Perhaps you’re doing too much. If you strip skin of its natural sebum, it will react by overcompensating and producing more oil as a protection mechanism. Try to cut back on any oil-controlling cleansers and toners, and instead focus on moisturisers or primers that mattify – which means they contain microsponges that soak up and hold excess sebum. It’s a much more gentle way to approach the problem than stripping skin dry. One good buy is Garnier
Pure Long-Lasting Shine Control Moisturiser ($12.55 from pharmacies). You could also use a mattifying foundation but it could be too drying on the rest of your skin – in the case, use blotting papers on your nose as often as needed.
Light at the end of the tunnel: it will eventually balance out and leave you with a glowing, not greasy, look – à la Jennifer Lopez. Just be aware that you need to keep the area clean with regular exfoliation – this will prevent excess build-up that could contribute to open pores.
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I tried that moisturiser a few months ago and I found that it was a terrible base for makeup. It may have just been the foundation I was using (and Kat would know better than me) but my makeup just slid right off and wouldn’t blend. It was great for oily skin though. I usually wake up with oily skin, and when I used it the night before, my face wasn’t the oil slick it normally is in the morning
Comment by Laura — November 5, 2008 @ 8:21 am