According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive oil production is a major cause of skin blemishes, so acne prevention and treatment are ongoing concerns for people with oily skin. While serious acne may need prescription medication, people with mild or occasional cases need only diligence and a few effective cosmetic products to keep acne at bay, reports the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). If you're prone to acne or have oily skin and want to avoid it, these dermatologist tips take some of the guesswork out of daily skin care.
Cleanse and Moisturize
To remove excess sebum that can clog pores and form lesions, skin care professionals at the Mayo Clinic suggest cleansing and moisturizing with cosmetic products made for oily skin. Look for label listings such as noncomedogenic, nonacnegenic, water based and oil free.
Avoid scrubs, astringents and formulas that feel greasy. Wash your face with mild nondeodorant soap and follow up with a moisturizing cream or lotion twice a day. This helps keep pores clear by removing excess oil and dead skin cells from the skin surface.
Use an Acne Cosmetic Product
For mild acne, an over-the-counter skin care product that addresses oil accumulation and bacterial growth is an effective daily treatment. Most dermatologists agree that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid do the job well, but experts at the AAD note that you have to continue using the product even after lesions have disappeared in order to maintain healthy skin.
You'll find these active ingredients in varying solution strengths. It might take some trial and error to discover the lowest effective dose for you, so you won't irritate healthy skin.
Wear SPF 30 Sunscreen
Oily skin with acne already has stress to overcome, so carefully protect it from the sun. Dermatologists at the AAD advise wearing a sunscreen cosmetic product every day. It should be "broad-spectrum," or "UVA/UVB," to block both types of ultraviolet rays as well as SPF 30 strength or higher.
Don't be misled into thinking that sun exposure will improve your acne condition. Protecting your skin from sunburn is important. Skin drying from sunburn does nothing to change the underlying cause of acne. Remember to choose a sunscreen product that is noncomedogenic and less oily.
Don't Use Tanning Beds
It's helpful to know what not to include in your regular acne care routine. Just as exposure to outdoor UV rays is dangerous to healthy skin, so is a dose of UVA radiation from tanning beds.
Doctors at the Skin Cancer Foundation point out that indoor tanning from sun lamps greatly increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you are under age 35. Acne specialists at the AAD further note that contrary to popular myth, using tanning beds won't clear up acne.
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