Hey, friends! The winter skincare diaries continue this week, with a focus on products which aim to combat oily/combination skin. Although I sit firmly in the normal/combination category as of late, the entirety of my teen years were spent with a face greasy enough to cook chips on, so I have a fair idea of how annoying an oily epidermis can be. With this in mind, let's jump in!

Sidenote: huge thank you to Philosophy and Kiehl's for supplying these bangin' goodies. What lovely folk they are.



Philosophy's The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash
I know that when my skin was at it's oiliest, I could not wait to get home at the end of the day and feel completely clean. However, I didn't want to exfoliate on the daily so as to keep my precious epidermis intact - this face wash would have been the answer to my woes, due to the fact that it is gentle enough to use every day. Hell yeah. Plus, it doubles as a mini microdermabrasion for all of your gentle resurfacing needs. What a winner.

Philosophy's Total Matteness Pore-Minimising & Mattifying Cleanser + Mask
Ok, we all love a good multi-tasker - but a multi-tasker that actually works is even better. This cleanser/mask duo, which is jam packed with glacial clay to evict gunk from your face craters, will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and oh-so-clean. Adding a little water to this grey sludge will give you a lovely, foaming cleanse, though I do prefer to use it as a weekly mask to draw out any impurities. Moreover, if you suffer from acne, clay masks make great spot treatments!



Philosophy's Ultimate Miracle Worker Multi Rejuvenating Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 25
If you think the name is a mouthful, just wait until you hear the benefits of this bad boy. This anti-ageing wonder cream will protect your precious skin from uva, uvb, infrared, and visible light (so important!), while leaving you hydrated and radiant like the god/goddess you are. Since it contains bi-retinol and active plants (how good does that sound?) to stimulate natural collagen production, I've been slathering it down to my chest to delay the inevitable gobbler-neck that gravity will one day bestow on me. Moisturisers are often difficult territory for me as my skin is more sensitive than a toddler who has missed their nap, but I've had no issue with this! Plus, look at that frosty, metallic rose packaging, oof.



Philosophy Total Matteness Oil-Free Mattifying Pore Eraser
When I first picked up this bad boy, I assumed it would be a blurring primer - a la Benefit Porefessional - but I was shocked to open the box and find a serum-like bottle staring back at me. This murky little liquid absorbs oil and works to shrink pores, while also banishing nasties (thanks to salicylic acid). This is definitely not a use-once-for-results product, but rather a use-this-daily-soph-its-not-that-hard-to-remember-oh-my-god kind of situation. While I have not seen huge results when it comes to pore-shrinking, I do enjoy the toner-like feeling, as well as the brightening aspects.

Kiehl's Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate with Sustainably Sourced Quinoa Husk Extract
Although there is nothing I appreciate more than knowing the quinoa husk I am patting on to my face is sustainably sourced, this product unfortunately didn't agree with my face area. I am putting this down to my aforementioned skin sensitivities, and the fact that this is definitely suited to much oilier skin than my own. If you fall into that category, tapping this into your skin, pre-moisturiser, will improve rough texture and increase cell turnover to refresh your pretty little face. It is safe for nightly use, but I'd recommend testing a patch every other day to avoid skin purges!

Total Matteness Cleanser + Mask, Total Matteness Pore Eraser, and Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate

I hope this was helpful for all of you oily babes out there! Do you have any must-have winter skin products for combatting oil? Share them below!

Enjoy!
Sophia ♡