My Secret Weapons for Acne Prone & Oily skin

Make skincare a priority and investment and invest in it.  If you invest in skincare, you won't have to dabble in cosmetic procedures or CANCER down the line.  My personal goal is to maintain acne free skin, reduce, control oily zones and reduce hyperpigmentation so I can go without foundation!  With these products, my skin is on its way to being just that.  I have laid out prescription, over the counter, and organic options.  

1) Clarisonic Mia Cleansing brush has been a life saver for my skin.  Not only does it deep clean, which your fingers or washcloth cannot do, but it sweeps out all the grime that settles throughout the day!  Products will penetrate skin more effectively, allows pores to contract (sweeps out pore stretching oil/dead skin cell buildup), and refines and smoothes the texture of your skin.  Everyone should own one.  PERIOD.

2) Minocycline: sometime antibiotics are needed, in my case they are.  I have suffered from acne and oily skin for over 13 years...multiple variety of cysts, whiteheads, pustules on my face, neck, chest AND back.  It's intense and I have recently went back on antibiotics.  They WORK and should be combined with a religious skincare regime.  Mine is quite extensive, but I get results!  See your derm to discuss oral or topical acne medications.

3) Cleanser: Neostrata Antibacterial Cleanser.  Kills bacteria causing bacteria, softens skin without stripping the skin.  A fragrance free cleanser that gets the job done without any irritation.

4) Organic Cleanser: Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Cleansing Gel.  Gentle clarifies acne prone and oily skin by neutralizing germs and p.acnes bacteria.  I discovered this cleanser at Grocery Outlet, loved it so much I bought out the store!  A great organic option and it smells amazing! Lemons!

5) Over the counter Acne Treatment: Murad Acne Exfoliating Treatment Gel:  Immediately knocks out acne, decreases oily skin, refines and clarifies skin, smoothes..it's a miracle in a bottle.  I use for the day time, but can be used morning and night.

6) Prescription Acne Cream: Retin-A.  I use this 0.05% nightly.  This cream exfoliates skin so clogging is decreased.  Use a pea size amount to start or ask your derm how much you should use.  Personally I use a pea size on each section of my face, cheeks, forehead, and chin.  I don't advise using this much if you are new to Retin-A.  I had to work my way up to using this much and get great results!  Smoothes, refines skin and is a great anti-aging cream too!

7) Toner: Murad Hydrating Toner.  Why a hydrating toner for oily skin?  Dehydrating acne products and to balance the skins pH.  This toner balances and restores my skins pH, and calms my skin.  If you skin feels tight, "dry", uncomfortable after cleansing this toner is a must.  Use morning and night after cleansing.

8)  Oil Free Moisturizer:  Murad Acne Skin Perfecting Lotion is the only moisurizer without spf that I trust.  Everything else is just obsolete.  Contains retinol (you would never know), oil free, light and will NOT clog pores.  

9)  SPF 30: Olay Complete Daily Defense sensitive skin Moisturizer spf 30 protects skin without clogging pores and breaking the bank.  Spf will prevent skins aging, breakdown of collagen and elastin in skin, prevent sun spots, sun damage, and skin cancer.  On the rare occasion, drugstore skincare will impress me.

10) Mask: Andalou Naturals Creamy Clay Mask & Equate Cleansing Mask (sulfur acne treatment).  The creamy clay mask contains acne bacteria neutralizing Blue Geranium, deeply purifies, soothes inflammation (acne is a inflammatory disorder), detoxifies pores, all without stripping the skin.  I sometimes sleep with this mask on my chest or back for deep cleansing or to clear a breakout FAST!  Available at Grocery Outlet & online.  Equate Cleansing Mask contains sulfur, absorbs excess oil without stripping the skin, reduces inflammation and redness, shrinks pustules overnight and even great for cysts!  Available at walmart. 2-3x week.

11) Ultra Sonic Skin Scrubber: A new addition to my skincare regime.  This tool utilizes ultrasound waves to loosen debri, exfoliate, soften, smooth skin, extract comedones, penetrate products, lift skin and rejvenate the skin.  A true miracle worker, I highly recommend this 2-3 times a week if you have oily, acne prone skin.  Can cost as low was $35!  My skin is softer than a babes bum.

12)  Exfoliant: Retin-A & Murad Acne Treatment Gel.  I also rotate Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Facial Scrub and Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.  Both very gentle on skin, Lemon Sugar Scrub has anti-bacterial manuka honey, clarifying lemon and gentle skin friendly physical exfoliant.  Dermalogica is a rice enzyme that digests dead skin cells, offering smoother, softer, brighter skin.  The Clarisonic lightely exfoliates, but I wouldn't rely on it for your 2-3x a week exfo.  

And thats what I use to control my problematic acne prone and very oily skin!  I hope this information was helpful and allows you to see that with a consistent skincare regime, you too, can have acne free skin!

Articles for Acne Prone & Oily Skin

A important part of skin care is education, so educate yourself. =)
Feel free to contact me with questions at Ladyjskincare@yahoo.com

• The BEST Investment I made for my Skin: Clarisonic!
• Easy Solutions to Prevent & Treat Breakouts
• Tips for Healthy Skin
• Oily Skin: It's Not a Curse
• Grades of Acne & Appropriate Treatment
• Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel
• How to Choose a Cleanser for your Skin Type/Condition
• Neostrata Saves Acne Prone & Oily Skin
• Lady J Approved Exfoliants
• Review: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Tips for Healthy Skin

This post is for all skin types & conditions.

• Maintain a consistent AM/PM skincare regime.  Changing products results in flare ups, irritation and little to no beneficial results.  A simple regime may consist of  A) Cleanser B) Treatment ( serum, Vitamin C, acne treatment, retinol, glycol, ect)  C) Moisturize (AM and PM) +SPF (AM).  There are plenty of moisturizers with spf 15+, but I recommend spf 30 everyday regardless if its cloudy or you are indoors.  
• Choose a cleanser for your skin type/condition.  Unless you are oily within a hour of cleansing, you won't need a foam cleanser (already foam when you pump the bottle).  It will be too drying for your skin, stripping it of vital moisture.  Excess oil and natural moisture barrier are too different things.
• Always cleanse 1-2 minutes with TEPID (lukewarm) water, never hot.  It strips skin, dries and irritates.
• Apply skincare products in order 1) Cleanse & Tone 3) Treat/Repair 4) Hydrate/Protect (SPF for day time) 5) Primer & Foundation
• Most drugstore skin products are too harsh on skin (contain excess alcohol, chemicals, irritating ingredients, no anti-inflammatory's, or hydrators.)  Neutragena is the worst thing you can use.  I trust CeraVe products though.
• Toner's purpose is to remove cleanser residue, debris and bring skin back to its pH.  Do not use 100% alcohol or witch hazel to tone-it's too stripping on skin.
• Use a gentle exfoliant, not a gritty St. Ives type scrub.  It creates micro tears, damages and irritates skin.  Use a Beta hydroxy acid: salicylic acid (for acne or oily skin) or alpha hydroxy acid: glycolic, lactic citric, mandalic acids.  Enzyme exfoliants are gentle and effective. The Clarisonic also exfoliates!
• Exfoliate 2x week and 3x week for oily/acne skin.  Normal/Combo skin: Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Gel  (amazing on blackheads).  Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask can be used on all skin types. Oily/Acne prone: Murad Acne Exfoliating Treatment Gel. Adult acne: Murad Acne & Wrinkle Reducer. Aging Skin: Murad Age Reform at home peel, Complete Reform and Intensive Wrinkle Reducer. As you can see I love Murad.  I also work with these products on a daily basis with amazing results =)
• Make sure to cleanse skin in the evening.  Remove makeup-don't sleep in it.  Makeup wipes are not sufficient cleaning, so use your wipes to remove makeup, then wash your face.
• EVERYONE needs to moisturize, especially oily & acne prone skin.  Without moisture your skin will try to overcompensate for needed moisture and produce even MORE oil.  Skin may not heal as fast either.  Try a oil-free moisturizer.  I love Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion (the ONLY moisturizer that doesn't break me out & has done wonders for my oily/acne prone skin.)
• Steer clear of products with bright colors i.e. Neutragena (not the box, but the actual product).  They have overly irritating ingredients..dyes, synthetic fragrance that can wreak havoc on your skin.
• Higher percentage of skin treatments does not equal better results.  Starting with a higher % can irritate your skin, putting your skin in shock.  Adjust slowly to products.  Take baby steps to avoid irritation.  
• Don't try and dry your oily skin out or over scrub/over cleanse acne prone skin.  Your skin will produce more oily and your skin will become irritated.  I know this from personal experience (I am acne prone AND oily) & as a Professional Skincare Therapist
• Don't over use cleanser, it can dehydrate skin.
• Thoroughly rinse cleanser off skin, including hairline and sides of the face.  Rinse up to 4x if  necessary to remove all impurities and cleanser residue.
• Apply serums, lotions, creams to still moist/damp skin.  Products will absorb better and lock in vital moisture. 
• When using lightening/brightening products, apply product to entire face, neck and chest.  Do no spot treat, you will have light and dark spots if you do.  
• Invest in a Clarisonic Mia!  It deep cleans skin with sonic micro massage brush, exfoliates, allows products to work faster & more effectively, refines pores.  Think your skin can't get any better?  Buy the Clarisonic Mia $119-it's worth it, believe me.
• Avoid dimethicone or "cones" especially in primers-they don't allow your skin to breathe.  There are dimethicone & cone free primers out there!
• Steer clear of skincare products by cosmetic company's (Mac for example).  Most have skin conditioning ingredients  to make skin look soft and smooth but with no real benefits.  Also they have the tendency to clog pores with synthetic ingredients, dimethicone, silicones, 'cones'.
• Pick a great everyday SPF unlike greasy traditional SPF.  Murad has fantastic spf's: Acne/Oily-Murad Anti-Aging Moisturizing SPF 20. Aging skin: Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30. Sun Damage: Essential C Day Moisture SPF 30.  
• A balanced diet can truly change your skin.  Eliminate fast food, fried food, processed food.  Juicing does wonders for the skin as well as fresh fruits and fish (omega fats great for anti aging).  Acne prone folks: follow the above statement and try and eliminate dairy, it has been shown to clear skin up.  I worked at a frozen yogurt ship for 3 years-after I left my skin cleared up (sugar too.)
• Give your skin a nice boost with supplements.  A multi-vitamin and Green tea for everyone. Aging skin: Fish Oil,antioxidants: Pomegranate extract.  Acne prone skin: Zinc, B vitamins, yellow dock, burdock, antioxidants..Murad Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement hits all the marks.  L-lysine promotes healthy skin, heals skin (acne) and promotes collagen production.