apearlsworld: Product Recommendations for Oily Skin Prone to Pimples

Skin Type: Often Oily and Prone to Pimples

“I don’t get how I am way past being a teen, and I still break out…what up with that?”

Some of us get pimples from hormonal changes, stress or allergic reaction to makeup or skin care products (see hyper-sensitive skin) they end up in a few mini-clusters, and they eventually go away. Some of us get re-occurring pimples, they take a lot of time to go away and just when they’re gone, there’s a new family ready to move in.

Others have had harsh and frustrating experiences dealing with a severe or semi-severe case of acne that isn’t going away despite several trips to the dermatologist and other skin specialists. The distance between you and better skin calls for process of elimination, options and intense investigation. There are even pimples which may be trickier to diagnose, as they are caused by internal imbalances and allergies. I was plagued with severe acne in my early twenties, and flew off the handle booking appointments with every skin specialist in the GTA. I should have started my journey with an allergy test and naturopathic doctor, as I later learned it stemmed from Candida due to an antibiotic prescription.

There are those who may have acne, but not oily skin, there are products that I list which will help and it’s valuable to try everything once. It is a process of elimination, and by monitoring your skin with one or two skin-care products you can determine what actually improves the overall occurrence of pimples or texture of your skin.

The popular active ingredients in over-the-counter products dealing with blemishes are: Benzol Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) or Lipohydroxy Acid (LHA).

Glycolic Acid is favoured by those with acne scarring as well, due to it’s effective exfoliation properties, however…if you are sensitive a high percentage of Glycolic may be irritating for you. This is why I list Neostrata’s products alongside the Etival “Clarifying” line as some good Glycolic Acid options.

If you want to find out more about Accutane and more details concerning blemishes please read Chapter 9 in Paula Begoun’s terrific tome for all things skin related: The Complete Beauty Bible.

Here are products that have gained their reputation from successful user stories

Moisturizer/Mattifiers:

Avene: features the Avene thermal spring water to soothe skin alongside providing long-lasting mattification.
Cleanance Anti-shine Regulating Lotion

http://www.aveneusa.com/cleanance-anti-shine-regulating/
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=20581/Cleanance-Antishine-Regulating-Lotion/Avene-/Moisturizers

La Roche Posay: This takes 2 pumps for the entire face ensuring you get a shine-free, clean feeling complexion.

Effaclar M
http://www.laroche-posay.com/products-treatments/Effaclar/Effaclar-M-p2227.aspx
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=65704/Effaclar-Active-Matt-moisturizer/La-Roche-Posay/Moisturizers

Treatments for day or night usage:

La Roche Posay: Put on your entire face to monitor results of LHA.

Effaclar Duo

http://www.laroche-posay.com/products-treatments/Effaclar/Effaclar-Duo-p2214.aspx
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=134468/Effaclar-Duo/La-Roche-Posay/Treatments

Neutrogena: A cool cucumber scented lotion using 2% Salicylic Acid.
Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment

http://www.neutrogena.ca/en/getProduct.asp?cat=1&sub=16&id=133&display=1
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=88945/Oil-Free-Acne-Stress-Control-3-in-1-Hydrating-Acne-Treatment/Neutrogena/Treatments

Neostrata: A toner that has a high percentage of Glycolic Acid, which may be very effective for some, and not good for others. The stories of some users are really amazing, so I list it as one of those you need to really try.

Toning Solution (8%)

http://www.neostrata.ca/products/-category/acne-care/toning-solution-level-1/52/http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/page=1/pagesize=10/ItemID=30649/

Etival: Here is a new line from Shoppers Drug Mart that is not only reasonably priced but has very effective and high quality ingredients for helping those with acne. The Clarifying line all contain a small percentage of Glycolic Acid and are very gentle on skin helping to reduce redness and skin texture.
Clarifying Toner

http://www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/Beauty-And-Body/Brands/Etival/Collections/Clarifying.aspx

Cleansers:

Neostrata: This line is known for Glycolic Acid as an exfoliator, but people really enjoy the feeling of using this cleanser even though the amount of Glycolic (4%) is so minimal you can see an improvement.

Oil-Free Gel Cleanser

http://www.neostrata.ca/products/-category/cleansing/oil-free-gel-cleanser/23/http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=130153/oil-free-gel-cleanser/Neostrata/Cleansers

Kiehls: Try this once and get hooked. They have many different types of cleansers – but this has a good reputation for oily and acne-prone.

Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser

http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=50202/Blue-Herbal-Gel-Cleanser/Kiehls/Cleansers
http://www.kiehls.com/Blue-Herbal-Gel-Cleanser/544,default,pd.html?start=19&cgid=face-cleansers-scrubs

Bioderma: There is nothing that feels better after washing with this, as it won’t over-dry the skin causing it to over-compensate with more oil. It has helped many people stay in the clear, and continue to be that way.

Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel

http://www.bioderma.com/en/nc/the-products/what-s-new/product/action/11.html
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=131519/Sebium-Purifying-Foaming-Gel/Bioderma/Cleansers

Exfoliating Scrub:

Murad: Gylcolic, Lactic and Salicylic Acid are combined for an effective and gentle wash for oily skin gals who enjoy a scrub now and then. For use twice weekly only.
AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

http://www.murad.com/cleansers/aha-bha-exfoliating-cleanser.jsp

http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=28637/AHA/BHA-Exfoliating-Cleanser/Murad/Scrubs

Topical Disinfectants/Troubleshooters:

Clinique: They have a skin-type category for Acne, but this product has the best reputation and reviews.
Acne Solutions Emergency Gel Lotion

http://www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY15062/PROD11817/Skin_Care/Acne/Treatment_Specialists/index.tmpl
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=4017/Acne-Sol.-Emergency-Lotion/Clinique/Treatments

Makeup Remover:

Bioderma: Very gentle on the skin and feels wonderful. Causes no irritation what-so-ever and keeps proving itself a winner.

Sebium H2O Miscellar Solution

http://www.bioderma.com/en/nc/the-products/what-s-new/product/action/148.html
http://makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=93294/Sebium-H2O/Bioderma/Cleansers

Masks:

There is a mis-conception that those with oily and acne-prone skin should only use clay masks. I am an advocate for a clay mask although that doesn’t necessarily mean that someone with this skin type should avoid a cream or hydrating mask, as some of them are beneficial to those taking medication that dehydrates the skin causing flakiness.

Clinique: As I mentioned before they have a good Acne line as the mask of choice is this one.
Acne Solutions Oil Control Cleansing Mask