Even at my age, I have issues with acne. I can generally keep this in check with a regimen of daily face washing and as-needed application of benzoyl peroxide. But lately I’ve heard that moisturizing - speficically with a water-based moisturizer - is key to keeping a clear complexion. This doesn’t really make sense to me; it seems like moisturizing would be bad for a greasy face or would exacerbate any problems. What’s the deal?
My aunt, who specializes in skin care, told me that an excess of oil-based moisture makes you break out, but water-based moisture is something your skin needs. Ideally you have a bit of oil on your skin to keep the water from all evaporating. Even people with oily skin still need moisture - cleansers for oily skin tend to strip everything away and may make matters worse. After you cleanse you’re supposed to use a water-based moisturizer to replenish the moisture you lost. They do make lotion for people with oily skin. Kiehl’s or Origins has pretty good skincare, if you’re willing to invest a bit for a clearer complexion.
As opposed to a “moisturizer” you could think in terms of a “hydrator” - these products hydrate without being greasy. In fact, many of them can actually be purchased in an oily skin formulation and they will help prevent shinyness.
Over cleaning your skin can lead to breakouts - if you strip all the oil (and sebum) off your skin your skin can overcompensate and produce MORE oil which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
So - you need a good, gentle clenser, possibly with benzol peroxide in it, and a good light hydrator - you could look for one with salicylic acid - it’s good for acne.
I know that Vichy Normaderm is a very good line and works well for many people that are prone to breakouts, but it’s harder to find in the US. (I’m not sure where you are.)
Well lookit - you’re in Chicago! DUH!
Anyhow - you may be able to find Vichy at Rexal Drugs in Chicago.
NB - If you have cystic acne you really need to see a dermatologist. If you just have standard sort of breakouts, something like Vichy can be very effective.
I’m very similar to you VCO3 - oily skin and very bad acne. Benzoyl peroxide has always helped and HazelNutCoffee is right about harsh cleansers. Find a good exfoliant that contains salycylic acid - it works absolute wonders. I found that taking Betacarotene supplements worked incredibly well and I noticed the difference when I went off them as well. Go to the local pharmacy and look for Betacarotene in the vitamin section. It’s Vitamin A but in the form that your body can actually absorb and convert to Vitamin A.
It basically cleared up all those little blocked pores and bumps on my forehead that ran wild when I got too warm. The number of big breakouts also reduced dramatically. So while I can’t be of much use when it comes to moisturising, I can help with acne! I only use moisturiser under my eyes (a light Olay original) and sometimes on my chin and cheeks when they get dry but I’ve found that drinking a lot of water helped my skin a lot. It’s hard to do sometimes but it works.
All the best!
I’m a chick, and the best moisturizer I’ve found is plain old aloe vera gel. Not the green stuff with lidocaine in it for sunburns, the clear stuff in the same aisle as the hand lotion. IANADermatologist, but I think I recall hearing that mixing too many medicated acne products can irritate your skin and make the problem worse.
My dermatologist recommended Moisturelle. You can buy it at the drugstore and get a sizeable container of it really cheap. It’s great!