Oily/Acne Prone Skin Care

It seems as though I have been gone from this forever, and it has been a long time. I would love to say that we have been on an extended vacation, at some exotic location, but sadly not the case.

No, just daily life getting the best of me. Snowstorms, running with kids, kids running me, ...... you know the story.

I am however, happy to report that the wayward hamster has been taken back into custody. She is now resting in maximum security.

Now it is back to business. I read over my previous posts and realized that I have been very one sided. I have only been focusing on those of us with dry skin. So....today I will remedy that.

I myself have never had the problem of oily skin. I remember once at the age of 18 being told by another girl...."You have it nice now....but when you get old, you will get all wrinkled and I won't" Now this girl had an issue with a little acne on her forehead...I never thought it was bad, hardly noticeable....but it obviously bothered her.

I spent my 20's, 30's, and 40's.....waiting for those nasty craggy wrinkles to begin. Now mind you, I have a few crow's feet and the line between my brows due to giving my kids ( and probably my hubby ) " the look ", yet for my age...not so bad. I was expecting to look like Tutankhamen's Mummy in my 30's after her comment....

In hindsight, she most certainly did me a favor. I was much more in tune to keeping moisturized because of this. So, once again, out of every hurtful thing, some goodness comes!

For all of you LUCKY enough to be struggling with oily skin. I will talk about handling that. Yes I do mean lucky! She was right in her comment in saying that, in general, oily skin will be prone to less wrinkling and will appear younger!

There are some pitfalls to avoid however. Oily/Acne prone skin can be tough to deal with and the tendency to become aggressive with it is tempting.

Some of the preparations used in it's treatment can be very drying...which may make you think, "well, perfect!" but...no. Yet, this can cause problems too.

Excessive drying can cause scaling and flaking. One's natural tendency, and it can be hard to fight, is to get super aggressive with your scrubbing---or worse--picking. -- And all can lead to inflammation.

Inflammation can just lead to more acne flare ups. Around and around you go.

Serious acne should definitely be seen by a dermatologist. End of story. A serious case of acne can lead to all sorts of problems including, but not limited to.... cystic acne and scarring. There is no way you can adequately treat cystic acne yourself.

Less serious acne can be manageable yourself. If you see that things are getting out of hand....see above!

A good management plan for oily and acne prone skin always begins with cleansing. Gently wash your skin at least two times per day.

Now this does not mean getting out the sand paper type accessories and go at it. It is almost more important, IMHO, to use a light hand with this skin type than with dry skin. I think that a silk facial sponge or a facial brush (kept pristinely clean and allowed to dry between uses) should be all one should use...along with your cleanser.

Use a gentle soap or facial cleanser. I really like a tea tree soap or a pH balanced foaming facial cleanser. If you use a traditional soap, a toner is very useful in returning the skin to normal pH after rinsing.

Then, treat your skin to a non prescription product containing one or possibly more of the following.

Salicylic Acid --- this is a Beta Hydroxy Acid ...more gentle than an Alpha Hydroxy Acid and tolerated better by more people, with less reactions. It is a chemical exfoliator, and helps to keep those pores clean. Plus there is an anti aging benefit. It keeps your complexion looking fresh and glowing.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid--- Basically the same as the Beta acids, but works a little more aggressively. It is somewhat less well tolerated by some, and there can be more chance of reactions.

Benzoyl Peroxide--- This basically works by drying up the oil and reducing the bacteria on the skin.

Tea Tree Oil--- This natural essential oil has been found to be an effective anti bacterial, and it is quite low on reactions and side effects. You can find it in soaps, facial washes, lotions, and serums.

A note on make ups.....For the most part, a good natural Mineral Make Up is the best choice for this skin type. It reduces inflammation, is not going to be a pore clogger, and is very well tolerated and easy to use ( once you learn the techniques ). One ingredient though to stay away from -- bismuth oxychloride. This is found in some mineral make ups and can cause irritation and acne flare ups in some individuals. Become a label reader.

One more thing to note and it is important. Anytime you are using any of the Hydroxy Acids ( but honestly anytime really ) it is imperative to use sun protection. Your skin will be more prone to burning and damage while using them. As one easy option....Mineral make up gives a natural spf that varies, usually between 15 and 20.

Well, I hope this has been helpful. You know, no one is ever totally happy and completely satisfied with the skin type they have been given. But really, there are pluses and minuses to each type.

The important thing is arming your self with information, all you can get, on how to best care for what God gave you. Then try to focus on your positives!!!