my pores.
The best thing is that my skin doesn’t feel super tight or dry afterwards—just balanced and smooth. I felt like my skin absorbed the serum and moisturizer immediately, and small zits looked like they’d subsided. I haven’t used it long enough to see if it significantly reduces my oil glands or lightens my acne scars, but so far, I like it when my skin feels particularly congested.
Final Thoughts
At £34.90 and £30.90 respectively, Sand & Sky’s Clear Moisturiser and Clear Mask are by no means cheap products. However, if you’re looking for something solid that’s a step above the high street brands, but isn’t as expensive as luxury goods, I highly recommend this. You can also save nearly £10 on the brand’s Oil Control Skin Balancing Kit (retail price £65.80). Get out and glow (but not too much – that’s where this stuff comes into play).
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
