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!

St.Ives Blemish & Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub

Acne is unpredictable...my skin is unpredictable.  I was looking at photo's from 7 years ago and my skin looked pretty good, so I thought back to what products I was using.  I was using St. Ives Blemish Scrub and Proactiv.  The Proactiv was drying on my skin (works okaywith CeraVe or Cetaphil), and I loved St. Ives.  I discontinued use, because I simply could not afford the system at that time.  I stopped using St. Ives, because I learned through my skin care research, that products with thick shell granules can create micro tears in skin.  I have been back and forth with this idea and have come to a conclusion: DO NOT USE THIS SCRUB.  I'm serious.  A glycol, lactic, malic acid will be more effective and gentle on your skin.  The apricot shells create micro tears in skin, causing irritation and slower healing of skin.  You don't want to be scratching your face.  This is the worst thing you could use on skin, as well as Neutragena products (especially acne prone). Try Murad Exfoliating Mask, Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Gel (normal/dry/combo skin), Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel (acne prone skin/VERY oil skin) instead or a gentle Glycolic peel.

The Ultrasound Skin Scrubber

 

 

With all the new skincare technology being released each year, it makes you wonder which one actually works? I recently took a advanced class on ultrasound for skin. I came to class with a substancial amount of irritation from a hydroquinone treatment. After using the ultrasound on myself, my irritation cleared and healed much faster. My random papules cleared and my skin was baby soft! I was immediately hooked. The ultrasound machine uses sonic waves that vibrate at 1 million vibrations per second. The stainless steel scrubber brush oscillates as it glides across your skin. This offers a extremely deep cleansing and increased circulation of the skin.

The main benefits of the ultrasound skin scrubber include, helps carry away inflammatory agents & allergens from the skin and helps bring oxygen, nutrients into the skin. The ultrasound skin scrubber is applied between 1mhz-3mhz. A higher frequency does not mean better results, but overuse can damage tissue. By using the ultrasound skin scrubber you will get a extra deep cleansing and evidence of dirt, oil, debri will remain on the edge of the scrubber wand. It may sound gross, but after you get all the gunk out of your skin, you will be ecstatic with the final outcome of your skin.

Benefits of Ultrasound Treatments

Improves blood circulation

Increases cell regeneration (Collagen and Elastin)

Improves acne, congested, oily skin and reduces pore size

Soothes inflammation and speeds wound healing

Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles

Aides in product penetration

Firms tissue

Reduces hyperpigmentation, melasma and sun damage

Reduces puffiness

Helps hold moisture in skin

Can relax muscles

Can improve appearance of cellulite and stretch marks

Helps break up scars, including keloids

The ultrasound machine has four modalities, including cleanse, peeling, lifting, and toning. Cleanse is great for thin and sensitive skin. Peeling is great for acne, oily and congested skin. Lifting and Toning will give a tightening affect to the skin. The wand requires a conductive gel to reach skin and increase circulation. Aloe Vera gel or your favorite serum works well, allowing the wand to glide across skin and increase circulation. Not only does this wonder tool remove dirt, oil, debri from your pores, its also can give a non-invasive skin tightening effect. It can target structures in the dermis and subcutaneous (where collagen and elastin are found) and stimulate production. Feel free to ask your esthetician to focus on a specific area, like the jowls or lower face-ultrasound gives a great tightening effect. Ultrasound can be used on the face and body, but not around the eyes.

 

Ultrasound treatments are available at most day spas and medical spas today. You can even purchase your own skin scrubber by Bliss 'Pore'-Fector gadget.