Cadie

Oily skin is caused by over-active glands. It's also caused by hormonal imbalance, heredity, weather conditions, diet, pregnancy, comedogenic products or incorrect cleansing. You should always use "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free" products and cosmetics on oily skin. So use a cleanser designed for oily skin and then follow up with a toner, which helps remove excess oils. There are over-the-counter brands such as Neutrogena or Clearasil that may help control oily skin problems. If your skin feels tight from using these products, opt for an oil-free moisturizer. It will soften your skin and won't clog your pores.

All mineral makeup is not glowy. I wonder where you got that impression? There are many brands that boast (and deliver) matte finishes. I have had skin so oily; Exxon/Mobile was making me offers. And yet, I've worn mineral makeup for decades. Now, at 53, my skin is normal. I wear mineral makeup some days. Some days liquid. Some days none. There are many great MMU companies. It is VERY subjective and you should just keep trying till you find your brand. That's what the samples are for. However, you will be most pleased, I bet, with those that have Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide before Mica in the ingredients list. Be aware Kaolin Clay is absorbing (good), too. More so than either rice powder or silk or pearl powders. Calcium carbonate is very absorbing, too. Also called "marble dust," it is chalk. Magnesium Stearate and Boron Nitride are additives that may irritate your skin, but they add great "slip" to the mix. And avoid Bismuth Ox chloride, which is the Bare Essentials glow. It's best to just avoid it in all products. Mica can be either glowy or matte. Sere cite is Mica. And Silica absorbs. Do your research, and then find the ingredient list that has what you want. You probably do not want Vitamin E, like some have. My favorite minerals, personally, were made by two companies, both of which went out of business -- for personal reasons, not because of the product. Now, I would recommend Jenulence Minerals (around a looong time, and great balance of ingredients for oily skin. And wears like iron. Really. Not trendy at all. Just Great Stuff.) And Monistat Anti Chafing gel as primer -- very little is needed. I've experimented and tried dozens of brands over the years, just out of curiosity. All mineral makeup is NOT created equal. By a long shot. And it's not all "glowy." Coverage, finish, color ranges, and endurance vary a great deal.

I normally use toner after I wash my face, to kind really clean off all the dirt and gunk, so that the mask can really get deep down into the pores. I use a glycolic toner too, and there's no really downside since it'll just help you clean your skin before slapping a mask on. Also, when you wash you’re face/before toning /using a mask, a tip is using a hot towel to steam your face, so your pores open up. That way your pores really get deep down clean, and they're open so the mask and toner can really do their work!