subject: Oily And Combination Skin: Acne Health Tips [print this page] Combination and oily skin do have different skin care requirements, but they do share some common points. For example, they both require similar forms of acne care, which means they can both be treated using common skin care products.
The key to being able to deal with this problem is to establish a regular cleansing routine. Sometimes, when treating mild to moderate cases of acne (these include facial and back acne), a regular cleansing routine can be more effective than over the counter acne creams, however, if you're trying to treat more severe cases of acne, then you will need to have medical supervision.
First Step: Learning how to Cleanse Acne Prone Skin
Soapy cleansers containing salicylic acid or retinol are ideal for both skin types and also a good way of helping stabilize the production of sebum and reduce clogged pores.
Now, please don't confuse "soapy" with soap and water, they are not the same thing. In fact, using soap and water to cleanse your skin will most likely dry it out, unlike a soapy cleanser. This dryness will then trigger extra sebum production, which will subsequently lead to clogged pores and acne lesions.
Contrary to popular belief, you can also try a natural acne remedy if you have oily or combination skin. One of the best natural cleansers for oily skin is milk of magnesia which can be used by simply rubbing onto your skin and then rinsing off with warm water.
Second Step: Tone and Exfoliate Your Skin
An effective daily cleansing routine will also require the use of a toner, however, if the cleanser you are using is good enough to clean your skin then it won't be necessary to tone your skin. If you do decide to use a toner, then make sure that it is alcohol-free.
Exfoliating, is a must for all those that have oily or combination skin and should be done at least once every week. If your skin shows no real change and is still dull, then try exfoliating twice a week.
Both oily skin and combination skin are quite resilient and can resist facial scrubs, however, you should still be very gentle when applying an exfoliant. Also keep in mind that excessive scrubbing will cause your body to produce more sebum, just as with excessive cleansing.
Step 3: Moisturize
Just because you have oily skin or combination skin, do not assume that it does not require a moisturizer. Oily skin requires a moisturizer just like other types of skin, however, make sure that you choose a light, water-based moisturizer so that your skin does not feel too coated.
Extra Step: Acne Creams and Spot Treatments
Any successful acne remedy regime should always include acne creams that can be used for spot treatments. By using acne creams for spot treatment, you will be able to help boost the effectiveness of your daily cleansing routine and minimize any possible irritation produced to healthy skin.
