beauty - cleansing an oil slick

I've always thought the term "combination skin" is a joke.  Since that's the category I allegedly fit into, I  often find it maddening that I suspect many companies don't really know what to do with combo skin.  I guess they make hydrating products that won't dry me out?  I'm pretty sure being dubbed combination skin is the beauty industry's way to say "Bummer. Sucks for you."  

Over time, I've come to find that combination skin needs the TLC that comes from the most unlikely of places - more oil (aka moisture).  Adding selective but intense moisture to combo skin not only helps the dry patches, but it also helps balance the oily patches, helping them to neutralize.  

But, mercy, it's completely counter-intuitive to put heaps of oil on top of skin that's mostly already oily! 

To start my slick skincare journey, I first dabbled in Shu Eumura Cleansing Oil.  I was an idiot, and I tried this product while traveling for work - never a good time to change one's skincare routine, but hey - free samples travel well, so I gave it a whirl.  And....cystic acne.  Fancy! Came home, switched back, got a facial or two, and swore off cleansing oils.  

Then Dermstore sent me their adorable little sample packets with a purchase recently, and inside was DHC Cleansing Oil.  I'm just too much of a sucker for free products, so I gave it a try and crossed my fingers.  

And I was completely pleased with the results.  And I still am.  

I know and completely understand this product has mixed reviews, and it tends to fall into the "love or hate" category, and that can scare off buyers.  The horror stories are pretty bad.  But! The success stories, of which I'm one, are worth getting a small bottle of this and giving it a try.  Overall, I've found that cleansing and removing make up with an oil-based cleanser helps balance my skin - both oily parts and dry. And, it's a great feeling knowing that my face is seriously clean and makeup-free when I go to bed.  Deeply cleansed pores alone helps skin's tone, texture, and clarity. 

Added bonus? When I switched away from my previous glycolic cleanser to the DHC, I reduced a bit of the scarring that popped/picked breakouts caused due to the ingredients in glycolics.  

One more bonus! The DHC can be used as a makeup remover for stubborn eye makeup, too, so just dab an extra drop onto ring fingers and gently massage onto eyes.  You can save on whatever eye makeup remover you're currently using, or at least use a lot less of it. 

Note - I use the DHC once a day - at night.  As it's designed to be a deep cleanser, there's little need to use it in the morning, too. 

Beautifully Simple,

Nicole @ Vanity Cosmetics