by Amber Hilton

Created on: August 19, 2008

I have always coveted that perfectly dewy skin that you see on television and in the pages of fashion and beauty magazines. However (sigh), if you have naturally oily skin like myself, this look can be nearly impossible to pull off. Loose powder can be used to minimize the excess oil, but can leave your skin looking matte and cakey, while the alternative is an oily mess that makes your skin appear dirty and greasy.

While the average woman may never be able to pull of that movie-star glow without the help of a professional makeup artist, you can come close by using the right combination of cleansers, toners, moisturizers and makeup. What it all comes down to is using the right products for your skin type.

If you have oily skin, the most important rule is to avoid skin care products and foundations that contain oil. It makes perfect sense if your skin is already producing excess oil, why add more? Most face washes contain oils, even those that are marketed to treat oily or acne-prone skin, which can be quite deceiving for the uninformed consumer. These excess oils can lead to clogged pores, which in turn can lead to embarrassing breakouts and blackheads.

Your first instinct might be to grab a cleanser that will dry out your skin, such as a strong acne-fighting product. However, these can be just as troublesome, especially if you have problems with acne or breakouts. Some cleansers can actually overly dry out your face, which in turn makes your oil glands pump out extra oil to try to hydrate your parched skin. Instead of the dewy, fresh face that you desire, you will have dry, chapped skin covered in a layer of grease.

So what is the right choice for people with oily complexions? Ask any dermatologist and you are bound to get the same answer: an oil-free, hypoallergenic cleanser. Two of the most popular brand names that are consistently recommended by dermatologists are Cetaphil and Purpose. I have had success with both brands, but ultimately I prefer Purpose. Don't get me wrong, Cetaphil definitely works wonders for oily skin, but the consistency is not like that of other cleansers. It is more of a lotion/gel than a gel/liquid. As a result, it doesn't foam up like other cleansers, so even though I can see that it's doing the job, my face just doesn't feel as clean. I know it's all in my head, but I really prefer the consistency and foaming action that you get with Purpose.

Purpose also offers a great moisturizer that is oil-free and light enough to wear on its own or under makeup. These two products, along with a gentle toner and an occasional exfoliating scrub have become my trusted skin care regimen and I wouldn't think of traveling without them.

You would think that dermatologist recommended skin care products which cost an arm and a leg, but both Cetaphil and Purpose are very reasonable priced and available at most drug stores or retail chains like Wal-Mart or Target. They typically start at around five dollars and last seemingly-forever.

Follow this skin are regimen with an oil-free foundation and a light dusting of loose powder and you'll be well on your way to creating that fresh-faced look that you crave.

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